Burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear

Just a little something I'd like to share with everyone. Life is definitely full of challenges and trials and none of us is an exception. But this is something that can serve as both a dua (prayer) and a reminder for us.

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286
Source

Which bears the following meaning:

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of ] what [evil] it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."

So, have patience everybody and remember that you will not be challenged beyond your capacity..You are strong enough to endure this..insyaa Allah.

Take care!

Watermelon to Yoga to Labor Signs to Missing my baby Girl

I wanted to start this post with Watermelons in my mind. Then I started to think about my waiting to get into labor (am 36 almost 37weeks now) and at the same time, thinking about my little baby girl who's not feeling so well right now (mild fever and heat rashes all over body - gonna get the doc check it in the morning)

So I don't know where this post will take us. You'll just have to read on.

Quoting from The Sound of Music -

Let's start at the very beginning...

Watermelons..must be wondering why I'm thinking of watermelons. Well, many of my girlfriends seems to be pregnant this year (actually, not only this year, but almost every year..I think we're at that age) Either they'll be 'popping' soon (like moi..) or just found out the great news (expecting a bub) and the not so great news (morning sickness). Enter watermelon.

image source - google

I have a very active BBMgroup consisting of my high school friends. Oh! the conversations we have there..would be too explicit to even be discussed here! LOL! It's like having girl talk constantly, anytime, anywhere. Conversation could start with an innocent question (which almost always begins about food - or someone hungry - pregnant or not) to having babies and everything in between..:P so anyway..

As I've mentioned, many are expecting this year (and no it's not because we're superstitious about the year of the Dragon) so we're sharing tips and experiences on what to expect, what to do, what not to do..(and everything in between :P) So aaaaanyway..(going wayy off course here)..Just wanted to say that if you're in your first trimester and not so lucky in the morning sickness department as I have been..try Watermelons.

The resident doctor in the bbmgroup suggested it. She said its full of minerals and water (google watermelon nutrition - it's rich in pottasium and fibre, an anti-oxidant and low in saturated fat, but careful if you're diabetic, sugar content quite high) So it's really good if you seem to be vomiting a lot (like me!) and have no appetite (like me!) or your body just seems to be rejecting whatever you eat or drink (like me too!) Watermelons can help at least keep you hydrated. Sigh..if only the girls had told me this earlier. Would've prolly help me with my first trimester. I couldn't even consume plain water back then

You can also try Yoga to help with your nausea and labor too. Now this one, I had ALL intentions of trying out. But as usual (get ready for the excuses peeps!)..I was in Perlis. Doubt there was any yoga centres there. And the yoga person/teacher I would've like to try has just only recently started her Pre-natal Yoga classes (and at a VERY affordable price too) and being so close to labor, I can hardly walk..you'd think I can do yoga this late in pregnancy? (I've NEVER done yoga too) but if you're interested (and you're in KL laa), check out Upward Yoga located in Saujana, PJ (literally across the street to my house!) for more info. But I have every intention of trying out her classes once I give birth and finished my confinement..we'll see how that goes when the time comes ok?

So..next is me.

How am I doing you may ask? Well, I just had my 36week checkup last friday. If you're following me on twitter you'd know I've been getting false alarms since thursday. Interesting enough, I came across an article while I was waiting for my turn at the clinic..

Pre-labor Signs
Braxton Hicks (check!)
Lose bowel movements (check!)
Vaginal Discharge (check! - you didn't have to know that..sorry!)
Back ache (check!)
Bloody show (uncheck..)

and some old wives tales signs
Feet swelling twice (check!)
Second flu during pregnancy (check!) - not too sure about this one tho so don't take my word on it!

Doctor ignored me when I said I was starting to show signs of labor. I guess he knows better :P. Well, for one thing, the baby has moved its position..head not engaged. But that can change towards the very last minute. But he did say that if I AM in labor, I'm good to go. It's an OK to give birth at 36 weeks. So his advice to me was, come to the hospital when I experience any of the following:

1. Water bag breaks
2. Bloody show
3. Contractions every 10 minutes

These last few weeks of pregnancy is always the worst time for me. I am still paranoid that history might repeat itself, and having high pain threshold level, I'm scared I might not know if I AM in labor...Those scenes you see in movies about the women screaming and shouting in pain when they're about to go into labor??Those are LIES!

