The Neglected Page

It's been more than 10 days since I last updated my Blog! My days have been really packed with meetings and discussions, and in between, there were some highlights as follows:-

1. We all finally settled into our new office after almost 3 weeks of unpacking & re-organizing (the kitchen cabinet was finally installed yesterday!);

2. My youngest sister, Norliza, became a mother for the first time. Congratulations sweetie! Adrian is so cute!; 

Baby Adrian

3. My cousin, Amin got married to Mas - Congratulations, Amin & Mas! For the nikah, Mas's good friend Syarifah Amani was her pengapit! How exciting! I'm a big fan, so tanpa segan silu, I took a picture with her & Mak :);

4. The biggest Maidin Hypermarket in Malaysia opened up 500 meters from our office (Yay! Beli barang-barang murah!)

5. Adlan got 1st in class for his Exam (this is a first - I was shocked!);

6. Adlina got 7th in her class in her last Exam (1st time she got Top 10!); and

7. Apak is 75 today. Happy Birthday Apak! We love you sooo much! Semoga Allah panjangkan umur Apak & murahkan rezeki sentiasa.

Apart from that, it's really refreshing working in the new office. I still haven't posted any pictures of our office yet. The truth is, I haven't taken any pictures! Will do so soon, and post it in my next posting. Promise.. (^_^)

Settling In

Moving office has its virtues. I get to throw away so much unnecessary stuffs that I've accumulated over the years (there were plenty!). Found many keepsakes which I have forgotten about over the years. Chanced upon lovely old pictures and cards tucked away in books and boxes. Love notes and drawings from my babies who are now in their teens. So many trips down memory lane..

The past one week have been a roller-coaster ride of emotions for me. Sad and Nostalgic to leave our old office where the Firm started 7 years ago - the first place Nordin Group started as a group of companies working under one roof. Anxiety - worrying about probable lost of files and important documents. Fatigue - my whole body aching from all the running around and carrying things (finally admitted that I'm really getting old). Pride and Excitement in moving into a new bigger office. Happy that everything is finally coming into place.

Moving means that we get to organize our files and systems better. We get to design our office space better. We are more coordinated. There is a new motivation for the staffs. It just feels good all around! It's really rejuvenating. I feel a new drive to perform my very best. Seriously.

But the most special part about moving for me is that I finally get to be in the same office building as AZ. I have been waiting for this day since Danau started 2 years ago. Now my life feels more complete... (^_^)

Moving Office

We are moving office. 6 lorry-loads of stuffs were ferried to our new premise last weekend. Today we started unpacking the files, books and law journals while the contractors assembled our workstations. A day of unpacking, sorting, marking, storing & filing. Books in shelves, files in pigeon-holes.

Every part of my body is aching.. I'm so tired beyond words.. Also managed to sprain my wrist somehow & it's excruciating. But all in all, I'm so excited about the new place! We have more space now & the location is near everything that is important in our every day dealings. Alhamdulillah..

I will write more when we have finally settled in. Photos later ok.

A Wonderful Surprise

It's personalized! Really sweet of you.

Thanks so much sayang..

I love it (^_^)

My journey through the Blogworld

It has just been over a year since I first started my blog. Looking back, I wrote my first posting on 4th March 2008. It seems like so long ago! I had posted exactly 100 postings since then & this is my 101st. Wow. How time flies.

At the start, I certainly had some reservations about  putting my thoughts into digital form for the world to read and criticize; I was so afraid of being judged. But as days turn to months, I realized that the blog is actually one of the best ways to keep a record of the events that happen in my life. I begin to understand that the blog is for me first, and then for others.

Danaukaseh is my life journal. It documents special occasions, and not-so-special occasions; Some fears and anxieties that I choose to share; Some triumphs and tribulations; Thoughts about people whom I care about; Lessons learned; Proud & Happy moments; Some concerns as a wife, a mother, a sister and a friend. It allows me to document my feelings in digital archives, as a reminder to me and a story for my children when they grow up. 

And I feel lucky that I have family & friends who have given me a lot of encouragement and support through danaukaseh. Giving motivation when I'm down; Sharing happy events and proud moments; Offering thoughtful advice - all through comments made in danaukaseh. Thank you, to all of you for making the time to visit, and for sharing your thoughts. I made some new acquaintances and renewed lost friendships through my blog. For that, I'm truly grateful.

I have learned so much in the past one year in my journey through the Blogworld. About me, about people and about the virtual community. I will share more about this one day.

