Announcement: We have a Winner!

Remember this?

Nak tergelak saya everytime tengok gambar ni. Serious masa ni, dah lah kita empat orang kat belakang, dengan saya mak gajah lagilah kan. Tetiba Sis Pearl pun nyelit ikut sama, hah hamek kau. Sardine pun boleh sembah mengadap you knowwww.

Masa ni actually baru abis buka puasa with geng-geng Msjbox kat JB.. Cik Akak molek kita ni parking adalah jauh, dalam 1km suku gitu kot. Kita pulak parking betul-betul depan kedai makan tu, [kira baekkkk punyaaaa] jadi kesiannnnn diaaa kena menapak jauh kan... Jadilah gini. Hehehehe.

Setelah bertungkus lumus Team Vogue U berdebat [aksi tarik-tarik rambut tidak sempat dirakam] nak memilih siapakah captionist [ade ke word ni?] yang paling layakkkk untuk menerima sebatang pokok daun sirih ialahhhhhhhh..... *drum rolls*

KaNdRyXx!

His Best Caption is:

(TiAda DaLam GaMbaR : SeBeNarNya aDa MaKhLuK LaiN YanG daH MeRaSa TaPaK KaKi PeArL GaRa-GaRa Nak oVeRsHaDoW Dia AmEk GaMbaR MaSa MajLiS BeRbUka PuAsA KaT LC CaTeRiNg. )"OoHhH... Nak SaNgaT oVeRsHadoW aKu TaDi KaNn? TaPaK KaSuT pLaTfOrM aKu Ko TakNak RaSa SeKaLi? DePan OraNg RaMai TaDi MeManGLaH akU CoVeR CuN & MainTaiN KaWaii TaPi SeKaRanG kat DaLam KeReTa aDa akU KiSah? RaSaiN!!! "

[Nasib baik lah computer ni ada copy & paste function. T_T]

Congrats to the Winner!!! We will be contacting you soon nak mintak duit raya! Eh I mean to tell you about your prize. [Bukan pokok dahhh.. Haha. Cuak ke? :p] Also,

Thank you so much to those who participated!! Lain kali kita contest-contest lagi eh. Lepas ni kasi yang 'chim' punya sikit. Huahuahua.

On behalf of Vogue U, we would also like to extend our thanks to Sis Rasp for this lovely Syawal Greeting! Our very first! Oh chentaaaaaaa kad rayaaaa! Harus kita letak kat Vogue U's Wall Of Vogue! Hehe.

Maceh toceh! :)


PS: Title entry ni macam those spam e-mail kan? Wahahaha. Poyo betul.

Salam Aidilfitri!

Vogue U Keep-Me-Caption-That Contest!

Sticky Post! Scroll down for new updates!
[Contest ends: 20.09.2009]

Rules: You are to give your most creative caption [no limits, send in as many comments!] for the above shown photo! Contest is open to EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE including the Vogue U ladies. [Except for the lady yang dalam gambar ni lah kan.] HAHA! The best caption will stand a chance to win a special prize sponsored by yours truly, Vogue U!

Please leave your email address along with your caption comments so it's easier for us to contact you. :)

Happy Caption-ing!

Time out with Shopper Mama's Special Guest - My Raya Blues!

Hi! It is me again! This time I was asked to share my Raya experience – both before and after marriage, since my wife, Shopaholic Mama, is busy with her sale entry!

Before Marriage

As my parents have passed away, we have very few visitors. Raya is basically a two-day affair. During the first day, the whole family will visit our uncles and aunties. The second day will be spent at my brothers and/or sisters houses. Occasionally we got relatives, friends and neighbors visiting and we will reciprocate those visits. As years go by, we have less uncles and aunties to visit.

After Marriage

I was warned that Raya is actually a full one-month celebration and be prepared for some surprises along the way. So here I am sharing with you my experience.

• Raya@in-laws starts after Solat Adilfitri followed by makan berdamai. The children are then required to queue to receive their “collections” as seen in the photo below. Then it is time for photo sessions. This session will take more than 2 hours with individual family portraits, group, male siblings, female siblings, male cousins, female cousins and maids.  Sometime you feel like a movie star from SINGAWOOD.
  
  
  
  

• Before leaving the house, I was given a timetable containing the list of about 20 houses to visit the next day. This is about twice the number of houses that I normally visit during the entire Raya before marriage! The list includes addresses, arrival/departure time and passengers in the car - yes I am required to drive the whole day.

• On the 2^nd day, at about 9am, we are already at the first house. 30 minutes later, one of the in-laws will start singing a jingle. Initially I thought that they are in Raya mood but singing the wrong jingle. Later I was told that the jingle was actually a coded message that it is time to leave. What an idea!  Soon I began to master the jingle as each of us will take turns to sing it once we deem it fit to leave.

• During this journey, we normally cover more than 100km in one day. Before proceeding to some of the houses, they will call the owners in advance. This is due to the fact that we normally move in convoy of 6 cars with about 35 people. The call is to prevent the owners from getting heart attack when they see the troop.