I mean, labor pains are painful..but not to the extend you want to scream bloody murder...more towards writhe in pain is more like it.

So, my maternity bag is packed. I'm nicely being lazy in the house (I owe mom BIG time for this)..So I have nothing to do but wait..

And last but definitely never last on my mind..my terrible yet adorable little girl.

As I've mentioned in my previous post, CKD has been pretty trying..scratch that..VERY trying lately. Blame it on the 'Terrible Two' syndrome or her instincts that someone new is joining the family soon, we've developed this love-hate relationship. Mostly tantrums (by her) and shouting (by me). But she developed a fever with heat rashes all over her body this morning and refused to be cuddled by me. And I was heartbroken...

As much as she's been driving both my mom and I nuts lately, I miss playing with her. When she's in one of her cute modes, she can truly steal your heart with her antics. In a way, I can't wait to deliver this baby so I can play with CKD more comfortably. CKD can be quite rough in her ways, a bit of a tom boy (kicks a ball like a boy tho!) and most of the time it's very uncomfortable for me to play with her especially when she starts to climb all over me and presses on my bulging belly. Plus she's so active, constantly wanting to run or be chased after or carried around or be taken to the playground, none of which I am capable of doing in my current condition.

So yes..she may be right in front of me, but honest truth, I miss her.

Soon ok baby girl..soon we'll play til your heart's content!

OK..I guess I've had my dose of ramblings. A big chance I might already be a mom of TWO in my next post..so wish me luck and pray that all will go well for both baby and I.

A big chance I might be back sooner than u think..whichever..take care peeps!

Good Idea...

*Taken from 'The Craziest Thing I Did to Save Money' by Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro*


Smoke Less, Travel More
"Many years ago, my husband and I decided to stop smoking. He named the date we would start and sure enough, before we went to bed that night, we tossed our packs of cigarettes. I told him that I was going to put away each day the amount of money we would have spent on the cigarettes. So I made a ritual of every night putting away in a desk drawer $3. Back then, smoking was much cheaper.
"At the end of one year, I had saved almost $1,100. That money paid for a trip to London! I suggested this cessation method to a friend and he was successful in both saving money and eliminating his smoking habit."

****

I have quit a long time ago...but if I was still smoking..I'd take up this idea! It could be a motivation for quitting..kan? Wonder how much saving I would make...mari kira..

DULU..on an average, a pack of 20s would last me 2 days (yeah..that's on a healthy day! :P) so..ok..

365/2 = 182.5 (rounded to 183)
183 x RM9.20 (bapak mahal rokok skarang!!thank god I quit!!) =

RM 1683.60!!!!!

banyak!!!definitely enough for a holiday!!!!! So..what are you waiting for???? Kick the habit and plan your holiday!!!!!!

Blessings from Suami

Throughout my pregnancy experience, I have heard a lot of old wives tales about pregnancy..from how to tell if you're having a boy or a girl, to what to eat/not to eat, to what to see/not to see incase your baby will look like those things you see (not very convinced about this, but no intention of not following it either..)

But the most interesting and I find quite logical (and sometimes proven true through my personal observations laa) is the one that my mom told me recently..

"Blessings from your husband, will help you go through labor much easier.."

Hohohoho! Suami was sooo happy when I told him about this "Best la..Mama dah kasi I lesen besar! Sekarang you tak boleh Derhaka dengan I!!Hahahahaha!" Suami ketawa besar...because all these while, everyone has told him that because I am pregnant, he must fulfill whatever I want/need..but this 'thing' my mom said..means other wise :P

Point of the story is..you see..as a muslim, we have always known that once a girl marries, she is no longer the responsibility of her parents. All her sins and doings (good and bad) will be borne by the husband. Even is she has served the husband well, without the blessing of her husband, she will not be able to go to heaven (but there are fine prints to this believe too ok..it only applies if the husband has treated her well and fair will he have the authority to determine whether she can go to heaven or not).

I think there is some truth to this tale my mom told me. Because a good husband goes through the hardship and tests of a pregnancy as well (there are some husbands who has morning sickness too okay!) He may not go through the exact thing that us women go through, but he is tested nonetheless. Although when we go into labor, it's almost as if we're battling life and death..and there is no way that he will ever be able to feel the pain that we go through..but no good husband could bear seeing his wife in such pain without feeling it in his own way..

