my sweet escape

Gift Ideas for Geeky Dads

2013-06-09T03:50:00.000+08:00

Are you a member of a fandom? Star Trek? Star Wars? Minecraft? Doctor Who?

Well, if you know any dads out there who are members of a fandom and don't know what to give/buy them for the upcoming Father's Day, then you might want to check out what I have in store for you. Well, it's not in the literal sense that I have these things in store. But you know what I mean, right?

Here are some items that I thought are pretty cool to own if you know are/or know a geek dad.

I know my husband is a sucker for torch lighters and if only he was a sucker for Minecraft, I know exactly what to give to him. So, if you're really running out of ideas, check out ThinkGeek.com. They really do have awesome and cool stuff.

Gotta Help People Out Sometimes

2013-06-09T03:39:00.001+08:00

Hey everyone!

You guys know that Youtube is the my only other source of entertainment (besides Twitter, Instagram and Candy Crush) when I can't sleep, right? Well, I love Ray WJ's Equals 3 videos so, check them out! He's not always crass and rude all the time. He helps too, you know.. So enjoy this one and help out if you can!

Perfect Distraction

2013-06-09T03:11:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow I'll be headed back home to KL and I've got 1001 things that I really need to do when I get back home. Among some of the things I need to start on is cleaning up my sister's room. Now that she's a married woman, I can turn her room into a guest room so my mom can have a room all to herself when she comes to visit her grandkids.

I can't wait to decorate it and since Allie is using my sister's old mattress (Allie shares a room with Buddy) then I need to get a new good quality Latex foam mattress that doesn't hurt my mom's back. One of those orthopedic types. I hope they don't burn a hole in my wallet, though.

Anyways, with all this planning and work that I have to do, it's the perfect distraction for me.. especially because I get homesick a lot. I really do miss KK when I'm in KL.

2 a.m.

2013-06-09T02:42:00.001+08:00

It's 2.30am and I am finally done packing. I can't fall asleep yet so I decided to blog a little. I feel like I've neglected my blogs for far too long and decided to pay them a visit.

If you're wondering why I'm packing, well, as most of you know, there's not a school holiday that goes by that I DON'T go back to my hometown. I MUST go back. That's just the way it is. I get homesick. A LOT. So, it's basically the end of the school holidays and it's time to return to KL tomorrow. My flight is in the morning which is not the norm for me because with 3 kids to handle, I normally prefer an afternoon or evening flight so I don't have to rush.

However, flights are mostly full due to the school holidays and so the only available flight left was in the morning. So I will try my damnedest to get everyone ready and out the door by 9am. Argh!!

Anyways, wish me a safe flight, k??

Getting Antsy

2013-05-21T11:22:00.003+08:00

I can't believe I haven't been blogging for more than a month. I used to blog EVERY SINGLE DAY. But I guess those were the days when I wasn't saddled with my own home and three kids. Yet, I wouldn't change what I have now for what I had back then. :)

Anyways, everything on the home front is good. Buddy and Allie are schooling, which leaves the morning free for me and baby Z to do whatever we want. Which usually means, him sleeping and me doing my chores. Lately, though, while doing my chores, I noticed that the house is just full of ants. Big ants, small ants, they're everywhere. It's strange because just last month, we had pest control over to do treatment on the house.

I don't know if this is usually how pest control does their thing, but someone told me that this looks pretty shady. I don't know. I haven't had a lot of "pest control" experience.

For now, I think I have to use phantom bug spray to get rid of those pesky little ants.

The Beauty of Motherhood

2013-04-09T17:12:00.001+08:00

Is motherhood really that beautiful?? Is motherhood really what it's cracked up to be?? Is motherhood all pretty flowers and sunshine and perfect children with perfect grades and unicorns that poop rainbows??

From the moment a woman gives birth whether naturally or c-section or heck, even if you've adopted a child, it's all blood, sweat and tears. Literally.

