The Friend Who Never Left

Hi,

It’s Raya Day 6, and I’m back in Penang, though I’m starting to think I accidentally landed on the surface of the sun. 🥵I honestly thought Melaka was roasting, but Penang is on a whole different level! The heat is so intense that staying indoors is my only survival plan.

Despite the weather, my heart felt a lot cooler last night because I had a very special visitor, my old friend Anne. We all have that one friend from our university days who feels like a character written by a novelist who was being far too generous. Anne is exactly that person. Brilliant, beautiful, and from a wealthy family, yet somehow remains the most humble and down-to-earth soul you’ll ever meet. We were classmates and next-door neighbors in the hostel throughout our Foundation, Undergraduate, and Master’s studies.

Since '03: More than two decades of friendship

We were the ultimate package deal of the department until our PhDs finally sent us to opposite corners of the globe. I went to Australia, and she went to the UK. Believe it or not, the last time we actually stood in the same room was way back in 2012, when we attended a conference together in Loughborough and I stayed over at her house. Since then, we’ve mostly kept in touch through yearly birthday wishes (we are both end-of-year babies) and occasional professional chats about our research.

Once upon a younger version of ourselves

After 14 years of being digital friends, Anne mentioned she was in Penang and wanted to stop by. I welcomed her into my home with wide open arms. Even though it was a short meetup, it felt like no time had passed at all. You know those friends you don’t have to talk to every day, but the second you see them, you slide right back into your old rhythm without skipping a beat? Anne is one of them. We laughed and caught up on a decade of life as if we hadn't missed a single day.

It really goes to show that true friendship isn't about how often you talk, but how little things change when you finally do. It took fourteen years and a record-breaking heatwave to bring us back together, but it was worth every second of the wait. Now, if only our research collaborations could move as fast as our talking! 😆

A Syawal Success Story: Sibling Edition

Hi,

They say getting all of us together is as rare as a solar eclipse. With six siblings in total, four sisters and two brothers, aligning our schedules is a mission in itself! But this year, the stars aligned, and the full crew reunited at our eldest brother’s house in Bangi. We didn't just show up for the selfies, we showed up with a plan to make this the most legendary Raya ever for our parents.

Never a dull moment with my favorite people!

Forget a simple home-cooked meal, we turned our brother's kitchen into a full-blown food festival! Our head chef sister was a woman possessed. The star of the show was a massive spread of Kuey Teow Th’ng. We’re talking 20kg of silky noodles served with a broth that tasted like a warm hug.

But it was the toppings that really stole the show, tender shredded chicken, juicy shrimp, and perfectly prepared squid. And the secret weapon? The garlic oil. My sister actually cooked up fresh batches of that fragrant, golden garlic oil four separate times throughout the day to make sure every single bowl was perfect. Of course, we still had the Raya classics like ketupat and rendang on the side, because you can’t have Syawal without the essentials!

Then there was my station. I was the official beverage manager, and I wasn't playing around. I had a giant 10-liter pot bubbling on the stove, brewing that perfect, creamy teh tarik. It was served piping hot, and let me tell you, it disappeared faster than I could brew it! I ended up preparing that massive 10-liter pot twice, making it a grand total of 20 liters of tea! There’s nothing like a hot, sweet cup of tea to keep the Raya energy going.

While the tea was flowing and the noodles were steaming, our organizing queen was the glue holding us together, making sure the condiments were topped up and the tables were cleared. Our youngest sister was the designated paparazzi, documenting every laugh, every bite and every heartfelt hug for the family archives.

The line-up: Chef, Barista, Organizer, and Content Creator. 

We came, we cooked, we conquered! 💪✨

And we can’t forget the brothers! Our eldest brother and his wife was the ultimate host, opening his home in Bangi to the whole chaotic crew, while our other brother was right there in the mix, helping us keep the momentum going by being on standby for last-minute shopping trips every time we realized we were running low on something. Seeing all six of us working together like a well-oiled machine (with plenty of teasing in between) was the real highlight.

The best part of the day wasn't the 20kg of noodles or the 20 liters of tea, it was the look on our parents' faces. Seeing their six children all under one roof, laughing and cooperating to make them happy, was the best Raya gift we could give. Our brother’s house was buzzing with the kind of noisy, happy energy that only a big family can create.

We might not get to do this every day, but this first day of Syawal reminded me that no matter how much time passes, we’ll always have each other's backs, and we definitely know how to feed a small army. 😎

The Pre-Raya Record

Hi,

Look at me, two posts in two nights! I’ve been pretty quiet for the last few weeks because, let’s be real, life has been a whirlwind of work and mom duties. But tonight, I finally found a quiet moment to breathe and write down a few things worth remembering.

The kids are officially in dreamland, and I’m just sitting here in the silence, watching them sleep and waiting for my late-night moreh snacks to finally digest. It’s that peaceful mom-mode where the house is finally still.

