EXCLUZIF the sequel

The content of this blog entry today is something very personal but I'd like to share with you anyway because there is something that can be learnt.

As I am typing this, my heart is swelling with happiness.

I am feeling very blessed to have regained this friendship.

Several weeks ago, Oniatta Effendi came back into my life.( Diana, thank you for being the 'matchmaker'. )

Oniatta and I started way back in 2003 when we hosted KRAYON together with Hatta Said. Funny how all 3 of us were grouped together during the audition of KRAYON and we were all chosen. Do you know that our mommies' names are 'Rokiah'?

Hehehehe! Well, the audition ( and the 4 seasons) will always be etched in our minds and hearts. So memorable. And then I saw the latest season without us and man I cringed. And no I'm not being a sour grape hor!

Now, back to Oni and I, our friendship was further enhanced based on some common background and plenty of common beliefs about teaching and raising children since we are both in the education field.

Oniatta is a very intelligent person and she is one who is not selfish to impart her knowledge one.
Nura, must breastfeed ah.

Nura, must make sure Nyla only eats solid food when she's above 4 months. Don't give the jar one ah. You go mash fruits and veges yourself. And don't put salt.

So thanks to her,Nyla is okay with vegetables, especially lady's finger. Eeeeyer.

Nura, don't pelat pelat with Nyla okay. No 'nak mamam'. No 'jom bobok.' No 'yak yak'. Speak properly.

As with all friendships, we had our moments of 'not nice stuff' that were exchanged such as "Oni, you always think you're right ah?! or everytime I opened my mouth to sing to record the songs on Krayon, she'd either laugh at my sumbang voice or say "Eh can I go first and record. I don't want to wait forever."Damn ouch right. Actually come to think of it, very funny also because my singing voice really cannot make it.

And then, these 'not so nice' stuff got relayed to other people .Have you ever played the game Telephone where you stand in line with a group of people and one person whispers a phrase to the person next to him or her.Then, each person will keep whispering the phrase and convey it until it reaches the last person who will cry the whispered statement out loud.What started out as "Amy wants to eat pizza" can end up as"Amy's mouth damn bisa."

Obviously one's honest opinions on each other turned out to be 'gossip topic' and as with all rumours, there were inaccuracies.

To cut the story short, below happened:

Anger. Confrontation. Break Up.
That was in 2007.

When we broke up, my heart ached because I missed Oni loads.

I mean, in life, you are bound to lose friends and honestly, some are better to be outta your life because they bring no meaning to your life. However, with Oni, it was different. I've come to regret and realise that she was special.

When I talked to my buddies, I'd always tell them that if there was one person I'd like to reconnect with, it'd be Oniatta.

In fact, I tried to back in 2009 but Oni wasn't ready. (Thanks Hatta for trying!) :)

When I was holidaying in Bintan with my family recently, Diana smsed me this:

Nura, Kak Oni asked if it's ok that she has your number to contact you..

Never mind that my phone bill's gonna shoot up. Man, I waited years for this moment.

Soon enough an SMS from Oni came. I still keep them. :)

Oni: Salams Nura. Thanks for letting me have your number. It's Oniatta. How have you been?

Me: Hi Oni. Alhamdullilah. I'm good and hope you and family are fine too. I'm really happy to see this msg. :)

Oni: As I am happy to be in touch with you. It has been too long.

We decided to meet up after so long. Heart degap degup you...Macam jumpa ex bf/gf gituk. *Giggles*

And when we did, we hugged.

Yeah, it was so profound, so emotional.

We have been meeting up pretty regularly to make up for those lost times.

And it's just amazing because it was like we had never been apart.

In fact peeps, I have a surprise for you....

I'd like to present to you my first ever guest blogger to write on my space and she is none other than Oniatta Effendi.

Over to you babe!

Next to family, my friends are a huge part of life.

A few months ago, a 4-year silence was broken (yes her Togas were way too gorgeous to stop myself from saying hello – well not really).

She was a little sister I never had.

In our many years as co-presenters, there was so much we shared - both on and off screen, so it was rather tragic when I made the decision to cut-off all ties (Note to self: Forgive.)