When we are pregnant, we get special treatment from almost everyone (I got free drink while waiting for my tapau lunch just now..)..but husbands with expecting wives gets pressured with the thought of the responsibilities that he is about to bear, the things he has to do to provide for the new member of the family and ensure that the wife is as comfortable as she can get..his blessings to make labor for the wife easier is I guess just god's way of giving him some credit so that the wife doesn't take advantage or misuse on all the special treatments that she is getting...agree?

Well..in suami's case..I hope he doesn't feel as if I have 'derhaka' to him or anything. As far as I know..I don't think that I have done anything wrong to him..but it's always safe to ask for his forgiveness before I go into the labor room (another 'petua orang2 tua' before we go into labor too!)

I love you sayang..and I'm sorry if I have done anything wrong to you or hurt you in any way ok? Konpem nak mintak berkat suami ok!!!!

My fav picture from our solemnization that was just recently uploaded by Zarith a few weeks back!

Ni baru laa moment amik berkat kann??heheheh!

*in case you didn't know..I am 30 weeks now..my expected due date is 1st May (penat dah jawab soklan org tanya bile aku nak beranak...) harap maklum!*

What to Pack in your Maternity Bag, Asian version..

In response to Azie's comment, I have come out with the list of things to be included into our maternity bag when we go for labor. My list might not be complete but I have researched online about the list of stuffs to bring online, none seem to suit our asian ways. So based on my past experience, these are a few things I think are essential to bring. Please note that the amount of the stuffs to bring are approximate coz it depends on how long you will be in the hospital. Some might need less..some might need more..up to you.

For mommy-to-be

Kain batik - at least 3pcs (more if you like..depends on how long your stay in the hospital)
Buttoned down shirts - at least 2pcs (for easy breast feeding when baby arrives)
T-shirts - (to wear before going into labor la)
Cardigan or buttoned sweatshirt - it can get cold in the hospital kan?
Socks - at least 2 pairs
Slip-on shoes or slippers - you'll be wearing socks after bersalin.
Maternity pads - 1 pack, make sure you have the strings for them too. Some hospitals will provide, but best to have your own set.
Towel
Toiletteries - toothbrush, toothpaste, shower cream/gel, body lotion, facial wash, hairbrush, scrunchie, make up(if you wear them laa).
Maternity bra
Change of underwears 
Barut + hot oil - for after delivery or when going home

If you get admitted earlier or decide to check yourself in earlier than you due date, get clothes that you are comfortable to wear. For me, it's always kain batik and suami's t-shirt :)

For baby 

Receiving blanket
Cloth diaper
A complete set of baby's clothes - including barut baby, mittens, booties, cap (if you like)
Baby Diapers
* bundle these stuffs up in the receiving blanket or the cloth diaper so it will be easy for the nurses to find them when they are done cleaning the baby and want to clothe them before sending them to you.

Maybe another set of clothes for the baby too for when you want to take the baby home.
Baby wipes.

Am a bit inexperience for the baby stuffs. So I am not sure if we should bring the baby's essential toiletteries like minyak telon or Yu Yi oil. But I think the hospital will clean and wash the baby for us before we take them home. Am not sure, so maybe we should ask those who's been through this before. But to get your bases covered, just use shower gel for babies for yourself so that in case we need to bathe the baby ourselves, we have it already kan?

The Extras

Air selusuh (if you have any la)
Dried fruits or granola bars or buah kurma - some snacks to keep the energy going before going for labor. Trust me..you'll need all the energy you can get.
Namelist + phone numbers of people you'd like to notify when the bundle of joy arrives. Suami might not know ALL your friends or family members. This list is more for the husbands to use.

So these are the stuffs that you can pack into your bag and leave the bag in the car maybe when you're in your 30th week onwards..no need to kelam kabut when you do go into labor nanti! :)

And make sure you keep your hospital card and health insurance card, IC and other important documents in your handbag. And I'd advice for you not to change your handbags anytime soon for now. Just incase it gets a bit chaotic when you're going to the hospital, at least the husband knows which one is your handbag. Wouldn't want to go to the hospital and not have your ID with you right?

