Wednesday 31 December 2008

Have a Happy and a Prosperous 2009!!



It is not even three, yet the room is enveloped with darkness and I am too lazy to move and switch on the light. The air outside is still and the bare branches of the acer, from where I am sitting, look like untidy scratchings against the grey canvas of a sky. It is a good time to reminisce and reflect, with nothing but the mobile heater humming in the background.

According to the news, it is going to be a freezing new year and the next few days will not see the temperature climbing further than four degrees C. But it is nothing compared to the freezing conditions endured by our blogger friends Naz and Lyana in Norway.

This is the thing about blogging, eh? One click, you are transported from somewhere in the blistering heat of the desert where bloggers like Elisataufik and Lollies are to the freezing winter conditions of Norway or Finland.

It is a beautiful world, this cyberworld – that is if we want to make it so. I looked back at my archives and just realised that I had actually passed my 4th blogevasary – that was on 25th December. I remember writing my maiden entry called “ Blame it on the Jetlag” and my only commenter was Pak Adib or Berisman who has been a longtime friend since we met in London.

Since then, I have met many wonderful people along the way – sharing their stories and experience, no matter where they are. I love the banter, the jokes and the nostalgic trips that we urge each other to take with us.

Recently there was a Mak Cik Bloggers’ meet in Kuala Lumpur organised by Mrs N, and attended by many such as Madam Tai Tai in Dhaka, Wanshana, Ezza, Kay, Tireless Mom and many more whose blogs I have frequented to join in their fun. And what a scene they must have caused meeting up like old friends. This reminds me of our Mak Cik Bloggers meet some years ago, when I went back to Malaysia and the gathering was organised by AuntyN, Mak Andeh and attended by Ood, Blabs, Anedra, Intan Nazrah, Elisa from Finland and many, many more. To mark our gathering, we had blogger Adiejin whose talents know no bounds, to create a memento – a Mak Cik Blogger vase – that I still have until today.

Excuse me while I turn on the light – it is truly dark now and am just bidding time before going out for a New Year’s dinner with some friends at Holiday Villa.

Anyway, it was recently too that we met up with blogger Jaflam, who came to London with his lovely wife. Both of them joined us for a celebration of 4 wedding anniversaries at Tok Din’s house – and let me not talk about the food!

I met Jaflam in the early nineties when blogging was still unheard of. I was on the plane back from Sabah. As fellow travellers, we got talking and he told me that he was coming to London for a meeting. That was when we met up again and our friendship was renewed in blogosphere when we found each other’s blogs. Last year, he played host and invited many other bloggers who had bought my husband’s GuiT. There we met Mat Salo, Zabs, Akmal, Ancient Mariner, Elviza and many more.

Of course during that same trip too, we met up with Pok Ku, Pak Idrus, Ruby Ahmad, Fauziah Ismail of Xmatters and Jiwarasa.

Two days ago, while reading the accounts of the Mak Cik Bloggers’ meet at Zaitgha’s blog, I decided to order some cupcakes and muffins that have been tantalising me from afar. I gathered that, even if I couldn't taste them myself, I could at least order them for my clan back in Bangi and Kajang. What a wonderful world the net is. It is also through the net that I met Ninnie and Nek, whose blogs are a no no to those who cannot resist temptations of buying branded goods online. In fact, I think I gave in to the temptation not once but twice and bought something for myself and one for my beloved sister-in-law.

These last few months I have discovered more precious and interesting blogs such as Masterwordsmith, Argus, Atabib, Mat Chendana, Bangkai, Anak SiHamid, Mamasita, Mummy Rokiah , Pugs and of course Pak Cik and his wonderful stories. And I’d be deluding myself if I say I have not enjoyed Piah and the antics of her very interesting and creative commenters. Where else can you meet our own alternative Hollywood stars, if not at Piah's. They have provided quite an entertainment during some boring winter evenings.

Thank you all for making the gloomy days and nights more tolerable and for transporting me to a more bearable weather condition, even if it is only in the mind. Thank you too for commenters who have made me all the richer with your interesting inputs– Hi & Lo, Mek Yam, NanaDJ and Pak Malim – me thinks it is high time you share your stories with us . Afterall aMiR has already started his GuiKP, ghosting the blog for his son.

