Hari raya is drawing near. Hmmm...hari raya...our most awaited festive day after our most special month which had not been so festive for the last 20 years or so. But ok laah...we survived it, manage to have some fun, and join in the merry-making, though in my heart not fully....
I always had difficulties paying zakat fitrah because by right, payment should be by our guardian. But since we are not so close, my guardians and I, so I paid for myself and the girls. Without fail, every year, it would tug on alot of heartstrings since like I said, by right it should be paid by a guardian. Its not the money. Its the thought that I don't even know if there is a guardian for us or not. No husband, faraway father (for both me and the girls), lost brothers ...(tears welling now) and I can't even ask, because I am afraid, they had not notice at all. Oh well, its only 7rm per person and ones I get it done, ignore the painful song in my heart, its forgotten till the next year. This year, Alhamdulillah, Aishah has taken it upon herself to pay for everyone since she has grown-up and had made a living of her own. Until she gets married, I shall pass the batton to her.
We would always cook our trademark hariraya dishes of ketupat, sambal goreng, kuzi ayam, sambal kacang and sayur lodeh, each of everyone's favourite. We used to buy the ketupat's moulds, but now the Little Ladies can weave, so its homemade and nicely shaped.
Hajar would make the patience required kuzi ayam or lamb, frying the onions carefully so that it is not over fried, and pounding it patiently.
Mimi would be in charge of making dessert and so far her recipe is the simplest of all that takes 2 minutes to prepare. Just add one can of evaporated milk to one can of fruit cocktail and Viola! Dessert! I hope she has progressed this year and come up with something more fancy.
Another difficult moment would be going for hari raya prayers as I would see, intact families in their beautiful clothes, usually of same colour tone for each family, going together to the mosque, the distinguished fathers and elegent mothers, handsome and beautiful children in tow, and it would just be the 4 of us for 20 years now braving the crowds, sans a male 'guardian'.
I won't even begin to describe the intact families' hariraya celebration to compare with ours.
But Alhamdulillah, so far we have made it, and our low key hariraya is still hariraya and we always end up enjoying it, As long as we have each other, it will always get better.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Puteri Saadong
Here is the story of Puteri Saadong, told by Professor Normala (my aunt, Kak La) to us on the day I dropped off her order of biscuits. My emphasis on the prof bit, to add authenticity to the story. She couldn't be making this up, ok....prof and all. As for me, who is only half Kelantanese, all these while I thought Puteri Saadong is a mythology like Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang who had long changed into mountains in Kuching, Sarawak . To my surprise, she is real, like you and me.
When did the beloved by all Kelantanese ruler ruled? Way before Arwoh Mok? ( my Kelantanese great grandma I wrote about) Wow...thats long, ancient! Arwoh Mok told me during her younger days, she went around berkemban. That is in sarong fastened above bosom, without top. I imagine the constituents of Puteri Saadong, going around berkemban under her souverign.
Prof Normala, spoke with upmost certainty of the princess and her history. (that figures) Kelantan must be the only state that had such a great and powerful woman ruler so...(that figures too)....that is why Kelantanese women are quite prominent in their state and are usually strong...(that figures)....they were empowered from the very beginning...by Puteri Saadong and later on by Cik Siti Wan Kembang, another great women in Kelantan history. That is why, rarely Kelantanese women are taken for fools. Hmm...now I know...hmmm.....
The story goes like this;
Puteri Saadong was once a reknown ruler in Kelantan who was loved and revered by all and beyond. Her royal husband was a Tengku Abdullah. They lived in power and happiness.
Alas, their happiness was shortlived.The Siam Emperor wanted Puteri Saadong and to do that, he and his army came to attack Kelantan. To save her beloved country, she sacrificed her own needs and was willing to be pawned for the safety of her people. So she left Tengku Abdullah and Kelantan and submitted to be married to the Siam Emperor, with one condition, she is not to be touched. Being a multitalented person, she can cast spells....and casted a spell on the Emperor to have skin disease that cannot be cured even by the best of healers. No skin specialist then.