• Just for your info, the driver of the vehicle is responsible for all the passengers even outside the car, military-styled. In the event of an MIA (missing-in-action) due to too much talking with house owners, stomach problem due to too much food/drink or going to the wrong car etc., driver will be held responsible.

• During the calls, besides informing in advance, the caller will also be given the breakdown between adults and children. I learned later that this is to indirectly tell the owners how many “angpows” to prepare! Brilliant idea!

• At some houses the leader will accept the “angpows” on behalf of the children. This happens when the owners panicked when seeing so many children. And actual distribution will be carried out immediately at the lift lobby to prevent miscalculations. Leader has to make good any shortages.

• At times during the visits, owners may be occupied with other guests. While waiting, I noticed that the female siblings, my wife included, would start a mini conference of their own. They talked as it they have not met for ten years. At times, these conferences are livelier and more colorful than the Malaysian Parliament.

• As you may imagine, at times the plan may go wrong. Owners may be occupied and some insist that we wait while they cook etc. Here the leader will activate Plan B in order to save some time. For the less important houses, it will be touch-n-go sessions – sit, drink, jingle, collection and salaam.

• The entire journey normally ends at midnight. The children will be tired and those still awake will start comparing their collections!

• The visiting will continue every weekend without fail. Either it is open house or normal visits, it seems that they have relatives in almost every estates & corners in Singapore. And at times, we will still continue with the visiting even after Syawal so as to complete the eco-system.

• One fine year, I was required to work in Europe for two weeks during Raya period. I arrived during a cold winter Germany alone and wondering how my family will survive when their driver/commander is not available. Whilst alone for that two weeks in a cold winter, I realized that I missed the fun and Raya blues set in.

That’s it – Here's Wishing you Selamat Hari Raya from our family

Vogue-U Potion - My Journey

Rabbisy rahli sadri wa yassirli amri wahlul ‘uqdatan min lisani yafqahu qauli.

“Ya Allah! Lapangkanlah dadaku, mudahkanlah pekerjaanku (urusanku) dan lancarkanlah lidahku agar mereka faham pembicaraanku.”

Pada 10 hari terakhir Ramadhan yg barakah ini, pilu dan sedih rasanya utk meninggalkan bulan yg penuh bermakna ini. Mak Pah rasa bersyukur sangat kehadirat Illahi yg memberi kita kenikmatan hidup dimuka bumi ini. Dan Mak Pah telah byk melalui berbagai unak dan ranjau sepanjang hidup hinggalah kehari ini dan sgt berterima-kasih kpd Allah SWT kerana telah memberi petunjuk dgn mengenalkan orang2 yg alim ulamak serta teman2 dan saudara-mara yg menjadi tulang belakang dlm segala urusan…. Alhamdulillah. Amin.

Mak Pah dilahir tahun 60an, dan waktu itu mmg lumrah kehidupan serba serbi dlm kekurangan. Hanya bapa saja yg berkerja menyara keluarga. Emak Mak Pah pulak berniaga minuman dan kuih epok2 disebuah gerai diWisma Indonesia - Orchard Rd (sekarang berdirinya Wisma Atria). Sekali2 bapak bawa Mak Pah, waktu tu umur dlm 4 atau 5 tahun gitu kegerai. Adik2 Mak Pah, bila dah besar sedikit (dlm peringkat sekolah rendah gitu) baru lah bapa izinkan emak kami bawa kegerai.

Waktu itu kami tinggal dikuaters Telecoms dan nenek (ibu kpd emak Mak Pah) yg bertanggung-jawab membela dan mendidik kami 3 beradik (waktu tu adik yg bongsu belum dilahirkan lagi). Nenek kami yg akan memastikan kami pergi mengaji dan belajar ugama dgn ustaz yg akan kerumah jiran kami hampir setiap hari. Kami 3 beradik mmg rapat dan kemana saja kita pergi slalunya bertiga. Hinggalah adik bongsu kami lahir dlm tahun 70an dan Mak Pah plak bertanggung-jawab menolong nenek menjaga adik. Dan nenek kami plak sgt garang orangnya. Kalau masuk waktu solat, dia kdg2 akan rotan kita kalau leka sebab nak bermain jer. Waktu solat Subuh semua liat nak bangun, dan nenek akan renjis air kat muka kami hingga kami bentak2 dan sentap kat nenek. Ya Allah, kau cucurilah Rahmat keatas roh Arwah nenekku, Aishah Bte Ibrahim, supaya ditempatkan bersama orang2 yg beriman...Amin.