I am sure there’s more that should be in the list and I do appreciate your visits here. Thank you . I think most of you have ushered in 2009 while we, on this side of the world, have a few more hours of 2008. So, I’m going to curl up on the sofa and share the heat radiating from Tabby, and think about this past year and ponder what 2009 has in store for me.

Have a Happy and Prosperous 2009!!

PS. Am having problems linking the sites but will be back later to try again.

50 comments:

Ordinary Superhero said...

Happy New Year Kak Teh. Both from "kalendar Melayu" and "kalendar Orang Putih".
May Allah showers you and your family with his Blessings all year round.

Ida Hariati Hashim said...

Happy New Year Kak Teh..May 2009 be a properous year for you and family...

kay_leeda said...

Happy New Year Kak Teh. May the new year be filled with lots of joy, good health and murah rezeki for you and your loved ones.

zaitgha said...

Happy New Year kak Teh and you are too much giving free ad to my blog ha ha ha...

Have a Happy New Year and i pray that 2009 will be better for all of us.....thanks again kak Teh...

mekyam said...

a wonderful glorious 09 to you, my dear kt, as you snuggle with your tabby.

i thought i'd put that in the style of pak malim's furry friend, as i too wait for 08 to end.

i'd like to wish the same to everyone i've met here since 2004.
who, like me have flitted in and out of kt's door.

so i'm glad kt created this site
a place that gives respite
with wit and humour and fun galore!

[yep, i "cheaplucked" that from ol' willie.
but what the heck, it works for me! ;D]


6 hours more to countdown for me, as the ridiculous wv, macam reti, says "drevi"!

wanshana said...

Happy New Year, Kak Teh!!!

It's 8:44a.m here in KL, which means that London has just ushered the new year 44 minutes ago :)

MORE love, joy, laughter, wisdom, rezqi, and good health to enjoy them all, to you and your lovely family :)

IBU said...

Salam Maal Hijrah & Happy New Year Kak Teh!

Salam,
e-boo

Fauziah Ismail said...

Salam Kak Teh
Selamat Menyambut Awal Muharram and Happy New Year to you and family.

Kak Elle said...

Happy new year too KT from me in cold Texas...today brrrrrrrrr habis sampai pipi kebas...hehe

Wan Nordin Wan Hussin said...

Auww, thank you for the very special mention Kak Teh. I'm hopeful that Hi&Lo, mekyam, "Pak" Malim, NanaDJ and the rest of the gang will soon be bloggers too. With blog around, living in Riyadh or anywhere for that matter is never never dull. Happy belated Blogversary choc-a-blog.

Daphne Ling said...

Happy New Year to you and family, Aunty Teh! May all the very best be in your life in 2009...=)

*Hugs*

Theta said...

Happy New Year to you and yours!

May 2009 bring with us everything that our hearts desire. God willing.

It was from your blog that I discovered the wonderful world of blogosphere. Who would have thought googling for ayam golek recipe led me to your site? :)

Sentral Station was a great starting point.

Take care and God bless.

mamasita said...

Happy New Year orang London oi!So hari ni new year goreng ikang haddock or tuna?Ikang sana hanyiak sikit kan?Smoked salmon sedap jugak kan?

Phew!Luckily you tak lupa sebut my name.Kalau tak jebek jugak oi!hehehe

HAPPY NEW YEAR love!

NURAINA A SAMAD said...

Happy New Year, Ah. Salam to Hulaimi and the kids!

Hope to see you guys soon this year.

Unknown said...

Happy new year kakteh :D
I see 2009 shines. Something must be coming to all of us eh? gut feeling anyway hahaha.
Anyhow, I hope that this year brings more meaning and shaping us all into better person :)

Kak Teh said...

Salam OSH dan selamat menyambut tahun baru 'both kalendar melayu dan kalendar omputih".

Ida, may you too be showered with blessings and good health.

kay, selamat tahun baru juga kepada kay dan keluarga. Bila nak datang ke sini?