Time past and the Emperor could not endure the ailment much longer and if Puteri Saadong could cure him, he would grant her anything. She wished for her return to her country and the Emperor, as soon as he was healed, let her go.
Puteri Saadong came back to Kelantan only to find Tengku Abdullah betrothed to another women on the throne. Her unfaltering love for him did not seemed reciprocated in the same way. ( a man is a man no matter where and when) She declared war ( being at the top does this to you) and with her army, attacked Tengku Abdullah and his people. With her hair pin, she stabbed Tengku Abdullah (so sad, huhu) to his death. Love at its most complicated.
After that she turned into a recluse and stayed in the mountains of Bukit Marak and after sometime, turned into a 'orang halus' . She became invisible but provided the people with crokery, (plates, bowls, glasses etc). I heard many times from old folks that crokery those days were borrowed from 'another world'. I suppose human don't own much household items then. They borrowed for kenduri and return them after use. Unfortunately some people did not return them and this saddened Puteri Saadong. (poor queen)
For a long time, there were people who could still hear the sounds of crokery at Bukit Marak, maybe even to this day. It is there Puteri Saadong last lived and became a legend in Kelantan, part mortal and part spirit, a bridge between the two worlds.
Allahu a'lam. So it goes according to Kak La.
When did the beloved by all Kelantanese ruler ruled? Way before Arwoh Mok? ( my Kelantanese great grandma I wrote about) Wow...thats long, ancient! Arwoh Mok told me during her younger days, she went around berkemban. That is in sarong fastened above bosom, without top. I imagine the constituents of Puteri Saadong, going around berkemban under her souverign.
Prof Normala, spoke with upmost certainty of the princess and her history. (that figures) Kelantan must be the only state that had such a great and powerful woman ruler so...(that figures too)....that is why Kelantanese women are quite prominent in their state and are usually strong...(that figures)....they were empowered from the very beginning...by Puteri Saadong and later on by Cik Siti Wan Kembang, another great women in Kelantan history. That is why, rarely Kelantanese women are taken for fools. Hmm...now I know...hmmm.....
The story goes like this;
Puteri Saadong was once a reknown ruler in Kelantan who was loved and revered by all and beyond. Her royal husband was a Tengku Abdullah. They lived in power and happiness.
Alas, their happiness was shortlived.The Siam Emperor wanted Puteri Saadong and to do that, he and his army came to attack Kelantan. To save her beloved country, she sacrificed her own needs and was willing to be pawned for the safety of her people. So she left Tengku Abdullah and Kelantan and submitted to be married to the Siam Emperor, with one condition, she is not to be touched. Being a multitalented person, she can cast spells....and casted a spell on the Emperor to have skin disease that cannot be cured even by the best of healers. No skin specialist then.
Time past and the Emperor could not endure the ailment much longer and if Puteri Saadong could cure him, he would grant her anything. She wished for her return to her country and the Emperor, as soon as he was healed, let her go.
Puteri Saadong came back to Kelantan only to find Tengku Abdullah betrothed to another women on the throne. Her unfaltering love for him did not seemed reciprocated in the same way. ( a man is a man no matter where and when) She declared war ( being at the top does this to you) and with her army, attacked Tengku Abdullah and his people. With her hair pin, she stabbed Tengku Abdullah (so sad, huhu) to his death. Love at its most complicated.
After that she turned into a recluse and stayed in the mountains of Bukit Marak and after sometime, turned into a 'orang halus' . She became invisible but provided the people with crokery, (plates, bowls, glasses etc). I heard many times from old folks that crokery those days were borrowed from 'another world'. I suppose human don't own much household items then. They borrowed for kenduri and return them after use. Unfortunately some people did not return them and this saddened Puteri Saadong. (poor queen)
For a long time, there were people who could still hear the sounds of crokery at Bukit Marak, maybe even to this day. It is there Puteri Saadong last lived and became a legend in Kelantan, part mortal and part spirit, a bridge between the two worlds.