We spent hours in the cold studios rehearsing and memorising lines, song lyrics and dance steps. Behind the confident smiles the public saw of us as TV presenters on a VERY POPULAR children’s programme (Bila lagi nak angkat show kita babe!), we were faced with not-so-easy situations and so we created “strategies” between us - like when to turn away from the camera when we forget out lyrics, when to appear like we were bouncing as we danced although we were pregnant (one after the other)… and how on outdoor shoots, we would outdo each other to do a One Take Wonder.

So, it was not difficult to start all over again.

And after our first ‘date’, we continued to see each other almost continuously for the weeks to follow (Lepaskan rindu heh).

Thank you for letting me re-create a contact named Nura J on the contact list of my iPhone – because I now know you are a phonecall away. Back to what it was like it before.

And in the spirit of our renewed friendship, I thought you might want to bring Nyla to catch Cakap Botol-botol this Sunday. It will be good fun. Oh, and if she comes in Pyjamas (Nyla, NOT you!), I might just drag her up on stage to sing with me! Heh.

-Oniatta

So peeps, 2 things can happen here:

We pick up from where we were in 2007, move on and create an even better friendship.

Another is...this renewed friendship will end the same, or worse than it ever did before. (CHOY AH! TOUCH WOOD)

Well right now, we are putting the horrid past behind, enjoying the present and look forward to better tomorrows.I thank the One Above for making us both realise that this friendship is worth salvaging.

Together Oni and I have learnt one valuable lesson...The ability to forgive as well as the necessity of seeking forgiveness.

And Oni, Yes Maam! I shall see you at Esplanade this Sunday and catch your show. Nyla will wear her pyjamas...and me ..Haiya! Baru nak pakai La Senza...Saaap. Hehehe!

Mommies with young kids, you wouldn't wanna miss Cakap Botol Botol.

For more info, click here.

Heard from Oni that 3pm tickets are selling fast so Nyla and I will be going for the 5pm one! :)

See you allz!

Nyla's 6th CHIRPY BIRTHDAY PARTY at Jurong Bird Park

2 Saturdays ago on the 21st of May, the day we had planned for Nyla's 6th birthday party cum book launch, our usually super hot and sunny weather turned to that of a chilly and rainy one.

Oh man. :(

The kind of weather you do not wish to get out of bed...what more the house.
Oh man. :(

That morning, I wished I could snuggle longer in bed but I could not because Mommy here gotta bake a cake.
So we woke up early and headed off to Kesy's house to bake Nyla's ostrich and Number 6 mega(cup)cakes.
Due to the heavy rain, we took a long time to get a cab which simply meant we reached Kesy's house about 30-45 minutes late. Obviously, the time taken to bake the cake would take longer.

But still, all praises to the One Above for Chickchickaboomz and Number 6 cakes were not only a success but yummy too!

We were supposed to finish baking at about 10.30am and then the plan was for me to head home and glamsify myself by putting on make up and style my hair. (I am not kidding.)
However, we only finished at 11.15 a.m.
I called Mr E who obviously had extra snooze time in the nice cooling weather.

Me: Hon, I want to go home leh and style my hair.
Mr E: WHAT?! YOU THINK IT'S YOUR PARTY IS IT? (The voice louder than the thunderstorm sia. Relax ah bang.)
Me: Haiya. Ok la. Like that, you bring for me my hair wax/heels/perfume/belt etc hor!
Mr E: Ok ok.

In the end, I used NONE of the above. And Mr E champion. He chucked all those items I instructed him to bring into a haversack. Never even put my heels in plastic bag. Chet!

Now, party was supposed to start at 12pm and at 11.45, we were still on the road.
Oh man. :(

However, the Jurong Bird Park peeps, Adrian/Ros/Peggie/Juanna were real sweet. They reassured us that everything was under control and their peeps were 'taking attendance' of my invited guests who had already arrived. I was expecting SMSes like," WHERE ARE YOU NURA?!" but nah, none of that! Phew!

When we finally reached Jurong Bird Park, instead of reprimanding us for being late, the Jurong Bird Park peeps Rosliyana, Jamil and Yee Ting and Yin Kang saw Nyla and asked, "Are you the birthday girl?! Welcome to your party!"

I knew I was holding on to 2 cake boxes and then one of their members just grabbed the boxes for me and said,"I'll put these in the fridge ya Nura."

