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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Hikmah

Teks : Nik Nurul Hana binti Hanafi


Sudah beberapa hari  saya mengambil cuti sakit kerana kesihatan tidak mengizinkan untuk bekerja. Saya mengambil peluang ini untuk rehat secukupnya. Walaupun begitu tatkala berbaring di katil fikiran mula menerawang dan berfikir, terutamanya tentang masa depan. 
Sungguh, bila disebut masa depan sahaja saya merasa gusar. Masih sedikit bekalan diri ini, bekalan dunia untuk diri dan keluarga serta ibu bapa mahupun bekalan diri sendiri untuk akhirat. Kerdilnya diri ini. Betapa Allah tarik sedikit sahaja nikmat sihat, sudah tidak mampu ke tempat kerja. Bukan itu sahaja, bakul pakaian kotor pun hampir penuh, pakaian bersih pula masih tidak terlipat, memasak jauh sekali. Si kecil pula tiba-tiba sahaja saya lihat sudah membesar dengan cepat. Makin banyak perkataan yang dituturkan. Semua ini berlaku ketika saya sibuk melayan diri yang tidak bermaya. 

Dalam beberapa hari itu juga saya memaksa diri sedikit untuk bangun menguruskan rumah. Suami sudah berpesan supaya saya berehat sahaja, tidak perlu fikirkan kerja rumah yang bertimbun. Tapi saya sebenarnya bosan hanya terbaring tidak buat apa-apa. Tatkala inilah si kecil yang baru bangun dari tidur melihat mommy ada di rumah, lantas menangis tidak mahu ke rumah pengasuh dan mahu 'duduk dengan mommy' katanya. Tak sampai hati pula melihat dia menangis walaupun diri sendiri sebenarnya masih tak larat.

Sepanjang beberapa hari itu jugalah saya memperuntukkan masa untuk berbual dan bermain dengan si kecil, dan saya lihat dia kelihatan lebih gembira berada di rumah. Saya juga berasa bahagia melihat perkembangannya di depan mata, hampir terlupa diri yang tidak sihat. Alangkah indahnya jika saya terus saja bercuti sampai bila-bila. Alangkah indah jika kita sendiri yang tentukan masa kita tanpa kongkongan dan terikat dengan orang. 

Perkara yang paling melucukan tapi dalam hati kecil sebenarnya berasa bangga ialah apabila si kecil banyak kali tersasul memanggil daddynya sebagai mommy hehe. Iyalah, seharian bermain dan berbual bersama mommy di rumah, sudah pastilah perkataan mommy lebih kerap disebutnya. Menjadi impian setiap ibu untuk melihat anaknya membesar di depan mata, dan masing-masing ada cara tersendiri untuk merealisasikannya. 

Saya bersyukur Allah beri peluang merasa kegembiraan ini kepada saya. Ia membuatkan saya berfikir dan terus berfikir. Kita merungut apabila nikmat ditarik sekejap tapi sebenarnya Dia mahu beri sesuatu yang lebih baik kepada kita. Subhanallah, kerdilnya diri ini.

Pengenalan diri

Teks : Nik Nurul Hana binti Hanafi


Selepas 10 entri nampaknya baru penulis nak memperkenalkan diri. Takpelah, orang kata 'better late than never'. Saya diberi nama Nik Nurul Hana Binti Hanafi. Dilahirkan dan dibesarkan di Kelantan sehinggalah mendapat tawaran ke matrikulasi di KYPM Bangi, barulah 'berpisah' dengan keluarga. Seterusnya melanjutkan pelajaran ke bidang Senibina di UTM Skudai. Makin lama makin jauh dengan keluarga, namun jauh dari segi jarak sahaja. 5 tahun bertungkus lumus akhirnya dengan izin Allah berjaya juga mendapat segulung ijazah yang diidamkan. Lalu bermulalah episod baru dalam kehidupan.

