Syarahan Pak Sako

Pada pagi ini Mak Aji hadir acara di atas yang diadakan di Universiti Malaysia Pahang  di Gambang. Syarahan disampaikan oleh Prof. Emeritus Dr. Abdullah Hassan. Antara lain beliau menyebut tentang usaha yang dijalankan oleh syarikat penerbitan milik isteri beliau, Puan Ainon Mohamad, iaitu PTS, yang berusaha menerbitkan buku untuk tujuan memandaikan bangsa. Semoga kita semua dapat memberi sumbangan masing-masing juga untuk memandaikan bangsa Malaysia kita!!   

Drinking Caffeinated Coffee May Keep Depression at Bay!

Here's some interesting news about COFFEE especially meant for coffee lovers, including yours truly!!

A recent finding indicates that drinking coffee may stave off depression. A study of 50,000 women over a period of ten years suggested that women who drank 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of depression by 15%.  Those who drank four cups or more had a 20% risk reduction.

Decaffeinated coffee did not have the same effect, making it likely that caffeine was the crucial ingredient.

According to Hive Health Media:

“Various scientific research studies have shown that drinking coffee can help relieve asthma and headaches, can protect your teeth from cavities and can alleviate a whole lot of serious illnesses. Being a regular coffee drinker will cut your risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease or cirrhosis of the liver by an astounding 80%. It can reduce your risk of developing dementia by up to 65%. Other risk reductions include diabetes (60%), gallstones (50%) and heart disease in women (25%).”

Come let's have a cuppa to start the morning!

Take a break, it's coffee time!

Hurrah to kopi tongkat Ali, Kacip Fatimah, Radix, ....... endless list. Wait a second, they didn't mention any three-in-one coffee right?? Anyway, just to be on the safe side, buy some coffee beans and grind yourself, nothing beats the all-natural brew!! If you're not up to it, go to the nearest mamak stall and ..... kopi satu!! I wonder if they have ubi kayu rebus dengan kelapa muda dan gula ... perfect with plain black coffee ... just like old times ... what with the rainy season.

Terapi Antipenuaan yang Terbaik

oleh Dr. Mercola

Pernahkah anda terfikir untuk belajar ballroom dancing, yoga, atau mengayuh basikal kerana anda bukan lagi berusia 20-an atau 30-an? Sebenarnya, dari segi senaman, usia hanyalah angka semata-mata – tiada angka yang terlalu lanjut untuk anda memulakan cara hidup aktif. Anda perlu membuka luas minda anda dan jangan sesekali fikir yang apabila anda sudah lebih separuh abad, anda sudah tidak mampu berbuat apa-apa lagi!

Beberapa contoh yang Boleh Diikuti

Jika anda perlukan contoh, berikut beberapa orang yang boleh memberi inspirasi kepada anda:

1. Jack LaLanne, sekarang berusia lebih  90-an tetapi masih mantap!
2. Tao Porchon-Lynch, pemenang pertandingan ballroom masih mengajar sekurang-kurangnya 12 kelas yoga seminggu pada uisa 93 tahun!
3. Lew Hollander, yang menjadi orang kedua yang berusia 80 tahun dan yang menyempurnakan  Ford Ironman World Championship, yang terdiri daripada berenang sejauh 2.4 batu , menunggang basikal sejauh 112 batu dan bermaraton sejauh 26.2 batu!
4. Allan Johnson, yang berusia 80 tahun dan masih bertanding dalam pertandingan rodeo!

Terdapat empat orang warga emas yang memperoleh tali pinggang hitam tahap ke-10, yakni yang tertinggi dalam Judo! Nama salah seorangnya, wanita Jepun berusia 98 tahun, Sensei Keiko Fukuda.  Beliau masih mengajar Judo tiga kali seminggu!

Nenek hebat!!

Apapun jenis senaman yang dibuat, ingat bahawa jika anda lebih aktif , maka anda akan lebih sihat, lebih lentur (nimble) lebih gembira --- DAN

Anda Tidak Terlalu Tua untuk Bersenam

Ibu saya contoh terbaik. Dua tahun lepas ibu saya jatuh dari tingkat atas rumah dan patah tulang bahu dan pergelangan tangannya. Beliau mengambil masa yang agak lama untuk sembuh. Apabila sembuh sepenuhnya, beliau bermula dengan membuat senaman bagi memulihkan kekuatan, imbangan dan kelenturan.

Ibu saya bermula pada usia 74 tahun dan pada usia 77 tahun, beliau memperoleh peningkatan dalam kekuatan fizikal, julat pergerakan, imbangan, ketumpatan tulang, dan kecergasan minda. Walaupun beliau teragak-agak pada mulanya, namun beliau sekarang seronok bersenam. Saya harap beliau boleh menjadi inspirasi anda untuk terus cergas walau berapapun usia anda!