So sweet man they all... like my cupcakes. :)))))

It was lovely to see my guests but heart definitely sank a lil bit seeing them and their children a lil wet. :(
Nevertheless, Nyla was happy to see her favourite people...her classmates...her cousins..her playdatemates.

One of Nyla's classmates, Janette just only recovered from fever and her mommy said she would not miss it for the world!

Thank you to all my invited guests...Nyla's classmates' families...my family...friends who came despite the very heavy downpour! Appreciate. :)

To Ed and family, it was really great to have met you , your wife and kids for the first time.

'Pujangga Malam' and family, bro, thanks for bringing your babes!

Christina Ching of Mother and Baby Magazine, a pleasure to have met your family too.

Special mention to Berita Harian and Warna 94.2 as well for 'loudhailing' about the event.

Not forgetting Aquila Asia Magazine as well as Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund! :)

My mom hugged me when she saw me and then she whispered in my ear...
"Take it easy Kin. Sometimes, things don't go the way you planned them to be. Rain is a blessing from God."
How come Mothers' gut feelings always right?! I was feeling a lil disappointed but I tried really hard not to show it but my mom could see right through me.

Also, it was amazing how Nyla was totally oblivious to the heavy downpour. She was just so focused on having a great time at her party.

Together, we all proceeded to Song Bird Terrace for Nyla's Chirpy Birthday Party cum Book Launch.

View of the pretty flamingos and...heavy rain...

And then it was "Lets get the party started" time!

Funny how I was so stressed out before party but once it started,I was totally stress free because everything was nicely handled by Adrian,Rosalind, Yee Ting, Rosliyana, Jamil and Yin Kang!

The Chirpy Birthday Party package includes:

set up, supervision and clean up

invitation cards

fun activities, crafts and games

yumsy food and drinks

party goodie bag (Got soft toy leh! A few of Nyla's friends now have a new sleeping buddy. (Including Nyla!)

This is Nyla's! Name is Partylina Esman.

Crafts time!

Lunch with Parrots show.

"Wah Mommy, the parrot's nails damn sharp you know!"

The party hosts were so pleasant and kept the party schedule running smoothly and organised.

"Oh no, Nyla! Our team is losing....."

Blowing candles time!

Thank you very much Uncle Adrian and team for sponsoring my birthday party.

BOOK LAUNCH TIME!

We missed you our illustrator, the bubbly Uncle Furby! And he is getting married this Saturday to the girl of his dreams. :) Congrats bro.

Nyla got a lil bit shy when I shared with the audience how both books come about.

Frances and Shane from Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning then arrived...

and entertained the children with their songs....

story telling skills....

and drama as well!

Thanks you both for spending your Saturday afternoon with us! My gratitude as well to Julia Gabriel who has been supportive of Nyla's work since The Big Good Wolf!

Special mention to Gaynor Fitzgibbon for all your wonderful ideas and input.

If you think that it was 'game over' after the book launch, you're wrong! We and our guests extended our fun by catching the newly launched Birds of Prey show.

After that, we contined to walk around the huge park and look at more types of birds!

Feeding the lory! :)

All of us were super shagged the moment we reached my in laws' place. Yeap, you guessed it. We spent the night there! The thought of the trip back home from Sengkang to Pandan already can make us faint..(Which the 3 of us did at 9 pm sharp!)It had been a gradual kind of awesome day. Started off :( and then it stopped raining and there was a' rainbow after the storm!' :) Nyla had been looking forward to her party for the longest time and as she made her exit from Jurong Bird Park, she was sad because it was over. :(

Well baby, good things must always come to an end.

Nyla, our lil author, Congratulations on your book launch. :) You truly deserve the birthday party treat babe.

To the Jurong Bird Park Sales and Party Team, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for appreciating a young local talent. Such a rare occasion to deal with such a generous and understanding sponsor so able and willing to meet our needs and for that, we are immensely grateful for everything you guys have done. We will remember your excellent service and absolutely recommend the Chirpy Birthday Party to our fellow friends and my readers here!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Enriching Events!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Renewed Friendship

Nyla's 6th CHIRPY BIRTHDAY PARTY at Jurong Bird Park