Wedding Kak Hanis @ Kg. Masjid Tikam Batu, Sungai Petani, Kedah (November 2011)

Assalamualaikum Readers,

My family and I planned to visit my cousin's family at Pulau Pinang @ Penang for the Awal Muharram holidays. In conjunction of the long weekend, there were definitely wedding invitations. I was lucky because I received invitations from my ex-classmates at my law school, AIKOL, IIUM. Kak Hanis & Fauzi in particular. Both weddings were in Sungai Petani & Baling, Kedah respectively, although the route was further up than our original destination in Penang, but how nearer can I be to attend their weddings right?

Breathtaking view of green paddy fields enhanced with the blue sky as the backdrop.

Initially I planned to attend Fauzi's wedding which was scheduled to end at 6 pm, however when I arrived at Sungai Petani it was already almost 4pm and Kak Hanis's wedding scheduled to end at 5 pm. We were supposed to arrive earlier but what to do, the highways were jammed from time to time and unfortunately we encountered some accidents on the way. Oh yes not to forget we also passed by 2 convoys of 20 Mercedes Kompressor and 15 Ferraris. And they were all Singaporeans. Dang.

Oh yes coming back to my story, since we were at Sungai Petani at almost 4pm, we decided to find Kak Hanis's house first. Crazy story was, I did not confirm to attend both their weddings, and I didn't have their maps also their phone numbers, so I just counted on my luck to arrive based on my own research. Alhamdulillah we reached Kak Hanis's place, located at a humble village and welcomed by her mother. We tried not to be awkward since apparently Kak Hanis and her beloved hubby were not at the wedding, they were already snapping photos for their bridal album at Pantai Merdeka, a nearby beach.

These were my meals there :

Newly cooked, hot fried chicken! Yum!

After stuffing our faces, we asked for directions to meet Kak Hanis. I got her phone number and she asked us to wait. While waiting in our car, we bought a cup of fresh coconut juice at a nearby stall at only RM 1.60 and we confirmed it was one of the best coconut juice we ever had, the coconut meat so thick, and juice so naturally sweet. Too bad I didn't manage to snap a photo.

Meanwhile Kak Hanis phoned back and asked to meet us halfway. We did and yay! Alhamdulillah we managed to meet the newlyweds. =) At a very awkward background, we snapped photos to freeze the memory hahah. =D

The happy couple in purple. =)

By that time, it was 5 plus which made it impossible Fauzi's wedding before 6 pm. So we cancelled the trip to Banting but alhamdulillah Fauzi knew I tried to attend his wedding. As for Kak Hanis, I am happy I did manage to show up at her wedding because well both Fauzi & Kak Hanis are not close to me, I cannot even recall if I ever spoke to Fauzi but I am happy when those who never spoken to me at uni added me on FB so somehow the friendships start there. Now they have included me to attend their weddings, of course I feel honoured and touched and will try my best if I could attend. Well I was pretty much a lone ranger at uni, but Kak Hanis was a really great soul to me. Never she said no whenever I ask for favours from her especially on assignments, notes etc. She is always so helpful, and I believe if she always helped me who is not close to her, definitely to others she has helped more. She is also very cheerful and funny her husband is lucky to have her. She has resigned from being a lawyer at Ampang to be with her husband at Taiping, which is better because closer to her family in Kedah as well. Maybe I will not bump into her much like I did at the courts before, but I will always pray the best for her and will never forget her insha Allah. =)




Oh yes and here is a random pic of the old-school Bunga Straw (Straw Flowers) which were popular many many years ago still found relevant at the Sungai Perak R&R Restroom. Nice. =)

The Story of The Friend Who Always Fails to Attend Weddings & Ewa's Wedding @ Pine Tree Hotel, Batu Pahat, Johor. (November 2011)

Assalamualaikum Readers,

FYI I am the offender of friend-who-always-fails-to-attend-friends-wedding. Yes guilty as charged. I always receive invitations even from only friends on Facebook especially when I have a full account. As much as I am honoured for the invitations, sometimes I have bridal make-up jobs which clashes with the invitations, and well most of the time I always have excuses (valid I hope) such as family gatherings and other work for not appearing at these weddings or engagement parties. Yes! I know it's bad! Schoolmates even reminded me (intimidated me) by saying that there's a huge possibility for other friends not to attend my wedding since I don't attend theirs. *sigh*

Am I anti-social? Well not really, it's just that I always feel I have very few trustworthy friends, and fewer friends whom I feel comfortable in my own skin. So sometimes I just drag on the idea of attending one's wedding. For example, I have promised my friend, we're not so close, but she's good to me, in Johor Bharu. I have PROMISED her I will attend her wedding, and she was ecstatic. But on the very day itself, my friend who was supposed to accompany me to JB, he fell sick, like very high fever he claimed, so automatically Ummi did not allow me to drive 5 hours to JB and 5 hours back to KL on the same day. I tried all my resources trying to find a replacement, but it was the infamous date of 20.11.2011 where all my other friends were attending other weddings as well. By 1 pm, it was impossible for me to leave for JB right? In the end, I ended up accompanying Ummi visiting Dr. Nooraini since Ummi was having terrible coughs. Somehow, some way, I always end up at clinics and hospitals lately. Now I just have guilt for not attending that friend's wedding, though my best friend Mira said it was totally understandable, but I really feel like crap. So now I just Like that friend's newly wed photos on Facebook without commenting anything. I feel terrible. I am pathetic.