Bila Mak Pah dan keluarga pindah kerumah nenek pada lewat 70an, lagilah nenek bertambah garang dgn kami sbb masjid dekat dgn rumah. Adik2 Mak Pah yg lelaki dipaksa solat dimasjid, sementara Mak Pah solat dirumah (maklum ler dulu2 masjid takde ruang solat buat kaum muslimah). Dan lumrah lah adik2 lelaki Mak Pah, kdg2 seronok bermain hingga tak pergi solat. Lalu ustaz ngaji, Arwah Pok Teh Karim akan beritau nenek dan teruklah adik2 Mak Pah kena belasah oleh nenek, emak atau bapa. Semoga Allah mencucuri Rahmatnya keatas Arwah Pok Teh Karim, dan menempatkannya disamping orang2 beriman....Amin.

Bila dah masuk sekolah menengah, Mak Pah belajar ugama dgn arwah datuk sedara, Arwah Tok Mahmud, dirumahnya diMarine Parade. Sebenarnya dgn secara tak sengaja sbb Mak Pah dipelawa oleh teman sekolah kerana bapanya adalah anak murid Arwah Tok Mahmud. Tok Mahmud ni seorang ustaz yg garang. Tak kira kita murid baru atau murid lama, dia akan uji tahap pengajian ugama kita. Macam2 soalan akan diajukan pada kita. Dahtu dia suruh kita bawak buku dan pen. Dia akan ajar kita dari mula dalam bab Fardhu ‘Ain. Bermula dari Feqeh dan bertahap-tahap hingga keTasauf dan Tauhid. Mula2 skali Mak Pah ingat yg diajarnya ialah Bab Bersuci (Istinjak) dan dia akan pesan "Mcm mana korang yg solat dgn betul jika istinjaknya tak betul, haha!!!!" Dan yg tak manjanya, apa yg diajarnya minggu ini, dia akan soal semula diminggu hadapan tapi tutup buku/kitab. Kalau tak dpt jawab, dia akan marah, “Ko nak aku rotan korang, nanti bila diakhirat, kena soal, ko ingat ko boleh bawak kitab ni dan buku tulisan ko ni. Bukan korang ajer kena soal tau, aku ustaz korang pun akan disoal. Ko duduk ujung tu gi hafal, lepas tu dtg sini semula, aku nak tau ko faham ke tidak!!!!” Ada yg sampai lari masuk bilik air, nangis dlm bilik air. Bertahun Mak Pah belajar dari Arwah Tok Mahmud, hinggakan dah mula bekerja pun Mak Pah masih menuntut dgn dia. Tapi Allah lebih menyanyanginya dan Arwah meninggalkan kami diusianya lewat 80an. Tapi satu pesan Arwah yg Mak Pah tak lupa.... “Kita jgn lokek ilmu, apa yg ada, kita sebarkan, semoga orang lain dpt menafaatnya, dan jika diamalkan, kita dpt ganjaran pahala...InsyaAllah... Amin”. Dan semoga Allah juga mencucuri Rahmat keatas roh Arwah Tok Mahmud.... dan ditempatkan bersama orang2 yg beriman...Amin.

Dlm tahun 80an, Mak Pah ada jugak pergi belajar ugama dgn Kiai Kassim (bapa kpd Ustaz Fahru Radzi). Disana Mak Pah byk pelajari ttg Iman dan berbagai-bagai ttg Hati (nasihatnya supaya kita hindarkan buruk sangka, berdengki, irihati dan byk amalkan berzikir). Kami akan kerumahnya didaerah Sixth Ave – Bt Timah sebelum maghrib. Selesai solat maghrib berjemaah, kita slalunya akan akhiri doa dgn membaca Saidatul Istighfar (sgt menusuk kalbu dan slalu membuat Mak Pah menangis). Kami akan belajar hingga waktu Isyak. Lepas solat berjemaah Isyak bersama Kiai kami bersurai dan kaum muslimin pula akan mula masuk dan mereka pula akan solat Isyak diimamkan oleh salah seorang murid Kiai dan mereka akan mula pengajian selepas solat Isyak.

Setelah kebanyakkan masjid2 ada kuliah dan syarahan ugama oleh ustaz dan ustazah, Mak Pah pun menumpukan kuliah ugama kpd masjid2 bersama keluarga dan teman2. Tapi waktu itu tak byk ustaz dan ustazah yg berijazah seperti sekarang. Semuanya belajar dari guru2 ugama yg pernah menuntut diArab atau pun dari sekolah2 ugama diMalaysia dan S’pura. Waktu itu juga S’pura tak byk sekolah ugama seperti sekarang yg dipanggil madrasah. Arwah bapa Mak Pah akan membawa kita semua menuntut ilmu dimasjid2. Antaranya Masjid Aminah (klu anda masih ingat diGeylang) bersama Ustazah Habsah Senin. Bila Masjid Aminah dirobohkan kami beralih kemasjid baru didaerah Geylang iaitu Masjid Darul Aman untuk menyambung belajar bersama Ustazah Habsah Senin. Dimasjid Darul Aman juga kami belajar dari Arwah Ustaz Ahmad Abdillah hinggalah bapa Mak Pah menghembuskan nafasnya yg terakhir dilewat tahun 80an. Semoga Allah mencucuri Rahmat keatas rohnya dan meletakkannya disamping orang2 yg beriman....Amin.

