Minal Aidin Wal Faidzin

Yes, i know its already nearly two months we've been away from syawal. But still i feel the vibes of,syawal ,since that this our first time celebrating eid with my father in law in jogja. And that's mean, that was the first time i am celebrating eid away from my parents. I still remember the feeling of leaving on the airplane, looking at my parents waving goodbye at the airport, hearing my parents voice on the phone by the time we arrived jakarta and the feeling of hearing takbir on the eid. Deep inside i miss to celebeate eid with my parents but i know, i can't be selfish. My kids need to learn of how to compromise and they also need to know their family back in indonesia. This is the right time for them to know the family. moreover, that,eid was my husband celebration with hisdad after 22 years. Myfather in law did,say this 'lebih dua puluh tahun bapak nunggu lebaran ini. Inilah lebaran yang bapak tunggu tunggu dan baru terasa seperti meraikannya'. Ya lebih kurang begitulah bunyi nya.

Commitments

Ramadhan Mubarak everyone.

I just can't imagine that we are already in the month of Ramadhan. And I still think about the last Ramadhan. Ya Allah. Really times goes so fast. And yet I am still dreaming. Dreaming of how can I commit to myself and others.

Talking about commitment, I am a wife and a mother of two kids. I stays home all the time and i'm not working. Basically, everyone can call me a housewife. But I am putting myself as a house manager. :)

My hobby, my passion is alot into making something new. Doing something creative. Sewing. Designing. Baking. I always dreamed to be a fashion designer. But again, commitment. Do i really can commit into the business line meanwhile i have another big commitment to commit? Sometimes i am very sure i can commit but alot of time my motivation running low and become so lazy to do anything.

My KIDS. They are my first and foremost commitment. They are growing. They need attention from me.

My HUSBAND. He needs me to iron his clothes. To cook. To take care of the accounts. To make sure the house is in good condition. To always be there for him whenever he needed me.

MYSELF. I need to finish up my master. And of course, taking care of myself in terms of beauty, cleanliness and discipline's.

When i read other people's blogs, life. I feel so miserable. They are so much in front of me. Then i started to dream. Dream big. Then i discussed it with my husband. We argued. Yes, argued of commitments. Argued of multi tasking work. Argued of my attention later for the kids. Then, my dream become small. And fade away.

But when i think deeper. I have my own way to be special. I shouldn't follow others. They have their own specialty, they own responsibilities and their own way of taking life. As for me, i admit i can't be good without my kids, without my husband. Yes, i can still be a fashion designer. To myself and the kids! And a fashion police to my hubby. I can still be creative with my 'what-to-do-list' with my kids everyday. I can still teach and be a 'lecturer' to my kids. I can still be a good housewife in managing my house everyday. I can still sew in a way of putting few hours aside to sew Zara's and Murad's clothes.

I can be what i want to be. Its just depends on how should i put it. Talking about money, how much should i earn. Well, yes, i need more money to buy my own handbags, shoes and etc. But i guess, that will come later. Commitments comes first.

Allah have gave me alot. And I already know what to do now! Its still not to late for me to start. Wish me luck.

Ramadhan Kareem.

I really hope this Ramadhan gives me more for my next life.

Into Fashion? ;)

Assalamualaikum.

After few months or maybe few weeks i didn't updating this blog, then i come to make my new me. :)

Well, i've been going everywhere, asking everyone and sit alone to just find out what should i do to occupy my precious time.

I've decided and made my decision. I really hope this time around it will happen. Soon. And i am working on it to happen now.

Let's pray for me and Eleanor. ;) Coz this is not just for me, but i am doing this for others too.

Gosh! Its June!

Assalamualaikum.
Bismillahirahmanirahim.

I was busy and still busy of planning and managing my family. Busy of the two kids, teaching them whatever I can. I was busy of cleaning my house, my everyday chores. Busy of planning what to cook. Busy of my thesis. Busy of planning to meet the lecturers. And alot of things! Now, busy of dreaming my new kitchen, my new bedroom, the kid's bedroom. Busy of dreaming of how can I be a perfect housewife. And busy how can I reach jannah. Firdaus.

With all the business, I didn't realize its already June. Which I think its still April! Gosh, i am 2 months far back. Huhu. :(

June. Month's of my anniversary. Month's of his birthday. Special month's for us.

No wonder he did mentioned about giving me gift. Mentioned about we're gonna be 5 years together. Mentioned about how he appreciated we as a family. And I didn't notice its June, and we are near the anniversary date!

