Lowering Cholesterol level

4 months ago when I went for my yearly blood test at the Clinic, I was shocked to learn that my cholesterol level was high, bordering danger. She wanted to put me on medication but I declined and promised that I would work hard to lower it naturally. She gave me 4-6 months to go back to normal reading ie. below 5. I did my research through internet and found a bunch of information on how to lower cholesterol level. I also learned that prescribed cholesterol medication has side effect such as decline in memory power. My memory is already not good and I didn't want to make it worse. So Cholesterol medication is out for me.
Today, I got my second blood test result and I was elated that it has gone down below 5. That was a big sigh of relief. This is what I do.

1. I take Kordel's Oat 35 twice a day mixed in fruit juice.
2. Ika bought me regular Organic rolled oats. My breakfast is a bowl of rolled oat mixed with hot Milo with Analin milk for calcium. To make it taste better, I add some raisins and some wolf-berry (for my eyes).
3. I eat eggplant/ brinjal regularly. I usually steam them with chicken or with salmon which I marinate in salt and pepper. I add a bit of olive oil and some sambal for taste. It's yummy!!!

 My steam chicken and brinjal in sambal cooked with olive oil.

4. Once in awhile, if I remember, I take a teaspoon of habatulsauda or blackseed oil at night.
5. I take a 45 minutes brisk walk about twice a week or whenever I can. I don't exercise regularly because of time constraint. But I exercise whenever I have the opportunity.
So, if you suffer from high cholesterol, you can help yourself and avoid taking prescribed drug which is not good for your body.
The above steps work for me. I hope it work for you too.

Similar but different - Lombok

At Scenic Bukit Malimbu, Senggigi

Lombok is developing into a tourist attraction next to Bali. Whereas the majoriy of Bali population is Hindu, Lombok is mostly Muslims. It boasts of pristine beaches, green landscapes, and intriguing culture. Visiting Lombok on 6-9 Dec2013, gave meaning to my Nusantara history lessons of yesteryear. The Hindu Kingdom of Majapahit and the role of Mataram in the spread of Islam vaguely surfaced in my memory. It gave meaning to what I've learned. The role of Patih Gajah Mada in the Malay Annal (Sejarah Melayu) and in the legend of Hang Tuah connected me to the place. Unfortunately there was no historical mark of Majapahit Kingdom except some familiar names.

At Sasak Traditional Village buying hand woven sarung from a Sasak lady.081213

Lombok indigenous people is called the Sasak. Though their religion is Islam, many have wavered and established their own sect like the Wetu Tiga. They pray 3 times a day, not the mandatory 5 times a day as required by Islam. Many of them are staunch Muslims but some mixed Islam with animism and Hinduism and practice mystical magic which is forbidden by Islam. Marriage is by 'curi' system, that is, a boy steals the girl he fancies and takes her to his house. After much negotiation by both parents, then they are married. There are a few cases where Malaysian Malay girls were stolen or kidnapped by their Lombok boyfriends to Lombok, causing so much heart ache and worry to their parents. Some are lucky to be rescued and brought back to Malaysia by the government.
Kendi Maling is a pot pottery designed to store water to cool without refrigeration. Water is poured at the bottom hole and poured out through the snout. I found this fascinating.

Sasak tarditional house.

The Sasak Traditional Village is an attraction by itself. The people maintain their traditional way of life strictly and intermarry among them. Their houses are made of bamboo with woven alang-alang grass (elephant grass) as their roof. The floor is made from mixture of cow-dung, clay and padi husk which keep the house cool. The women are involved in weaving. The men work in padi fields.

Group photo at Kuta beach, Lombok.

Lombok is an interesting place to be.

My Little Sumo Wrestler

Fantastic burning sky at PD 241113

Gorgeous sunset at PD from my apt. 241113

24 November 2013, Izrin, Haidi, Gabe, Maz and I stayed at my apartment in PD for easy travel to Tampin the next day to settle our kebun issue. Ika and Rania had to go back to PJ as Ika and Justin got to work on Monday.