Kak Teh said...

zaitgha, dah lama kak teh nak linkkan yr blog - and this is a good time as any! Selamat tahun baru and thanks for making it special for my little nieces and nephews.

mekyam, oooh love that word cheaplucked - one of those words that convey to you the meaning straightaway!! thank you for gracing my blog and sharing with us your wisdom.

wanshana, thanks - was out when you came visiting - cos we were still watching the fireworks - on tV saja - too cold to go out there.

Kak Teh said...

Eboo - hehe ! selamat tahun baru to you and yours too. Bila nak tengok gambar bulan mengambang? ni dah 2009.

Fauziah - have a good year and beyond, too.

kak elle, i cant imagine how cold it is in Texas - mesti lah tersangat sejuk. I di sini pun dah tak tahan dah.

Kak Teh said...

GUiKP, of course i have to mention you - cos as aMiR, before you morphed into GUiKP , i used to wait for your snippets - and now - with a click of the mouse - there it is.

Daphne!!!! how are you dear? did i reply your email? if not - sowwwy! take care.

Thetha, oh you came here for the ayam golek? I still see that a few more visitors come because of the ayam golek..and sardine rolls. wow - my claim to fame..hahah!

Mama Huptihup said...

Happy new year kak teh...may this new year will bring us more and more happiness and prosperity...

Kak Teh said...

mamasita, i tak suka haddock - tapi we had salmon roll in soft cheese, lots of mini pizzas, and too too much food. We saw the new year in with some friends at Holiday Villa - the Dato and datin - owner of the hotel - who also owns the hol villa in cherating - invited us over. which was nice - just a quiet evening. kalau muda2 dulu pernah juga tengok pesta di trafalgar square.

oh my lunch for new year today is Roti jala - if i am successful, will make some more for tazkirah tonite - insyaallah.

ena, same to you. what, you are coming here? read that mia went with u to spore..how nice!! send her my love - or mia - if you are reading this - happy new year to you and children.

Kak Teh said...

Akmal, thank you and I wish the best for you too and being young - the world is your oyster! hope we meet again.

tireless mom said...

Hi Kak Teh

Happy New Year to you and family.

Dah 4 years Kak Teh berblogging... bestnya. I have just clocked my 4th month. May Allah bless you and your beautiful family.

Kak Teh said...

tireless mom, ya - it has indeed been 4 yrs! how time flies, eh? thank you for your kind wishes and may you and yours be showered with happiness and good health.

Unknown said...

Hello K Teh,

Awwww...what a nice entry. You made me realise again what a lovely big family we bloggers are. From Norway to London to Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Trengganu...he he.

So nice to be mentioned & be part of this family. Hope to hop over the blogs you mentioned here once you managed the links.

Woit Piah pun kena mention. Nanti I bi tau dia...ha ha.

Hope you had a meaningful time on New Year's Eve...

Unknown said...

My dear, did you receive my comment? I had some problems & am not sure if it went through.

Kak Teh said...

ruby, sorry . thee seems to be problems with comment box i think. it took me awhile to publish this.

ooooh, you nak bagitau piah? ampoooon!

pugly said...

Wah, berbunga2 hati ini seeing that special mention, Kak Teh. Thanks - the pleasure has been all mine, too :-)

& don't worry la Kak Teh, I don't think PZ has any basis to write anything bad about you pun. Lagipun your supporters beribu2 lemon. Hehe.

ManaL said...

KT,
May u continue to membuai us with more enchanting entries to come and many happy returns of the year!

Kak Teh said...

Pugs, hati kak teh pun berbunga-bunga dan nasib baik tak kena hayfever. Hope you had a good celebration.

am still enjoying what's left of my roti jala - dah sejuk gedi!

Naz in Norway said...

Kak Teh,
You're guilty!...of spreading so much happiness around :)
May 2009 brings you a lot of nice surprises.

Jo Kontan said...

Happy New Year Kak Teh, Sir AG, and Family.


Have A Greaat Year !

D.N.A.S said...

Wah, Kak Teh pun terrer 'name dropping', eh? Happy New Year!!

Typhoon Sue said...

salamat tahun baru kakteh!

as always, i enjoyed ur entry. lovely, just lovely.

many of those newly discovered blogs u mentioned, i have never even heard of b4. U just made me realise that i haven't been bloghopping as much as i used too. Gawd! I have missed so much! I'm getting back on the bloghopping train now, i hope i can catch up.

take care

Pi Bani said...