There's nothing beautiful about having a familiar stranger's face up your "hoohoo", with blood spewing forth and telling you "one more push". There's nothing beautiful about being scared to poop a day after giving birth. There's nothing beautiful about the pain of chapped nipples combined with a very hungry baby. There's nothing beautiful about staying in your pjs (truth be told, it's actually nice and comfy) the whole day because you don't seem to have a moment to yourself from the moment you wake up until the time you fall asleep -- all 10 minutes of it. There's nothing beautiful about the price of diapers and formula. Period.

And don't even start about forgetting to pretty yourself up for the husband. For all you know, you're probably still wearing the most unsexy grandma panties of all time because the laundry is piling up and the cooking and the dishes and the dusting and the mopping still needs to be done.

Yet, in the midst of all that craziness, moments of contentedness (is that even a word?) still do exist.

Moments when your baby gives you a heartstopping smile and nestles in closer to your chest. Moments when out of the blue, your daughter comes up, gives you a big fat kiss and says "You're beautiful, mommy. You're the best ever ever." or when your son says "Mommy, your burger is crusty today" but finishes his food because to him, your crusty burger is still his favourite. Moments when your husband gives you a long big hug and helps with bathing the children without you asking because he knows. Moments when, for a split second, the house is all quiet and everyone is happy.

These moments are the moments that makes your heart fill up with joy and pride and no matter what other people say, you know you did good.

Actually, it's moments like these that make you crazy enough to think you can handle more kids. Hahaha.

But yes, despite the madness, craziness, blood, sweat and tears, I do believe that motherhood is all that it's hyped up to be.. and MORE. I admit, it sometimes makes you want to just close your eyes and ears and ignore everything. But it makes me the person I am today.

I used to think that parents make and shape their children. I just realized that my kids make ME. They taught me (and still continue to teach me) to be patient and kind and tough and strict and funny and be less uptight and more importantly, make me appreciate my mom a whole lot more and have a better relationship with her than ever before.

That, my friends, makes motherhood CRAZY BEAUTIFUL.

Author's note: This is just my account of motherhood. I can't speak for the rest of the mothers especially those who have nannies aplenty, time to go to the gym, wear Zannottis and Atwoods and Louboutins on their feet and moms who don't own a single grandma panty. Evidently, I am no Mrs Beckham. But I am ok with it.

In this moment, I am at peace.

*a moment later, i retract my last sentence, baby Z just woke up and the havoc ensues*

Time to sign off.

Photo A Day Challenge

2013-03-14T02:39:00.001+08:00

If you've been following me on Instagram (@nazshemah), you might have seen my #fmsphotoaday picture prompts and hashtags. If you're not on Instagram but follow me on Twitter and Facebook, you would know what I'm talking about too (since I link 'em together).

The photo challenge I'm doing is one of MANY out there on Instagram and there are different challenges from different users. I used to try to do it through Tumblr but I failed miserably. I guess it's just easier to do on Instagram. The one I'm currently doing is by @FatMumSlim, you can check her out here (FatMumSlim.com.au) and it's a pretty cool way to practice my photo-taking skills.

If you're not familiar with a photo-a-day challenge, it just means you're given a prompt a day for the whole month and you have to just post a photo according to the theme of the prompt. For example, today's prompt was SOUND. So I posted this picture.

It's a picture of my brother's old guitar. It may not be a Fender Stratocaster but it sure does produce some sweet music.

See how simple it is? I would love to try to do the challenge on my blog, so my blog gets updated every single day, but that's just being too ambitious. But it would be good especially if I put my Canon 60D to good use instead of using my phone's camera.

But if you guys would like to join in on the fun, get your monthly prompts from FatMumSlim. You can do it via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or via blogging as well.

This month's prompts:

If my explanation is still confusing for you, check out the instructions here. Btw, shout out to Chantelle (FatMumSlim) on her bun in the oven! So precious!

So people, join in on the fun and you might even be inspired to set up your own challenge or make new friends or perhaps discover a new passion for photography.

