Visiting the Love Boat at Punggol Marina

Omar never once believe in surprises. If he gives me something as a gift, it has never been gift-wrapped. True enough, he will never give me anything on my birthday or my anniversary, if he thinks I deserve something, he will give it anytime he likes, on no occasions, it was hard for me at first, but I am ok with it now. To him, occasional dates have no significance, he even tends to forget his own birthday at times, so I think it's fair.

What is the relation with this blog topic? Yep, this morning he gave Aaqil and myself another of his pre-planned surprises. We left early morning to head down to Punggol Marina Country Club where a client turned friend of his was waiting for us with his wife and boat, both as lovely. John, from America, Nina and their yatch, there must be a name for their lovely yatch. That was the first time I went into a yatch in Singapore after Boston. The marina is smaller than Boston Harbour though, but nice serene view surrounding it.

The weather was not so friendly as it was really hot at 8.30 am when we arrived there. Nina, John's wife is a Philipino who sailed with him for nearly 13 years. Well, I really have high respects for a woman like her. They never had a home on land and their boat is their home. That means she has to give up a lot of woman thingy like shopping. But shopping is nothing as compared to the travels all over the world they've got and the total freedom they earned on the yatch.


Aaqil was uncomfortable at first with the new environment in the boat or maybe John looked a little alien for his eyes. He was cranky and clingy. I was unfortunate too as I already felt sea-sick although that boat was not moving. The water was calm according to John but I still felt giddy and sweat all over. So we both decided to hang out on the deck while John and Omar were inside the cabin discussing about computer issues.






John and Omar later joined us on the deck and we chatted for quite a while. I was curious on how they live their lives. At first I just couldn't figure out how will this couple survive without land, I mean without a proper home built on stilts or concretes, what about their social lives and the questions went on. But upon listening to John and Nina, I believe the word 'proper home' is not something where everyone agrees to. To them, their yatch is their 'proper home', they lived their married life in it and they are both not only happy but have long ago accepted that this is their life. A kind of life where you will be held responsible over what you are going to do and you got no one to point your finger to.

I left with a lot of input in my mind. For those who think people with yatch are leading an expensive lifestyle or you must be expensive to be one, once again WRONG, please think again. On our way back, Omar asked me what would be the things that I would dream to do in life that others will find abnormal? I am still pondering about it but one thing for sure I hope we will start our true life journey soon... God Willing...

Super Grandparents..

Aaqil's greatgrandma told me that she was sad for not seeing us for almost 3 weeks. I really felt bad especially when I saw Aaqil reluctantly wanted to 'salam' her. I guess for a toddler to be confident and comfortable in one place, he/she must visit that place regularly. Anyway after we convinced him , he finally agreed to kiss his "Yot" and we took a nice picture together. I told myself, I should not make her wait for Aaqil too long. Aaqil is lucky to have a loving grandma and greatgrandma. Because he is the one and only grandchild to my MIL at the moment. No competition yet.
Nyai (Aaqil's grandma), was preparing Aaqil's favourite dish, chicken soup with rice. She then brought us out for groceries shopping and insisted to pay for everything I took. I took lots of junkies like 2 big tubs ice creams and chocolates. Anyway, thanks Mak!

My mom in law till now still decides to stay single. I pity her but after 4 years, I realized that she is happy the way she is doing now. Maybe her previous marriage experience was too painful too bear. Some people will have to go through unexpected scenarios.

As for Aaqil, he is lucky to have 3 great-grandmothers (2 in MY, 1 in SG), 2 grandmothers (both in SG) and 2 grandfathers (1 in MY, 1 in SG). Don't try to figure out which is which, unless you are willing to spare your analytical time. So failed marriages do provide something extra for Aaqil..

No Make up and Maid Without Make-up!

There is blessing in disguise why I am married to Omar. He personally thinks make-up is not necessary and I am lazy to make up. The only time I really had a make-over was 4 years ago. Well, it did not make me feel good though as most people don't want to believe the couple in the picture is us. Even my FIL's wife asked me why I put on this couple's picture frame in my living room. Oh my...
I seldom (simple lazy is the word) make up though I have mostly everything on my dressing table. Hey, I use "Bobby Brown" because I think I am "brown and sweet"! Ha ha!

I was advised by my MIL to dress appropriately so as not to be mistaken as a maid to Aaqil. However, some still thought I am a devoted Philipino maid to Aaqil.
If anyone asks me whether I am from Philipines, I just said 'no' and kept quiet. If I am lucky, Aaqil will utters "mama, mama" in front of them and they will feel ashamed of themselves. Action speaks louder than words. Sometimes I just could not understand. Rather than they think I am a maid, why can't they ask whether I am a mom first. Anyway, that does not matter anymore because I really cannot be bothered with these type of people, I just find them ignorantly funny.

Another funny thing that always happen to me when somebody knock on my door. When I open they will be asking for the owner of the house or 'my parents'. Normally they are real estate agent or sales man. Huh...Don't I look like I can attend to them at the door?

Well, I was fore-warned that grooming can make your husband love you more and more. Well again, some uncertainties are best left unanswered. God knows best...

Aaqil on the Drums..

I saw him banging on plates and pots one day and I thought maybe drumset is a good idea for this habit and hopefully become his learning tools. I find Aaqil entertaines by his new drumset although sometimes the repeating sound he has been making very annoying. But all toys make an annoying sound I guess.

When it comes to music instrument, drum is the easiest to play, just give it a smack. A friend of mine told me it can give a baby sense of order, discipline and equilibrium.

I hope my neighbors will understand his new toy. Just one of them asked me whether we heard any bang sound and loud music at 7-8 am in the morning. Huh!! Who else?? Father and the son.......

Aaqil's Paternal Grandmother and Greatgrandmother...(Re-edited)

Hot topic nowadays is "Bila la nak kurus?" (that is "When will you/I slim down?" in Malay). I remembered those days when my nikah (wedding solemnization) was just around the corner. I was presurrised by my colleagues and relatives asking me to lose at least 5-8 kg. They had used harsh words and sarcastic remarks to make me realized that my body was "tembam" (plump) during that time. Enough headaches with the hectic wedding plans, I did not want to get a migrane by calculating calories and skip meals. However, I was just an ordinary girl who was excited on becoming somebody's wife. Happy person eats a lot right? So I had never lose my weight till I actually gave birth to my son. I have lost weight now however, due to breastfeeding since Aaqil's birth. Although my weight should only be 47-49 kg, but I am blessed with my weight now. As long as I can fit into size 28 (size 8) jeans, I don't have to starve myself.

Omar has been encouraging me to exercise regularly, he is more to me keeping fit as a result and not exercising just to lose weight. He actually never complaint about my looks and body. However, by him being quiet does not make me feel like I should abandon my agenda to be slimmer. I am amazed by the way my MIL 'jaga badan'. She is 52 now and still look great and active and weighs only 52 kg. Don't talk about my SIL. She resembles Kris Dayanti or model Rachel Hunter. Both are hot hot woman!!

To my dear friends who are now on diet, count me in too. I really envy (I mean good envy) my MIL's small waist!! Let's diet towards healthy mind and body. On top of all, we all should be realistic on our target..Good luck girls!!

Aaqil was 16 days when this pic was taken with his grandma or in javanese "Nyai"

Aaqil's great grandmother or "Yot"..She is now 86

PS: The word 'diet' or 'dieting' literally means 'to eat and drink according to a regulated system, especially so as to lose weight or control a medical condition'. And 'diet' never ever means 'eat less' or 'starve yourself'! A 'healthy diet' simply means 'eating within your means' or rather 'eating what your body needs'. If everybody watches their diets, than their diets are automatically healthy, but we tend to eat beyond our means at times, or worst, all the time. Well, reminding myself too, that is the reality in difference between 'I need' and 'I want'.