Bookworm

'Bookworm' .. I googled the the word just to ensure I got the correct meaning.

'Bookworm - a person who is fascinated by books that he does not know what is happening in the world' ~ urban dictionary.

Hahaha that's a laugh. Yup .. I kind of agree with this definition....and I will tell you why.

It was 28 December 2010, a rainy season;and most of the employees were away on a vacation.Most of my tasks were completed earlier last week. My clients were barking at me like hungry wolves, chasing me to complete whatever they have requested before they go on leave. My last cake order for the year was on on Christmas Day leaving me hmm .. well how do I say this; I was free and restless.

So as the clock stroke 5.30pm, I swung my lovely black TOD'S and half skipping to the door and walk straight to the nearby shopping mall. I stroll along the shops until I found myself ended up at MPH, one of the best local bookstores in Kuala Lumpur.

I had not read for a long time. The last book I read was by Ceceila Ahern .. 'The Gift'. I bought it in end of 2009 and I even took it to Spain last March ... but I still could not complete reading the book. Hmm yup... I was that hopeless when it comes to reading.

That was last year. Probably I could make another effort; since this it was coming to a new year and everyone would need a new resolution. And my 2011 resolution would be 'read more than 5 books' Ha! That would be good.

So I started to search for a good novel to start with .. as they say... a good start is crucial to ensure that you could reach end of the line. And I went to the section which somehow I knew will never fail me - chick-lit.

I looked at a range of Cecilia Ahern's books and I saw ' The book of tomorrow' .. hmm I have not read that one. Probably I should ... but as I looked further to the left ... there they were, a range of Sophiee Kinsella's novels ... from the Shopaholic series to her one off story novel 'Twenties Girl'. And after long thought, I finally choose the first of the Shopaholic series ' Confession of the Shopaholic'

And that where it started. My addiction to Kinsella's books.

Yup addiction... Funny how it sound but I found that I could not stop reading her books. And when I had completed one, I would feel the urge to buy the next one ... until by end of Jan 2011. I had completed all of the Shopaholic series -- yes ALL of them, until to the Mini Shopaholic; which in total would be 6 novels altogether ... Yipeee! I reached my aim within a month!

Well anyway here it is .. there would always be a side-effect on anything you do which is extra-ordinary and to Niza Umar. This is extra-ordinary. So I ended up lacking of sleep -- which without me realizing, loosing some inches .. (that actually was a positive side-effect :p) and the worst was that my world was separated into two. One of the real existing that I am living in and the other is in Kinsella's world... and that was definitely negative side-effect.

Kinsella's world was a fairy tale... Becky Bloomwood shops like every purchase was a good bargain and her tall charming dark eyed husband would just pay off her debts ... hahahaha yeah right.. in this world there would be no way, I mean no way .. any guy would be as generous as Luke Brandon... and who as loving, forgiving and a go-getter at the same time. But again, that what would be the reason why her books were addictive. It took us all to a fantasy .. away from reality.

Anyway.. I am not a bookworm -- and I do know what is happening in the world; thus I am still in control of my shopping budget and have yet overdrawn any of my credit limits...

Err am I off topic???? ... .:p

Finding the PERFECT birthday gift

Linda had found her way to the Boys sections, at the front section of Toys R Us, fixated by this toy gun which flashes a neon light when she pulled the trigger. I looked at her with a tad of envy; hmm .. looks like she had found hers, whereas I was still here baffling with all the options.

Harith, my nephew would turn One in two days time.. and I have yet found him a perfect present. Probably I could just grab any toy ... as long as it says suitable 12M++, but I wanted it to be what he really wanted. If only I could read his mind ...

You see, two weeks earlier was my daughter's birthday ... and until today, she was still pestering me to complete her birthday wish list just because she did not get all that she wanted. Well, not that Harith can speak .. but somehow I felt as if this is my chance of redemption...hmm but then again, probably not. No, no .. I wanted to find him a perfect present because ..... because I felt as though I am in some sort of reality game show "Who knows what Harith really want?"

So anyway, back to my search, there I was looking at this toddler 'activity' table which has few gadgets attached on top of it. There was a honk, a ball that can roll on a fixed track, some cubes and few others which I could not recall. Hmm this looked interesting, but most likely his grandma would have bought him that. Well you know, that would be the most sensible gift. Something that could develop his motor skills ... Gosh this is hard! Probably I just go and buy him a book instead; which I know for sure will never go wrong...

I was about to give up and leave when suddenly my eyes saw a glimpse of what seemed to be a lion toy stacked on a shelf far behind the rest. My heart was beating excitedly. I hope that was it! Gently I pulled the lion toy which was tied to a nice white packaging box. I read the description on the box .. " ... with animated musical sound" Aha! Finally ..this could be it.

Then came the day of judgement. The birthday party.

I made him a Tigger cake upon his Mum's request. .. and she was very happy with the outcome. I was glad that at least I have passed the first test... As usual there were lot of food and balloons ... the guest were mainly families so it was rather just like festival of Eids except no one was wearing our traditional dress and there were no 'ketupat' :p

And finally, after all settled ... the birthday song sang as the birthday boy blow his candle. The cake was cut and distributed; the guest was served ... and most of the serving plates were only less than a quarter filled.... it was time for the finale... The opening of Harith's birthday presents.

Harith sat at the center of living room, surrounded by boxes of presents.... His cousins were around him as well. All were excited to see what were in those beautifully wrapped boxes. They were like the obedient concierge handing the presents to him, helping him to unwrapped .. one by one; until the last box was handed to him. It was mine.