Gabe watching cat video on his tablet. 241113

Cucu nenek manja - my Gabe 241113

Gabe 241113

Gabe

That night Izrin and Haidi left Gabe to me for the first time. Gabe has been quite clingy to his parents and leaving him will result in non-stop wailing. Gabe is so different from Rania. He is a BOY!! He is so independent and doesn't like to be cuddled or held too much. I always have to sneak behind him to steal a kiss or two. He is not really close to me or to Maz or Ika. So his parents were quite apprehensive leaving him for an hour or so to me and Maz for fear he would cry non-stop as he usually did.

My little Sumo wrestler 241113

But surprise, surprise, Gabe was such a happy little boy with not even a squeak for his parents. He was happy rolling on the sofa or watching a cat video on his tablet. This little angel is so adorable especially when he laughs or smiles then his dimples on both cheeks deepen. When he is in diaper and shirtless, his tough body looks so cute and chubby and resembles a mini Sumo wrestler.
Maz was good with Gabe, playing and entertaining him and Gabe loved the attention.

Rania proudly shows off her favourite Ariel the Mermaid dress bought by Nenek. 281113

Rania and Elephant Sanctuary

"Is today Thursday, Nenek?" That was the question Rania was asking everyday since we told  her that we were going to take her to the Elephant Sanctuary in Kuala Gandah on Thursday 21 November 2013. She was excited and eagerly climbed into Mak Yang's car, chattering with her endless questions.

Feeding the elephant with Rania looking on.

Rania singing a Mandarin song to the elephant

Rania enjoying bathing the elephant activity

Bathing the elephant at Elephant Sanctuary. Kuala Gandah, Pahang.

The elephants show 

Maz feeding the elephant 

It took more than 2 hours to reach the Sanctuary. Nia was restless when we were watching a video show about elephant relocation and kept on asking where the elephants were. At the elephant enclosure, she was in awe looking at them. We coaxed her to feed them but she refused, preferring to watch, no matter how much Maz and I encouraged her to. Finally, Maz suggested that she sing to the elephants in her Mandarin song 'Taa Siang...' Swaying her body and gesturing with her hands she sang as loudly as she could and we were so tickled to see that one elephant responded by swaying his body too. No, she didn't want to hold out the peanut or sugar cane to the elephant, instead she just watched them wide eyed.
Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary has undergone some changes. There are still construction and renovation going on. Entry is still free, a fact that boggles my mind, knowing that to upkeep the sanctuary costs money. I don't know why the Pahang government is practicing unplaced generosity when this place can generate some income to finance it.
The elephant ride was scrap off which I am glad they do, feeding the elephant is at arm length blocked by barriers for safety reason and bathing with the elephant was not included in the activity anymore. Elephant activities are opened at 2.30pm and the sanctuary closes at 4.30 pm. I still remember a few years back when Najidah and I visited the sanctuary we were able to have up close and personal contact with 2 baby elephants at that time, Bong and Siput. Both have grown into mature elephants and I couldn't recognize them anymore.

Rania enjoying the deer at Deerland, Kuala Gandah 

Admiring the little hedgehog 

Rania in awe at the deer with horn. 

Rania and the ferret with the help of a Deerland staff. 

Rania and the rabbit 

The python looking at Rania. 

On the way back we stopped at Deerland for Rania. Entry there is RM6.00 for adult and RM3.00 for children. Feeding the deer also was done behind the barrier. Some time back adults were allowed to go into the enclosure to feed the deer which I found so thrilling. Again Rania refused to feed the deer but was fascinated watching, laughing and smiling all the time. At the small animals section she touched the hedgehog, a rabbit, a ferret and almost touched the python.
It was an exciting day for this three and a half year old delightful little girl. An outing with her is always invigorating. She is so curious and so happy. I plan to take her to see the silverleaf monkeys one of these days. I hope she will grow up loving animals and nature.
  

Cheat Airline?