Setelah itu Mak Pah teruskan menuntut ilmu dimasjid2 berdekatan dgn rumah seperti Masjid Al Mukminin, Masjid Ar Raudhah, Masjid Hasanah dibawah tunjuk ajar Ustaz T.M. Fowzi, Ustaz Fahru Radzi, Ustazah Kamariah dan byk lagi. Satu lagi pesan Arwah Tok Mahmud yg Mak Pah ingat sampai skrang... “Tuntutlah ilmu hingga keliang lahad!!!”

Teman2 sekalian… sebak dan pilu bila mengenangkan ilmu2 yg diturunkan demi Islam oleh Ustaz dan Ustazah. Terutama dizaman 80an, walaupun mereka tidak dikenali atau berijazah dari universiti Al Azhar, tapi sifat tegas dan dedikasi mereka sgt dihargai dan tak dpt diganti dgn harta yg beribu ataupun berjuta. Sampai skrang pun Mak Pah hanya dpt memanjatkan doa kpd mereka yg telah pergi meninggalkan kita buat selama-lamanya. Dan melalui perjalanan hidup ini, byk telah kita pelajari, yg baik dijadikan pedoman dan yg tak elok dijadikan sempadan.

Mak Pah mendoakan semoga Allah memberi hikmah dan hidayah kpd kita semua utk terus bersujud kpdNya dan tawakkal menempuh segala ranjau kehidupan ini. InsyaAllah….Amin.

Salam Sayang semuanya dan Mak Pah mengambil kesempatan ini jugak menyusun sepuluh jari memohon maaf zahir dan batin dan Selamat Menyambut Syawal yg bakal menjelang pada hujung minggu ini.

Sekian Wassalam dari Mak Pah……

FASTING MENU WITH MAMA MORALLE....BEE HOON SOUP

Hi there, hi there, alhamdulillah diam tak diam dah masuk hari yg ke 21 kiter berpuasa, hopefully semua mendapat hikmah dah hidayah di bulan yg mulia ni. And also, diam tak diam lagi beberaper hari jer lagi kiter akan menyambut syawal yg mulia...........untuk semua selamat berpuasa dan selamat menyambut syawal yg akan menjelang.

Menu for today is Bee Hoon Soup, simple n nice to eat during warmth weather, simply refreshing.

Ingredients very simple, mama main campak-campak jer :

You need of course, meat, prawns, fishball or fishcake, vege (choy sum is nice) and Bee hoon to boil in hot water or pre-soaked to soften but it will take longer time. For the blended ingredients, u need onions n garlics. Oh ya tak lupa also white pepper.

U just hv to fry the blended ingredients, throw in yr meat first, than pour in water abt almost half of yr pot, wait for it to boil, than put in the rest of the ingredients, perasa + pepper. Lastly masukkan yr vege.

Simple right, so when its ready to eat, simply hidangkan yr bee hoon in a bowl than pour in the soup. And dont forget to eat with Chili jeruk ok..........pembuka selera tu :):)

************************************

Additional recipe for syawal, to those who wants to bake yr own cookies this yr, u can try this...

CHOCOLATE CHIP AND CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD(makes around 24 cookies - depending on the size)

140g plain flour, sifted

2 tbsp cornflour

55g caster sugar

115g butter, diced

90g chocolate chips

40g dried cranberries (optional)

1. preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius. sift the flour and cornflour into a bowl, add the sugar and stir to combine. using your fingers, rub the butter into the mixture. add the chocolate chips and dried cranberries and stir well.

2. shape into balls (refrigerate for a while if dough is too soft) and arrange on ungreased cookie trays. bake for 10 minutes or until sides of cookies are brown. allow cookies to stand on tray for a couple of minutes before cooling on a wire rack.

the beautiful thing about this recipe is that you can practically add anything - M&Ms, orange/lemon zest, diced dried apricots, chopped dark chocolate… the resulting cookie is really crisp and buttery.

(HAPPY TRYING, AND HV A GREAT WEEKENDS TO ALL)

La Dolce Vita : Flash Card baby

Learning starts from young and there isn't really a correct or wrong way of teaching your child. Most will say that learning through play is the best way and not rote learning like through flashcards. But there's always two sides to a coins right? Think a good balance of both will be good.

I mean like look at this boy in the video and tell me that's not a good thing.

How to use flashcards:

1) you can buy or make your own flashcards with only words or with images behind. Try and get real images and not a drawing of an object.

2) Arrange your flashcards in a pile.

3) Position your baby a few feet away, facing you.

4) Show words to baby while moving the flashcards from behind to front.

5) Read out the word to your baby when the card totally covers the one which was in front.

6) Do so as fast as you can and make sure each word is pronounced clearly with just a brief pause in between words.

