Day 3: Damai Beach Resort - Kampung Buntal

Our last day by the beach, we woke up to the perfect weather. No rain, no scorching sun. After an awesome buffet breakfast, we hit the sand. The tide was coming in so the waves were quite high. But since we were not there to do any actual swimming, staying just by the water's edge was enough. It was a great experience and everyone had a great time. It was with great reluctance that we said goodbye to Damai Beach Resort.
We stopped off at Kampung Buntal for Friday Prayers and lunch. Lunch was at a quaint little open air restaurant named One Buntal Cafe (next to Serimah Enterprise). The food was simple, unpretentious and quite delicious. Truly kampung style. Their Assam Tenggiri is a must try and the sambal belacan was superb.
We then stopped off at the many roadside stalls to buy salted fish, belacan, terubuk, prawns & Pais. Pais is a local delicacy that looks like otak-otak but is eaten with rice.
Hopefully, one day we'll come back to Damai.

Day 2: Damai Beach Resort

As the rain steadily drizzled outside, we headed for the next destination on our trip, Damai Beach Resort. Located close to the famous mountain Santubong.
The resort was packed but somehow we managed to score a gorgeous chalet a few steps away from the beach. By around 6 pm the weather cleared and everyone hit the beach. And what a beach it was too. Beautiful, pristine, white sands and an amazing view as far as the eyes can see. The kids had a great time splashing in the waves and building castles in the sand.
Dinner was a seafood feast at a well known seafood haven, kampung Buntal. We went to a small place called Restoran Selera Masam Manis. Not much to look at compared to the other bigger seafood places there. It was however the only Malay owned restaurant. Previously I had tried one of the huge Chinese seafood restaurants and really liked the food, so we were hoping that this place can also live up to expectations.
We had steamed terubuk, sweet & sour siakap, buttered prawns, sotong goring tepung and veggies. The sweet & sour fish was absolutely delicious, the steamed one was also very good. I liked the butter prawn too (though no one makes better butter anything than Hj Shahrin Low). The only disappointment was the squid, instead of being crispy coated, it resembled squid fritters (cucur). The price was relatively cheap too, all that (plus drinks) was less than RM 160.
By the time we got home, everyone was knackered and fell straight into bed.

Day 1: Merdeka Palace, Kuching

After arriving at Kuching International Airport as the sun was setting in the horizon, we made our way to Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites. This is my second stay here. The last was under very different circumstances. My brother and his little family had already checked in prior to our arrival, so we immediately made our way to our 2-bedroom suite high overlooking the Kuching skyline.
The kids were delighted with the spacious rooms and immediately started running everywhere with their cousin. As we were sitting down to take a short breather before heading out for dinner, we were lucky to have a perfect view of an amazing fire-works display.
Dinner though was a bust. It turned out that we had driven straight into throngs of people celebrating the Sea Deity Festival. Roads were closed, cars were lined up by the roadside. So we headed back to the hotel and ordered room service. By the way, the Hainanese Chicken rice here is simply delicious. :)

Jack of all trades Masters of one

I had been anticipating today with such dread and apprehension. All the blood, sweat and tears shed over the past three years rested on the outcome of today. Literally paralyzed with fear (ok, a bit dramatic but I truly was very scared), I yo-yoed through extremes of emotions for the whole week prior to it.
Yes, I was THAT worried about my Masters viva. It may not be a big deal to some and mostly my friends had full confidence in me but for some reason I was unsure of myself.
I was no longer the type of person who believed that everything will be ok. The past couple of years taught me that BAD things really do happen.
Thanks to all my family, friends and loved ones for their never-ending support and unshakable faith and their prayers. Also for dealing with the emotional roller coaster that was me.