Manfaat Senaman

Kajian banyak membuktikan bahawa senaman memainkan peranan penting untuk mengurangkan penyakit, mencapai kecergasan mental yang optimum, kesihatan emosi dan fizikal (disease reduction, optimal mental, emotional and physical health), dan melanjutkan usia. Mengikut  40 kajian yang diterbitkan antara tahun 2006 dan 2010, pengkaji mendapati bahawa senaman mengurangkan risiko sekitar 14 jenis masalah kesihatan (exercise reduces the risk of about two dozen health conditions), yang terdiri daripada kanser, dan penyakit jantung hinggalah diabetes jenis ke-2, strok, nyanyuk serta kemurungan. Senaman juga memperlahankan kadar penuaan. Sebaik-baiknya, jadikanlah senaman sebagai sebahagian daripada sebelum anda menjadi warga emas... jika sudah menjadi warga emas, anda mesti bermula sekarang!

Senaman yang dijadikan kelaziman antara lainnya akan membuahkan manfaat berikut:

·         Senaman walaupun sedikit akan melindungi golongan berusia daripada nyanyuk dan juga boleh membantu menterbalikkan beberapa kesan penuaan (reverse some of the effects of aging).

·         Wanita berusia antara 75 dan 85, yang kesemuanya mengalami penurunan ketumpatan tulang, malah sudah mengalami osteoporosis, berupaya mengurangkan risiko apabila jatuh melalui strength training (lower their fall risk with strength training) dan aktiviti ketangkasan .

·         Senaman sederhana bagi mereka yang berusia antara 55-75 boleh mengurangkan risiko mendapat sindrom metabolik (cut the risk of developing metabolic syndrome,) yang meningkatkan risiko penyakit jantung dan diabetes.

·         Untuk mereka yang mula bersenam pada usia 50 tahun dan berterusan selama 10 tahun, kadar kematian sebelum masa yang sesuai jatuh secara mendadak (rate of premature death declined dramatically), agak serupa dengan apabila berhenti merokok dan seumpama mereka yang sudah bersenam sepanjang umur mereka.  

·         Senaman banyak meningkatkan ketahanan otot dan keupayaan fizikal  (improved muscle endurance and physical capacity) dalam kalangan pesakit yang mengalami kegagalan jantung dengan purata usia 76 tahun.  

Amacam, sudah naik semangat?? Jom kita bersenam!!

More on Downton Abbey

Yesterday I finished my last dose of captivating Downton Abbey. I just have to have the second season of it. It was very interesting to really delve into the goings on in an aristocratic family! The various awards given for the series - very well deserved!! Congrats from me!!  

Petua Mengelak Disamun di Rumah Sendiri

Deepavali dan Raya Korban sudah dekat, mungkin ada yang bakal balik kampung untuk merayakannya. Seperti biasa, bila kucing tiada, tikus akan beraya sakan. Mak Aji nak kongsi sedikit petua khusus untuk mereka yang bakal meninggalkan rumah nanti, harap bermanfaat untuk semua. Sebenarnya Mak Aji ada pengalaman sendiri dalam hal samun-menyamun ini sekitar 10 tahun lepas - take it from someone who have had to go through the harrowing experience!! Petua ini Mak Aji petik dari blog Persatuan Pengguna Islam:

Petua Mengelak daripada Disamun di dalam Rumah Sendiri

Banyak kes pecah rumah dan ada ahli keluarga dibunuh atau dirogol oleh perompak. Muhasabahlah diri kita. Adakah kita pernah mengabaikan tanggungjawab sebagai ketua  keluarga dalam menentukan anak-anak dan isteri kita selamat ketika tidur waktu malam hari? Adakah kita pernah memagar rumah kita secara fizikal dan juga dengan pendinding ayat al-Quran?

Rumah yang dipagar dengan keluli atau mangga Solex pun, sekiranya perompak menggunakan ilmu sihir, mereka masih boleh membukanya. Ini kerana ilmu sihir itu kerja iblis dan syaitan.  Perompak terutamanya dari seberang memang mahir menggunakan ilmu sihir memukau dan membuka kunci. Sekali tepuk mangga akan terbuka. Jadi marilah kita pagar rumah  dengan ayat suci al-Quran, selain mengamalkan petua pencegahan berikut:

(1) Jangan biarkan anak-anak tidur di ruang tamu seorang diri (mereka boleh menggunakan anak sebagai tebusan).

(2) Kunci atau sorok semua pisau di dapur sebelum tidur (dalam hampir semua kes kecurian, pisau hilang dan menurut polis mereka akan mencari pisau dahulu sebelum mencuri, bertujuan untuk melindungi diri mereka).

(3) Sekiranya terdengar/terlihat paip air di luar rumah terbuka pada tengah malam (jam 12.00 ke atas), jangan keluar rumah untuk menutup paip tersebut kerana ini salah satu taktik. Mereka akan menunggu di luar pintu rumah untuk masuk (kes terbaru di Dungun dan Petaling Jaya).

