2011 Books and Happy New Year

As we bid goodbye to 2011, let me say it is an eventful year for me. In term of writing, it has been a productive year as we managed to write four books that year despite the busy academic challenges.We wanted to write a Malay book which I managed to write amidst the laughter of my cynical bff.She helped me to polish my language.I did my part and sent to the leader.I really hope that manuscript will turns to be a book.Each book starts with a dream.2011 is the year that dreams turn to reality.

Our book of poems.

A very expensive book

Our most expensive book

The latest Book

It is hard to beat 2011.At least one book will be materialized and others to dream............

Happy New Year ! Thank you for your support !

Travel Tales of Thinking Travellers - RM32

If you are interested to purchase the book, do contact me at ciklatisha@yahoo.com. So far we have sold 94 books on our own.It is a good start. We are very thankful to our supportive family members, friends and students who bought these books simply because they support us.Personally, I learn a lot from selling the books.I learn the marketing and promotional aspect of selling these books.Writing this  book is a completed chapter but persuading people to read the book is another unfinished business.We have received glowing remarks of the book.Some even asked if  there is any book launch and  the second edition of Travel Tales. Alhamdulillah!

(source : Saeidah's Facebook - Thanks Idah!)

Testimonials


Puan Hasinah - Very interesting n I luv reading it....1st hand info abt travelling.Excellent 
                           work.Syabas!


Moona           -  Impressive .Buku digarap dengan baik.


Zarith            - C0oo0ol

Travel Tales of Thinking Travellers..is published!

I browsed the Publisher's homepage and saw the photo of the book.I was so excited . I got the idea to write this book during a long bus trip from Perlis to Johor Bahru. It was the Singapore Trip June 2009. A group of us went to visit some universities in Singapore and learnt a lot of new things.When I came back, I persuaded some friends to write their travel tales. After we finished writing, the manuscript was accepted to be published by the University Press. After a lot of editing and wondering about the book, it is published.

 I am still waiting for the publisher to contact me and tell me when they are going to send me the books.I did e-mail them and one of them did call me confirming the book is published .He said his colleague is going to call me and I am still waiting for that call. After we got the books, we need to sell the book.My bff has managed to persuade 20 buyers and we hope more people would want to buy the book.Travel Tales of Thinking Travellers costs RM32. It is a collection of travel tales by a group of travellers.

Fave song of the moment

The lyric is written by Malique which is awesome. I think this lyric is one of the most complex lyric to be comprehended and so malay in nature.The combination of two gifted singers really works.Can we really forgive people? Fortunately I am blessed with forgiving people like my family and bff.They have this wonderful angelic side as they readily forgive those who wrong them readily as I stand beside them learning but wondering about their foreign but wonderful side .I know they couldn't live peacefully if they don't forgive the wrongdoers especially those who asked for their forgiveness.I feel their hurt and wonder about their readiness to forgive and move on. I just wonder if it is normal for us  to do whatever we want such a hurting other people and when we realise our mistake, we can just ask for forgiveness and expect to be forgiven .I am lucky as I am surrounded by these good people as learning events are aplenty.I pray that you are as lucky as I am.I pray that we don't hurt people unnecessarily  especially those we love.

Aku maafkan kamu 
Tak perlu kita bertemu
cukup kau tahu
yang aku maafkan kamu
tolong teruskan hidup 
jgn sebut nama ku ..


ain't that beautiful..got it ?

Aisha got Married!

Last night the day Aisha got hitched to her high school sweetheart , Nazir  at her grandmother's house.I was unable to attend. Her reception would be next year.She has turned out to be a lovely wise young lady.She could bake and sew well among other things she is blessed of. I am proud of her .May you have all your dreams.

Aisha and her Mak Ngah.

Blessings from God

Selamat Pengantin Baru

Last week was a very busy week for our family.Our nephew;Ash, decided to settle down with lovely Ira.They got their akad nikah on 11.11.11. and the bridegroom reception was on 20.11.2011.My parents were not around so everyone was missing them. It was a test really.Could we really handle family affairs superbly as my ever efficient mom or steady dad? Definitely the affair would be better with them around.However, we did it as we worked as a team.Looking at Ash, all I could remember the boy who all of us helped to raise and love who turns to be a good man.Congrats Ash and Ira.I wish you all the best.

The 3 L

My sister loves taking pictures so during all family occasions, we got to pose with her and have our pictures taken.Unfortunately, I rarely see the pictures taken by her and with her.Somehow the pictures taken by her are not uploaded in  Facebook. The love of posing in front of camera runs in the little girl. She loves to pose in front of the camera.I guess they are related somehow.

It is a sad day

The department lost one of our team.It is indeed a dark day for all of us. Rest in peace Ustaz Radzuan .He had always been a mentor to me in his way of fighting his illness, patience and dedication.