Memulakan kerjaya sebagai seorang arkitek di salah sebuah firma swasta di Kuala Lumpur pada 2009. Dari situ banyak pengalaman baru ditempa. Bila bekerja barulah merasa 'the real life of an architect'. Syukur diberi peluang mengendalikan pelbagai jenis projek, bagi saya semua itu merupakan ilmu dan pengalaman yang sangat berharga. Projek-projek kecil sehinggalah projek yang bernilai ratusan juta ringgit, cabarannya sangat berbeza sehingga kadangkala melunturkan semangat jiwa. Namun saya melihat cabaran pada setiap projek sebagai peluang untuk saya perbaiki diri dan menambah ilmu serta nilai diri sehingga mengutuhkan jiwa. Saya turut membantu memberi cadangan rekaan kepada keluarga dan saudara-mara yang ingin membina kediaman sendiri dengan menyediakan plan berbentuk 2D dan lukisan 3D bagi memudahkan visualisasi.

Sejak dari kecil saya amat sukakan seni dan rekaan, tidak kiralah seni lukis, seni kreatif, seni jahitan, seni fesyen, seni menggubah, dan apa sahaja yang berkaitan dengannya. Saya berpeluang belajar asas jahitan seawal usia 9 tahun dengan arwah ibu saudara. Kemudian menghadiri beberapa kelas jahitan sejak tamat alam persekolahan sehinggalah sekarang. Sudah banyak projek jahitan dan DIY yang saya hasilkan sejak kecil, termasuklah kad hari lahir untuk  ahli keluarga. Dahulu tiada internet untuk mencari idea dan rujukan, inspirasi hanya dari buku-buku dan benda yang ada di sekeliling sahaja. Setelah mempunyai ilmu formal dalam bidang seni rekaan, minat ke arah rekabentuk bangunan dan hiasan dalaman turut bercambah. 

Dengan minat yang ada dalam diri, saya melangkah membuat custom-made shawl untuk dijual dengan pakaian ready-to-wear dengan perkongsian bersama adik-adik. Alhamdulillah, syukur atas sambutan memandangkan kami masih lagi beginner. Menggunakan nama Adored Wardrobe, kami menggunakan Facebook dan Instagram sebagai medium pemasaran, insya Allah dalam sedikit masa lagi akan dikembangkan ke blog dengan pertambahan koleksi baru yang lebih segar, terutamanya untuk hari raya. Saya juga dalam proses merekabentuk dan menyediakan koleksi untuk kanak-kanak. Koleksi ini kebanyakannya adalah handmade, maka ianya sangat eksklusif dan mempunyai kelainan dari segi rekaan namun harga sangat kompetetif dan berpatutan.

Matlamat yang tidak pernah pudar dalam diri ialah ingin menjadi work-at-home-mom (WAHM). Perkataan ini sudah saya tanam dalam diri sejak mula menjejakkan kaki ke alam kerjaya. Saya ingin menguruskan perniagaan dari rumah dengan anak-anak dan keluarga di depan mata. Saya bercita-cita mendapat kebebasan, time freedom dan financial freedom, iaitu tanpa terikat dengan masa yang ditentukan oleh orang lain dan tanpa terikat dengan bebanan hutang untuk meneruskan kelangsungan hidup. Saya mahu wang bekerja untuk saya, bukannya saya yang berhempas pulas bekerja untuk wang. Ya, perjalanan masih jauh namun tidak mustahil. Insya Allah diharapkan dengan cara dan laluan yang betul, dengan izin-Nya saya dapat mencapai cita-cita. Amin.


Friday, May 23, 2014

Frozen Meal : Part 1

Teks : Nik Nurul Hana binti Hanafi


I was not feeling quite well these few days but being me, I just can't lay down and sleep. I rarely sleep during daytime simply because I can't force myself to sleep. I usually end up laying down and the mind start wandering and thinking about things I want to do and things I can improve.

Alhamdulillah, thank Allah I finally able to gather my strength to get up and do some chores and prepare some frozen meal from my menu list. I flipped through the list and  felt like eating grilled chicken. So I picked 2 of the menus and start preparing the ingredients. I chose to do only 2 menus as I still feel slight pain, and didn't want to make things worse. So I chose Chilli Grilled Chicken (Ayam bakar bercili)  and Honey Grilled Chicken (Ayam bakar madu). It is very simple to prepare but very delicious. You can eat it on its own, with rice or with vegetable salad. Here's the recipe :

1)  Chilli Grilled Chicken (Ayam bakar bercili)

What you need :
5-6 pcs chicken
5-6 small shallots
5-6 garlic
10 dried chilli (cili kering) - I like it very hot, you may reduce or increase as preferred
Brown or white sugar to taste
Salt to taste
Ziplock bag to store the chicken



Ziplock bag I bought at Daiso. Make sure it is suitable to store food/frozen as
there are also Ziplock bag which are not for food

Preparation method :
- Mashed (tumbuk pakai lesung je) shallots, garlic and dried chilli together until consistent. 
- Add sugar and salt as preferred. Let it set for few minutes
- Put chicken in the ziplock bag and put the mashed ingredients together.
- Let them mix well. Let it set in the fridge for few minutes before putting it in the freezer. You may grill or fry the chicken if you like.


2)  Honey Grilled Chicken (Ayam bakar madu)

What you need :
5-6 pcs chicken
5-6 small shallots
5-6 garlic
3 tbs oyster sauce
2 tbs honey or as preferred
Ziplock bag to store the chicken

Preparation method :
Pretty much the same with the first menu.

Almost done. Honey Grilled Chicken on the left, Chilli Grilled Chicken on the right.



I love using both menu because the main ingredients are almost the same, which has
save a lot of preparation time. Some tips you might need : 

- have a menu list for the desired days or entire week and go shopping for the ingredients
- menu which has almost the same ingredients or method will save preparation time
- assemble the ingredients based on your menus
- decide on containers / ziplock bag. If your freezer is large enough, using container looks neat than using ziplock bag but ziplock bag save a lot of space
- label them with menu name and date. You might want to write the cooking method if your family members cook them too. 

So why frozen meal? Here's why :

- save preparation time (obviously) so you have more time with the family 
- save energy especially when you are tired to cook but need to eat healthy home made food
- save money than eating out
- healthier (it is home made, not processed)
- save your time thinking about what to cook for  the family. I used to spend time wondering what to cook while driving from the office till I reach home!

Can't wait to cook the above menu. The smell of the ingredients already make me hungry. Tak sabar nak masak!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Sewing machine & overlock machine for beginner

Teks : Nik Nurul Hana binti Hanafi


So this afternoon we went to LSN Sewing Machine Outlet in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. Getting there was quite easy, we simply searched 'Taman Damai Perdana Cheras' through Waze and just followed the direction given. The outlet is located at a row of shoplot, next to a corner lot restaurant. It was quite hard to get a carpark but we were lucky to get one spot right in front of the shop since someone was ready to leave when we arrived.

The showroom is located at the 1st floor, with various models of sewing machines and sewing accessories being displayed. I quickly mentioned about the package that I wanted to see to the salesgirl. She directed me to a corner where all domestic/ home sewing machines were located. She nicely explained about both machines that is Brother GS 2700 and Juki MO-50e. 
Apparently Brother GS 2700 is the most popular model for the mechanical type, while Brother NV50 is the most popular for the computerised type. 

I requested the salesgirl to demonstrate how to use overlock machine Juki MO-50e. The friendly salesgirl showed how to put the threads and all the other functions while allowing me to try to sew based on stitch width. I was completely satisfied with the explanation and beginning to fall in love with the machine. While I was practising sewing, a lady came up to me asking about the stitches. She was surprised to see the narrow stitch was quite nice, compared to her own overlock machine which is Brother 3034D. She said her machine could not do stitches as narrow as Juki. She tried that before but the thread kept on breaking. Upon hearing that, I was more confident to buy Citra Package which includes Juki MO-50e and few extra feeds.

I have learned that if I pay online, I will get 8.8% discount for all items including that package but I need to put in the coupon code during checkout. So the total I have to pay after discount is RM1823.09. You can get the code at LSN's website, while it lasts! 

So I went home with a smiling heart, thank Allah for the opportunity and rezqi. Oh, before that I have also read about Juki MO-50e at Aida's entry about her selection of overlock machine. Thank you Aida for the honest review hehe!

Now, the next thing to do is organize my new (small) working space! Our house is quite small, and I must do all I can to minimize the clutter that sewing may cause. I was thinking to create a small craft nook but all rooms in the house are already occupied, leaving me with only two choices which are the kitchen and the living! 

Monday, May 12, 2014

Good deal for home sewing machine

Teks : Nik Nurul Hana binti Hanafi


As you all know, I have been eyeing on few home sewing machines and been waiting for the right time to buy one. Since I was a bit hesitating before this, I have missed a few good deals / promo from this particular sewing machines outlet. But this few days they had made new promo for Mother's Day and I think it is a pretty good deal for me. My top criteria in looking for a new sewing machine is the price! I have allocated a budget for it and must buy sewing machine within that budget only. The second criteria I'm looking for is home sewing machine as I do not intend to make 10 clothes per day hehe, although only Allah knows what the future holds.

Come to think of it, I thank Allah for the 'hesitation' and previously missed promos because maybe He wanted to show better deal / promo for me. I found this promo at LSN Sewing Machine's website and I am praying hard they still have stocks in hand. Hopefully I can persuade my husband to visit their outlet tomorrow (Wesak Day) as they open everyday including Public Holidays. 


source : LSN Sewing Machine's website


Sunday, May 11, 2014

A night at klia2 and Tune Hotel

Teks : Nik Nurul Hana binti Hanafi


So last Friday (9 May 2014) my sisters, son and I went to meet our parents at Tune Hotel klia2. My parents already checked in at the hotel in the afternoon when they arrived by MAS from KB. They will be flying on a very early morning flight to China on Saturday so for everyone's conveniences, they decided to stay overnight at the hotel. My husband couldn't join us since he had a football tournament at 8 a.m. Saturday. So it's just us girls and the little guy driving from KL to klia2. Waze didn't detect Tune Hotel klia2 so upon arriving in klia2, we tried our luck to look for the hotel. We were running late, our tummies were growling already.

Our first attempt was taking the 'Departure' junction but we didn't find our way to the hotel's entrance thus resulted us to make a U-turn which is almost 2km away from the airport. Apparently upon approaching klia2, you have to take 'Arrival' junction then quickly take right turn to go to Tune Hotel. There was a signboard sitting on the road exactly at the junction we almost didn't notice it. Glad we finally found our way to the hotel's entrance. 

The lobby is very nicely designed and decorated. The theme colour would always be red and black, yes? There were not many people around, we could be one of the first guests who stayed there! The smell is oh so new! I can tell the difference hehe


The reception counter

The black panelled wall at the double volume lobby

klia2 tower control from hotel's corridor at level 2. 
Seen above also the covered walkway that connects the hotel to the airport

The hotel's door. Just touch and open!

The bed, horizontal mirror and a feature wall in the reflection


After keeping our bags in the room, we headed to the airport to have dinner. All of us are starving because it was already 10.30 p.m. So we walked to the airport via covered walkway and bridge, which took less than 7 minutes walking. We took longer time because the little guy stopped few times to touch this and that.

Upon entering, I can smell shopping spree haha! Yes klia2 is like a shopping mall, with various brands such as Giordano, Vincci, Voir, Toys R Us and many more. They have a number of shops which will be opened soon. We then found a 'kopitiam'-like restaurant to have dinner. 

I didn't manage to take much photos of the airport as I was busy chasing after the little guy. He loves running around especially in an open space like this. 


The infomation screen of flight status, with Vincci in the background.


We finished our dinner at about 11.45 p.m. As we headed back to the hotel, most of the shops were getting ready to close their doors already. And so the parents and my sister flew to China at 6.30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Then the rest of us checked out from the hotel at about 11 a.m. Oh, the parking was free until 12 May 2014, so thank God we didn't have to pay a single cent, knowing that we parked there overnight. On a side note, I wish I could explore more of klia2, not for shopping but on the architecture part of course, hehe

Thursday, May 8, 2014

I'm breaking the circle : Tips to organize your life (by organizing your stuffs and routines - Part 1)

Teks : Nik Nurul Hana binti Hanafi


Phew! Life has been so hectic these days, well at least for me. Each day went by like a swift moment. Woke up early in the morning; the next thing I know it is lunch time already that I haven't even finish the coffee I made in the morning! I wish I can slow down a lil bit but when I think of parts to be skipped, I gave up. I need to do it all, I mean all the routines I have to go through from the moment I open my eyes in the morning to the moment I finally close my eyes to sleep at night. Frantic morning, frantic workload, frantic evening traffic, frantic dinnertime, frantic bedtime. Frantic, agitated, distress. Do these words sound familiar to you too? We have to rush to complete one task because we need to rush another one! One after another and it goes again and again. No ends, no corners like a circle. A very vicious circle. I have realized this circle is not going to do me any better, it only makes me more stressful each day. Then it strikes me that I need to stop just for a while, get a pen and a paper to list down of areas I need to improve and possible ways to help me improve. Here's what I do (and still improving) :

1.   Have things ready the night before (Grab and go concept)

In my case, I need to prepare my son's bag because we send him to a babysitter every morning. I also need to match my handbag with my outfit, and all important things need to be in that particular handbag. 

For son's bag :
I have grouped his outfits (He needs 3 pairs a day), diapers, drink bottle, milk bottle, clean towel and his lunchbox (I cook every morning).

For my stuffs :
I identified beforehand the outfit I want to wear for the next day. I even think of labeling them (Monday to Friday) so that I will just grab and wear it. Maybe I'll do that soon. If I haven't got them ironed during the weekend, I make sure I iron it the night before no matter how tired I am. I even sit on a chair while ironing (that tired huh?) but who cares, as long as the work is done!. 

The tricky part is changing handbag and transferring all stuffs. This is when the handbag organizer comes to rescue. There are various designs and sizes of this organizer, choose them based on your need. In this handbag organizer, I have few other small bags including my makeup bags, coins bag and brooches bag. Will blog more details on how I organize my handbag organizer in another entry. Here's the photos of my handbag organizer.




So where did I put all these bags? In a cute box which I call the 'Grab and Go' box, close to the entrance door. It contains all the important stuffs that need to go out with me. You can purchase any box or basket you like based on your needs (Daiso is my favourite place for cute plastic baskets), or you can do-it-yourself and decorate your baby's milk boxes with wrapping paper or cloth. (Tutorial coming soon!). Here's how mine looks like, with mommy's and son's bags. I may get a bigger one to cater more bags. In the meantime, just grab it and go!




2.   Wake up 10 minutes earlier each day

The key is to wake up before your kids do. I usually woke up at 6.30a.m. When I decided to to this, I woke up at 6.20 a.m. Few days later I woke up at 6.10 a.m. Until I reached the desired and suitable time, I stop there and make it a routine. The reason is, I need to tell myself (and body) that I am making a progress and it is something to be proud of. (Who doesn't like progress?). You just have to push a little harder than usual. That 'little' progress is for your own happiness that you are going to be thankful later. Yes, I had a hard time to wake up too, especially after a long and tiring night. Don't be too hard on yourself, only be a bit more discipline.

With that extra 10 minutes each morning, I usually add a light exercise to my schedule. Trust me this exercise, though may seem tiring, will make you feel fresher and more energetic. I didn't do much, but I have a note on what to do each day. I recommend you have a small exercise note so you don't forget what to do or how many to do. My favourite is 'plank' (see photo below). 30 seconds of planking is enough to leave you breathless. You may search for 'morning exercise for beginner' and choose the one that suits you. Here is some example. Again, discipline is needed here!




Source :http://anytimehealth.com.au



For mom with small baby who wakes up as early as you do, try this :

Source : http://anytimehealth.com.au/

Isn't this cute?


3.   Have checklist for everything!

Carry a small notebook with you everywhere you go. Take at least 10 minutes at night to list down all the things need to be done for the next day. I don't suggest to mix personal with work related stuffs. I have different planner for work, simply because I don't like thinking about work while having good time at home! Here are some suggestions on things that need to be listed :

To-do Checklist
All of us are familiar with this list, some even expert at it. 

Cleaning Checklist
Have a daily checklist on area you want to clean each day. For example, if you do laundry 3 times a week like I did, you may put 'To do laundry' on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Here's an example.

Menu List
I don't spend much time thinking and wondering what to cook tonight. I have menu list written nicely so I just grab whatever menu we agree on having as dinner and go cook it! In next entry Insya Allah, I will share on how I manage my cooking time. I usually cook my son's lunch in the morning and bring it along to the babysitter's house. I will try my best to cook dinner every day after coming home from work, unless I reach home really late. 

I wish I can share more here but time is so limited. Part 2 of these tips will be coming soon!

 
Images by Freepik