Wordless Wednesday: Growing Up Too Fast

2013-03-14T02:19:00.000+08:00

My niece, Naeema is 6 months today while my son, little Zaidan Alif, is approaching 4 months exactly on his father's birthday, 23rd March. I can't believe that they're growing up sooooo fast. I can't believe that time has flown so fast, it's unbelievable really. It just feels like yesterday that two heavily pregnant ladies went to the islands for some R and R. Hahaha much to my mom's concern. Anyways, it was good to babysit my little rascal niece today. She's such a good baby and so easy to take care of. :)

*sigh*

There they are. Before you know it, they'll be jumping around and giving their mommies and daddies a hard time.

p/s: I could never grasp this Wordless Wednesday thing. I always have something to say.

I'm Going Home

2013-03-03T10:39:00.000+08:00

Finally! After about almost 4 months of being in my hometown, I am finally ready to go back home. My sister's wedding is finally over (Alhamdulillah!!) and I am just relieved that everything went well. All the effort of the last few months was definitely well worth it. Now, I can go home to KL and just relax and stress about other stuff. Like laundry, cooking, the children's homework and all that jazz.

The only thing that's different now is that I will have baby Zaidan with me and it's his first time going to KL. I hope he'll be alright throughout the whole 2 and 1/2 hour flight. I'm not planning to bring his baby crib with me because I can't deal with bringing and packing all the screws and standoffs and all the pieces to assemble it.

So it looks like I have to go searching for a baby cot or playpen once I reach KL. Argh! I'm feeling the stress of it already! But I guess that's what mom's do. We're always up for a challenge!! :D

Before Midnight

2013-01-21T15:18:00.004+08:00

A romance trilogy that spans 2 decades. Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and now, the much anticipated Before Midnight! I loved the first two movies, released in 1995 and 2004 respectively.

The film follows the story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julia Delpy) who develop a strong attraction to each other on a train from Budapest to Vienna. I don't normally like movies with an ambiguous ending but when they make a sequel to it, and we get to know what happens to Jesse and Celine, I just absolutely can't wait for it.

Well, I heard that this film has met the expectations of film critics and moviegoers at Sundance Film Festival and I can't wait to check it out!

Photo credits: Rope of Silicon

I wonder who and when the movie will be picked up and released. All three films were directed by the brilliant Richard Linklater. Excited!

Ego-mommy-ac

2013-01-07T14:28:00.000+08:00

I haven't been doing any shopping whatsoever in soooooo long. I mean, I didn't even buy any pregnant clothes at all last year. I just resorted to wearing my dresses, over-sized Ts, my old empire waisted tops and a pair of leggings. That was about it.

So now that I'm no longer preggers, I'm pretty excited about the prospect of going shopping again! But when I went out recently with my mom, all I saw were winter clothes on display! What a bummer! I mean, the clothes are gorgeous but I hardly need any ski coats for women at this point.

But it's not like I've lost much weight yet, pun. I have lost a bit and I'm looking forward to starting my exercise (can't start too early after giving birth) and just eating more healthily. After all, my sister's wedding is on the 1st of March! And I soooo need to look good. NEED, ok? NEED. It's an ego boost for a mommy of 3. Oh just indulge me, will ya?

Things NOT To DO In the Masjid

2013-01-07T14:04:00.001+08:00

Instead of my usual weekly Music Monday this week, I have decided to share a video with all my readers. Yes, from the title you can see it is geared towards my fellow Muslims, however, all my non-Muslim readers should just check it out anyway.

It's funny, it's informative and it does show that we Muslims aren't a serious bunch. We do have a sense of humour and are fun people too. LOL! Enjoy!

p/s: Love the Gossip Girls part the most! "Haraaaaaam" *snap*

Post Baby Weight

2012-12-10T14:34:00.000+08:00

Being a new mommy again, for the third time around after a gap of 5 years isn't exactly easy. I sort of forgot how it was to take care of a newborn and what comes with it (pain of breastfeeding, long nights, cluster feedings, confinement, etc) but I've adapted really quick and when your mommy instincts kick in, you just switch your mode to SUPER "Supermom". Yeah, DOUBLE the supers!