This Ramadhan, I’ve actually been surprisingly disciplined. My Sahur? Two single dates and enough water to fill a small bathtub. That’s it! No heavy rice or oily dishes before the sun comes up.

And hey, it actually worked! I’ve managed to drop 5kg of what I like to call unnecessary storage (okay, it’s just extra body fat). I’m feeling much lighter, more energetic, and honestly, pretty proud of myself for sticking to such a simple routine.

Now, the real challenge starts. I really want to keep this progress going after Raya, but there’s one big problem, my massive crush on Raya cookies. I have zero self-control when I’m sitting in front of a jar of Semperit or Tart Nanas. I’m trying to tell myself to be strict this year because I don’t want all that hard work to go down the drain, but let’s be honest, me versus a jar of cookies is a very unfair fight!

In other news, I’ve officially finished my Raya glow-up routine. Hair is done, nails are fresh, and I'm feeling human again! This year was extra special because I brought my daughter, Auni, along for the ride. In the past, she was a bit too small for the whole salon and spa experience, but now that she’s 10, she’s the perfect girly-time buddy. We sat there getting pampered together, and I really hope these little mother-daughter dates are something she’ll look back on and treasure forever. It's the start of a new tradition!

The kids are currently tuckered out after having the absolute best night of their lives. They spent hours playing with bunga api and mercun with their cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Watching these two cousins together is everything. They are truly living their best lives this Raya.

There’s just something about playing in the kampung that hits differently than the city. In a residential area, you have to be so careful, but here, they can just run around and be kids. Seeing them so happy, covered in a little bit of smoke and a lot of joy, really made my heart feel full.

I think that’s all for now. I’m not sure when I’ll get another quiet moment like this once the Raya chaos truly begins. So, if I don’t get a chance to post again, Selamat Hari Raya! Enjoy the food, cherish the family time, and try (unlike me) not to eat every single cookie in the jar! Bye everyone! 💕

My Little Knight in Training

Hi,

How’s everyone holding up? Raya is looming over us, and honestly, I’m checking the calendar like a student checking the clock during a Differential Equation final. Where did the time go?! 😅

I’m currently back in Jasin, soaking up family time before the main event. But here’s the plot twist, this year, Raya is going to look a little different. We’re trading our usual routine for a change of scenery at my brother’s place in Bangi. No drama, we just wanted to tukar angin and see what Raya in the city feels like. Wish us luck!

Amidst the Raya prep, my Little Boss turns 7 today!

L: Now vs. R: Then. 7 years later, the cuddle-to-space ratio has changed, but the love hasn't! 💕

In our house, we don’t do the whole big birthday party tradition. The kids know the drill, we will have intimate celebrations with just the family (and the favorite aunts/uncles who bring the best gifts, obviously).

Even though he’s officially a big boy, Adam is still 100% a Mommy’s Boy. This kid is a space-optimization expert. It doesn't matter how big the sofa is, he will find a way to sit on me. Every. Single. Time.

I’m soaking up every cuddle and every share space moment now, because I know the teenage lockdown is coming one day where he’ll be way too cool to be seen hugging Mom in public. For now? I’m enjoying being his favorite person.

Most people know him as Adam, but many ask why his name is Fahdi.

Years ago, while performing Tawaf alone, I prayed so hard for a baby boy. Why was I so determined to have a boy? Call it strategic planning! I wanted my own little guardian to look after me when I’m old and grey. Every Queen needs her knight, right? So, every time I passed the King Fahd gate in Masjidil Haram, the name just stuck. I wanted my own version of King Fahd. A protector.

I’ve explained this origin story to him multiple times, but he usually just looks at me with total confusion. To him, I’m still the one who protects him from the monsters under the bed. He has no idea that one day, he’ll be the one looking out for me. I hope one day he will get it.🛡️

So, happy 7th Birthday to my little King. I’ll keep doing the Mom thing to the best of my ability, and leave the rest to fate (and maybe a little bit of math). I know I can be a bit 'math-heavy' sometimes, but that’s just the teacher in me coming out. I promise you can decide math isn't your thing when you grow up, but while you’re under my roof, I’m going to be your favorite teacher. Just doing my best for you! ❤️

New Traditions, Same Love

Hi 

Another night, another round of being the Chief Safety Officer while the kids went wild with mercun and bunga api at Tokwan's. Even though we’re tucked away in a residential area and can’t exactly play the extreme ones, the kids didn’t care. Seeing their faces light up is worth the smoky hair and the mini heart attacks every time a sparkler gets too close to a car passing by! 😅

Flower pots to the rescue! Anything to get that pelita glow for Raya.

We’re down to the final two-weekend countdown to Eid, and this year, the script has been totally flipped. For the first time ever, my parents won't be celebrating Raya in Penang. Wait, what? No Penang?