(4) Beritahu anak-anak sekiranya hendak ke tandas (jika tandas jauh) pada waktu tengah malam, kejutkan ibu-bapa untuk menemani mereka.

(5) Jangan simpan barang kemas di dalam almari baju (simpan di bank, lagi bagus kalau ada sedikit sahaja, sekadar untuk puaskah hati sahaja).

(6) Bawa alat penggera kereta masuk ke bilik tidur. Jika terjaga tengah malam, cuba on and off untuk menakutkan pencuri (umpama alat penggera rumah –  menandakan kita sentiasa siap siaga).

(7) Tekan punat merah pada alat penggera kereta anda jika anda syak pencuri sudah masuk ke dalam rumah.

(8) Sekiranya terlihat orang yang agak aneh dan asing di kawasan rumah, dapatkan nombor plet motor/kereta mereka (selalunya mereka naik motor dan biasanya berdua, dan setiap kali kita lalu depan mereka, mereka akan menundukkan kepala).

(9) Pesan kepada jiran, sekiranya ada sesiapa yang datang ke rumah kita dan mengaku saudara kita dan bertujuan untuk mengambil barang, jangan benarkan, beri nombor telefon pejabat anda kepada jiran supaya mereka boleh hubungi kita.

(10) Semasa tidur, pastikan telefon bimbit anda berada di sisi atau pastikan juga telefon cordless anda berada di sisi anda ataupun buatkan sambungan telefon di dalam bilik tidur anda. Ini memudahkan anda membuat panggilan kecemasan sekiranya anda syak pencuri berada di dalam rumah anda.

(11) Pastikan ada senarai nombor telefon kecemasan seperti polis kawasan anda, bomba kawasan anda, 999 atau sebagainya. Pastikan semua nombor ini disimpan dalam telefon bimbit anda. Kalau boleh, hafal nombor tersebut supaya anda mudah membuat panggilan telefon.

(12) Kalau mampu, pasang alat penggera di rumah (better safe than sorry. I should have done the sama then!).

(13) Lampu depan rumah & lampu belakang rumah sepatutnya terpasang secara automatik bila malam, baik semasa kita ada di rumah atau semasa kita pergi bercuti.

(14) Kalau cuti lama, pesan kepada jiran agar mengutip surat dalam peti surat. Peti surat yang penuh membantu pencuri menghidu ketiadaan tuan rumah.

(15) Kalau kawasan anda kerap berlaku kecurian, buat permohonan rasmi kepada balai polis berdekatan agar anggota polis membuat rondaan yang kerap di kawasan anda.

(16) Kereta Proton paling mudah dicuri. Kalau kereta anda baru, anda perlu sekurang-kurangnya mengunci  gear dan stereng sebelum tidur (masih boleh dicuri, tetapi akan melambatkan pencuri).

(17) Kalau ada anak perempuan, pastikan pintu biliknya dikunci dari dalam (ada pencuri yang mengambil kesempatan seksual) dan anda perlu ada kunci pendua sekiranya berlaku kebakaran.

(18) Sekurang-kurangnya simpan kayu hoki atau besbol di bawah katil untuk mempertahankan diri daripada pencuri yang ganas.

(19) Jangan letak kunci di bawah pasu bunga/dalam kotak peti surat/alang pintu/tepi tingkap bila keluar (pencuri dah lama tau taktik ni). Untuk lebih selamat berikan kepada jiran yang kita kenal rapat.

(20) Kalau sewa rumah baru pastikan anda tukar mangga baru, manalah tahu bekas penyewa lama simpan kunci pendua.

(21) Kurangkan pendedahan dan pergaulan anda dengan pekerja asing.

(22) Pastikan keadaan selamat sebelum buka pintu rumah (tak kira siang atau malam, terutamanya jika balik selepas jam 11:00 pm).

Strokes Triple Among Middle-Aged Women

Posted By Dr. Mercola | March 13 2008 |

Strokes have recently tripled among middle-aged women, a trend that doctors are calling “alarming.”

While only about 0.5 percent of women aged 35 to 54 had a stroke from 1988 to 1994, a federal health survey found that had increased to nearly 2 percent between 1999 and 2004.

Physicians say that the obesity epidemic is to blame for the startling rise in strokes. Women’s waists have grown by nearly two inches in the last 10 years, and women’s average body mass index rose from 27 to 29. Blood sugar levels have also increased.

The increase in strokes came despite the fact that more women are taking drugs to lower their cholesterol and blood pressure, which are both things that should lower stroke risk.

While women’s stroke risk skyrocketed, stroke risk among middle-aged men stayed the same. Researchers say the gender difference could be due to belly fat, a known risk factor for stroke.

Abdominal obesity in women rose from 47 percent to 59 percent, while the change in men was smaller.

 

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Strokes (sometimes referred to as “brain attacks”) are the third leading cause of death in the United States, and they occur when the blood supply to your brain becomes blocked or reduced. This deprives your brain of necessary oxygen and nutrients, causing your brain cells to begin to die within minutes.