Happy 1 Year, Danaukaseh (^_^)

Exhilaration

It is difficult to describe the feeling of winning a case, especially after having worked so hard for it and having gone through a really tough time being grilled by 3 judges in the Court of Appeal, and after much argument with the opposing counsel. 

When the judgment was delivered, I could literally feel my heart expanding, and eyes watering. It's a mixed feeling of being excited and thankful; happy and proud; a feeling of having learned a precious lesson; it seems surreal somehow. Humbling. Exhilarating. 

Syukur Alhamdulillah.

And now I just feel drained, but in a good way :)

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hello Hong Kong Disneyland!! 

The residents of Danau Kaseh had so much fun in Hong Kong Disneyland last week! What a great way to de-stress after so much pressure at work!! Good family FUN! We went at the right time as the weather was perfect: sunny and cool springtime! School holidays in Hong Kong hasn't started yet, so the Park was not congested. We didn't have to queue up for almost all the rides & shows! Perfect timing!

Here's a short summary of our favourites at Disneyland:

Of all the rides, the Space Mountain roller-coaster was the most exciting! The whole ride was in pitch darkness, full of surprising drops, twists & turns. Fortunately there wasn't any loop-da-loop! Images from space like planets, novas & comets flashed by as you go past them in a fast, thrilling ride! We were so proud of Anas as he went on his first ever roller-coaster ride without crying at all! Adlan actually went on the ride 3 times (crazy!) & Adlina went on it twice! 

It's A Small World, the world famous boat ride was charming. Lots of effort must have been put into all the colourful & beautiful miniature houses, famous landmarks, figurines, dolls & animals from around the world. It was such a relaxing ride after Space Mountain! Adlan, Adlina & Anas went on the spinning teacup after that, but the rest of us gave it a miss. I felt dizzy just looking at them spinning!

Spinning Teacups - not for mama!

Adlina loved the Autopia as she got to "drive" her own car! I didn't enjoy it too much as Anas drove the car I shared with him and the ride was extremely bumpy. His steering was totally out! Thank God he has 10 more years before he can get his "L" licence :) 

Adlina driving her little car :)

Another interesting ride was the Jungle River Adventure. We had to ride through crocodiles, wild animals, head-hunters, piranhas & even a fiery volcano! Don't worry, none of them bite ;) Tarzan's Treehouse was on an island right in the jungle & we climbed up the Treehouse (which was high!). Right at the top, Anas said that he needed to pee immediately (Yikes!!). Thanks to Adlan's empty mineral water bottle, Anas became the first ever person to pee at the top of Tarzan's Treehouse :) I hope no one saw him!

Tarzan's Treehouse - no toilets at the top :)

My personal Favourites are the Live Shows: The Golden Mickeys & Festival of the Lion King. They were superb! The Golden Mickeys was like an Award show which showcased some of Disney's best loved characters like Mulan, Tarzan, Ariel, Woody & Jessie and Beauty & the Beast. The actors were fantastic singing familiar Disney tunes which we sang along. We went for the show twice & still enjoyed it tremendously the 2nd time!

The set of the Lion King was so colourful &  impressive!

Festival of the Lion King was set in a circular theatre, more like an arena. The singers were brilliant & the set impressive! Giant elephant and giraffe figures were wheeled in together with Simba the lion. There were flame throwers breathing fire and acrobats suspended from the ceiling! It was such an amazing experience.  True Disney magic!

Adlina meets Jessie

The highlight of Disneyland was the Fireworks set in the background of the castle at 7.30pm prior to closing. I heard about the fireworks before, but it was far better than what I expected. As aptly put by Adlan: the Fireworks were Beyond Awesome. Hakim was at a lost for words when I asked him what he thought of it! The Fireworks were launched in synch with Disney's music and the timing and positioning were all perfectly choreographed. I've always loved fireworks but the one we saw at Disneyland was without a doubt, the BEST one ever! It was Beyond Awesome!

Sleeping Beauty's castle at night was truly breathtaking

Time flies so fast when you're having so much fun. Two days in Disneyland went by too quickly. We checked out of Hollywood Disneyland Hotel and left for Kowloon with a heavy heart on Saturday. 

The grounds around Hollywood Disneyland Hotel 

was beautiful & perfectly manicured

Goodbye Hong Kong Disneyland! Thank you so much for such a magical experience. So many warm, fuzzy moments & happy memories... (^_^)