9th June 2007. Happy 5th Anniversary Sayang. I really hope, cinta kita sampai ke syurga.

p/s thinking what to do and how to celebrate the 5th year of togetherness. ;) any idea?

Time tengah kenal-kenal dan dating ;)

Nikah. 09 June 07

@ Candi Ratu Boko, Jogja. Dah 2 anak kami. :)

My first daughter : Zara Nadeeya Sekar Ayuningrum. She's 3 years now

My son: Murad Al Fatih Satrio Utomo. He is 1 year 2 moths now.

My happy family. I hope we all can meet again in jannah. Amin

I am proud to say that i am a Housewife

Assalamualaikum.

I've been trying my very best to be a perfect housewife.

I've talked and discussed with my best friend, Neng on how can I be a perfect housewife since Neng know one person that we both adore so much, whose handling her life to the tip top as a housewife..

Well, for me, put Housewife as a job and of course, responsibility. If we can see it that way, Insya Allah, we'll can handle everything smoothly.

Why? Okay. These few weeks, i've been blog hopping, i've been listening to my friend's story on how perfect others life is. In the mean of, they always look beautiful, they have content life, and they are very good at managing time and themselves.

I love to involve in fashion. I love to try new things, to wear something that is up to date. But, as a mother of two, i have no time for it. I got to change my wardrobe. I got to have few times for myself. But yet, i can't. Some more, i need to wear something that easy for me to breastfeed my children. And with this problem, i come up to an idea of designing my own clothes. ;) I'm in the mid of it now. Wait okay.. ;)

If we put housewife as a job, for sure, we will wake up as early as 5 am to get things ready. We got to take bath, Subuh prayer and get the house clean. If we think housewife as a job, of course we will dress like we gonna off to work. We will wear something nice to put on. Because we are working! Kalau nak menunggu jalan dan keluar rumah baru nak cantik, jarang la kita housewife ni nak bercantik-cantik. So, perempuan-perempuan bergelar housewife, boleh lah bercantik-cantik setiap hari seperti perempuan-perempuan yang pergi ofis tiap hari tu. ;)

Whatever you are is, please put something nice on either you are at home or even outside. Especially when ur husband is around. Lotion, please don't forget to put on. Perfume, please spray it on to have a pleasant smell on you. Takdela anak kalo nak bermanja kita bau masam. ;)

Okay. Checklist:

1) Bangun awal pagi. Sebelum subuh dah mandi and prepare for Subuh prayer. Everytime solat, put some perfume (attar). Solat pun mesti wangi, okay!

2) Tiap hari nak kerja di rumah baju mesti cantik! At least kemas. ;)

3) Jangan lupa pakai lotion. Jangan lupa spray minyak wangi. Jangan lupa sapu cream stretch mark. Jangan lupa urut susu tiap hari. ;)

4) Rumah mesti bersih, tip top. Tiap hari mesti bersih!

5) Masak best-best tiap hari. Serve la macam kat hotel. (plan ur meals everyweek! know what to cook)

6) Bilik tidur mesti macam bilik pengantin. Wangi dan cantik!

7) Have some schedule for the kids. Spare some time with the kids.

Okay? Ada pape lagi tak nak tambah?

Beautiful Sunday

Wow. New look. Shows that its been quiet some time I didn't hop in to even just view my blog.

Well. I am now a mother of 2. One, to a 3 years old toddler whose need so much attention. Another one , to a one year old boy whose now cries whenever the mother on the computer. What do you expect? ;)

But now, I am so much settled. So, I have time to just scribbles few things that i guess i can share. ;)

Today was a very beautiful Sunday for me. Even though my husband is not around (away to Jakarta for some job). My parents accompany me and the children for one night at the apartment. The kids had fun when the neneks are around. I cooked simple dish for dinner and then we had durians that mak bought at the jucntion before turning to my apartment. We went to AAA, a 24 hours groceries store near here to buy few stuff for making breakfast tomorrow. Planning to cook nasi lemak ayam berempah and yes, i've made it! ;) Alhamdulillah. Kak Su and the family do came to have breakfast with us. And she brought cakes! Yes, Red velvet. Another Alhamdulillah to say. :)

Around 2 pm, mak and ayah went back to Bangsar and there left me and the kids alone again. I cried (seriously) when i saw their car down from my apartment. I feel so lonely. The kids were sleeping when they were off. So, left me alone.