The reason why strokes can be so devastating is that they often occur without warning, and the longer your brain goes without oxygen, the greater your risk of lasting damage. This is one area where emergency medicine excels, as there are emergency medications that can dissolve a blood clot that is blocking blood flow to your brain.

But to be effective, you typically need to get help within one hour. So if you notice any of these signs of stroke, you should get help right away:

·     Sudden trouble walking (dizziness, loss of balance, etc.)

·     Sudden confusion

·     Sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of your body only)

·     Sudden trouble seeing

·     Sudden severe headache

Clearly, in the case of strokes (and most disease), prevention is your best option.

How to Prevent a Stroke

Conventionally speaking, many of the same risk factors that increase your risk of heart disease also increase your risk of stroke, and these include things like:

·     High blood pressure

·     Obesity

·     High triglycerides and elevated homocysteine levels

·     Low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol

·     Smoking

So will eating unprocessed, natural foods, exercising and keeping your weight at a healthy level help to reduce your risk of stroke? Absolutely.

But while these are important factors, they are not the only ones. Very high up on the list of keys to preventing a stroke is to get a handle on your stress levels.

Earlier this month, for instance, a study in Neurology of over 20,600 people found that psychological distress will greatly increase your risk of suffering from a stroke. And, the more stressed you are, the greater your risk. The researchers actually found that for every notch lower a person scored on their well-being scale, their risk of stroke increased by 11 percent!

Not surprisingly, the relationship between psychological distress and stroke was most pronounced when the stroke was fatal.

This makes perfect sense, particularly if you had a chance to watch last week’s video with Dr. David Holt about the most common cause of heart attacks. The cause is a certain type of emotional stress, but what’s interesting is what is said about the severity of the stress; in short, it’s been found that if you go longer than nine months with a moderate or severe emotional conflict, you probably won’t survive the heart attack that follows.

And as the Neurology study shows, the same goes for stroke, in that the longer you are under severe psychological distress, the greater the likelihood your stroke will be fatal.

So while you are making efforts to get your diet on the right track, and to stay physically active, please do not overlook the crucial importance of your emotional health. Choose a method, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), that works for you, and use it regularly, daily even, to release the past and present stresses in.

SOUNDS FRIGHTENING DOESN'T IT!! OKAY GIRLS, LETS' FORGET ABOUT  ALL OUR WORRIES, WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN - THEY CAN'T JUST FIRE US ON A MOMENT'S NOTICE. SO, LET'S HAVE A BALL!!  

Going Back to Basics

 Jangan Mencelup Uncang Teh Lebih Daripada 3 Minit.

Teh uncang sebaiknya tidak boleh dicelupkan serta 'direndam' terlalu lama.
Hal ini disebabkan adanya kandungan klorin dalam uncang kertas teh itu. Fungsinya adalah untuk melindungi kertas uncang tersebut daripada bakteria dan juga berfungsi sebagai pengawet, iaitu teh menjadi lebih tahan lama.

Klorin dalam jumlah yang tinggi boleh menyebabkan banyak keburukan dan kesan negatif kepada badan manusia. Antaranya ialah kanser, mandul dan banyak lagi.

Jika mencelup uncang teh lebih dari 3 - 5 minit, klorin akan ikut larut dalam teh. Dan banyak khasiat teh yang 'terhilang' akibat kehadiran klorin yang tinggi dalam minuman teh. Agar terhindar dari kesan jangka masa panjang, sebaiknya jangan mencelup uncang teh lebih daripada 3 minit.

Amacam?  Berita di atas Mak Aji petik daripada e-mel kiriman kawan. Entah apa-apalah yang mereka letak dalam makanan atau uncang atau apa sahaja yang kita makan atau kita rendam untuk airnya kita minum .......... Kalau beginilah gayanya, kita perlu berbalik ke asal jugalah, minum teh yang serbuk, pakai tapis teh, lagi bagus! Mak Aji pun ada dengar yang serbuk teh yang dimasukkan ke dalam uncang itu, grednya yang paling rendah - serdak rupanya - Dahlah tu, dikatakan juga diletak pewarna agar nampak lebih kawwww!! Ini tentunya untuk mendapatkan warna teh tarik yang cantik tu! Penggemar teh tarik (macam Mak Aji jugak!) tak berapa gemar dengar yang ni.

Kesimpulannya, kalau suka teh, beli teh serbuk saja, cari balik tapis teh yang dah lama terperosok entah kat mana-mana dah, atau beli saja yang baru (agaknya pekedai dah tak simpan stok sebab dah lama orang tak cari). Lebih baik lagi kalau minum saja teh tanpa gula, macam yang diamalkan oleh orang Cina. Boleh jimat gula, kalau macam ini, sekilo gula boleh tahan dua bulan!

Orang Barat dah lama go back to basics, sudah tiba masanya kita juga berbuat demikian!