My bag was packed. I was supposed to leave for Guilin on the morning of 14 November with 6 other people whom I have not met. The trip was arranged by Izan of Dhia Holidays and Travel. On 13 November, Izan called to meet me. I promised to pay for my Lombok trip on 6 December 2013, so we met up at Giant, Kelana Jaya for lunch. There, Izan dropped a bomb that the trip to Guilin the next day was cancelled. I was downright shocked and disappointed. She owed me an explanation.
The 6 people from Kajang in this group, bought their own Air Asia tickets during Matta Fair and requested Izan to arrange for this trip. I joined in as a solo member.  Izan bought a regular ticket for me. When she checked to get our boarding passes, only my boarding pass was OK. The names of the other 6 people did not appear, strangely, only their return flight was confirmed. So there was quite a hassle for the six to get their flight right but Air Asia was not easy to get in touch with. There was no alternative but to cancel the whole trip at the last minute.
Lesson learned - never trust Air Asia, cheap tickets or not. Heaven knows when the other 6 people would get back their money or they might lose all. I never trust Air Asia as I think they are just pulling wool over customers' eyes luring them with cheap fare but piling all kinds of charges which would finally cost almost as much as other regular airlines. As I have said, I dislike traveling with Air Asia and would avoid doing so, not minding paying a bit more flying by MAS or by other regular airlines. So don't be fooled by such cheap offers, at the end of it when you do a bit of calculation, you don't really fly cheap. I travel by Air Asia only if I have no choice, like traveling in group tours to certain destinations.
My friends complained that Tune Hotels also enticed customers with their advertisement of low rate. They booked the hotel online with RM90 rate but ended up paying almost RM180 with all kind of additional charges like blanket, soap etc, etc which would be provided by regular hotel for free. They swear never to get hooked again by the low-class advertisement. So, be aware of this kind of cheat that fattens the wallet of the owners.
I'll go to Guilin in December so that I don't lose on the ticket.

  

Thank you for the wonderful gift

The cover of Najidah's compilation of my old photos.

The birthday card

Left: At Kelana Jaya Tabung Haji before I left for my second Haj, 2009. Right: at Tg. Piai, Johor.

Left: at Gua Charas on the way to Sg. Lembing. Right: at Sg. Lembing Museum.

Above are some of the photos in the compilation. Thank you Najidah for painstakingly compiling them. I really appreciate your effort compiling old photos of me with you since Unimas time. You did it beautifully and it's the best 70th birthday present for me. Thank you also to all my ex-students who sent birthday wishes through Najidah's FB  which she pasted in the compilation. Fatihah, Syimaf, Fauziana, Lydia, Siti Fatmawati, Aina Razlin, Atiqah, Zuhardi, Lisa, Noorhayati, Ira Fazeera, and former colleague, Sabasiah, Thank you a million time for your good wishes and kind words to me. May Allah bless you all.

Najidah's message

Birthday mug from Najidah

I can sensed that Najidah compiled it with much affecxtion and caring, selecting photos and presenting it attractively. Your message, Najidah, in the compilation touched my heart deeply. Thank you, love, for devoting your time doing this for me. My doa is always with you for your success in your professional and personal life. This compilation is going to go into Arkib Negara in my file for younger generation to see.
Hei, it's fun to be 70!!!!!!!!!!

Glorious 70

Rania in our house garden, ready to go to celebrate Nenek's birthday. Saturday 021113

My 70th birthday cake from the children.

Rania and Gabe were helping to blow my birthday candles. 021113

I didn't feel 70 at all!!! My birthday fell on 1 November but the children were able to get together only the next day. Unfortunately Justin was not able to join us as he was in Singapore for work.Postponing to Sunday 3rd wasn't practical either as Izrin and family was leaving for Krabi for holidays. So sorry Justin, we had birthday lunch in Bangsar without you.

My family celebrating my birthday at Bangsar, a day later. Justin was in Singapore for work.

With son Izrin and grandchildren Rania and Gabe. 021113

Gabe seriously attempting to eat spaghetti by himself. 021113

Rania enjoying her spaghetti.

Mutual Admiration Club - cousins Rania and Gabe. 021113

With Gabe at Bangsar celebrating my birthday. 021113

Alhamdullillah and syukur to Allah for giving me life with good health though advanced glaucoma is with me. I am dealing with it as best as I could. May Allah bless my children, son and daughter-in-law and my grandchildren. I am proud and happy that I have good children, caring son and daughter-in-law and adorable grandchildren. Thank you Haidi and Izrin for the birthday dress you gave me. You made sure I am up-to-date with fashion. I love it.
Maz just came back from Turkey and Jordan bringing with her things that would bring comfort to my life. Thank you Maz and thank you Ika and Justin for being there for me.
I have a full happy life with people I care around me.
Thank you also to ex-students, friends and Bang Ifin for your good wishes. May Allah bless you all. 