Not long after that, my cousin Akmal is coming over to send me some cupcakes she baked. Yes, another alhamdulillah to say. :) The cupcakes were awesome nice!

I contacted my good friend Neng to come over. I need her to be my model for my scarfs. So, she came over with her boyfriend and another good friend, Fifi. We cooked kerang, udang, ikan kembung goreng, sayur kailan for dinner. We had a blast dinner! Another Alhamdulillah.

We had some chit chat and makeup study session from neng. Hehe.

Well, my day was so awesome! Thank you Allah.

But for what i can conclude, be good to your parents. Allah will arrange everything for you, InsyaAllah. ;)

Hope my day ahead will be always blessed. Amin.

Things to do

Assalamualaikum reader. Even hari ini I can't figure out what should I write. Hmmm, memang banyak sebenarnya tetapi yang banyak itu panjang cerita nya dan juga perlu gambar yang mana waktu ini saya tak dapat nak upload gambar.

Okay, memandangkan saya tetap nak share sesuatu, saya saje lah nak letak sedikit what-to-do list saya untuk blog ini:

1) Post tentang experience jaga anak-anak afghanistan.
2) Post tentang breastfeeding
3) Post tentang persediaan mengajar Zara
4) Post fesyen?
5) Post resipi?
6) Post keselamatan di rumah (cerita setelah rumah kena masuk perompak)

Wow, banyak nya plan nak post 'post' kat blog. I really hope i can share those tips with u guys. Satu-satu ye.

I am now in the mid of writing my thesis and now calculating my result. I really hope i can finish my writing by march. I am now planning for Zara's education development, planning for my own future. Dan semoga planning itu tidak tinggal plan.

I really need to work things out. Really.

Wow, banyak nya habok!

Assalamualaikum.

Yes, it has been nearly 1/2 year I didn't updated any post in this blog. Sedangkan banyaaaakkkk hal yang nak saya kongsikan bersama orang di luar sana. Banyak tips, banyak pengalaman dan banyak kenangan yang saya nak share. Tetapi sedih, I am super busy with my 2 kids and house chores sampai update blog pun tak terlayan. Sekarang, saya menyelepat!

Update sikit ok. Tahun lepas, 2011, bulan Jun sampai September saya busy jaga budak-budak Afghanistan (InsyaAllah saya share pengalaman jaga diaorang ok..). Lepas bulan tu, busy pulak berhari raya. Abis busy raya, busy pulak hal-hal lain. Disember, saya dekat sebulan balik bercuti ke Indonesia. So, sekarang, dah normal sikit life. Boleh lah duduk berblog.

InsyaAllah, saya akan cerita satu satu pengalaman saya.

Apa pun, hari ini tidak banyak yang nak diceritakan cuma, hari ini tidak mungkin saya lupakan sebagai seorang ibu.

Tengah hari tadi, saya tertidur di atas sofa dengan anak kedua saya. Si Zara sedang bermain di karpet sedangkan ayahnya di toilet. Tiba-tiba Zara membangunkan saya dan berkata 'Bunda, Zara mau eek'. Bunda pun berkata, 'Ke ayah saja sana. Ayah di toilet.' Awalnya dia diam duduk. Segera saya menyuruh dia ke ayahnya, dan dia pun beredar. Mengetuk pintu toilet ayah dan memberitahu ayah bahawa dia mau eek. Ayahnya malah menyuruh dia ke bunda. Tetapi tidak pula dia datang kepada saya. Akhirnya saya bangun dan  melihat Zara sudah turun dari toilet. Saya lihat dia sudah pun selesai eek. Ya Allah. Pandainyaaa anak bunda. Dia ke toilet sendiri dan eek sendiri. Subhanallah. Sekarang, Zara sudah rasmi pandai eek di toilet! Dan hari ini, mood saya kepada Zara sangat lah baik! Kami macam best friend pulak!

For sure, i will miss her dearly later. She's growing too fast. And i hope to really enjoy every moments we have together.