Key is to do this everyday and make it as enjoyable as possible. Your tone of voice is also important and you must display a positive demeanor. Senang cakap, must be full of semangat.

I found a source of free downloads so you can print out your own cards. Prints must be in colour. Good luck!

http://www.brillbaby.com/baby-downloads/flash-card-printout.php

Time out with Shopper Mama's Special Guest: A Man-to-Man Talk

Today, my wife, the Shopaholic Mama, has asked me to fill in for her instead. I have been given a free rein to just write about anything, except on gossipy stuff, which I feel she does an excellent job in that.

So after thinking long and hard on the topic (blogging is not easy, I realized!), I thought I should probably give a Man-to-Man talk on –

HOW TO HANDLE A SHOPAHOLIC

(if you are 'lucky' enough to be married to one, just like me!)

Realistically, there is NO way we men can handle ONE! Impossible really, if you ask me! As the saying goes, 'If you can't beat them, join them.' Right??

Not the case for me thou. In fact, accept her obsession & live with it! According to my son's favorite vocab, its 'NC' or no choice, but for me, as the Hokkiens say, it is 'Bo Pian'!

So instead, I will tell you my Survival Kit, a must-have while my wife shops -

1. MINERAL WATER - 2 may never enough, depending on how many levels the mall has (imagine Tampines Mall which has 6 levels!). Also make sure you know where the toilets are, especially after guzzling bottles of water.

2. Newspapers, books & magazines - If you know that it is going to be a BIG MEGA SALES - which they have almost every week anyway, refrain from reading two days of newspapers and keep it for that fated shopping trip to fill your time.

3. Phone & PDA - I can do so much work with them in hand! Latest in my wish list will be a netbook - considering new malls both locally and across the causeway are getting bigger and equip with WiFi...

4. Last but not least, look for the perfect spot in the mall - the higher the spot, the better - as there will less human traffic. Also, you do not want to be seen by your colleagues and friends in the malls looking miserable...

If all of the above are successfully completed and she is still not back yet (which happens often actually), continue to accept the reality of your fate – start playing games found in your phone. You may never know, you may fare better than your children and keep the score to show-off ..

Don't be surprise, it may be considerably quite a long wait until she decides to make an appearance again!

A motto to remember, doesn't apply to me but to her –

When the going gets tough, the tough goes Shopping!

Sincerely,

FM ???

I found out she addressed me as 'FM' or 'Finance Minister' in her blog (by the way, I do not read her blog, been asked NOT to by her, apparently for my own good health!) I wish to object thou, I think 'SM' or 'Senior Minister' is more apt as I have to drive, pay, look after the kids, carry the stuff and follow her around in most of her shopping escapades! And since I have been doing this crucial job for more than 16 years, I think I deserve a better and more senior title...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A lil' note from Shopaholic Mama – Firstly, thanks to my hubby for taking up this challenge & contribute this for Vogue-U. I do feel empathetic when I read his grievances above, but if he can take it for 16 years+, what’s another 20 years or more right :)

So, what say you? What do you think I should address him from now on?

Vogue-U Potion - Rahsia Solat

Dengan Nama Allah, maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang......

Agar wajah selalu segar, berseri-seri dan cantik, cucilah minimal 5 kali sehari dengan air wudhu. Jangan langsung dikeringkan, biarkanmenetes dan kering sendiri. Lalu ambillah sajadah, shalat, berdzikir, dan berdo'a.

Untuk menghilangkan stress, cukup dengan memperbanyakkan solat. Ketika solat, kita mengerakkan seluruh tubuh. Lalu berkonsultasilah pada Allah SWT dengan dzikir dan do'a.

Untuk pelembab, agar awet muda, gunakanlah senyuman. Tidak hanya dibibir tapi juga di hati. Jangan lupa bisikkan 'kata kunci', 'Allahuma Kamma Hassanta Khalqii Fahassin Khuluqii' (Ya Allah sebagaimana engkau telah memperindah kejadianku, maka perindah pula ahlaqku). (HR Ahmad). - DOA TENGOK CERMIN

Untuk punya bibir cantik, bisikkan kalimat-kalimat Allah, tidak berbohong atau menyakiti hati orang lain, tidak menyombongkan diri atau takabur.

Agar tubuh langsing, mulus, diet yang teratur dengan berpuasa seminggu 2 kali, Isnin dan Khamis. Jika kuat, lebih bagus lagi puasa Nabi Daud AS i.e... selang satu hari. Makanlah makanan halal, perbanyakkan sayuran, buah-buahan, dan air putih.

Untuk mengembangkan diri, sebarkan salam dan sapaan. Dengan demikian kita akan banyak dikenal dan disayangi.

Inilah dia rahsia as-solat, & pakaian kita semasa di dalam kubur sebagai peringatan bagi yang dah tahu atau panduan bagi yang baru tahu........