However yes, the lovely couple above in the photo, the bride was my schoolmate at MRSM Kuala Kubu Bharu. Her name is Sharifah Shahira but friends call her Ewa. Her wedding was held 3 hours from KL, somehow I managed to attend with another schoolmate, Famiza. Ewa was not close to me at all, we only bonded for a short while during a camp at school but just until that. Nevertheless when she invited me, somehow I was positive I could and will attend. And alhamdulillah I did. (yay!)

Ewa had a combined wedding ceremony with her elder sister, and since they choose an English theme, both of them looked so so gorgeous, quite Grace Kelly-ish. Honestly I couldn't keep my eyes off of her when I met her that day. Her make-up was flawless, and her upper and lower lashes were so suitable with her eyes. I especially love the hair-do with headband (I just love headbands). Just lovely. Best of all, Ewa's expression when she saw me the ever bubbly her shouted "Sue! You came!" and that was worth the drive. Well at least, I feel like I have redeemed myself A BIT for attending her wedding. But then again failed on 20112011. *sigh* I will do better insha Allah for more invitations which I could afford to attend.

As for Ewa and her husband, may your marriage be blessed in this life and in the Hereafter amin. =)

Wedding Reception (Bridal Make-up) @ Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA), Damansara (Saturday, 13th March 2010)

Salam,

This was the bridal make-up job I had to attend when I was involved with a minor accident at DUKE highway. Lucky for me, I left home early with the intention not to rush, and when the accident took my time, I ended up being just on time to do my make-up on the bride. I was so grateful that she did not panic when I informed her about the accident, you know in case I will be late to do her make-up, so I felt so much more relaxed.

The bride was a graduate from IIUM as well, but a grad from Kulliyyah of Architecture (KAED) wed her boyfriend a graduate from the US. She first and foremost informed me that she never put on make-up, thus she did not want to look like a different person on her wedding day. She wanted it to look as natural as possible. I agreed with the client's request but the key is she must look gorgeous, and there's no compromise to that. When she was done, her husband complimented her though she was still quite unsure of her look. Personally I think she looked so sweet and gorgeous especially in her wedding apparel that was from lovely colours and had an English touch which was suitable with the Garden Wedding theme.

Alhamdulillah, the next day she SMSed me informing that her friends and family complimented her look that night, saying that she looked different but beautiful. That was enough to give me a brand-new smile. =)

For you to view more of my bridal make-up work, please log on to my make-up website www.surayanuar.com and click BRIDAL MAKE-UP under the MAKE-UP EXPLORATION link.

Before.

After.

A Traffic Accident..The Beginning of A New Friendship @ Batu Toll Plaza, DUKE (Saturday, 13th March 2010)

Syahirul Adha, Me & Ummi at his eldest bro's wedding. =)

Salam,

On the way home from the engagement make-up at Puncak Alam I had a really great feeling because my client, her fiance and her family was very happy with my work. As usual the customer's satisfaction is the most crucial to me.

After I performed Solat Asar, I rushed to attend another Bridal Make-up job but this time around is for a wedding reception. On the way to KGPA, while using DUKE highway that I was not so familiar with still that time, while joyfully listening to an unknown Hindi number, I could not decide whether to head to Damansara or PJ when I past the Batu toll plaza. Inevitably *huge sigh* I wanted to take the left exit when I noticed there was a motorcyclist riding straight, and bammmmm! Alhamdulillah I noticed earlier so I managed to slow down a little preventing a bigger impact.

When I knew I hit a guy, I prayed silently in my car so the person was a) did not die and b) not badly injured. When I went out of my car, I saw a boy slightly younger than me, with his helmet thrown somewhere nearby, limply trying to stand up, with his right palm bleeding. I tried to be rational and not to panic, I offered him to lie down on the front passenger seat, but gosh that car door was stuck due to the collission. Then this guy who almost fainted, and hyperventilating lied down on the back seat.

I phoned my father then my mum informing about the accident, and they were on the way to fetch this guy to bring him to the clinic. I then phoned my client at KGPA to inform the same thing, fortunately she understood and asked me to take my time. The guy then phoned his father, a policeman, and a hard one to deal with in fact, and I explained the situation to him, and I got a good deal of scolding on the phone. Doesn't matter he's a father, and he's not there at the scene so I understand that he must have imagined to worst happening to the son, added up with the fact that I told him I can only meet him after I am done with the make-up job.

To make the story shorter, well, he was sent to the clinic and Ummi and Nana sent him home, where this 19 year old Politechnic student was sheepishly grinning most of the time since the accident I did not know why. Later that night he phoned me informing that he has allergy in his eyes making his eyes swell like mad (which ended up Nana & I called him Cina Bukit) and anyway I offered to bring him to x-ray his knees the next day.