Love,
Bunda

Sambal Ijo dan Tahu tempe masak santan

Malam semalam saya masak masakan indonesia, masakan kegemaran mas niko. Berselera saya makan walaupun makan sorang-sorang. ;)

Resepi sambel ijo:
10 biji cili besar hijau
3 biji cili padi
3 biji tomato (kalau boleh, tomato hijau, tetapi saya menggunakan tomato biasa)
6 biji bawang merah
3 siung bawang putih
Sedikit belacan

Semua bahan-bahan di atas kecuali belacan di kukus. Setelah itu, di tumbuk dengan belacan. Digoreng dengan menambah sedikit garam dan gula. Hasilnya, enakkk... ;)

Resep tahu tempe masak santan:

Bahan-bahan:
Tahu dan tempe
2 biji kemiri
4 biji bawang merah
2 biji bawang putih
sedikit ketumbar
Santan dan sedikit air

Kemiri, bawang merah, bawang putij dan ketumbar ditumbuk. Tumis bahan yang ditumbuk. Masukkan tahu dan tempe. Masukkan santan dan sedikit air. Tambah garam dan gula secukup rasa. Jangan lupa ditambah sedikit serbuk kunyit sebagai pewarna. ;)

Zara telah membantu saya menyediakan bawangnya

Terkejut saya melihat dia ada idea plak nak menyusun bawang tu

Bawang yang disusun

Akhirnya, semua bawang yang dikupas disusun semua ke dalam tempat itu. Haih.

Masakan-masak di atas enak dimakan bersama ikan goreng. ;) Selamat mencuba

Baking biscuits with Zara

Mencampurkan adunan

Bergaya je ni..

Mula membuat biskut tapi banyak Zara buat tak jadi.

Tambah chocolate chip on top. Tapi, banyaknya, makan chip tu

Tak banyak Zara buat sebab leka makan chip

Tu dia, jumpa gula. Tinggal biskut

Agak hangus tapi sedap. Hangus gara-gara mengawasi Zara di dapur, lupa yang dibakar

Me and my first biscuits i bake!

Zara makin hari makin menaikkan darah saya. Huhu. Setiap kali habis solat saya selalu berdoa agar diberi kesabaran menghadapi anak-anak. Semalam, saya bercadang baking biscuits dengan Zara to occupy her. She seems excited. Tetapi hasilnya, saya lihat Zara ini anak yang cepat bosan. Sekejap je excited. Tapi, boleh lah, pengenalan aktiviti kepada Zara.

Carrot Cake Zara

Last two days, saya buat carrot cake, gara-gara semalamnya saya buat jus carrot dan ada lebih carrot parutnya. So, memandangkan bahan-bahan carrot cake ini mudah dan terdapat di dapur, saya pun membuat nya. Tambahan, saya suka carrot cake.

Resipi:

4 biji telur
1 1/4 cawan minyak sayur
2 cawan gula kastor
2 sudu teh vanilla extract / perasa badam (saya menggunakan perasa badam)
2 cawan tepung gandum
2 sudu teh baking soda
2 sudu teh baking powder
1/2 sudu teh garam
2 sudu teh ground cinnamon
3 cawan grated carrot
1 cawan walnut

Cara-caranya:
Pukul telur, minyak, gula dan perasa badam sehingga sebati. Tambahkan baking soda, baking powder, garam dan ground cinnamon. Kemudian, masukkan carrot dan walnut. Bakar!

:) Simple kan?

p/s diinspirasikan dari http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/carrot-cake-iii/detail.aspx

Satrio ikut ke dapur kerna tanak duduk sorang di luar; Zara helping me put in the grated carrot

Frosting cheese on top

Moist carrot cake

Zara with her cake

Oh ya. Terlupa. Jgn lupa letakkan kertas baking di pan sebelum memasukkan adunan. Nanti melekat cake tak dapat keluar dari pan seperti yang saya alami. Akhirnya, cake saya pecah, terpaksa di cover pakai frosting cheese. ;)

From bunda to ayah: Miss you

Assalamualaikum mas. Sudah makan? Update bunda?

• I hardly have time to even drink water, pasti selalu lupa dan tidak berkesempatan. Di saat inilah selalu kangen sama mas yang suka bawakan dinda minum.
• I don't even have time to comb my hair. But anyway, u know i seldom comb my hair. Hehe.
• I am now know how to make trifle. :)
• Always wishing to have time for massaging.
• Jamu bunda belum habis. Nanti mas pulang pengen minum lagi. Plus, tapel. Ga ada yang napalin dinda. Huhu. Plus, pakai stagen. Biar singset lagi! :)
• Everytime bunda ke rumah mak baru bunda berkesempatan mandi shampoo rambut dan berehat. :)
• Early August i have appointment with Dr. Alin. For the data review. You will go with me ok? :)
• Last but not least, I always miss you. Me and our two kids. We'll wait for you.

p/s take care. I am planning to cut my hair tomorrow.

having my good time with adek and kecik at sushi king while Zara at nenek's hse

My dinner