Allahu a'lam. So it goes according to Kak La.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
tarts, malatops, suji, almond strips, etc
After a last minute cancellation by 'my company' to JB to collect my biscuits, I decided to drive down alone, for it would be quicker that way. So at 6am yesterday, I jumped into the viva, and hit the road. All along the way I would sing my lungs outs, it's one way of venting out negative energies, you see. When no one is around, it does not matter if I was out of tune or singing the wrong lyrics or making up new ones. Or screaming or screaching.(and...there was alot of reasons to get that way for) By the time I reached JB, I was healthier.
Adi and I collected the biscuits in Kulaijaya, went to Maklong's house, gave her some for blessing, then to Gee's house, delivered her order, then back again to Adi's house to rest and talk to the old folks. Allah had given me a good share of old ladies in my life for Adi's mum and I chatted happily.
At 4.00 I hit the road home . Drive, sing, drive, sing until the sun went down and my energy to sing went down too . Time to do some zikir, listen to the Islamic channel, hear some sound advices, listen to Quran and be more sober, emm...how I should have been from the very beginning. (tau, takpe)
At 9.00pm I reached Abang's house to deliver his biscuits. Spent the night there because I was exhausted.
At 9.00am today, sent biscuits to Aziz's house, Kak Ros's house and Bahiah's house. Less and less biscuits in the car.
I hope everyone like these biscuits. Adi and Kak Timah are selling them too. It started from me bugging Adi for tarts. So she bought one bottle for me and posted to Shah Alam. It arrived in crumbs beyond recognition. The post office people must have made a football out of my parcel. Then Adi bought replacement. And more and more until the three of us decided to sell tarts and other biscuits this hari raya.
This tag line came up, 'Jangan menyusahkan orang, jual kueh tart' when we were sharing the throes being single parents and would like to prove we are far from being burdensome to people around us.
That is how we ended up selling biscuits this year.
Adi and I collected the biscuits in Kulaijaya, went to Maklong's house, gave her some for blessing, then to Gee's house, delivered her order, then back again to Adi's house to rest and talk to the old folks. Allah had given me a good share of old ladies in my life for Adi's mum and I chatted happily.
At 4.00 I hit the road home . Drive, sing, drive, sing until the sun went down and my energy to sing went down too . Time to do some zikir, listen to the Islamic channel, hear some sound advices, listen to Quran and be more sober, emm...how I should have been from the very beginning. (tau, takpe)
At 9.00pm I reached Abang's house to deliver his biscuits. Spent the night there because I was exhausted.
At 9.00am today, sent biscuits to Aziz's house, Kak Ros's house and Bahiah's house. Less and less biscuits in the car.
I hope everyone like these biscuits. Adi and Kak Timah are selling them too. It started from me bugging Adi for tarts. So she bought one bottle for me and posted to Shah Alam. It arrived in crumbs beyond recognition. The post office people must have made a football out of my parcel. Then Adi bought replacement. And more and more until the three of us decided to sell tarts and other biscuits this hari raya.
This tag line came up, 'Jangan menyusahkan orang, jual kueh tart' when we were sharing the throes being single parents and would like to prove we are far from being burdensome to people around us.
That is how we ended up selling biscuits this year.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Pakistan flood
Mimi told me her lecturer said, helping someone is like giving way to a vehicle on the road. Another time you need to cut in, another vehicle will give way, but not the vehicle you gave way to, for it would be far on it's way (excuse the many 'ways' here for coherence) That's why when we help someone, he might not be the one returning our help but help would come from another person.
It is said that as long as we help another person, Allah swt will always help us.