Ni contoh kalau nak go back to basics, sanggup ke tak sanggup?? Adehh, sakit bahulah!

"Pemanas air mandi maut"

Tajuk posting Mak Aji hari ini dipetik daripada akhbar Harian Metro juga yang disiarkan pada hari ini. Sekali baca tiada siapa yang faham apa yang dimaksudkan dengan tajuk ini! Siapa yang maut sebenarnya - pemanas airkah??, atau orang yang mandikah??? 

Sebenarnya yang maut orang yang mandi, tentunya bukan pemanas air! Bukankah lebih baik kalau tajuk beritanya berbunyi begini: Pemanas Air Mandi Bawa Maut???? Saja buat gimik eh???

Apapun, sebagai peringatan kepada kita semua, pastikan pemanas air di rumah masing-masing mempunyai mekanisma untuk memutuskan aliran elektrik secara automatik sekiranya berlaku apa-apa masalah, ELCB ke apa ke benda namanya tu?? Mak Aji sekolah tak tinggi  mana, Fizik memang tak pernah minat masa sekolah dulu!

Mak Aji jarang mandi pakai alat ini, salah satu sebabnya, kata orang kalau pagi elok badan terkejut sikit mandi air sejuk, badan pun akan jadi lebih segar. Namun, kalau musim hujan sejuk menggigil, kenalah mandi air panas jugak. Kurang pakai pemanas air juga menyumbang kepada bil elektrik yang makin sedikit - lagi satu petua penjimatan belanja rumah!!  

Lagi satu petua, kurangkan penggunaan pendingin hawa, kecuali apabila perlu sahaja. Gunakan timer agar pendingin hawa berfungsi beberapa jam sahaja. Kalau musim hujan, pakai kipas sajalah!

How to Streeeeetch Your Money

In the wake of price hikes on almost every item on the supermarket shelves, here are some tips on how to let your money stretch:

• Always turn off the electricity when you do not need them - turn on when you enter a room and turn off when you leave.
• Eat-in instead of eating out. You can minimize on the number of times you go out for dinner or lunch. Save them only for special occasions.
• Spend less time in the shower - less water used, less water bill
• When possible buy only during sales - be cautious and check the expiry dates
• Cut down on vacations. Go only once or twice a year but make sure they are memorable enough
• You can start changing your car engine oil yourself instead of sending it to be done at the workshop - or better, persuade your husband to do it for you! - I hate getting my hands dirty too!!
• Invest in a bicycle and use it for short rides - maybe to buy grocery at a nearby shop, or for buying nasi lemak for breakfast (or better, make your own nasi lemak instead of buying them!!)
• Reuse and recycle whenever possible - plastic bag and containers, etc. Remember to bring your own shopping bag especially on a Saturday when you have to pay an extra 20 cents for the plastic bag to put your groceries in!

Money, money, money,..........

Masih ingat lagi duit pisang???

Money do grow on trees!!!!

Learning a New Language

Ustaz Dr. Zahazan Mohamad (gives his lectures on Radio IKIM every morning at 6.30 a.m.) used to say that in order to keep our mind working, we should always try to learn something new - such as learning a new language! That was one of the reasons I started my Arabic lessons, but alas due to untoward circumstances, I couldn't complete the syllabus because there were not enough 'surviving' students, most of them 'mati syahid' half or a three quarter of the way!

I am quite determined to start my Arabic classes all over again sometime in middle of next year. I do hope I would not 'mati syahid' this time around. Another class which I hope on joining is Quran reading. It is now or never! If I do not join now, then there won't be another time. 

Then there's French, I would enjoy learning that too! I have already checked out a few sites offering simple free lessons. Maybe I can have a start on that too.

I do know a smattering of German, something I learn from a long-lost German friend a long time ago. It came in quite handy when I used to have to go to Frankfurt a few years in a row quite some time back. 

Italian is okay too, just that I won't have the opportunity to go there again.

As for English, I started learning it from TV actually. It was when I was around 5 or 6 years old and I enjoyed the black and white cartoons they used to show. I learn 'drat and double drat' from it!! Then there was this English teacher when I was in Standard 1, Mrs. Chong. Every time she spoke, I was all too amazed at each and every word she spoke. I told myself that," ... one fine day, I am going to be like her!!" I started enjoying every English lesson at school, it seemed to be the only subject I enjoyed! My 'love affair' with the language became more serious when my whole class had to 'squat' in the library due to the shortage of classes. I enjoyed it very much, as I had the library to myself. I read almost all of Enid Blyton books in the library. I didn't enjoy Agatha Christie much. 

When I reached my teens, my sister introduced me to Women's Weekly and Mills and Boon. I remember I could finish 3 Mills and Boon novels in one day (on Friday, of course because it is not a school day - in Kelantan). 