So this time around, my weight gain wasn't as bad as my 2 previous pregnancies. The most I gained was when I was pregnant with my firstborn -- I gained 22kgs and he came out a whopping 3.91kgs (normal delivery). Never again! After learning my lesson THEN, with Allie, I gained 15kgs and she came out a mere 3.51kgs (Thank God). This time around though, I gained only about 9kgs.

Taken 10 days before my delivery

Thanks to breastfeeding day and night like a milk machine, I have managed to lose all 9kgs already, in the span of 2 weeks. Not bad, you think?

HOWEVER, my pre-baby weight was 15kgs OVER my ideal weight. So basically, I am STILL 15kgs overweight. Pathetic! LOL!

I have my sister's wedding coming up this March and I NEED to look good. Yet, at the same time, I don't even think I have the energy to WANT to look good, you know what I mean? The moment I think of working out, I literally yawn. Seriously, I'm exhausted just thinking about it. I don't think I want it bad enough.

But I can't exercise yet even if I wanted to. Under my mom's rules, I can't do anything to exert myself within the first 45 days. Yup, that's how long my confinement is. BORE. After that, then I can worry myself silly about exercise. Until then, to get back down to my pre-firstborn baby weight, damnn... I have to watch what I eat!

Magical Sundays in KK

2012-12-10T10:48:00.002+08:00

It's been raining a lot lately but it's no surprise as seeing as it's the end of the year. Where most countries have winter this time of year, it's the monsoon season around here.

But weirdly enough, in my hometown of Kota Kinabalu, Sunday's are just perfect. The sun comes out, perfect clouds in the sky, it's breezy without being too cold, sunny but not too hot.. I just love it. I always call it Magical Sundays.

Yesterday, my brother took Buddy and Allie swimming at his in-law's place and the kids had a wonderful time. I normally won't allow them to go swimming when the weather is rainy the whole week because the pool usually gets too cold but because of Magical Sunday, I was told that the pool was just nice, newly cleaned and warm enough.. as if they installed a raypak heater.

Today's weather is not bad, it's sunny but I do see some dark clouds hovering around. So if you ever get the chance to come over to KK this time of year and want to go island hopping, your best bet is to go on a Sunday. Seriously, 7 out of 10 Sundays, we have perfect weather. :)

Mamutik Island

Arrow

2012-12-10T10:25:00.000+08:00

Arrow is an American action-adventure television series developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg. It is based on the fictional character Green Arrow, a costumed crime-fighter who appears in comic books published by DC Comics.

The series follows billionaire playboy Oliver Queen, portrayed by Stephen Amell, who, after five years of being stranded on an uncharted island, returns home to fight crime and corruption as a secret vigilante whose weapon of choice is a bow and arrows. Arrow will also feature appearances by other DC Comics characters. To assist in promotion, a preview comic book was released to tie into the television series.

The show was picked up for a full season by the CW Network. The show stars Stephen Amell (Private Practice), Katie Cassidy (Gossip Girl/Supernatural), Colin Donnell (Pan Am), David Ramsey (Dexter) and Willa Holland (Gossip Girl) among others.

My best friend is my go-to-guide for TV Series reviews. She will check out new pilots and check them out for a couple of more episodes and will let me know which shows to watch and which ones not to bother with.

Since we have pretty much the same tastes, I trust her with her reviews. However when it comes to gory homicide scenes (CSI, NCIS or Criminal Minds) or even paranormal shows (Supernatural) she leaves them up to me. She's too paranoid to entertain those kinda shows. LOL!

She's introduced me to pretty much everything I'm watching these days and Arrow is one of them. I've checked out the pilot and I definitely dig it. It's my kind of speed and there's another 7 episodes to catch up with so if I'm not catching up on sleep or busy with my children, you'll know what I'm up to.

