I Need A Moment To Deliberate

Isn’t it ironic, how someone can complete a triathlon yet can’t even walk 50 steps to put dirty dishes in the kitchen sink??!

It’s this time of the year again where the final 3 "berentap" for the final 2 spots in American Idol . I’ve lost track of AI ever since Michael Johns got eliminated. But I saw it last night and I have to say the man of the night was DAVID COOK!!! (and Simon Cowell agreed!!) I was amazed with the way he handled Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Simon’s choice)although I must say he looks annoyed when he first got the sms from Simon on Fox. I didn’t really enjoy Dare You To Move (Personal Choice)..a bit anti-climax and pitchy but Aerosmith’s I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing (Producer’s Choice) was perfect!

Syesha Mercado sang Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You (Randy’s Choice), Buble’s Fever (Personal Choice) and Hit Me Up (Producer’s Choice). I was never a Syesha fan..yeah she’s pretty and once in a while she makes an impact but she has always been in the bottom 3..perhaps her luck will run out of her tonight. But never underestimate the power of the "Obama Votes".

David Archuletta sang Billy Joel’s And So It Goes (Paula’s Choice), Chris Brown’s With You (Personal Choice) and Dan Fogelberg’s Longer (Producer’s Choice). I may have heard the Billy Joel’s version and David Arch did a great job but I agree with Simon, it was predictable and fine. Nothing mesmerising about it. Typical Archuletta. I was surprised with his choice though, David Arch and upbeat songs just don’t go. But he looks like he is having fun, dancing and all, although he looked to me as if he was about to hyperventilate any time! What can I say about him singing the Producer’s Choice? COME ON! Lagu orang tua, okay! But no doubt he is THE POPULAR ONE!

Based on last night’s performance, I think it’ll be the end for Syesha Mercado tonight. Infact I don’t really mind who gets eliminated as long as it’s not David Cook. Nevertheless, DO NOT underestimate the power of "kezutan"..the unpredictable and unexpected! Because THIS (pause) IS AMERICAN IDOL (kena baca dengan nada Ryan Seacrest). But I have to say this, IF DAVID COOK IS ELIMINATED, I’M GONNA STOP WATCHING AMERICAN IDOL (yeah, yeah! Promises, promises! I remember saying that when Bo Bice didn’t win AI4!)

So, whose dreams will end tonight? Who’s your pick for the AI7 finale??!

As a family activity, Rafiq had booked a badminton court for every Sundays from 10 a.m.-12 noon at a sports centre near Phoenix Plaza. The activity started last week but we couldn’t make it as we were in Kuantan. This week, Rafiq couldn’t join either but I went with Faiq.

Initially, when Faiq woke up late and all, I was kinda reluctant to go. I arrived at about 10.30 a.m. and the match was between Jan/Dik and Papa/Lala doubles. Papa was really good, which sparked the interest of someone from the next court and Papa ended up inviting him to play with us for the next match. Borak dengan Kak Eja and Wawa whilst waiting for the naxt game. Cheychey arrived late with Akif & Asif because he was confused of the location…hahaha! Faiq was happily playing (with occasional crying acts) with Mu’az, Sabrina and Adam (and later Akif & Asif). My game was between Cheychey and K.Eja, with Jan as my partner. Initially, we were losing tapi telah berjaya menyamakan kedudukan dan memenangi acara itu (ala2 sports review..hehehe).

I’m now really looking forward to our Sunday badmintons..YIPPEE!!

My husband completed his first triathlon in A’Famosa, Melaka. I received his sms at about 12.30 noon, "I DID IT!!"

1.5km swim, 40km on the bike & final jog of 10km in approximately 4 hours!! He also said that Faiq and I were his inspiration and this triathlon is dedicated to us!!

I know you could do it, Sayang! Faiq and I are the proud son and wife of a triathlete!

Our Kuantan Escapade happened last week, because Rafiq had a friendly tennis match arranged by his tennis gang. I haven’t really recovered from my Terengganu trip, but I was really excited as I realised that was our first family trip, just the 3 of us.

I picked up Rafiq from his office at 1 p.m., we had a yong tau foo lunch at Wangsa Maju and we only left KL at about 3 p.m. It was raining all the way from Gombak to Gambang, the heaviest being from Temerloh to Gambang. Checked in at Hotel Seri Malaysia at about 5 p.m. and was too lazy to go out but couldn’t resist a trip to Teluk Chempedak. Unfortunately, it started to rain when we arrive so there were no walks along the beach with Rafiq and Faiq. We then looked for the tennis court in Taman Gelora where the tennis match will take place the next day and headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner, which we will be having with my friend, Ida.

Ida picked us up at about 7.15 p.m. and she brought us to Anjung Restaurant which serves thai cuisine seafood. Luckily we were there early so we didn’t have to wait forever for our food. As 8 p.m. approaches, more people started arriving. We had daging goreng merah, kerabu mangga, kangkung belacan, kailan in oyster sauce, steamed fish, tomyam and sotong goreng tepung. Then we headed to the Waterfront for a night stroll. We went as far as the jetty even though we didn’t go on the boat ride and left at about 10 p.m.