A few years later I graduated to thicker and more serious novels, by James Michener, James Clavell etc. We didn't have the money to buy our own, so we borrowed from our Math tuition teacher (he goes to Kota Bharu every time when it was pay-day - he allocated around a hundred ringgit from his pay-check on novels every month). My sister and I used to wait for him to get back from Kota Bharu to have a peek at the novels he bought!

It has been a very long time since the last time I enjoyed a good novel. These days Pak Aji would just say - 'Go read this book - usually it's on religion!' Okay, okayyy.....

Mentarang

Pernah dengar nama mentarang?? Kalau nak tahu, ia sejenis cengkerang yang Mak Aji baru kenal. Pertama kali dengar nama dan lihat rupanya semasa pergi ke Sabak Bernam. Mentarang dijual mentah, saiz sederhana RM7.00 sekilo manakala yang bersaiz besar, RM9.00 sekilo. Mak Aji beli tiga kilo dan lepas sampai rumah saja terus bersilat mengopeknya sendirian hinggakan naik kecut tangan. 

3 kilo mentarang dengan kulit

3 kilo mentarang selepas di kopek

Mak Aji masak mudah aja - letak bawang merah dan bawang putih dihiris, cili kering yang dikisar, serai diketuk, sedikit santan, garam, sedikit gula. Hasilnya, sedappp!!!

Cuma satu peringatan, mentarang ni, sama dengan jenis cengkerang lain, kalau perut tak tahan atau kalau silap haribulan, boleh cirit-birit!

Thank You Very Much

Boy came back home for the weekend and he brought back the whole of Downton Abbey season 1!! So excited, can't wait to enjoy it! Boy added that season 2 has started showing in the US. I want that too. For those who are not so familiar with the series, maybe these pictures can ring a bell??

Downton Abbey wins four Emmys in strong night for British talent

Drama wins best miniseries, directing, writing and supporting actress, while Kate Winslet recognised for Mildred Pierce

Closer to Our Shores

In today's news there was a story about an earthquake in Bali which registered the figure 6 on the Richter scale. The other day, it was an earthquake in New Zealand, again. Day by day I feel like it is coming closer to our shores! For all you know, tomorrow we will experience an earthquake right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur?? Is that possible? Nothing is impossible nowadays!

Sometimes, when sitting on my office chair, on the 24th floor of my office building, I experience the floor shaking a bit. It has been a few times that I experience that and it gives me the jitters. How I wish I don't have to go through it again. I prefer being closer to the ground. Feels much safer at home, my humble single storey abode.

For someone like me, old as I am, I do not have much hope for the future. I do know that I would not be here long, I do not need much (money or otherwise) to keep me going, just enough time to make my preparation before I meet my Maker. From the looks of things, the world would not last so long too!

Final Call

I cannot imagine myself growing old and sick, wearing adult diapers because I could no longer control my bowels. On top of that is being senile. If I can have my way, I would want my passing as quick and not being a burden to my other half (if he's still around then)  and my children. I prefer that Allah reminds me of His final call my making me sick (but not for long, I hope?) and then off I go without much fuss. I also hope that I can dedicate my final years only for Him and none others. My thoughts, my actions should only be about and for Him. Only then would it be easier for me to really let go of all worldly belongings and submit myself to Him, Insya-Allah.  If only we can have a say in all such matters! It goes to show that we can only plan many big things and ultimately it is Him who determines it all!! 

Downton Abbey and Barbara Cartland

I have been wanting to watch this TV series since it was first introduced on Astro. However I haven't had the chance to watch it, save for the trailer, since it goes on air at 11.00 p.m every Thursday night - way too late for an old lady who has to step on the fuel pedal at 6.30 a.m to go to work!

It was a pleasant surprise that it showed just now (should try to tune in on Saturday then). Unfortunately, due to the rain, again the show was disrupted! Arrghhh! When are they going to settle this 'rain' problem?? Look here Astro, we pay every month without fail (most of the time, unless when yours truly sometimes forget!), we should get reception, rain or shine! 

Going back to Downton Abbey, I'd like to say that it was as good as I had expected it to be - no wonder they get the various awards! It would be nice to spend a leisurely weekend watching Downton Abbey undisturbed by commercials. How am I going to get that?? Boy, I wonder it you help me in that area??

Watching the series made me go back memory lane - enjoying each and every word from Barbara Cartland (such a long time ago - I was once a teenager , you know!) 

Here's a review from one of her fans (couldn't agree more - took words out of my mouth!):

I LOVE BARBARA CARTLAND'S ALL NOVELS. THIS ONE WAS GREAT. SHE HAD SUCH MAGIC IN HER HANDS THAT SHE TRANSPORT YOU TO ANOTHER WORLD. YOU DON'T READ IT BUT YOU SEE IT, DRINK IT , SLEEP IT DIVE IN IT.
WORDS ARE LESS TO DESCRIBE BARBARA CARTLAND'S WORKS.
 