What is happening to our mother earth? My heart had just recovered from watching the Haiti earthquake aftermaths, now I watch Pakistan hit by the horrendous floods. Yesterday's news showed the seas and rivers joined up and flowed into the lands, submerging everything in its way. How the waters raised and where did all this water come from? Millions of people's lives and livelihood destroyed. Millions and counting.
How long would it take to put their lives back together again? How much money would they need? How would they be living through all this? We see them fighting and hitting each other for food. Scraping fallen grains on the ground. The victims getting sick and ill. My heart bleeds again. It is like a smaller version of the floods during Prophet Noh as, don't you think?
In this holy month of Ramadhan lets do our bit and donate to them what we can spare. For every donation or sedeqah for the cause of Allah, Allah will double in folds.
Firman Allah :
Perumpamaan orang-orang yang menafkahkan hartanya di jalan Allah adalah serupa dengan sebutir benih yang menumbuhkan tujuh butir, pada tiap-tiap butir, seratus biji. Allah melipat gandakan (ganjaran) bagi siapa yang Dia kehendaki. Dan Allah Maha Luas (kurnianya) lagi Maha Mengetahui. (Surah Albaqarah ayat 261)
Allah also grants the doas of those who fast. Let us doa for them for survival, strength, and sustainance. Amin ya Rob.
It is said that as long as we help another person, Allah swt will always help us.
What is happening to our mother earth? My heart had just recovered from watching the Haiti earthquake aftermaths, now I watch Pakistan hit by the horrendous floods. Yesterday's news showed the seas and rivers joined up and flowed into the lands, submerging everything in its way. How the waters raised and where did all this water come from? Millions of people's lives and livelihood destroyed. Millions and counting.
How long would it take to put their lives back together again? How much money would they need? How would they be living through all this? We see them fighting and hitting each other for food. Scraping fallen grains on the ground. The victims getting sick and ill. My heart bleeds again. It is like a smaller version of the floods during Prophet Noh as, don't you think?
In this holy month of Ramadhan lets do our bit and donate to them what we can spare. For every donation or sedeqah for the cause of Allah, Allah will double in folds.
Firman Allah :
Perumpamaan orang-orang yang menafkahkan hartanya di jalan Allah adalah serupa dengan sebutir benih yang menumbuhkan tujuh butir, pada tiap-tiap butir, seratus biji. Allah melipat gandakan (ganjaran) bagi siapa yang Dia kehendaki. Dan Allah Maha Luas (kurnianya) lagi Maha Mengetahui. (Surah Albaqarah ayat 261)
Allah also grants the doas of those who fast. Let us doa for them for survival, strength, and sustainance. Amin ya Rob.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
QOROH
A COW!!!!! Ain't it wonderful???Alhamdulillah.... I wanted a pony for ecotherapy but got a cow instead. Awesome. Quite the same, four legs, tail, hooves, eat grass, (but 'smellier') and of course, more realistic, where would I get a pony.
It's name is Qoroh. Short for Baqoroh, which means cow in arabic.
Of course there is a story behind this but lets just say, it is a gesture to help a loved one.
A COW!!!
Second act - part 3
Who would want to clean cupboards instead of doing really fun things like.... emm...I don't know... haven't been doing fun things. But...doing work around the house does bring some fulfillment. Fun and fulfillment, arent they the same?
More ideas on how to save.
1. Do not buy mineral or drinking water. Put boiled drinking water from home in a good container and bring along with us.
2. Pack food. Sandwiches, fried rice, potato chips. Cook rice, fry an omellete, drizzle soy sause and there you go, you have your lunch.
3.Buy less imported goods or food. Go local, cheaper
4. Budget to spend only RM15 per day on food (more than enough, it used to be RM10, you can do wonders with RM15). Should we overspend today, cut tomorrow's ration. Adjust our spending to that amount. If we buy 1 chicken, go for cheap vegetables like cabbage, spinach, green mustard.
5. Things we can sew ourselves. Curtains, skirts, table cloth, table mats, pillow cases, bedsheets. Find clothes we don't wear because the buttons or zips came off or torn stitches or need alterations and mend them. Its easier than you think. Do it while chatting with a friend.
6. Spruce up what we have. Beauty is when things are clean, not neccessarily new.
More ideas on how to save.
1. Do not buy mineral or drinking water. Put boiled drinking water from home in a good container and bring along with us.
2. Pack food. Sandwiches, fried rice, potato chips. Cook rice, fry an omellete, drizzle soy sause and there you go, you have your lunch.
3.Buy less imported goods or food. Go local, cheaper
4. Budget to spend only RM15 per day on food (more than enough, it used to be RM10, you can do wonders with RM15). Should we overspend today, cut tomorrow's ration. Adjust our spending to that amount. If we buy 1 chicken, go for cheap vegetables like cabbage, spinach, green mustard.
5. Things we can sew ourselves. Curtains, skirts, table cloth, table mats, pillow cases, bedsheets. Find clothes we don't wear because the buttons or zips came off or torn stitches or need alterations and mend them. Its easier than you think. Do it while chatting with a friend.
6. Spruce up what we have. Beauty is when things are clean, not neccessarily new.
With all these great plans which are easier written than done, we should help those in hardship and dire needs like the flood victims in Pakistan. If you have successfully saved some money from doing all this, maybe you can send some to them? Here is the account no. Maybank 514271339000.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Second act - part 2
When you read on the net about people moving out from your big houses to live in small houses, or see corporate people started planting vegetables and rearing chickens, it sort of leaves you worried. Is this real? Then on Oprah I saw people being laid off work that immediately changed their place in society, from high-class to middle class, from middle to poor, from celebrity to layman. Would that happen to us too? Then comes the floods in Pakistan and China, the earthquakes (this is getting depressing).
So rule no 1 - live within your means.
2. Buy smaller fish to eat. Cut what we eat and cook in size and portions. Not too small. We still need nutrients. Air Asia menu size portion looks small but sufficient, no?
3. Go and buy at the cheapest place, like here in Shah Alam, Tesco offers good prices.
4. Eat in (Sorry Dellizze regulars)
5. Save electricity, water and fuel (ok, no more fan for cats)
6. Less entertainment. Turn out and clean your cupboards instead. Kitchen cupboards too. Do gardening. Share my love for edible gardens. (not that I have one) Learn new recipes. Cheap but good fun like go walking with a friend. Take up a new inexpensive hobby. Have pets. Keep fishes. Sit with the family. Join the library. Learn a new language. Sew own clothes.
7. Deposit slowly but surely. Fill up piggy banks with the loose change. Invest for those who know where to invest. For those who doesn't know, do it the old fashion way, keep it anywhere really safe in the house.
8. Always pay our zakat and give sedeqah for these two will clean and increase our rezeki.
So rule no 1 - live within your means.
2. Buy smaller fish to eat. Cut what we eat and cook in size and portions. Not too small. We still need nutrients. Air Asia menu size portion looks small but sufficient, no?
3. Go and buy at the cheapest place, like here in Shah Alam, Tesco offers good prices.
4. Eat in (Sorry Dellizze regulars)
5. Save electricity, water and fuel (ok, no more fan for cats)
6. Less entertainment. Turn out and clean your cupboards instead. Kitchen cupboards too. Do gardening. Share my love for edible gardens. (not that I have one) Learn new recipes. Cheap but good fun like go walking with a friend. Take up a new inexpensive hobby. Have pets. Keep fishes. Sit with the family. Join the library. Learn a new language. Sew own clothes.
7. Deposit slowly but surely. Fill up piggy banks with the loose change. Invest for those who know where to invest. For those who doesn't know, do it the old fashion way, keep it anywhere really safe in the house.
8. Always pay our zakat and give sedeqah for these two will clean and increase our rezeki.
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