Kunming

This last few months of the year, I have decided to see more of China whenever possible. Unfortunately the weather did not favor me. Going to Kunming, China in October was not a good idea as it rained most days. The Stone Forest was the main attraction there and the group went there on 23 October 2013. It was cold at 10 degrees Celsius and the rain made it worse. Internet weather forecast has already warned this.

At  Stone Forest of Kunming. 231013

Amazing limestone formation at Stone Forest of Kunming. 231013

The limestone at the Stone Forest is amazing. But before going into the Stone Forest park proper, we were treated with beautiful landscape garden, lake and limestone formations that created curiosity and excitement in our minds. Though raining, the park was packed with tourists.
Our trip from 21-25 October 2013, included a tour of Shadian where there is a large Muslim community there.

Big Mosque of Shadian. 241013

Big Mosque of Shadian is a large mosque in China, constructed depicting Medina Nabawi Mosque. Indeed it's a beautiful mosque with beautiful garden but it is not on the tourist map, which is a pity. The tour agency, Alia Tours and Travel, has arranged for us to visit the Kunming Islamic Institute where they offered a 4 year degree course in Islamic Studies. We were received cordially and had a short meeting with faculty members and toured their facilities.The Institute is financed by the Association of Kunming Muslims and a bit comes from the government.

Awesome Nuler Kindergarten in Shadian. 241013

Adorable well-disciplined 3 year olds in class learning Mukaddam. 241013

The most impressive visit in Shadian was at Nuler Kindergarten which is founded by Hj. Yusof Mu who funded the kindergarten by his own money amounting to RMB 15 Millions. The kindergarten is really beautiful with first class facilities for the kids ages 3- 7 years. Hj. Yusof believes that Islamic education should be taught from young and so Nuler Kindergarten was born. Looking at the 3 year olds in class  made me miss Rania so much. I can't imagine having Rania taken away to stay in a hostel but this is what happened to the kids. They come from poor families in China. The Kindergarten gives them a place and basic education. They go back to their parents for 2 months each year. I adore the chubby rosy cheeks of the 3 year olds!!  
Visit zuraidaharahman.travellerspoint.com

Aidil Adha 2013

Like the previous years, my Aidil Fitri and Aidil Adha celebrations were very quiet ones, spending times with my immediate small family members. So there is no different with Aidil Adha this year - very quiet. Maz cooked some food and Ika cooked meehoon goreng and we had our breakfast together after Maz and I came back from prayer. My children are not very sociable people, especially Ika. Since her marriage, I have never seen her entertaining or having friends at home. Visiting relatives could be a big resistance. I just hope Rania would be more willing to get to know her friends and relatives and be reasonably sociable. Since Ika works in the evening today, she spends her time at home with Rania and Justin. Izrin, Haidi and Gabe didn't come.
I went to the mosque late morning to help cutting Qurban meat to be distributed to the poor. I saw a lot of Indonesians and Bangladeshis collecting the meat but they helped in cutting and portioning the meat as well.

The family Qurban for Adha at Kratie Village, 4 hrs away from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 151013

Familu Qurban in Cambodia

The Kratie villagers cutting the meat for distribution for Adha. 151013

Alhamdullillah, our family Qurban benefited the villagers in Kratie Village, Cambodia.

For my family, Maz has arranged for all of us to do our Qurban in Phnom Penh, Cambodia through her friend, Ses Mohamad, a Cambodian member of Parliament we met during our last visit. Cambodia has many more really poor Muslim people over there.

My small immediate family members celebrating Maz's birthday on 12 Oct 2013.

Maz with her adorable niece, Rania and handsome nephew, Gabe. 12 Oct 2013.

Since I requested for family meeting on Saturday 12 October, we decided to celebrate Maz's  birthday on the same day. Hers is on 13 October. Allahyarham my father's birthday was on 10 Oct. The meeting is about my land in Tampin which I neglected and the income was harvested by the Chinese caretaker for 30 years. It's high time my children take responsibility. We decided to proceed with our first step in November. Hopefully things will get better and we get a good lawyer.
It's sad to think that I am a land owner but was cheated by people without mercy. The fault lies with me too for being so trusting and complacent. My dream was shattered and I hope my children will help to rebuild it.