The above review was about this specific book, a classic from Cartland

Tikam Seladang

Pernah dengar nama Tikam Seladang? Tiada kena mengena dengan aksi dengan seladang, sebaliknya nama sejenis bunga yang nama lainnya Kesidang!! Lukenabeb!!

Saja nak ceriakan hari Ahad yang sunyi sepi - Pak Aji ke seminar tokoh dan pemikiran Imam al-Hadad di Masjid Negeri Shah Alam - tak ikut sebab perlu rehat, esok kerja di Banting, lepas tu terus ke Shah Alam untuk persiapan akhir Pelancaran BBK di SUK Shah Alam. Isninnya pelancaran. 

Berbalik ke tikam seladang, (teringat pula lompat tikam - brutal betul orang Kelantan nih, asyik tikam memanjang??!!) Mak Aji petik bunga tu, sangkut kat tingkap sinki, buat kuatkan semangat buat kerja di dapur. Masuk dapur saja, boleh bau bunganya yang cukup harum, moga lebih bersemangat memasak. Namun begitu, kalau dah tinggal sorang, nak masak apa ke benda, alamat makan roti ajalah.

Belanjawan 2011

Ingat lagi belanjawan? Dulu masa Mak Aji kat universiti, kami guna istilah belanjawan, bukannya bajet. Tahu-tahu ada pihak yang seronok sangat pakai bajet, hinggalah ke hari ini, seolah-olah sudah diterima pakai secara meluas. Apapun, Mak Aji bukan nak pertikai apa istilah yang betul atau tak betul, sebenarnya nak sebut pasal pembentangan yang dibuat petang tadi. Mak Aji tak dengar apa pun sebab Mak Aji mesyuarat sampai jam 6.00 ptg tadi. Jam 6.30 baru tiba ke rumah. Terus tanya Pak Aji tentang apa berita terkini. Mak Aji silap tanya, tanya orang pencen, peduli apa dia pasal belanjawan! Dia belum tahu yang duit pencen dia akan meningkat 2 peratus mula tahun 2013! Kalau dia tahu dia dapat habuan juga, mahu juga dia dengar sebelah telinga.

Siapa yang tak suka bila gaji naik, dapat separuh gaji bonus (walaupun minta 2 bulan)? 

Yeh yeh, gaji naik, dapat bonus!!

Mak Aji sempatlah rasa gaji baru sampai pertengahan tahun depan, lepas tu, bolehlah rasa kenaikan 2% pencen setahun mula 2013. Alhamdulillah, naiklah sikit amaun pencen dengan kenaikan gaji! Kalau dahulu, peruntukan untuk beli sirih bertambah. Sekarang dah tak makan sirih, peruntukan untuk apa pulak? Nantilah kena fikir. Yang tentunya Mak Aji bermula raya tahun ini dah tak hantar jahit baju raya, sekadar pakai baju mana yang ada. Yang dihantar jahit pun yang kainnya jenis kain kapas - untuk alam 'kerja' di luar kawasan berhawa dingin, juga agar tiada lagi bil cuci baju di dobi.

Tak kiralah sama ada nak pencen macam Mak Aji ni, atau yang nak terus kerja sampai usia 60 nanti, Mak Aji rasa semua orang terasa yang harga barang naik berdesup-desup tanpa kita sedar. Memang betul orang kata, dulu kalau bawa RM50 ke kedai, banyak yang dapat dibeli, tapi sekarang dengan RM50, entah apa-apa yang dapat dibawa balik! Bagaimanalah nanti hidup anak cucu Mak Aji pada masa hadapan?? Wallahualam! 

Mak Aji sudah mengagak yang umur persaraan akan meningkat ke 60. Mak Aji sendiri tak sanggup kerja sampai ke usia begitu. Tak sanggup diejek orang-orang muda - "dah tua ganyut masih nak kerja, pergi masjid lagi baik!" Lagipun, pada usia begitu, kepala dah gok-gek, gok-gek (bergoyang agaknya), tak payahlah, elok duduk rumah saja. Jangan terkejut komen pedas tersebut pernah Mak Aji dengar di pejabat Mak Aji (nasib baik bukan Mak Aji yang menjadi sasaran!). Begitulah orang muda yang tidak tahu hormat kepada orang yang lebih tua - mungkin juga kerana orang tua yang dimaksudkan itu pula tidak menyayangi orang muda! Entahlah......    

Itik Lagi

Makan malam ini itik goreng,  tenggiri  masak singgang, ulam pucuk gajus dan midin cicah budu. Pak Aji berselera makan sampai bertambah nasi. Mak Aji kalau ikutkan hati nak juga tambah, tapi akal kata cukuplah tu. Ingat, masuk kena kurang daripada yang keluar! Eh, pembetulan, nanti salah faham pulak. Makan kalorinya kena kurang daripada  kalori yang dibakar. Kalau tidak, nanti makin lama makin kembang, mengempis jangan haraplah. 