Ladies, even if you're not into action-adventure vigilante kinda shows, just for the sheer pleasure of watching Stephen Amell's ripped bod, why not, eh? LOL!

When The Going Gets Tough

2012-12-10T08:46:00.004+08:00

As most of you well know, I just had a baby recently and needless to say, I pretty much resemble a "Walker" right now. The Walking Dead fans would know what that means.. but here, let me show those of you who don't know.

Yes, sleep deprivation does that to you. I was up pretty much the whole night and although my baby is sleeping NOW and I could join him in dreamland if I wanted to, I chose to wake up early because unfortunately I have lots of work to do. A mommy's job is never done.

Anyways, with so much things to juggle and more responsibilities to think of and so little time, I am trying to get things done before year's end.. which is approximately only 21 days away! Gosh. UNBELIEVABLE. I can't believe the end is near. Not referring to the "Mayans' end" but you know what I mean.

I was supposed to help my mom create a blog too. Yeah, my mom is internet savvy these days and she wants an outlet to share her thoughts as well. Knowing my mom, she'll have a great following. In fact, she has more twitter followers than I do. LOL! She's been reminding me to do it before the baby came, but it was just impossible.

What with my sister's wedding coming up and my baby, and preparing for school to reopen next year, it's just so hectic. So hectic, that I might have to ask my mom to send my mom a tutorial on how to make a free website. I think it's easier that way. Besides, she has to learn how to deal with websites on her own since I won't be here all the time to help her out with it.

I just don't know how other moms do it, sometimes. My mom used to handle 4 little kids (ranging from 2 to 10 years old) while taking her degree, staying on the dean's list, in a country so far from her family and had no other help besides my dad. It's hard, but if you've got to do it, you just do it. I guess it's just time for the tough to get going! I CAN DO THIS!

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

2012-12-10T08:22:00.003+08:00

About two weeks ago, I gave birth to my 3rd child, a beautiful baby boy and I can't be happier.. or more tired. LOL! Obviously, having a newborn, lack of sleep is a given.. Nonetheless, I won't give it up for anything.

Not many people knew this time around that I was expecting my third child. In the beginning, I wanted to wait until my first trimester was over to tell people, but in the end, I just decided to keep it to myself. It was like a delicious secret that I didn't want to share.

I just figured as long as I told the people closest to me, that was all that mattered. However, now that my pregnancy is over and done with and my baby boy has safely arrived, I'm more than ecstatic to share my news with everyone.

Zaidan Alif, born on 23rd November, 8.35pm, weighing 3.67kgs. Pic taken at 5hrs old.

There are some people (who are rather close to me), however, who refuse to congratulate me -- for whatever petty reason, but it's okay. I get it. Not everyone has the capacity to feel happy for others. They'd rather be bitter and petty and that's okay. The important thing is that my family is happy and healthy and I have plenty of wonderful people in my life.

Anyways, for this Music Monday, I decided to dedicate a song to my darling little son, The First Time (Ever I Saw Your Face), by Leona Lewis -- originally sung by Roberta Flack. The reason I chose this song was because the song rings true with how I felt the first time I saw him.

The first time I held him, he just looked up to me and smiled -- much to the surprise of everyone around me. The nurses, my husband, the doctor.. I thought it was a fluke shot smile, but when the nurse brought him to me that night for his feeding, he gave me another one of his special smiles and I felt like the luckiest mommy on earth. :)

The first time ever I saw your face

I thought the sun rose in your eyes

And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave

To the dark and the endless skies, my love

To the dark and the endless skies

And the first time ever I kissed your mouth

I felt the earth move in my hands

Like the trembling heart of a captive bird

That was there at my command, my love

And the first time ever I lay with you

I felt your heart so close to mine

And I knew our joy would fill the earth

And last till the end of time, my love

And it will last till the end of time, my love

The first time ever I saw your face, your face

Your face, your face

I hope you all enjoy it, have a happy week ahead of you and happy Music Monday! :)

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

DIY Wedding Favors

2012-11-19T01:49:00.001+08:00

Since I have been having many a sleepless night lately, I thought I should go through some DIY projects that I've seen on Pinterest and try some of them out.

I may not be the most creative person out there, but I'm not totally hopeless at it, either. Once upon a time, I did manage to sell some of my handmade accessories such as necklaces and earrings that my sister and I designed. We used a lot of semi precious stones, Swarovski crystals as well as shell pearl beads.

So since I've got so much time on my hands this school holidays, (the kids are busy watching Gumball and playing Plants vs Zombies), I think I'm gonna give some DIY projects a go, and if my sister likes it, perhaps I can make her wedding favours.. to save cost. :)

How hard can it be, right? Besides, I'm sure guests will appreciate handmade gifts more than store bought ones, right? Well, I know I would!

Cute, yes? :)

Jeremy Renner on Saturday Night Live

2012-11-19T01:37:00.000+08:00

I never really thought much of Jeremy Renner. Even after he made it big in Hurt Locker and even as Hawkeye in The Avengers. I just didn't really think much of him as an actor. Until I watched Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol. Yeah, yeah, I know the movie came out way before The Avengers but I only just watched it recently and heyyy, that Renner has a nice ass. Remember this scene?

They showed an aerial view of his ass and yeah, that caught my attention. LOL! Anyways, I went for a checkup recently at the doctor's, and they were airing the trailer to next year's Hansel and Gretel starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton. I kinda dug it. I can't wait to check it out!

So here's his promo for hosting Saturday Night Live and NOW I am beginning to see his appeal.

In last Saturday's show, Renner even spoofed "The Avengers" together with fake Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow, and Captain America. Renner's Hawkeye tried to fight aliens with what's left of them.

"Hawkeye, it's time to do your thing!" Captain America took command. Hawkeye replied, "I'm out of arrows! ... I'm all out of arrows. I don't have anymore. So I guess I'm done, right? I'll be in the car. Stay safe!" Hawkeye then prepared to leave when America stopped him. "Hawkeye, you're leaving?" the Captain said in disbelief. Hawkeye said, "Well, yeah, I need my arrows. It's kind of my thing, right? I mean, you guys got this, right?"

Curious, Black Widow asked, "How many arrows did you bring?" Hawkeye said, "All of them, like 11." And when America pointed out that there were 100,000 aliens out there, Hawkeye calmly said, "Yeah, and I killed 11 of them. You're welcome!"

LOL!! Hilarious! Can't wait to see SNL! :)

The Wedding Singer?

2012-11-19T01:20:00.000+08:00

I don't sing. I don't sing because I can't sing a tune to save my life. But I DO find joy in a good karaoke sesh with my friends. Why? Because it's fun, it's hilarious and downright enjoyable. I know my friend Debbie is a sucker for karaoke discounts via Groupon.

Recently, during my cousin's wedding, the whole family went karaaayyzieee over the karaoke equipment and I bet it would be the same at my sister's wedding next year.

Some people might think it's tacky, but hey, if you're in great company, nobody gives two hoots about whether you can actually sing or not, right? Well, unless you're the neighbour.. hehehe..

I Won't Give Up

2012-11-19T01:09:00.000+08:00

I dare say I have a good marriage. It's not always perfect but I'm happy and the children are happy and that's all that matters. Yet at times, there are certain parties who just can't stand to see us happy and try to meddle in our lives like it's their goddamn right. So to those people who don't have a life, I feel sorry for you.

So for this Music Monday, I decided to choose this beautiful song by Jason Mraz (who I never really fancied, until I heard this song), I Won't Give Up. :) Happy Music Monday, y'all! :)

Welcoming a New Year

2012-11-14T18:36:00.001+08:00

We are just a few winks away from the year 2013! I am looking forward to ending the year on a happy note and can't wait to welcome the New Year with a lot of plans for myself as well as my family.