So these are just a few suggestions from me. Maybe I have left out a few items so let's exchange notes.

*in my 28th week now..time seem to fly by so fast..:)*

Interview with Rockstar

Hari-hari aku sembang ngan cik rockstar ni. Biar busy cemne pun, asal nak ngadu je..sembang. Tu pasal bile Rockstar tak online aku boleh meroyan!hahaha..contoh sembang kami arini...

 

nota: perbualan ini adalah kisah benar dan adalah berkaitan dengan orang2 yang disebut. Tiada suntingan dilakukan terhadap perbualan ini..Sekian.

SS: ceh

       i wish i was a fulltime blogger

      aku selalu dapat inspirasi time2 tgh keje

      tapi bahan2 untuk bekap blog aku kat rumah

      but by the time aku sampai rumah

      moment tu dah gone

      :P

RS: hahahahaah

SS: serious

RS: aku pun

SS: like right now

RS: berpuluh kali aku tulis

      delete

SS: aku ada idea nak cite dulu aku skolah tomboy

      sbb skolah sume pompuan

      berlakon english drama pun jadi laki

nak bekap dgn gambar2 aku konon muka macho time english drama

      jadi nak explain

      bile dah keluar sekolah

      jumpa lelaki tulen

      aku jadi kekok

      amik gambar pun horror

      hahaha

      u shld see gambar aku masa after f5

      serious shit aku tak reti senyum!

      makanya..sampai sekarang aku tak suka camwhore

      tapi sedih

      sbb dlm kepala otak..posing dah vogue ala2 heidi klum

      skali tgk result dlm gambar...

      hahaha

      mcm seal!!

RS: hahhaahahah

      aku rasa

      paling sonok blog nie

      tunjuk kehodohan kite

SS: tu la pasal

RS: bukn jadi vain je

      sepanjang masa

      bluek

SS: to laugh at yourself

RS: yes

      ah itu topik aku!

 

*tips for the day: to laugh at yourself....nanti aku upload gambar2 yang aku maksudkan itu!*

Sangat Betul!

Aku kopipes quote ni dari Darkk yang juga telah kopipes dari org lain yang aku tak kenal. Aku nak share ngan korang sebab aku rasa quote ni SANGAT la betul...

Orang yang berfikiran besar, akan bercakap tentang ilmu.
Orang yang berfikiran sederhana, akan bercakap tentang peristiwa.
Orang yang berfikiran rendah, akan bercakap tentang orang lain.
Orang yang berfikiran cetek, akan bercakap tentang diri sendiri…

Suami cakap ada versi english..tapi aku tak jumpe. Takpela..kita share je yang ni..maka renung-renungkan la ye kawan-kawan...

Ah..UPDATE! Thanks to Sapik..I've found the original quote..

Great minds talk about ideas,
average minds discuss events,
weak minds talk about other people
-Elanor Roosevelt

*Jadi aku ni besar ke, sederhana ke, rendah atau cetek??? Sila jangan jawab soklan aku ni...:P*

Tips to Live By

I came across this a few months back. Been feeling a lot of stress lately and think that this might work. And besides, I've never made my 2009 resolutions yet. Hope it can be useful for you guys too.

1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. However good or bad a situation is it will change.
28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
31. The best is yet to come.
32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
33. Do the right thing!
34. Call your family often.
35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
36. Each day give something good to others.
37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

' IF ONE CAN DO IT U TOO CAN DO IT, IF NONE CAN DO IT THEN U MUST DO IT '

*the best is yet to come..*

*update trip Perhentian nanti laa...pics has been uploaded in FB.*

Tips Suri Rumah 1

Mungkin ada yang dah penah tengok. Tapi ni tips yang aku rasa berguna bukan sahaja untuk suri rumah malah untuk orang bujang sekalian alam..(untuk para suami pun boleh jugak aaa....suami pun kene tolong isteri buat kerja rumah ok!)

Pasni cantikla almari..baju sume sama size aje tersusun...Nak susun ikut kaler..itu kamu kene tanya cik beeps kita. Dia expert susun baju ikut kaler...serious almari dia time blaja dulu macam kedai jual baju...

*suami saya tak pandai lipat kain.nnt saya nak test bende ni untuk dia...*

*ok peah..aku tak email dah kau pasni!aku blog aje..*