Birthday Gift

What do you get for a person who doesn't really like traditional cake for her birthday? The answer is fruit gift basket from najahgifts.com. I have been singing praises for this humble mega talented baker entrepreneur. She could do lovely cakes and gifts. Her fruit cake is delicious too.The birthday person is over the moon with this gift.(pictures are taken from najahgifts.com)

Happy Birthday Ly*n

Sometimes if you are lucky in this world, you will be blessed by having in your life a true friend.I am blessed as I have her as my true friend.She is my BFF.What could I write about her?Frankly, I could write a book about her.Since this is her birthday, I am going to shower her with many compliments which are sincere and true. She is a beautiful and thoughtful person.She is a genius and a great cook. She is adventurous too. She is very positive and strong .The best of all she makes me want to be a better person. Thank you Ly*n for being there for me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

I heart Manila

Manila has always fascinated me since the day I learnt about Jose Rizal , Imelda Marcos and her shoes.Luckily this time I was given a chance or took a chance to be there presenting our research.I got to thank the university too for funding the trip.This time my bff was given the task to manage the trip.She did plan the trip successfully as she worked in Manila before.I had the pleasure of  looking at her face. She was happy to be back in Manila and visiting the shopping malls of Manila.The malls are really wonderful.There are so many beautiful shoes and sandals.I was in shoe paradise.

My bff made a wise decision(lets applaud for her now..clap clap clap) in flying us in MAS as if we took AirAsia, we would have to endure a very long journey to the city.The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reminds me of our Subang Airport. We could hail a taxi at the airport but my Bff was creative in securing us the airport transfer which was not for the faint-hearted. I was amazed and impressed by her creativity. 

Apart from the mall, we decided to learn more about Manila so off we went to Intramuros which is the Spanish fort.Once upon a time The Philippines  was colonialized by the Spanish.We asked the cab driver to drop us there and took the horse-drawn carriage and took a tour which lasted 4 hours.We saw many churches and went to Casa Manila ;a Spanish house, which is a superb casa.I heart the kitchen and the garden.e went to see where Jose Rizal spent his last days.We went to Robinson Plaza where my Bff reminisced her glorious past.  

Jose Rizal Park

We went to Makati and toured the Greenbelt shopping complex.Imagine Pavillion in larger scale.

I did present my research!

Happy Anniversary , Su* & Azm*

I was there when you were courting
The engagement and the wedding I did not miss
The sacrifices and loneliness you willingly embraced of being miles apart
Now being blessed of simply being together
The cars and the furniture you accumulate I do notice
and the abundant of love and happiness of being together


happy Anniversary!

p/s I am sure someone bought a  bigger card and present!

Rainbow Cake

This year I decided I had to have rainbow cake for the birthday cake . The cake was ordered from najahbakery.com.She is really an innovative baker.The cake was really delicious.Since Ms. Moscow and I shared the same birthday,I thought it was wiser to share the same cake. Since she was far away, I had the cake to myself.Apart from the cake, I had red velvet cupcakes but I really think the rainbow cake was more delicious than the cupcakes. The older I get, the more I indulge myself.I love cakes especially great looking cakes.

Who is Opie?

Ms. Moscow, could you see the rainbow?

Sing a birthday song to Opie !

Happy Belated Birthday Ms Moscow! You know you are loved !

Something to know

I thought that today is a working day so I dressed up in my usual baju kurung and went to the campus.I found out from the guard that today is a holiday .Instead of going to the campus , I went to the supermarket .I met a few of my colleagues in their casual clothes.They were surprised to see me in my baju kurung.I learn something about myself today .I love my work !

Pondering Soul

I read about this saying a couple of weeks ago. 

When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn't mean that they are bad people. It just means that their part in your story is over.

Talking Anya for Talking Tirah

Update

The blog is being ignored.I know that fact.My parents are performing hajj which is their dream.I am really happy for that.Though the diploma students are on holiday, there are degree students and I saw some familiar faces.yipee....they are now officially degree students and having hard time adjusting to the demands of being degree students.I am not worried as I keep telling them they will survive..I hope that wouldn't put pressure on them.I really believe in them.

Next week is the launch of Speaker's Corner.I am given the opportunity to work with some new lecturers.It is great to know them and to tease them.That is the perk of being seniors.We gave Essentials of Professional English , Two Strangers & Other Poems and the pricey Lambert book as the gifts for the VIPs.Too bad Travel Tales is in the midst of printing.I do want the books to be read by students and teachers.Somebody said to me I wrote many books.So far, there are 5 published books and one in the midst of printing.One is in the revising process , two in the midst of writing.Collaborative writing does work and produces a lot of books for us.You just have to keep writing .Sometimes, it is your turn to shine and other time, it is other people's turns.

Next week too will be a new chapter in my life.I am about to do something scary. I will tell you more later.

Travel Tales of Thinking Travellers

I was busy.I am busy and I guess I will always be busy.I have got great news.Travel tales of thinking travellers will be available real soon.Travel tales is a book and a product of love.It is a book of travel tales .I am too excited of the thought that book will be printed and available soon.Then I have to sell the book.Who would buy ?Would you buy the book?

2012 SALT International Conference

Venue : Universiti Teknologi MARA (Perlis)

Date :   9 - 10 September 2012

Website: http://icon.saltofworld.org/index.php/SALT/2012SALT

My favourite Stall - Ramadan 2011

These two sisters sold their food during this year Pasar Ramadan 2011 in Arau.The food is truly delicious and real cheap.The sellers are lovely and friendly people. I love teasing them whether they did have profit from selling food at such cheaper price.They would always laugh.They are university students and since they have long semester break, they decided to sell food during Ramadan.Today is their last day.According to them, this is the first and last time for them to set up this stall.They are going to buy baju raya after this.These people are definitely going places.I would miss them a lot..and their food.




Two sisters



Delicious Food




Heavenly taste




I did not try rendang petai


  Great Rendang




My Bff's favourite dish