Rahsia SOLAT yang ramai tidak ketahui...... 'Senarai di bawah (Rukun Solat) adalah salah satu sebab mengapa orang Yahudi /Kafir tidak sukakan angka 13 dan juga Hari Jumaat. Itulah sebab mengapa mereka mencipta cerita yang begitu seram sekali iaitu "Friday the 13th":-

1. Niat Sembahyang : Sebenarnya memeliharakan taubat kita dari dunia dan akhirat.
2. Berdiri Betul : Fadilatnya, ketika mati dapat meluaskan tempat kita di dalam kubur.
3. Takbir-ratul Ihram : Fadilatnya, sebagai pelita yang menerangi kita didalam kubur.
4. Fatihah : Sebagai pakaian yang indah-indah di dalam kubur.
5. Ruqu' : Sebagai tikar kita di dalam kubur.
6. I'tidal : Akan memberi minuman air dari telaga al-kautsar ketika didalam kubur.
7. Sujud : Memaagar kita ketika menyeberangi titian! SIRATUL-MUSTAQIM.
8. Duduk antara 2 Sujud : Akan menaung panji-panji nabi kita didalam kubur
9. Duduk antara 2 Sujud (akhir) : Menjadi kenderaan ketika kita dipadang Mahsyar...
10. Tahhiyat Akhir : Sebagai penjawab bagi soalan yang dikemukakan oleh Munkar & Nangkir di dalam kubur..
11. Selawat Nabi : Sebagai pendinding api neraka di dalam kubur.
12. Salam : Memelihara kita di dalam kubur..
13. Tertib : Akan pertemuan kita dengan Allah S. W. T.

Dari Abdullah bin 'Amr R. A., Rasulullah S. A.W. bersabda :

'Sampaikanlah pesanku biarpun satu ayat...'

Sebaik-baik manusia itu adalah mereka yang memberi manafa'at kepada manusia lain...

Sekian Wassalam

Salam sayang dari Mak Pah.

Credit to Ann Shopper Mama for forwading the above for me to post for our reference.

Vogue-U Potion - Ablution (Taking Wuduk) helps Cure Headaches

May Allah Bless Us

PERFORMING the ablution five times a day eliminates headaches totally, a study conducted by Dr. Saeed Shibli, a professor in internal medicine, gastroenterology and hepathologyat the National Research Center in Cairo, said.

During the performance of ablution, one tends to exert some force on certain pressure points in the face.

It leads to secretion of endorphins which, in turn, stimulates! the secretion of morphine that gives one a sense of relief and well-being.

That is why whenever Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace be upon him) used to find any of his Companions anxiousor in an agitated state of mind, he used to ask him to go and perform the ablution which eventually led to calming him down and made himfeel better.

Fourteen hundred years later,this Hadith was better understood especially after it was scientifically proven.

Ablution also prevents one fromaging quickly, since it stimulates the muscles of the face thus preventingit from shrinking in size, keeps wrinkles away, leaving the face healthyand glowing with vitality.

The above is only a guide, whatever it is, taking ablution really makes us feel refresh.... don't you think so.

Wallahualam.....

Lots of luv from Mak Pah....

Vogue-U Potion - Kelebihan Surah Al-Kauthar

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful

Bismillaah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim

Innaa a'atainaakal kauthar Fasalli li rabbika wanhar Inna shaani'aka huwal abtar

(In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Truly, We have given you abundance. So turn to your Lord in prayer and sacrifice. It is those who oppose you who are in loss.)

(Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang. Sesungguhnya Kami telah memberikan kepadamu nikmat yang banyak. Maka dirikanlah solat kerana Tuhanmu; dan berkorbanlah. Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang membenci kamu dialah yang terputus.)

Surah ini paling pendek, hanya mengandungi 3 ayat dan diturunkan diMakkah dan bermaksud sungai disyurga.

Kolam sungai ini diperbuat drp batu permata nan indah dan cantik.

Rasanya lebih manis drp madu, warnanya pula lebih putih drp susu dan lebih wangi drp kasturi.

Surah ini disifatkan sbg surah penghibur hati Nabi Muhammad SAW kerana diturunkan ketika baginda bersedih atas kematian 2 orang yg dikasihi iaitu anak lelakinya Ibrahim (ada sejarah mengatakan anak baginda yg bernama Al Qasim yg meninggal dunia) dan bapa saudaranya Abu Talib.

Dikatakan pelbagai khasiat terkandung didlm surah ini dan boleh kita amalkan:-

1. Baca surah ini ketika hujan dan berdoa, mudah-mudahan Allah SWT makbulkan doa kita.
2. Jika kita kehausan dan tiada air, bacalah surah ini dah gosok dileher, InsyaAllah hilang dahaga.
3. Jika sering sakit mata, seperti berair, gatal, bengkak, sapukan air mawar yg sudah dibacakan surah ini sebanyak 10x pada mata.
4. Jika rumah dipercayai terkena sihir, baca surah ini 10x, mudah-mudahan Allah SWT bagi ilham pada kita dimana letaknya sihir itu.
5. Jika membacanya 1,000x rezeki kita akan bertambah.
6. Jika rajin membacanya, hati kita akan menjadi lembut dan khusyuk ketika menunaikan solat.
7. Jika orang teraniaya dan terpenjara membacanya sebanyak 71x, Allah SWT akan memberikan bantuan kpdnya kerana dia tidak bersalah tetapi dizalimi.