The next morning, Rafiq left at about 7 a.m. for his tennis match. Luckily for me, Ida’s classes were cancelled so I set to make her take me around Kuantan…hehehe. We had breakfast at a kopitiam where we ordered cucur sayur, roti bakar and coffee, of course. It was yummylicious. After breakfast, we decided to watch the tennis match for a while. Faiq, upon seeing his Babah, throwed a tantrum..demanding to go in the court so he can play tennis with his Babah. He cried and kept saying, "Nak main nennis, nak main nennis!" I think the players were distracted so one uncle was nice enough to lend us some tennis ball and his racket to keep him quiet. I then took him to the other court where he happily played his own version of tennis. I do hope that he’ll grow up and take up any sport, just like his Babah.

We left the tennis court for our next destination, Tanjung Lumpur to purchase some sea products. Because we were there at about 11 a.m., there were not many choices but I was still able to purchase some lala, squids, ikan jenahak, bawal and tenggiri and some prawns. The sea products were really fresh and huge (I’ve never seen a squid so long) as they were brought straight from the sea for sale. We then went back to the hotel to pack and chec-out before heading to Mok Naa’s stall for lunch.

Mok Naa’s stall has a variety of food from sata ikan to keropok lekor, nasi dagang, laksam, ikan/udang/sotong goreng tepung and some local kuih muih. We tried all of ‘em and it was excellent. We ordered ABC for Faiq to avoid him from running around and because it was really hot, both Ida and I ordered 2 glasses of fresh orange each. Again, we were lucky for arriving early because more and more people started bustling in when we were halfway through our meal. It was a good eating experience and I really enjoyed it. Rafiq managed to sneak in the kitchen to see where the making of keropok lekor and other dishes and the frying take place.

Before we left Kuantan, we paid a visit to my classmate’s house, whom I haven’t seen for 4 or 5 years! It was good to see her after all these years. She is still the skinny and young-looking Ana, doesn’t change a bit despite the fact that she has 3 children. I am so envious..hehehe! Last but not least, we made a stop at Ida’s house to perform our prayers. I didn’t get to meet her family though because they were attending a relative’s kenduri.

We left Kuantan at about 4 p.m. and reached home sweet home at 6.30 p.m. Even though I was dead tired, I really enjoyed my trip and I’m sure there’ll be more trips to Kuantan in the near future. To my friend, Ida, who was kind enough to take us around and was patient enough with Faiq’s antiques, I can’t thank you enough for your time, tolerance and hospitality! My family and I truly appreciate it and thank you for a wonderful time!

A year ago, he wouldn’t have dreamed that he would do it.

Recently, he did the unthinkable. He registered.

Tomorrow, he is going to compete against himself, challenging his limits. He will be doing his first triathlon in A’Famosa, Malacca. 1.5km swim, 40km on the bike and final run of 10km.

Forget the sprint! I know you can do the whole length, Sayang. YOU CAN DO IT!! I have faith in you. And quoting the wise word of Shazly Khan, "Sometimes, people need to be reminded of their potential!"

No matter how long you take, I KNOW you can complete it! I just know. And when you reach the finishing line, please remember one thing alone: Faiq and I are so proud of you!!

Blog ini dah berhabuk sebab dah lama tak update. My last post was in February, post ARA 2 finals. A lot of things have happened since then i.e PTK exam (which I flunked..pbbbbthhhh!!!), the demise of my neighbour in Melaka, Uncle Zuhuri which shocked my whole family.

Upon receiving the sms of his death, I started calling all my childhood friends who knew him and without realising it, tears streamed down my cheek. I was close to his family (as we were neighbours) and wasn’t clsoe to him. You know..when you were 5-15 years old, you were at that stage where you’ll be as timid as a mouse when you are around your friend’s father. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers and insya-Allah rohnya di tempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yanng beriman dan soleh.

What else happened? Of course, there was American Idol Season 7 where my top 4 faves were David Arch, David Cook, Michael Johns and Jason Castro. After the premature elimination of Micheal Johns, I lost interest in watching the show and will probably only watch the finals. I’m voting for David Cook!!

There were birthdays celebrated, a pancake escapade with my new sister in-law, a few reunion-cum-baby shower for friends, visiting my friends who gave birth..yadayadayada. Work revolves travelling to Terengganu for Pra-SUKMA, to Kuantan for my hubby’s friendly tennis tournament and catching up with my friend, Ida & Ana.

I guess that pretty much sums it all! Gosh, and it’s MAY 2008 already!!

I’ve just registered to re-sit for both my PTK papers in August.

Sigh..

I am sulking because my favourite team did not win the Amazing Race Asia 2! They were doing very well throughout the race! They were the winner of 8 out of the 12 legs of the race! But alas, luck was not on their side when they faltered at the roadblock challenge! Oh  well, looking at the bright side..I suppose the prizes they won for being the top for most of the legs would probably amount to the grand prize itself! And I bet they’re all set for their adventure to South Africa.

Well done, Pam & Van! Wanted you guys to win as well. MALAYSIA BOLEH!!

Congrats Adrian & Collin. Quoting Allan Wu, "Good job you guys!!"

I was really confident that Marc & Rovilson will be the next Amazing Race champs. Looking at their pace and how strong a team they are, I have no doubt that they’ll be the first to reach the pit stop and yell, "BASE!!". But yesterday..huhuhu..UNBE-EFFING-LIEVABLE!! I was really upset ok! I really wanted them (and the Chong sisters) to win!

Oh well, since they were the champs for most of the legs, it may have amounted to the USD100,000 prize! I believe they are already planning their trip to South Africa!

Congrats to Adrian and Collin, the winner of Amazing Race Asia 2!!