auntidasthots: December 2010

It has been a very busy 2010 for Auntida. A lot of travel. Perhaps the most number of research field work that Auntie had ever done in the past 15 yrs as a postgrad student and an academic. Also, probably the most number of international people that Auntie have ever met. Some new possessions. Some new responsibilities. Some family crises. Many good family moments. Some growing up done. Some immaturity remains. Perhaps lesser number of conflicts with Ogabang (who's counting?). Still the same amount of 'conflict' [if any] with friends. A few impatient moments. Perhaps, generally, an increased tolerance of people. Alhamdulillah, definitely a general increase in rezeki, monetary or otherwise. Some rezeki being taken away, perhaps as a lesson from Allah about gratitude.

These are some pics to illustrate some events in Auntida's 2010 life:

JANUARY

On the last day before the year of 2010, Auntida and 3 gang Badak did our much-missed ritual of exchanging cheap gifts. The rule was each gift must not be over RM10 [tak silap] but we didn't put a limit on number of gifts. These were some gifts yg Auntida dapat. Utk melindungi identity gang badak yg berpakaian kurang presentable semasa exchange gifts ni, gambar2 gifts yg lain tidak dapat ditunjuk.

We also took advantage of the new year long weekend to do makan-makan di samping menyambut birthday Ogabang, which fell on 5th Jan. The birthday boy holding his cake, a gift from kakak2, adik2 and anak2 Badak.

Auntie also had the chance to be part of the celebration of Pak Long Ami's birthday [19th Jan] when Auntie had to work in KL. We celebrated it at Mommy's on the 16th Jan

In late January 2010, we acquired a new asset. After a 2yr stint of single-car ownership, we decided a second car is no longer a luxury but a necessity to avoid familial/ couple conflict :). Some of the important reasons include that Auntie was given added responsibilities at work and need to travel to meetings, Ogabang need to take his mom to hospital appointments which would sometimes coincide with Auntie's meeting schedules and Auntie sometimes need to stay back late at the office while Ogabang may need to go buy early dinner for himself and for his parents. But the real reason is probably so that we can go home to Kuantan in greater comfort and so that Ogabang could angkut balik barang2 from Kedai Cowboy!

We still love Ms Red very much. This has been Auntie's ride from January 2010 onwards, even at one point to use to go for field work to Kuantan.

FEBRUARY

Sunrise at Summerset Rompin

In February, Auntie was on field work trip to Rompin with mamachupan and Samantha. We also brought our families and extended families with us so that the work could be coupled with fun. One of the best moments in Rompin was this sunrise gazing with friends.

MARCH

March is of course, Auntida's birthday month. Office gals bought Auntie this cake. Auntie had various celebrations with friends and family after that.

March was also the month for Ajmal's birthday [3rd March]:

APRIL

In April, Auntie had an office retreat in Langkawi. Only had work pics except this one, which is a view from the hotel room. Ogabang tagged along because he was involved partially in the work.

April 12 and 30 were Jijin's and Shasha's birthday but we celebrated them during Auntie's visit to KL in early May:

Jijin, Auntie & Umi

Auntie & Shasha

MAY

Aiman's birthday was on 16th May

The highlight of May was the Tok Bibah's clan family day on the 29th of May. Here are some pics:

The Family Day was in memory of our beloved Tok Bibah who passed away on the 21st of May 2003. It was an inaugural family day and is agreed to be repeated, perhaps, every 2 or 3 yrs in the future.

The cake ordered by Umi from her friend. It turned out her friend was also Auntie's recently (2010) acquainted friend.

Mommy introducing the Halimah/ Endut sub-clan by reading pantun penned by Auntida.

The Red sub-clan. Nothing to do with the group in Malaysia's northern neighbour.

The sub-clan official pic.

JUN

Auntie's first overseas trip for the year was to Seoul, Korea, for work. Auntie was there for 5 days:

First lunch in Korea

We were definitely very well fed by our Korean colleagues.

Shopping, near our hotel. Auntie like the statue at the back.

In June also, Mommy and family came for a weekend at Auntie's place. In our excitement, we forgot to take pictures except for this:

Qin and her toys on Auntie's floor.

JULY

July saw one of Auntie's dream travel destination: Australia. Simply because it was relatively near but Auntie had not had a chance to visit. Auntie attended 2 conferences in Melbourne. Auntie was there for a total of 2weeks including 3 nights in Tasmania. Auntie went with mamachupan. For the first week, another colleague and mamachupan's sister also joined us.

First dinner out in Melbourne...

At this Afghan place.

This was one serving. Worth all the $16.00.

Our hotel was 5 minutes walk to the famous Victoria Market. We love it!

Our mode of transport for 2 weeks

During the weekend between two conferences, 3 of us rented a car and took a trip along the Great Ocean Road. This is one breathtaking scenery along the way.

We stopped for lunch at a fish n chips shop. Yum! Yum!

Because of unexpectedly lengthy detour, we arrived at the famous 12 apostle almost at dusk, so light was fading. But through the naked eyes, the view was still breathtaking.

One of the cake shops at St Kilda

Auntie's favourite cookies at the conferences. The Anzac cookies.

The last four days of time in Australia was spent in Tasmania with Auntie's new-found friend Farid. She is a close friend of mamachupan. Thank you Farid and family for the marvelous and gracious hospitality. Tak terbalas. Auntie did not have many pics of Tassie because Auntie's camera ran out of batteries. Also we were too busy eating to take pics :). But a few views of Launceston, Tassie. We also drove to Hobart for a day trip. These pics were taken on the way to Hobart.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

August and September were the Ramadhan and Syawal months. Auntie went home to Kuantan for Raya and brought Wan & Aki back to Penang after Raya. Two days before Raya Wan had a small operation on her foot and Auntie persuaded her to be looked after by Auntie in Penang.

An example of berbuka dish. We decided to eat simply for Ramadhan 2010.

Auntie's Raya baking project. The signature chocolate cake...

And chocolate chip cookies.

Auntie's 'kerastangan' Raya cookie jars.

Aki & Wan with new friends Uncle Johar & Mummy

End of September, Pak Long Ami buat kenduri for his impending Haj trip. So it was agreed that Auntie would take Wan & Aki back to KL. Tapi ada special order for the cookies pulak. All those bottles went to KL.

Together with this carrot cake, which was gone so quickly, everyone said he/she did not have enough of it.

Auntie's students also organised a Raya do so Auntie baked this Congo bars to bring to the event.

Auntie's students and colleagues.

August was also Along's, Maksu's and Acik Din's birthday but Auntie didn't have pics of birthday celebrations.

OCTOBER

Auntie resumed travel in October. This time to Singapore and Yogyakarta. Auntie only has pics of Yogya:

Nasi padang in Yogya

NOVEMBER

Auntie spent first few days of November in Langkawi for a writing retreat.

We stayed at a resort with this kind of accommodation.

Auntie also bought Red Lady Luna in November.

18th November was Qin's 6th birthday but Auntie could not celebrate with Qin. What Auntie managed was to see Qin before her birthday and decorate a cake with her. We also spent the day swimming and having dinner together. Auntie thought about the cake after seeing Auntie's friend's doll cake projects on her FB. Thank you, Atty, for inspiring me [you can click on her name to go to her blog, which displays pretty kiddies cake pictures]. But Auntie did not bake the cake from scratch. Auntie use shop-bought cakes and just shape and ice them: