Everyone smiles in the same language

I got up late as usual. 8. 30 Am. had my breakfast and I stuff my tummy with two cups of coffee with milk or shall I say milk with coffee and munched the cookies. Then I went around the house, checking what the ladies were cooking and chatted to them with what-ever-words. The weather was super nice, sunny and with some wind. There were cous cous and cous cous and cous cous everywhere. The sheep was all gone to into the pot. Some children were sitting nearby the ladies hoped to be given some cooked lamb. They were successful. yes, withh those small pitiful eyes... And me? I refused it and said that I would it later with guest. Yes, I started to feel nervous. The lamb did give a strong smell. After “chatting” to them I decided to make a tour around the house’s compound. Sunny day best enjoyed on the roof. I climbed the stairs with my camera on my hand. There were the girls + a boy joking with each other. The youngest, Amal started to say something which of course I dint understand J so I took their photo. Amal as usual the clown of the family and she always know how to pose funny faces for my lense.

After a few circle around the yard plus the ups and downs the stairs, trying to be busy, I had to admit that I was not busy at all. I just had nothing to do. They dint let me to do anything, well not exactly but i couldnt find things i could do. it was 11 am, my sis in law, halimah asked me to go inside and started to "get ready". I was really excited to wear the new jubbah, the present from Baba which I had difficulties in finding the right size. suddenly i felt like i was in Malaysia, digging the stores' stocks for suitable size. that day, I spent the whole afternoon in Rouiba and Regaya just to look for XXL jubbah that pleased me. I had the eyes for violet this time, so I got mine a violet jubbah with elaborated beads and a pair of shoes two sizes smaller.

After being given permission by HoneyStar, I asked my sis in law for make up as I dint bring mind since I was thinking that it’s such a hassle to take it along and I only going wear it for once. My o my, her make up collection is more than me. She helped me to apply light shade on my face. Finally I did the finishing touch since I was a little bit horrified with the thoughts of having my face painted with the thick Arab make up style. Alhamdulillah, I only put some eye shadow and neutral colour lipsticks. i ended up looking like me :)

By 12pm, the guest started to show up, they are mostly relatives. So here again, me receiving enormous hugs and kisses. I was more than happy to be introduced to my husband’s friend’s wife who could actually speak English. So there were us getting to know each other, sharing stories. And then, it’s time to eat the “lamb cous cous”...arggghh I couldn’t. Time to look for my prey. Yes! Yusuf, my nephew was nearby. I made a cue for him to approach me. He was a little bit hesitate since the children were not supposed to disturb the adult eating. Luckily his mother was nearby and I asked her permission to give my “lamb” to him. She took the “lamb” and put it on another plate and asked Yusuf to follow her to the back. I was so relief. I finished my cous cous and the vegetable served with the soup. I like cous cous and had lamb cous cous before but this time, I just couldn’t stand it.

Honestly, by 3pm...I started to feel hungry again. I was telling myself to hold on since we will have the coffee break soon. I LOVE the espresso with warm fresh milk…yummy and I could say that there will be lots of cookies. I saw many guest brought all types of cookies...there were makrot, liled, charade, of course baklava and others which I don’t even know the name. At 4, the coffee and cookies were ready and I had two cups of coffee with milk and 4 cookies. Gosh...i was starving!

The guest began to excuse themselves and the family left one by one. The chicken now could rest peaceful in the chicken coop since the boys were gone. Only my nephew who continued to run around the house, climbing the fig tree. The day end soon...the ladies were done with the cleaning. We sat together in the “saloon” and unwrapped the gifts; I was busy taking the photos of it. Too bad we couldn’t take all of it back. I decided to give them to the family. I only took the jubbah, headscarf and of course the cash

Before I went to sleep, I turned to HoneyStar and said “terima kasih abang, I am very happy”. He smiled and replied “Wa ana kazaliq”. A start of another multicultural family and language doesn’t seem a barrier. Everyone smiles in the same language. And the “lamb” is not much of problem after all.

I love the sheep, not the lambs.

The ladies in the kitchen were talking loudly. I could hear them roared laughter once awhile. I have no idea what they are talking about, maybe jut catching up with each other. Two khaltis are here to help with the cooking. HoneyStar said it’s going to be lamb cous cous for the lunch. Since yesterday the air smell lamb and I’m feeling a bit dizzy. HoneyStar slaughtered the sheep and Baba was helping. The ladies helped to clean the internal organ and I was standing there watching. Yes, only watching I dint help at all I dint know what to help and the thoughts of me petting the sheep’s head couple of hours before its’ death is a bit disturbing.

That night, everyone was enjoying their “internal affair’. The menu for dinner was the sheep’s liver, pancreas and I don’t know what other internal organs. I’m not a big fan of lamb at all. I do eat but don’t favour it. Internal organs were out of my mind. I struggled to chew chicken’s liver being served to me the first few days I was here. It’s not their fault but me who does not like animal’s internal organs. I did eat once awhile and that was it. I remembered when they insisted me to have the first serve, a gesture of respect I guessed. I just took half of the liver and chewed it bitterly. Janna, the 2 years old girl was sitting next to me, enjoying her meal. I secretly dropped the piece of chicken liver in her plate and she ate it without the adult realised what I had done. I continued my dinner with a relief.

suddenly the "Black Sheep" crawled into my mind. well, you'll understand it if you've been living in NZ before, yikes!"

Tonight, I was offering myself to do the dishes as usual but my SIL, Khadijah refused. She told me in the language. I don’t understand a single word but through her gesture I know she meant that. She took a bottle of juice from the fridge and a clean glass. I accepted it and sat down, drinking the cold sweet juice while watching the foreign “family sitcom” with no subtitle in front of me. After some time, I excused myself to prepare the bed for the night. I bumped into HoneyStar and Khadijah was telling him something. He said the sister asked me to take a rest and let others do the work. Great! I have nothing to do. I finished the three novels I brought with me, the satellite TV is in my BIL’s room and I couldn’t understand the local channel. So I decided to blog. HoneyStar promised to take me to the bookstore after weekend. I’m not too excited about it since the chance for me to find English book is rare. The books are either in Arabic or French.

“Could I wear make up tomorrow?” “Where will you get the make up?” “I don’t know maybe I’ll ask the ladies, some kohl is good enough”. I wish to wear make up on my wedding, at least this time since I was bare-faced for my real wedding last year. It was a mixed gathering so I had no chance. This time, it will be a separate gathering so I was hoping to paint my face with some neutral colours. I though he would disagree since last night I was told that his tradition permit the family members of the deceased to wear henna. I was unsatisfied with his reason but I had to settle with the main reason which is to just follow what his father said, to take care of his fragile heart at the moment. So I was thinking that if I’m not allowed to paint my hands with henna which is pure how could I paint myself with the cosmetic? Then he uttered, “Just a bit, ask my sister for the “tools”. I immediately called Najma and asked him to ask her. I was surprised when she took out a bag of make up from the drawer. It’s almost complete set just without mascara. He asked again,” who will do it for you?” “Me, I’ll do it myself”.

So here I am blogging the story of the day before I set off to bed.

31 hours in a day

" Alger la Blanche, là je suis..

we arrived at 11 am local time. The long queue at the immigration was terrible. Some men started to yell at each other. “Welcome to Algeria”...Honeystar whispered to me, “You have seen nothing yet”. Things were worse for some foreigners who speak neither Arabic nor French…and I was one of them. HoneyStar kept reminding me not speak English at least not loudly. So I was in “mute”. Long after the immigration, here came the luggage…no, not yet. We waited for one hour and glad to see our two luggage on the sight.

We went out the terminal and there was my FIL, BIL and two SILs. We were greeted the “hugs and kisses” way. I could predict that it’s going to be lots of hugs and kisses while im here.

We are taken straight to the makbara visiting my MIL’s grave. Again, HoneyStar dint let any tears to run down his cheek. I had a mixed feeling. I was sad but I guess the fact that I dint have the chance to really know her made me less emotional. I remembered few phone calls and she would always want to say something to me. A simple greeting that’s all we had. I always planed to thank her for giving birth to the wonderful man that I’m married when I meet her but I had no chance. Prayers for her, May Allah granted her Jannah.

HoneyStar said...we don’t come back to mourn but to comfort the family. That’s the way a death should be.

A short time in makbara brought us back “home”. The family and relatives were waiting for us. I was introduced to them, one by one, from the eldest to the youngest. Hugs and kisses gain and again. I recited the same sentences again and again “wusraki? Alhamdulillah, Labbas”. The phrase is the only words I know in the dialect. Well, up to that moment and I was quite sure that I’ll learn more during the stay.

The journey was tiring, they constantly asked me to have a rest, to lie down but I just couldn’t. I just sat there among the elder ladies and smiled. Yes I smiled a lot. With 7 hours difference, I had more than 24 hours in a day. We had 31 hours a day. I remembered that I used to say what it will be like if we had more than 30 hours a day. In a way, I had it.

Finally I gave up and was dozing off by 7.00 pm. My SIL, Fatimah covered me with a nice soft fluffy blanket, 17 Celsius felt less cold with the warmth and loves in the house. I just could feel it. I woke up after one hour and had a dinner which I felt like having sahoor. It was past midnight back in Malaysia.

I continued to sit with the old ladies, “listening” to theirs stories.

Without my knowledge, my sister in laws prepared my bed and I retired to be as early as ten. Yes, another wish has been granted…a wish to have more than 30 hours in a day J

The Longest Journey

Today marked 10^th day me in the country. I always wanted every single thing that happen while I’m here but I dint seem to be able to write it. Perhaps because there are too many details that I need to write and I end up not writing anything. I guess it’s normal, when you failed to write things that you wanted to write you end up not writing at all.

I got to write even though just few sentences, only then, I will get grip of my “words and finally the nonsense will revisit again.

Shall I start with the journey?

MIL passed away 11 hours before we departed from the international airport. .. at 8.00 am local time. I was still in the office packing things and getting ready for the long holiday. a friend called me to say Bon voyage to me and we had a chat. she conveyed her condolences to me..and i dint even know about it yet. she said that her husband just received the news. yes, our husbands are good friends and i was sure that news travel fast. Honey Star texted me an hour after that. I couldn’t imagine how sad he was at that time. i was shocked too. i didnt know what to say when i met him later.. i was wrong he looked calmer than i expect. I honestly adore his patience and courage. I dint see any single tears in his eyes. It's a great lost to us. i woulnt know how i would react if i was in his shoes. may Allah reward him for his sabr. may Allah grant Yammah with jannh. HoneyStar calmness convinced me that sadness shouldn’t be about tears only.

“When a person dies, his actions come to an end, except in one of three ways: A continuing act of charity, (or sadaqah), or a useful contribution to knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Muslim, Abu Dawood, Al-Bukhari in “Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)...insyallah HoneyStar is the "child"

He went to fetch me from the office as usual and we went back to get ready for the long journey. My brother came and we had tea together. Honey Star even cracked some jokes. His mobile kept on ringing. Friends calling to convey condolences. i continued clearing the kitchen, making sure we dint forget to take out the rubbish.

We left our house at 8.00pm, stopping by to reload the petrol before picking his friend who’s going to be responsible taking care of the car and our apartment. We arrived at the airport, did check in and prayed isyak. His friend, Mustafa and wife were there too. So the men went to have drinks and me and the wife headed for some sandwiches. I was a bit hungry since the evening tea was just some leftovers I cooked on weekend.

It’s 11pm and time to go through the immigration. We took our time, walking slowly and waited by the depature gate. I was telling myself “it’s going to be a long journey”. 12 am our flight departed for Istanbul. 10 hours 30 minutes. 30 minutes more than my journey down under ages ago. so this is my longest journey by plane. First, I was planning to just sleep through out the hours. I was wrong. I could only sleep for 5 hours. Of course it’s uncomfortable squeezing ourselves in economy class but Alhamdulillah we could afford it and the most important is to be with the family.

The entertainment system offer a variety but I ended up spending my time flipping the channel with no interst of finishing even a movie. I tried to read my novel, unfortunately was too tired to read. I forced myself to drink lots of water which made me going to the loo for many time. At least I could stretch my legs.

Finally, after the longggg daunting hours, we arried in Attartuk airport. The temperature was 11 celcius. Great. I had my cotton dress only. It such a relief that we spent 4 hours in the terminal only. The terminal was crowded, perhaps because it’s not as big as KLIA and many flights land here. Lots of tourists all different nationalities.

We rushed to get our connecting flight boarding pass and had our fajr prayer. Then we just lingered around the terminal. HoneyStar decided to change some euro to Lira. He went to buy some food so We had some pastry and mineral water. Surprised to know that after converting to RM. We spent almost RM40 for two bottles of mineral water and a piece of local pastry which had a weird taste.

I was searching for the camera and got panic when I couldn’t find it. I started to grumble. Yeah, what’s the point of having holiday without taking photos for memory. Honeystart calmed me and helped me searching for it in our notebook’s bag. Alhamdulillah, it’s there. I was grumbling for nothing, poor Honeystar had to deal with it. Sorry, silly silly me

The next stop was the duty-free shop. Wow, they have lots of Turkish delight! I never imagine myself eating a “real” Turkish delight in TURKEY…I repeat, in TURKEY. They had tester for every single type. So I had my time testing it..well not too much since we bought one box only for the family. Kindda hesitate to eat more. Insyallah we’ll buy more on the way back to Malaysia since we are stopping by for 3 days in Instanbul.

Finally, the flight to Algiers departed from Atarturk aiport. It was another 4 hours journey. The Turkish Airline was quite empty, so we the row of 4 seats to ourselves. The lunch served was good, no more spicy food. Again, I couldn’t made up my mind in choosing what to watch and end up watching bits and pieces. I had a short nap but was a bit restless. The time difference and I sighed..jet lag had begun.

Ooo what a long wayyyy i had.

I am officially closing the kitchen

My kitchen is temporarily closed for a month. Last night I prepared today’s dinner. A simple shepherd pie and Basboosa for my dear Mr. Basboosa. he was helping me wiping the floor and Alhamdulillah i am blessed with a husband who helps a lot around the house. now, The stove is sparkly clean and I will only use it to boil hot water.

As tomorrow we agreed on having early dinner otw back from office. Yes, unfortunately I will still be working till 430 pm tomorrow and catch the flight by midnight. I’m all excited but long flight is no fun. I struggled every second in the 3 hours flight from Tawau last week and can’t imagine what I’m going to do in 10 hours flight and another 5 hours. I had my 10 hours flight ages ago...the latest was in 2003 a solo backpacking to down under. Honestly I was restless. Well this time I have my Mr. Basboosa to keep me company, 2 novels, a pack of “donkey” card, snake and ladders game, crossword puzzle, notebook with me and Insyallah everything be fine. After a day in office and running here and there, I’ll be tired and sleep straight away in the flight.

We are all not in a cheerful mood. My MIL is terribly sick and Mr. Basboosa is really sad. I don’t know hoe to cheer him up but Insyallah I will support him and try not to make him more miserable. So I got to behave myself. I pray to Allah that MIL will get better soon.
The luggage is all ready. We have 5 bags including our hand luggage. All set for the long journey

I will try to blog whenever I could but might only post it when I came back. As for now. See ya

a cute day

i hit my head while entering the gate to the premises. darn! that gate frame. it's so low. it's quite embarrassing and hurt too...the metal gate made such a noisy sound..ouch

luckily i didnt get any bump..perhaps i should plot an "amnesia" case and freak everybody :P
but i am such a geek which worries too much on completing the assignment. yes, a pat on my back..hey, i work for the people...they pay me...as simple and clear like that. they pay tax tax pay us, we serve them..

so a little bang on the head should not be a big issue. it makes today a "cute day" after all.

I'm here and there

i long to see the sea gypsy immersing themselves with the nature and thinking, life could be so simple.

here am i in one of the most beautiful place in the world. near all those beautiful island with all those amazing sea. i feel like jumping in the sea and swim with the fish but i have promised Mr Basboosa to behave myself. i guess, it means to stay away from the sea. well, i'll be taking a boat to meet my respondents on thursday. it's just going to be 5 mins..oh..can we go further?...hahaha. such a crawzy lady. my co-researcher will kill me for dragging her that far. i'll save that adventure for a personal trip .

there are too many places i wanted to go but i couldnt find time for it. 25 days leave a year is nothing after few visit back to my hometown. starting this year i have to think ways to save my annual leave. half of it will be spent for holiday across the globe visiting my in laws and 3 days for a getaway with my mother somewhere and trip back and forth to my hometown. this year i just took mom to Cameron Highland on Chinese New year and next year me and Mr Basboosa agreed that Langkawi will be a nice place to take her. i couldnt take her diving in sipadan or climbing the mount Kinabalu so i guess Langkawi will be a suitable place for all. shopping and sightseeing for her, diving for him, chocolate for me :)

traveling for work means that i have little time to wander around. half of the day will be spent meeting the respondents..acting professionally, another half will be spent to prepare the report. we wouldnt want to spend hours in office after the trip just to write the report. we have zillions things to settle and plus "dont-know-what" will come out.

and me. i'll be leaving next wednesdy at the very early hour. i told mr Basboosa that the kitchen will be officially closed for operation starting next monday. i'll only be home this friday night. i think my flight will arrive around 9pm...waiting for luggage, traveling back home.. so perhaps i will only be in my apartment by 1030.

the weekend will be laundry day and the kitchen will still be operating....and yes i owe Mr Basboosa another one Basboosa. i made him one before i travel but silly me..i missed one ingredient. the basboosa doesnt seem like normal..hahaha. he's okay with that. a less perfect basboosa and a dozen of Roti make me less guilty leaving him for the week. i do miss him all the time.

honestly nowadays i enjoy cooking for him. he's a big eater who eats everything i cooked and never complaint. i'm new in kitchen so my food could taste nasty sometimes. he has his own way to comment and choose the right words not to hurt my feeling or damage my ego :P. Alhamdulillah i'm blessed to be married to him. he doesnt seem to mind cooking for me, teaching me new recipes and i have to admit that he is a good cook. two thumbs up for his couscous and steak and shorba and chakhchoukha and the bread and...i guess all of it. he deserve the credits.

after this week away from home the only place i wanted to b is home and cook for him :)

Semporna is amazing but without my amazing mr basboosa, it has less meaning to me. perhaps i could arrange a week stay in Mabul with him and we could take a rest and explore the island and other islands together. we always wanted to stay there for longer time and help out the children in the madrasah. but we just dont have time. me busy with my research mr basboosa with his work and thesis to be completed.
.
i need to unpack and pack once i m back at home. mr basboosa said he'll pack all those souvenirs while im away and i just need to put our clothes once i come back. so 6 luggages. 1 souvenirs, 1 our clothes, 1 extra, 1 transit bag, 1 notebook bag, 1 games and snack bags. wow, it's seem like we are moving away.hope the euro will go down and we could have more cash to spend there. shopping shopping and shopping..i have been thinking about it ...a lot. i do have things that i NEED to buy. hahah NEED TO BUY.. the precise phrase!

it will be good if the luggage could pack and unpack by itself

how do i feel? all excited but nervous too. meeting the in laws for the first time but i'm confident that i'll be okay. they must be as nice as the boy that im married to.

all set for the trip? yes, im leaving my work behind and my boss will have to take care of it. i have submitted my work to him since last two weeks but he doesnt seem to have time to check it. too bad, he'll need to do it while im gone plus the correction and believe me i am a mistake-prone. hahah..sorry Doctor,

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I know when I'll be back again
Oh, boss, I love to go'

hahaha such a looney.
so, time to write some serious report now. all set for the 15 hours flight..owwhh i had to take the 3 hours back homee first. what a spoiler.

good night