So Kak Teh, when's your next trip home?

Lydia Teh said...

Happy new year, Kak Teh. All the best in your book project.

Sunfloraa said...

Happy New Year Kak Teh!

May 2009 bring you good health, prosperity and lots of adventure!

Kak Teh said...

Naz, you too!! and hope 2009 will see you in london or me in Norway, ok? (hey, it ryhmes!)

Jo, same to you! and thanks for the sms - i think sampai tengah malam london.

Dnas - aaah, kak teh terforgot that Piah pun ada entry "sessi name droppring!!" aiyoh tahut piah kata terplagiat pulak! hahaha...anyway happy new year to you too.

Kak Teh said...

sue, you are excused because you memang dah slowed down towards the end of the year. I thought you were never coming back. Have a good new year! how's life as a freelance?

Sunflora, have a good 2009 and beyond to you and yours.

Kak Teh said...

Pi Bani, balik?? - aaah sterling dah jatuh banyak sangat. Insyaallah tengok lah sebelum June - it'll have to be sebelum june as june onwards very busy. We meet ya?

Lydia - and you too! looking forward to your book.

Kenny Mah said...

May 2009 be an even better year for you and your loved ones, Kak Teh! :D

Kak Teh said...

Kenny, have a good 2009 and beyond!!
take care. Your last entry, hmmmm - u okay?

Fadhil said...

Salam Tahun Baru untuk Kak Teh sekeluarga di London. Hope the freezing weather over there is not too tough on you... I'm sure you're used to it after all these years. Otherwise, you can always come back to warm and sunny Malaysia... heheheh :-)

It has been a nice year for me too... all the more precious considering that I now have a blogger friend from London. Something to look forward to when I do get the chance to buy that Air Asia ticket soon.

dmystify said...

Hi Kak Teh,

I have been reading your blog quite regularly and find it most inspiring. This is the first time I am leaving a comment and it definately wont be the last.

My wife Laila has described exactly what you have just mentioned about the weather in London.
In case you are wondering, yes she is there on a long deserving break visiting her sister.
Her full time job through the years as a wife and mother of 3 growing boys has kept her within the boundaries of 'migraine' land.

My 2 weeks juggling between work and attending to the kids is enough to make me realise that it is no easy task keeping the home in place.

We all miss her and are looking forward for her return to KL in 2 days time.

Yes the cyberworld has kept us busy in the meantime.

Happy New Year !

D said...

kak teh, breezed through the other day without leaving a comment. eh, nanti kita buat London bloggers' meet eh? LOLs!

Kak Teh said...

Oldstock, I dont think one can ever get used to the cold weather. It feels different every time. WE just stopped complaining so much. So, got your air asia ticket yet? I think at the moment it is almost the same as MAS and other airlines. And also - now is the best time to come - the pound is so low!!

dmystify, thanks for visiting and now for leaving your comment.The weather has not improved but if your wife is here - i dont think it will keep her indoors - what with the very, very cheap sales going on.
Am sure you are doing a terrific job looking after the children. Ya - hard work, eh.

D i understand you are busy - yes, lets have a london bloggers' meet. also - forgot to ask - did you phone the number I gave you?

RozIlah Kamarudin said...

i enjoyed yr blogs too... yes blogosphere is certainly good for my soul...

Kak Teh said...

Thanks Rozllah.

MrsNordin said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR, K.Teh!! Sorry this comes in a bit late, but I hope you've had a GOOD one!

I got to know many bloggers through your blog as well. Many. Like you, I also cannot believe how the internet could connect us all, regardless of location. We could "talk", "cry", and "laugh" over each other's stories, and yet, we've never met. Amazing.

And it was through your blog that I got to know Nek Rock, and purchased a lovely handbag which is still being admired by friends from the office!

And it's your blog too, which I frequented every time I feel like reminiscing about the good old days in the UK.

Tho' we've never met, I think you'll make a good friend, K.Teh. I surely hope I'll get to meet you in person one of these days. Insyaallah...

Take care!

Kak Teh said...

Mrs N, thank you for kind words - and hope that there's a wonderful and prosperous year ahead for youa nd family.