Rakan-rakan sekalian, perkara yg baik kita amalkan selalu. Lagi2 ayat suci Al Quran. Ia adalah ayat penawar yg mujarab. Wallahualam. InsyaAllah. Amin.

Sekian dari Mak Pah.

Salam sayang semuanya.......

Iftar Gathering @ Taman Sentosa, Johor - 12 Sept, 2009

Salaam All,

Vogue-U would like to extend our invites to those in Singapore and from the Southern of Malaysia tu join us for this iftar session. It is organised by Msjbox, the provider for our tagboard. Doesn't matter if you're a member or not, all are welcome. :)

It is more like a gathering session for bloggers where you'll get a chance to meet each other personally. As for me, I've been to their gathering once last year. It was super fun, I enjoyed it as everyone was extremely friendly. :)

More info:

Location: LC Catering Restaurant, Taman Sentosa, JB.
Date: 12th September 2009, Saturday.
Time: 630pm onwards.



To find out more, you can click here.

Myself, Sis Pearl and Mama Moralle & family will be attending and we really, really hope you could join us too.

Spread the love y'all! Have a great weekend! :)

FASTING MENU WITH MAMA MORALLE - SIMPLE BREAD PUDDING

Hi there voguers, another recipe to share with for the weekends, a simple bread pudding but nice.

It's great for dessert and is delicious with milk poured on top! Enjoy!

Tried and tested :):)

Ingredients :

6 slices day-old bread
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions :

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

"SELAMAT BERPUASA AND HAPPY WEEKENDS"

La Dolce Vita : Marriage

On Marriage

THEN Almitra spoke again and said, And what of Marriage, master?

And he answered saying:

You were born together, and together you
shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white
wings of death scatter your days.

Ay, you shall be together even in the
silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance
between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond
of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between
the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from
one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat
not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but no into each
other's keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain
your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near
together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow
not in each other's shadow.

- Kahlil Gibran-

I love this poem and I think it makes sense. The points spoken of here is something I strive to have in my marriage. It's not easy but it's worth trying. Ok yeah, I know sometimes I can be idealistic about such stuff.

Breaking News: Shopaholic Mama was caught red-handed by the Vogue U Team.

It all begins with the status update on her Facebook which goes...

Kononnya Datin Shopaholic kita nak buat setail Mas Selamat katanya. Dia tak tau yang anak dan hubbynya dah sepakat dengan kita seklompot nak kenakan dia. Mas Selamat konon. Aceh ceh ceh. Takpa takpa. Kita kasi chan jugak tau, kasi mama Ann kita feeling-feeling Mas Selamat.. Sampai dia rasa sangatlah terselamat. Kekeke.

Since her birthday falls on a Saturday, and previously, we had surprised Mama Moralle and Sis Pearl both on earlier dates before their actual birthdays jadi trick tu tak bleh pakai lagi dowh. Kalau buat hari Jemaat tu, comform dia suspect kuat. Fikir terpaksalah ala-ala detective hok. Kata nak tangkap terrorist.

Instead, on that Friday, we sent her first gift to act as a decoy. Kononnya dah selamat lah dia fikir takda orang nak surprise-surprisekan dia. Malam tu kita pun wish dia lah Happy Birthday gedebak gedebuk. Nak tambahkan lagi keadaan dia yang selamat, saya dan kak indra siang-siang dah khabaq memang kami takda kat Singapura weekend tu. Makanya comfident abis lah cik puan kita ni ingat hazab dia dah lepas. Padehalllll padehallllll.

Setelah sepakat dengan FM [SM's hubby] dan juga Dee [SM's princess] since a week ago, dengan sportingnya, mereka pun join skali turun padang nak anjatkan Shopaholic Mama kita. So last Monday, all of us head down to her office for the official Ann-Selamat raid.

Mari layan video, Sis Pearl as the official spokesperson bringing to you live from Blackberry TV.

Prep talk before the mission was executed.
Check out our line of officers. Semua berpangkat okay.

WAKENABEB!!!

Ann-Selamat berjaya ditangkap dengan selamat akhirnya! Pucat lesi terus dia. Tangan pun mengigil-gigil. Kesian lah pulak bulan-bulan puasa ni pergi terjah macam tu. Nasib baiklah depa tak pengsan keapa. Mau kiteorang kene sidekick dengan FM nanti. Hehe.



Mission Ann-Selamat, SUCCESS!



Sabar Menanti Restaurant, Kandahar Street



Interframe jap - Ade orang pengsan/kene langgar time buka.