Usually, my Dad is the busiest man in the state during Raya. As a barber, his phone basically becomes a 24/7 hotline. It’s on standby mode 100% of the time, and appointments fly in faster than we can eat ketupat. For him, Raya usually means No Rest for the Wicked (or the Talented).

This year, things are looking a little different. Dad’s currently in a season of recovery, and while his loyal customers are already calling to get that Raya look, he’s just not able to get back to the barber chair yet.

To keep his mind off the shop and focused on resting, we proposed a family intervention (the fun kind!). We convinced him to spend the final week of Ramadhan and Eid away from the usual hustle of Penang. And he likes it🎉

Changing plans at the eleventh hour has definitely kept us on our toes. We had to bid a sad farewell to our Early Bird ETS tickets that we snagged months ago. It’s okay, though the car is packed, we are ready to embrace the chaos.

Well, sometimes the unplanned plans are the ones that end up being the legendary ones. Wishing everyone a beautiful and peaceful remaining Ramadhan! 🌙✨

Calm in the Bonus Hour

Hi,

Tonight is weird. Good weird, but definitely weird.

Usually, my life between getting home and going to bed is a marathon. If there were a gold medal for Speed-Folding Laundry While Simultaneously Prepping Tomorrow’s Meal, I’d be on the podium every night. Normally, I don’t hit a horizontal position until 11:00 PM. That’s my personal best. My 'Mom vs. The World' routine is a finely tuned machine. If I don't prep everything at night, the next morning is basically a disaster movie.

But tonight? I finished everything one hour early. I’m standing in a clean kitchen, looking around like a confused sim who just had their task queue cleared. Since I have this rare bonus hour, I decided it was time for some self-care. But how? Okay, I found it.

Nothing beats the bonus hour like the final, perfect bite of SilverQueen almond chocolate.😋

Finally I got the last piece of SilverQueen Almond chocolate I brought back from Surabaya months ago. I was planning to hoard it until my next trip to Indonesia, but tonight felt special. So, I ate it. No regrets. It was easily the best decision of my week. My mood? Instant 10/10.

Then, while loading the bags into the car, I checked on the full-moon (my favorite monthly ritual), and honestly? She’s being a bit shy tonight. Not as bright as usual, but still stunning. There’s just something about looking at the moon that acts like a reset button for my brain after a hectic week. Very calming.

Hello there pretty moon.

I sat there waiting for sleepiness to kick in, but it’s currently a no-show. I think the chocolate and the moon have teamed up to keep me awake. It might be the chocolate-induced sugar rush, or maybe just the pure shock of having free time. Either way, I’m just going to hang out with my own thoughts until my eyes get heavy.

To everyone else in the Mom Marathon or just grinding through your own daily race, I see you. May your chores be fast and your chocolate be hidden in the back of the pantry where no one else can find it.

Goodnight, world!🌜

A Taste of Home

Hi,

Can you believe we’re already ten days into Ramadhan? Just like that, a third of the month has disappeared. I spent my Saturday playing professional organizer in our book room, which was more like a paper jungle. I never realized how massive school books are these days. I managed to sort everything into three piles: Keep, Recycle, and Let Go. For the books that didn't quite fit anywhere, I just followed my heart (and my desire to see the floor again) and tossed them into a random pile.

The mini library is finally looking sharp, but I did notice the stationery section looks like a small retail shop. Honestly, it’s a survival tactic. You know how kids are. The second you tell them to dim the lights for bed, they suddenly have an 'emergency' need for a glue stick. To save my own sanity, I’ve started stocking up on the essentials like I’m preparing for a craft-based apocalypse. 😂

By 6 PM, we headed over to my parents' place for a sleepover. The second I walked in, the aroma gave it away: Cencaru Belah Belakang for buka puasa! It’s been ages since we’ve had it, especially with my Dad’s health lately. My sister stepped up to the plate and recreated his signature recipe. Luckily, it was my first off-day from fasting, so I got to be the official taste-tester for her experiment. Total success! It tasted exactly like Dad’s. 🎉

From craving this in a tiny kitchen abroad to enjoying it at my parents' table. There’s no recipe quite like Dad’s, and no company quite like family. ❤️

To balance out the spicy sambal, Mom whipped up a giant container of her classic cekodok pisang. It’s the old-school kind, heavy on the ripe bananas, light on the flour, and 100% addictive. We polished off the entire batch in one sitting. 

The classic way is the only way. Tiny enough to pop in your mouth, dark brown for that caramelized flavor, crispy skin, and a soft heart. Serve 'em hot and watch the whole container disappear!

Although it wasn’t a fancy five-course meal, but it was absolutely perfect and soul-filling. Now, I’m looking forward to a relaxed Sunday with the family.

Catch you later!