The next day, we went to x-ray his knees and the really cool and peculiar doctor advised him to get an insurance since he doesn't have one, and lectured him to always tie his helmet properly and not to take forgranted of it. We then brought him to Ecko Park, Sungei Wang to buy new jeans for him thought he did not ask, I just feel I have to since the one he wore during the accident torn and he's only a student. I offered him new shoes as well but he refused. He's a shy, sweet boy and my family kept teasing him which made him smile all the time. It was nice that his father phoned me to thank me for being so responsible with the whole situation, of course I should have. =)

Then after that, he kept SMSing me since he said he was so ecstatic to have a new sister. Awwww that's so sweet. =) The picture above was taken when we attended the wedding of his eldest brother, where his parents welcomed us so warmly. So there's a hikmah to everything, if you act responsibly towards it.

By the way, since I lost my phonebook when I went to Australia, I have lost Syahirul's phone number so I hope he'll contact me soon since he told me he wanted to celebrate Raya at my house this year. Oh yes, he told me he has a MySpace account, will search and message him then. =)

Bridal Make-up @ Ipoh, Perak (Sunday, 27th December 2009)

Salam,

Tonight's make-up was the final make-up job for my clients here Salina & Fairuz. Again, this was another smaller reception for relatives and neighbours only, but this time for the Groom's side. They kept having an event after another since both families were welcoming daughter and son-in-law for the first time since both of them are the eldest in the family.

I was awed by the groom's excitement for his wedding events especially on her wife's appearance. To prove it tonight, her wife's outfit was another Western dress but this time it was a very outstanding Little Bo-Peep kind of a frock with huge can-cans to complete the whole nine yards. In fact the only thing that was missing was her cane thingy to chase the sheep = D The Bride was quite embarassed to wear it and meet the neighbours but the husband just chuckled happily stating that there would not be any other time more appropriate to wear this kind of outfit. Hahaha seriously her husband likes to doll her and play dress up on her.

Tonight was a warm gathering where close friends be it Malays, Chinese and Indians together with their family sang the karaoke and enjoyed great food. Fairuz told me that his aunt, who he claims to sell the tastiest Mee Hailam (Hailam Noodles) in Ipoh sponsored the Mee Hailam for that night. The coolest (and most awkward) thing for me was when both of them invited me to sit at the main table (I mean I am not family) but they insisted I felt honoured and touched. The food, of course was more than awesome :p Again, Fairuz and Salina, I thank you both and your family for the great hospitality and great friendship. May Allah bless your marriage till the end of time.

For you to view more of my bridal make-up work, please log on to my make-up website www.surayanuar.com and click BRIDAL MAKE-UP under the MAKE-UP EXPLORATION tab.

Before

After

The Bridal Dais

Makan Time at the Main Table.. loads of scrumtious food.

Nom Nom Nom Nom!

The tastiest Mee Hailam in Ipoh made by the Groom's Aunt.

Jalan-Jalan @ Ipoh, Perak (Sunday, 27th December 2009)

Salam,

Yes lovely readers now we are at the capital city of Perak, Ipoh. My clients had their beautiful wedding (on the Groom's side) at the historical, colonial building of Ipoh Town Hall in the heart of Ipoh itself. Its clean, white paint just shouts the influence of the British colony.

I love this pic, if only I had snap it right after the Municipal Council lorry drove further (*_*)

The portraits of the Royal couple of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah and his Queen, Permaisuri Bainun.

The Kompang troop. They played so enthusiastically with the drums and everything seriously I felt like I want to get married at that very moment!

The Bridal Dais. Lovely, a slight touch of Garden Wedding concept, indoors.

Yes yes the food was simply delicious. Typical wedding food but the specialty was of course the Perakian traditional dish, the super , difficult to make Rendang Tok. I love it love love it! =)

Then we visited my Opah (my grandmother on my father's side) at Pengkalan Pegoh, a village in Ipoh as well. Before that check out some of the places we dropped by or at least freeze them in our camera.

A clock tower. In Ipoh everything must be old-school looking as always. That was one of the reasons the late film director, Allahyarham Yasmin Ahmad always chose Ipoh as one of the shooting locations. Ipoh is one sleepy, a bit back-dated but lovely lovely town.

A distant photo of the Ipoh Town Hall.

Masjid India Muslim Ipoh (Ipoh Indian Muslim Mosque).

And of course, the Ipoh Tree which originated the name of this  town.

If you wish to read more about the relation of the name of this town with the tree, please click the photo above for a larger image.

Of course, if you are standing in front of the Town Hall, you would not miss another colonial design building opposite the Town Hall, the Keretapi Tanah Melayu station, the railway station of course. How cool it is to be riding a train but yup I never had the chance or taken enough initiative yet.

One of Deena's gedik monkey poses.

Opocot! Terpelecok sudah! Thee Hee!

There's a hotel there you all, Hotel Setesen.

Ok this time Nana was really annoyed under the scorching heat of the sun and still had to take another pic for you lovely readers. =D