God willing, there will be plenty of changes for my family and I. Besides my sister getting married next year, my mom also wishes to do some minor renovations to the house. She would so love to redo her kitchen as well as her garden and my late dad's old study room. We have been going gaga over at Pinterest for ideas and inspirations for the "new look" we have planned.

I also just showed these really cute curved garden bench for my mom's garden and she loves it as well.

That is, if God willing, we will be able to make our dreams come true. We can only plan, the rest is up to God. :)

On another note, for Muslims around the world, our new year has already arrived! Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new year in the Muslim calendar so I would like to wish everyone Salam Maal Hijrah to all my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters.

May Allah S.W.T. grant you abundance in health and wealth and bless you with goodness throughout the year. May we all strive to become better Muslims -- As a day ends, our life span decreases and so we shouldn't take life for granted and concentrate on doing more good deeds and ibadah in the future. :)

"Don't try to be better than someone else. Try to be better than who you were yesterday."

My Girl

2012-10-31T01:40:00.000+08:00

I know I'm a little bit behind on Music Monday but what the heck, I'm submitting my entry anyway. I was supposed to post this yesterday but I was too busy and too damn tired to even start the PC.

Anyways, this week, I'm featuring the song "My Girl" by The Temptations.. becauuuuseee.. my beautiful baby girl has turned 5! :) Well, she's not exactly a BABY baby, but still my little baby girl. No matter how old she gets..

It seems like they grow up at the speed of light. One day, I'm in the labor room and the next, she's saying things like "OMG, Mommy! I was freaaaaking out!!"

I cherish every moment I spend with her and I wish she'd just grow up much more slower.. so I can savour these precious moments before they grow up to be teens and get all smart-mouthed (see if they DARE!) and be all angsty and stuff.

Zaira Alishya born 3.51kgs on 29th October 2012 @ Damai Specialist Hospital, KK

Allie's 2nd Birthday

Happy 5th Birthday, baby girl. Love you loads. This one's for you.. :)

Telling The Difference Between ORIGINAL and FAKE Beats Headphones

2012-10-12T11:52:00.000+08:00

Since forever, I've always wanted some really exciting headphones. And what I mean by exciting is, headphones that block out the outside world and transport you into a whole different level of awesome music. Headphones that allow you to experience music like you've never heard before. The type that makes you think you're listening to a new version of your favorite song.

Well, I finally found that in Dr. Dre's Beats Studio headphones. However, there are so many versions of the Beats headphones that I just won't dare to buy it just in case I end up with a FAKE Beats headphone.

So, if you're like me, and you need to be educated on how to differentiate between an ORIGINAL Beats and a FAKE beats, you need to acquaint yourself with this article: How To Tell The Difference Between REAL and FAKE Beats Studio Headphones by Dr. Dre.

Basically, they tell you to check out the external packaging (back of the box), internal packaging (accessories inside, the cleaning cloth, the plastic bag), the cosmetics (battery cover, headphone color, monster logo), build and sound.

Seriously, some of the FAKE beats price are also in the "couple of hundreds", so don't be fooled by the price alone.. thinking that it's the price of an original one. So good luck! As for me, although now I know how to differentiate the original and the fake, I just have to get enough moolah to actually buy the original one! LOL!

Blow Me One Last Kiss

2012-10-12T11:36:00.002+08:00

Because my laptop is totally broken down at the moment, I don't have the chance to submit my Music Monday selections -- which is actually my favorite meme of the week. :) Since I didn't get to post any videos last week, heck, I'll just post it on a Friday! Yay! TGIF, people! :)

And as most of you know, I'll be leaving for my hometown this Sunday! :) Blow Me One Last Kiss before I go!! :)

So maybe the song lyrics are about a breakup, but hey, I love Pink! :) She's awesome. Hope you guys enjoy this one! :)

*my sweet escape*