Our lazy weekend

Sometimes the best weekends are the ones we spend doing nothing in particular. Even lazing around doing chores, going to weddings and buying essentials can be an activity-filled weekend. Okay..okay.. it has been a while since I have had a weekend of doing nothing, so last weekend we all took a step back to savour the little things in life.

The early bird stacks the newspapers

Off to a wedding ..or two

Visit from "wa" Atie (my cousin)

Shoppingin our pyjamas

Oh no! It's Monday

Often times I wonder, with all the stress of trying to get so many things done, if I don't spend enough time just marvelling at the little things. Because in the end, when everything else turns to dust, these are the memories that will linger.

Worst Case by James Patterson

Basic Plot

There's a psychopath on the loose and he's targetting children of the elite. Young socialites and heirs are kidnapped in broad daylight but no ransom demands are issued. Instead they fight to survive by answering questions that never crossed their minds. Detective Michael Bennet and FBI abduction specialist Agent Emily Parker race against time to stop the worst kind of madman, the one with an agenda.

What I liked about this book

The plot was a nice twist into the abyss that is a psychopath's mind. The pace was quite good and there was good build-up of intensity and urgency. The main characters are identifiable and likable, the villain is a good mixture of loony and understandable.

What I disliked about this book

In some ways it was too predicatable and neat lacking the depth of truly awesome thrillers. Some of the sub-plots were dismissable and instead of adding dimension proved merely to be a distraction.

A quote I liked from the book

"How much stress can people take before their heads actually explode?"

Overall, a good read.

Rating: 3/5

Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

Basic Plot

Charlie St Cloud was a typical teenager loved by one and all, especially his half-brother Sam. One fateful tragedy later, his whole world was catapulted upside-down. With his brother dead, his future lost, he takes refuge as a groundskeeper at the local cemetery. Bound by a promise, Charlie uses his amazing gift to make up for his mistakes. Charlie sees, talks to and plays with Sam every day. Until one day, Tess walks into their lives and their world begins to change again.

What I liked about the book

It was a sweet book. The characters are likable. A bit like a scoop of ice-cream on a hot day. Plus it was turned into a movie starring Zac Efron.

What I disliked about the book

Not, exactly disliked, more to the fact that it was maybe too 'lightweight' for me. The plot was a bit predictable and everything was neatly wrapped up.

A quote I liked from the book

trust your heart 

if the seas catch fire

(and live by love though the stars walk backward) - Cummings

Overall a good light read. 

Rating: 3/5

Cousins and chicken

Exhausted after chasing all the chicken

We went back to Kelantan for my niece's Akikah last weekend. The kids had a great time chasing chicken and eating them ..hehe. So did I!

Funny how going round in a circle endlessly is also fun

Hamzah still working on his "PEACE" sign

With our second cousins Mawaddah & Ali

New BFFs

I love going back to Kelantan. It's my kampung. I love the long road trip because although tiring, it makes the whole "balik kampung" experience more authentic. I wish my children will also feel this joy whenever they come back and visit me later when they are all grown up. The Balik Kampung magic should never fade from our hearts. It keeps us young.