Underneath pokok kelapa we all buka puasa! Lalalala~

It's now officially a Happy Belated Birthday
for our dear Shopper Mama! Yeeha!

Vogue-U Potion - Food as Medicine

In the Name of Allah, the Almighty, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Mak Pah kept some of the useful infos which friends, colleagues and relatives forwarded. So I guessed it's quite useful and there could be some truth in the remedies..... I've tried some to them, and it seemed to work though. However probably whatever food we take, it is best to have in moderation coz too much of everything could be harmful if eaten in abundance. Even over dosage of vitamins and minerals can harm our immune system. Read on.....

HEADACHE? EAT FISH! Eat plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent headaches. When Mak Pah's having a headache, i have no appetite to eat, so the best medication shall be put an ointment on the head or if unbearable, then I'll take the paracetamol...2 tablets the most!!!





So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain. mak Pah loves to put ginger in my cooking.... I'll slice them thinly and cook them together with the dishes.... good for wind in the body too.

TO PREVENT STROKE DRINK TEA! Prevent buildup of fatty deposits on artery walls with regular doses of tea. (actually, tea suppresses my appetite and keeps the pounds from invading.... Green tea is great for our immune system)!


INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP?) HONEY! Use honey as a tranquilizer and sedative. My husband used to make honey with sliced ginger and lemon drink. He said it's good for detox. He'll store them in bottles and chilled them in the fridge. We will drink as and when we like but advisable to take at night before sleep. BTW, it has been so long he has stop making them!!! Probably need to remind him hok....


HAY FEVER? EAT YOGURT! Eat lots of yogurt before pollen season. Also-eat honey from your area (local region) daily. My late father used to make yogurt. I would be the one helping him rolled the lime in order to make them soft and ful of juice. However if you ask me to like plain yogurt, I might vomit unless it's mix with mango or peach.

ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!!!! Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes. It was believed some people would make onion packs to place on their young kids' chest, it helped the respiratory ailments and actually made them breathe better.

UPSET STOMACH? BANANAS - GINGER!!!!! Bananas will settle an upset stomach. Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea.

ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH, TOO!! Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. (fish has omega oils, good for our immune system)

BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!!! Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple. Mak Pah love pineapple... especially the juice...yum yum.

BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!!!! High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria. Mak Pah ever tried this and Alhamdulillah it works!!!!

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME? EAT CORNFLAKES!!!! Women can ward off the effects of PMS with cornflakes, which help reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue.

MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS! Oysters help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc. So far Mak Pah was told, oysters act as aphrodisiac... hmmm well so far when my husband took a few of them, he will have diarrhoea... hehehe.

COLDS? EAT GARLIC! Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. (remember, garlic lowers cholesterol, too.) . I've tried eating them raw but couldn't stand the pungent hot taste, so I would slice them and poured dark soya sauce and would eat as condiment with rice.

COUGHING? USE RED PEPPERS!! A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution-it can irritate your tummy. Mak Pah loves to have sliced raw "cili padi" as garnish to my instant noodles....eerrrm yummy!!

BREAST CANCER? EAT Wheat, bran and cabbage. Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy levels.

LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE AND VEGGIES!!! A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables.

DIARRHEA? EAT APPLES! Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are also good for this ailment). My aunty used to burnt bread till it looked like charcoal and got us to eat it.... I guessed it is the home-made charcoal pills.... and voila...it works!!!

ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE ALSO!!! Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.

CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO! Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol. I love the avocado juice from Es Teller cafe!!!!

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!!! Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too.

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!!! The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.

Kiwi: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fiber. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange. Just had Strawberry n Kiwi juice las weekend.... delicious and not enough!!!!

Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

Strawberry: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protects the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals. (Actually, any berry is good for you. They're high in anti-oxidants and they actually keep us young.........blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field........they get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies)

Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer. Anything citrus is Mak Pah's favourite!!!!

Watermelon: Coolest Thirst Quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C &Potassium. (watermelon also has natural substances [natural SPF sources] that keep our skin healthy, protecting our skin from those darn suv rays). When Mak Pah was staying with my mum-in-law in KL, each Ramadhan she'll blend 1 or 2 watermelons for fruit juice for the break fast. Home-made juices are so delicious!!!!!

Guava & Papaya: Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber which helps prevent constipation.

Papaya is rich in carotene, this is good for your eyes. (also good for gas and indigestion)

Tomatoes are very good as a preventative measure for men, keeps those prostrate problems from invading their bodies. When Mak Pah was in primary school, I love tomatoes so much that my mum had to hide them. I would eat them like apples...haha!!!! That's why now some of Mak Pah's cooking shall have tomatoes, either cooked or garnish.

Well, the above is just a guide. Some may work for us and some may work for others. Our body will know what is good for them though. Absorb what they like and reject what is useless for them. So vogue-u-ers... no harm experimenting but remember moderation is the key word here.

Lots of Love from Mak Pah....muacks