Sebenarnya siang tadi Pak Aji jumpa kawan dia yang bela itik (untuk mendapatkan telur) di Kg. Melayu Subang. Orang itu dia beri percuma seekor. Masa Pak Aji datang jemput Mak Aji, dia kata kawan beri itik. Ingatkan yang dah mati, rupanya bila sampai rumah, elok saja dia jinjing itik yang masih hidup untuk dibawa ke belakang untuk disembelih. Nak tak nak terpaksalah bantu dia pegang itik. Mak Aji seram sikit sebenarnya! Baki itik kenalah tunggu hujung minggu ni nak masak apa - itupun kalau sempat. Nampak gaya hari minggu ni kena kerja. Tengoklah kalau-kalau sempat masak.

My Kind of Daughter-in-law

Last weekend, out of the blues my son (25 yrs. old - second child) asked me about what kind of daughter-in-law I wanted. I answered why and he replied, "saje je nak tahu." To that I answered:" First, she of course must be a practicing Muslim, meaning she wears the tudung (sounds simple but to me if she does not, it means that she out-rightly defies Allah. If she defies Allah, how on earth is she going to listen to what her husband  says??) ), prays 5 times a day, fasts during Ramadan bla bla bla..... She does not need to be pretty, just pleasant-looking enough for my son to be attracted to her. If she is really pretty, that's a bonus. If she's educated, that is also a bonus (everyone goes to school nowadays right??). However, I prefer that she stays at home and look after the children and not have a career. It would be my son's duty to put nasi on the table and not her. If she can cook, that is also a bonus. She only need to want to learn how to cook and I'll be there to give her a hand." How about that?? Am I asking for too much?? I don't think so!

All in all, she needs to have the good qualities of a Muslimah. Her akhlak must be good. As what is prescribed by Islam, a Muslim should marry a woman for her piousness (religion), not for her beauty, nor her wealth or her lineage.

"Okay, okay," my son said absorbing my short lecture! Is he going to bring back such a wife, well, that remains to be seen! We'll just have to wait. Oh, yes before I forget, you my son, in order to get that daughter-in law of my dreams, do take a very good look at yourself in the mirror .. tell me, do you deserve that kind of a wife??? Are you as good or remotely as good as Sayyidina Ali radiallahuanhu to deserve Sayyidatina  Fatimah radiallahuanhu?? You've got a lot to do my dear!!

Ayam Kampung or Free-range Chicken

Watched River Cottage Spring on AFC yesterday. It touched upon a topic close to all of us - chickens! Me - don't quite like them, except for ayam kampung. My children - cannot live without them! I'm sure that is the situation with most households. I was informed that (Dr. Mercola touched upon this topic a couple of times before with almost the same conclusions) industrially-reared chickens have very much less omega-3 and so much more fat as compared to ayam kampung. Ayam kampung on the other hand has 25% less fat and 80% more omega-3, therefore so much more nutritious! How about that - meant intentionally for those who do not take ayam kampung!!

So, does anyone have any spare land to rear chickens? If you do, go get some to rear yourself - just don't get into trouble with the local authority! Me - am considering it soon, when I'll be home full-time. Got no small children to take care of, a bunch of chickens would do nicely! Only thing is, got to make sure that they don't have access to my porch -  don't quite like chicken poo! 

Industrially-reared chickens

Happy-to-roam ayam kampung

My Elusive Masseuse

Last week was quite hectic. I hardly had the opportunity to have time off at the office. Been running around for meetings outside of the office, in preparation of a very busy Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan for the whole of next month. Oh boy, here we go again, like the past two years! Then home was like a hotel, I was running in and out of the house, being back only to pack some clothes and off I went again for a few days, often coming home late at night. The only consolation I have is, by next year, no more Bulan Bahasa, no more Ramadan traffic chaos,.... Insya-Allah come middle of next year I life will be so much more peaceful. I'll be able enjoy life as it should be enjoyed, insya-Allah!. 

Anyway, the hectic week took quite a toll on these tired old bones and by Friday I felt a fever coming and true enough it did. Pak Aji asked me to tag along for his plans in Kemaman, which I tried to refuse. He insisted on me going but after seeing me not up to it, he relented and went off with his friends. There I was yesterday, could not hardly lift my head because of a blinding headache and with a fever setting in. Took some pills, dozed off almost all day, missing a wedding invitation - sorry Aida, can't make it!   

Come Sunday morning, am feeling much better. I hate thinking of starting the week all over again! One more hectic month ...  Allah help me!! 

I remember what my sister used to say ...."If I were rich, the first thing I would do is to hire myself my very own private masseuse! She will always be at my beck and call every time and any time I need her!" That was exactly what I was wishing for on Friday and Saturday! It has been months ago since the last time I went to see her to get a 'workout'. Oh Kinah, where are you, why so elusive. Have I been underpaying her?? I should think not. Or is it that you're only serving Mak Datins now, no longer serving people like me anymore?? 

Heaven is this....