I looked with anticipation ... hope he likes it, hope he likes it .. saying it again and again as though I could send him a telepathy ... As he tore off the wrappers, the lion head appear ... and finally the whole lot of it. A Playskool yellow lion toy with an orange fur, fixed onto 4 rollers .. which enable him to roll it back and forth... and there! A music came out ... sounds like the Hawaii Five-O TV theme song .. which ends with a roar; ... and simultaneously, the fur was lighted! Wow .. I did not know it could do that! I remain focus looking onto Harith; studying his reaction ... and then I saw it! His eyes flicker and his hands wailing up and down in excitement ... kept on pushing the lion to and fro again; and still without fail ... shutter in surprise as the 'roar' and light came out.

'Owhhh .. He loves it .." I sigh in relief ... this by far no other, a priceless gift from him to me. A feeling of contentment and victory.... of finally finding a PERFECT birthday gift.

The tea party ..

"Mama..?"

"Yes dear ..." my eyes are still fixed with Kinsella's Shopoholic & Baby, reading the same part where Becky confronted Cruella de Vanetia in front of Luke for the third time today ...

"Maaa .." a helpless sigh came from her voice. I look up and saw her giving me that quizzical look again ...

"What's wrong dear ?" I noticed that the musical jewellery is already next her, and she is wearing the colourful necklace beads

"You said .. we are going to shop?"

"Oh yes .. definately!" I said trying to fake some excitement ... Hmm I am not looking forward to go out, I just wish I could stay home this weekend. It has been two weekends with birthdays, two weekends with lots of food .. and yes lots of cooking and baking.

The musical box is still ajar and inside is a little ballerina dancing to the music ... Like an enchanted box, mesmerizing her to it, until the music stops..

And as if something struck her mind .. she sprung up from the bed and said "Will you get me a tea party set for my birthday present?"

"Sofia .. Mak Tok has already gotten you a set as your birthday present remember?"

I remembered the finale of her birthday party last week .. the excitement of opening her birthday presents.

The musical box was one of it ....given by her Aunty Nina. And all the Barbie stuff .. the Sassy Doll given by her Uncle Kevin, the school bag & colours by Eja, the Barbie tumbler by Aunt Pauline, the stationery set & purse by her Aunty Tina and the smart looking activity Pooh Set by Hani. And on top of it, the day after, my mum took her shopping and gotten herself another gift!

Thats more than enough for a five old .. shouldn't it be? I look at her puzzled.

"Mama .. that is a cooking set not for tea party ... " she's whining again.

Gosh probably next year I should register her birthday gifts list instead !!!

The preparation

It's 2.34 am. I had just completed cleaning the kitchen. The Chicken curry & Sham's Sheppard pie filling have finally cooked.... I have been awake and slogging myself since Subuh; completing the party pack, ironing the kids outfit for tomorrow, completing the birthday cake & cupcakes... hmm my ankle hurts .. Gosh ..... and this is just for 5 year old birthday party.

Tomorrow there's another line of work to be done before the party starts at 4pm....Including picking the helium balloons at One Utama. My mind start to wonder how the place going to look like with the Silver & Pink balloons .. and I can see myself smiling ...

Oo dear, wish I could write more but I need to retire now .. and will continue to write about this later.

Good night or.. good morning rather:)

Orange & White Wedding Cupcakes

This cupcakes were requested by my husband's cousin for her second daughter's engagement day. Her first just had hers a few months back. And another niece is on the 25th.

Oh my gosh, all this wedding bells, hit me on how time flies. It feels like it was only last year that they were 17 and just completed their high school. And the first that came across my mind was that on how my life had changed since then .. on what I had achieved so far.

I had learned a new skill, discovered a new love into this cake decoration art. I learned the basics on baking and took Certificate of Patisserie at Choffles. I completed my MBA. But somehow or rather I still feel that there is something not accomplished... and most worrying is that I am not sure what is that. I am thinking to take my Doctorate or just stay focus on my cakes but then. .. hmm so many buts ...

There were once I read that says, being rich is not by having so much but by needing less; being happy is not counting what you don't have but by being thankful of what you have ..

Hmm so now where does that make me? Ungrateful or ambitious? Or just lost ...

White Orchids Wedding Cake

It's 5.01 am and I am wide awake. Its Saturday .. and am I not supposed to still enjoying my sleep?

Today's plan supposed to be straight forward. Go to the gym and comes home before everyone else wakes up (its Saturday :p), send my better half to work, have breakfast with kids and then dragged them to Aisyah's house to help her with her engagement souvenirs .. Should complete by noon, fetch him from work and go to the lunch gathering at Zam Zam Restaurant, Shah Alam .. Okay that was the plan, until last night when he said his mum wants to know if I am going with her to the Optician and get my son's eyes checked. Dang! I totally forgotten about that okay! Of course I have to go, and why did I left that out ...god knows. Sigh ..

And because of that minor 'distruption' -- Anxiety hits and ta daaaa.... I can't sleep. Hahaha funny isn't it? But that's me, whom my former boss used to say .. 'a woman who worries too much'. I am worried if I don't go with my mum-in-law, she'd think I a hopeless mum ... but if I don't go and help Aisyah ... I would not know how the whole engagement set looks like and how could I make her mini wedding cakes beautifully matching them ... and if I don't go to the lunch gathering I would miss the opportunity catching up with my old friends whom I have not met for years .. gosh, how could something so simple becomes so mind blowing???

I guess to solve this, I need to make some calls later .. and re-schedule, if I could defer some to Sunday ..

Okay .. that should be okay. InsyaAllah ... so for now, let me relax myself with Sophie Kinsella's while waiting for Subuh.

Mama's Cuppies