Alhamdulillah. I passed my Masters. It wasn't smooth sailing or pretty, no flying colours anywhere to be seen but I passed. Time to get on with life :)

Aidilfitri 201: Part 22- A brother's sacrifice || Live blogging

This is my uncle Sakawi (we call him Yak Sakawi because he is the 4th in the family). When my father was young, the family was so poor that my late grandmother could not afford to send more than one child to secondary school at a time. So as soon they reached 13 or 14 years old, the elder one would have to make way for the younger one by dropping out of school to find work. My father is the 3rd in the family, when it came to his turn to quit school, my uncle volunteered to take his place though he was younger by a couple of years. At the time, the family could see that my father had a better chance to excel academically and maybe help the family out of poverty. So as a young teen, my uncle worked odd jobs and at a sawmill to put my father through school. Who knows where we'd all be today without his selfless act. May my children learn the meaning of love and loyalty too. Family, people bound by blood and held by love.

Aidilfitri 2011: Part 19- Being thankful || Live blogging

As the sun is setting on the first day of Eid in Kampung Gedong, I realize that I am truly blessed. Allah gave me three beautiful and amazing children, supportive parents who have stood by me through my darkest hours, a wonderful brother (who I was not close to growing up- we were too busy quarreling haha, but since we are both adults, is now someone who I know will always have my back) and  a sister in law who finally allows me to understand what it means to have a sister & an adorable niece for me to fawn over. I was given a family, to double my joy and half my grief. For that, I am truly grateful.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA & MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN

Aidilfitri 2011: Part 8- Morning serenity & chicken run|||| Live blogging

Kids cannot sleep when the rooster crows, not my city born kids anyway. It must turn into a chicken chasing expedition. At the end of our lane is a small jetty, where the river is calm & all is quiet. Until of course the chicken chasing kids come. Hehe.

Aidilfitri 2011: Part 7- Bunga api || Live blogging

I don't think kids should play with firecrackers (mercun), year after year we hear of child after child losing their fingers & getting burnt. Sparklers (bunga api) on the other hand, under adult supervision, can be alot of fun & should be part of a child's Raya memories.

Aidilfitri 2011: Part 3- Kampung Gedong || Live blogging

We arrived just before Iftar. immediately the kids were excited to see their cousin Umairah. My brother & his wife Zila already bought them really cool new sparkly toys, including this safe alternative to fireworks. It's like a little slingshot that can propel the brightly coloured projectile straight up. Totally safe & hours of fun, unless of course you're a bad shot & shoot straight for the roof. :)

PINC 2011, Crowne Plaza || Live blogging

PINC 2011, poster presentation. Last conference before finish InsyaAllah.

Educare Sports Day 2011|| Live blogging

Supporting on the sidelines. Today is Aishah's and Yousof's Sports Day. Not to be left out, Hamzah also donned his sports attire. Go Aishah! Go Yousof! Win! Win! Win!

Those poor trees || Live blogging

Buying a new printer toner. Yup, we tend to print alot. Not yet embracing paperless lifestyle. Hopefully soon.

When will it be my turn? || Live blogging

Free lunch today. Dr Elvy and Dr Fairuz are sponsoring a celebratory lunch for their PhD. Am looking forward to my turn one day. Must finish this thesis first though.

Train spotting || Live blogging

Choo! Choo! We're off to Berjaya Times Square. Once in a while it's good to take public transport. Just missed the last train, so enough time to blog.

Jounal Criticism || Live blogging

My roomie Dr Mali presenting today's Journal Criticism. "Effects of risedronate in a rat model of osteopenia due to orchidectomy and disuse: Densitometric, histomorhometric and microtomographic studies" by Libouban et al. Wow! A mouthful. Must think of an intelligent question to ask now.

A long way from home || Live blogging

At de Galeri Farhana with Maz (owner). Yup, the UKM Wondergirls are a long way from home. Don't worry, we'll be back in a jiffy.

Early morning traffic || Live blogging

Stuck in a traffic jam in the rain at DUKE-Genting Kelang intersection. Which has the quickest traffic light on earth! 3 seconds (seems like it anyway). Gonna be late. *sigh*

Testing live blogging

Finally registering for final sem. 3 months late. Not even a fire alarm can stop me. The whole process was very slow. But thank you to En. Rizzuan and Pn. Tazlina for the very friendly service.