Tak Pe Je

  Assalamu’alaikum. Orang Terengganu masa zaman aku muda remaja dulu ada gelaran khusus untuk orang-orang perempuan yang cenderung “materialistik” dalam memilih pasangan, tapi lebih kepada golongan muda-mudi gitu. Kalau sekarang mungkin jauh berbeza dengan zaman itu, cara menilai materialistik sudah tentu juga berbeza. Maklumlah, dunia menjadi lebih luas dengan media sosial dan jaringan internet tanpa sempadan. Setidak-tidaknya, orang Pantai Timur tidak lagi terlalu jumud dalam melihat sesuatu yang kurang biasa dalam komuniti mereka. Bagi aku, perkara yang bertambah bagus harus diraikan, didoakan semoga dapat memberi manfaat kepada banyak orang. Dari satu segi, rata-rata pihak akan mendapat pendedahan tentang budaya, cara hidup masyarakat luar dan apa jua yang bersangkutan dengannya tanpa perlu melangkah jauh dari lokasi masing-masing. Implikasinya pun bagus sekali, kerana setiap daerah menjadi seakan-akan lebih dekat meskipun jauh beribu batu.  Gelaran itu adalah “Awek Besi”,...

  Assalamu’alaikum dunia… Saat satu pintu tertutup, usah lupa tingkap yang wujud. Bahkan tetaplah yakin untuk bertanya: Adakah pintu yang tertutup itu sebenarnya berkunci ataupun tidak mungkin untuk ditembusi? Adakah tingkap yang wujud itu pula suatu imaginasi atau sekadar ilusi semata-mata?  Memang lebih mudah untuk kita menyerah kalah pada keadaan malang yang menimpa hidup, itu semua orang boleh lakukan tanpa perlu bersusah payah sedikit pun. Tinggal lagi, dunia bukanlah tempat untuk kita bersenang lenang mahupun berlenggang kangkung dalam semua situasi. Di sini kita ditugaskan untuk mencipta dan mencetak rentak sebagai bekalan di destinasi sebenar, tempat nan abadi tanpa air mata, tanpa lelah mahupun sekelumit sengsara. Maka dengan itu, carilah hikmah di sebalik setiap dugaan yang Allah turunkan untuk kita di dunia ini. Sekalipun segala-galanya bagaikan menghimpit diri sehingga ke sudut paling hujung, tetaplah berbaik sangka pada rahmat-Nya. Kekal percaya bahawa kepayahan d...

Assalamu’alaikum. Musim seluar kargo sekarang ni kan? Selain denim skirt, berduyun-duyun kaum Hawa pakat menggayakan seluar kargo hari demi hari. Dulu masa aku rutin pakai denim skirt, orang selalu kata fesyen lama tak trendy segala. Masa pakai seluar kargo, orang kata tak sesuai perempuan ambik style lelaki.. apa cerita suka pakai seluar poket sana poket sini macam mekanik? Tinggal lagi, aku bangsa tone-deaf mana ada nak kisah pun semua tu janji aku suka sudah.  Tapi itu dulu, sekarang denim skirt dan seluar kargo dua-dua jadi fashion statement sampai berlambak-lambak kat kedai fizikal dan juga online. Harga pun murah-murah, cuma kalau nak yang kualiti lebih dari segi fabrik lembut, tak boleh la dapat bawah RM100. Dulu memang gitulah harganya, sampai sekarang masih tak banyak berubah kalau diamat-amati. Apa yang bagusnya sekarang ni, cutting lebih sesuai untuk badan perempuan dan siap didatangkan dengan gender friendly, unisex gitu.  Sejak harga durian runtuh boleh dapat kat ...

 Assalamu’alaikum. Aku ada satu perangai dari zaman muda remaja sampailah purbakala ni, suka sangat solat guna kain sarung dipadankan dengan telekung. Kalau dulu mesti tergedik-gedik buat muka comel mintak dengan ayah, sekarang aku lebih memilih untuk beli sendiri kat Mydin. Bukan tak boleh ambik pakwe punya, ada je memang dah rembat dua tiga helai tapi sebab sejenis tamak haloba, nak juga beli lain.  Lebih-lebih lagi sejak selalu turun Ipoh hampir setiap bulan dah dua tahun lamanya, suka sangat jenguk Mydin gedabak kat Meru Jaya. Dah jadi satu rutin wajib berlama-lamaan kat bahagian mini telekung dan sarung pelikat. Ada yang tanya kenapa suka guna sarung masa solat? Oh, jawapannya mudah je: sebab labuh dan gabak. 🤭 jauh lebih selesa berbanding kain telekung, terutamanya yang dari Indonesia mahupun Vietnam. Kebanyakannya senteng, banyak kali ternampak kaki masa duduk tahiyyat akhir. Dulu la, sekarang ni dah labuh-labuh majoriti kain yang dijual, kecuali la yang orang waqaf ka...

Dalam hidup ini, yang paling menyakitkan adalah dikhianati oleh orang yang paling dipercayai. Sulit untuk dihadam akal fikiran, boleh menjemput kemurungan yang tidak bersempadan. Kemaafan bukan lagi sesuatu yang perlu ditimbulkan kerana frasa itu sendiri pun tidak sesuai untuk dilafazkan. Apa pun jua alasan, pilihan ada di tangan kita untuk saling menjaga kepercayaan dan tidak sesekali mengkhianati antara sesama.  Mengkhianati itu sendiri adalah suatu pilihan dan tiada alasan yang akan mampu dijadikan sandaran. Apatah lagi jika satu demi satu pengkhianatan dilakukan, memanipulasi sebuah kepercayaan yang diberikan tanpa syarat selama ini. Itu sudah terang lagi bersuluh adalah pilihan yang disengajakan, matlamat takkan pernah menghalalkan cara.  Sakit yang dirasakan juga bagaikan pedang menghunus ke jantung, membunuh zahir dan batin. Meskipun hidup tetap terasa mati. Yang lebih menyakitkan adalah hidup tetap perlu diteruskan sementara menanti mati yang memang pasti. Begitulah di...

السلام عليكم Yeah, it’s been a while… things have been tough, life has been rough. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. What doesn’t kill will make you stronger. The way I see it, at least it would make you slimmer. As 2023 almost ends, let’s hope for a better year ahead.  Meanwhile, just embrace each day with gratitude and graciousness to the max.  Sayang korang! 

Assalamu’alaikum. Hi there again, you guys!  It’s been more than 3 years since I last visited any Bokitta outlets, mostly due to covid-19, I would say. Loads of existing new ones prior to the pandemic that I haven’t really worn, I mean where to go? Not that I picked a Bokitta to cover my hair each time I cooked, if you know what I mean. And last time I checked, there are more than 8 plain Bokitta hijabs I have in store, out of which only a few ones I took out to play. The rest I even queried myself, when did I buy that? (Which makes me wonder) if the virus had  actually bitten my memories as well, apart from the lungs?  Anyhow, two days before departing to my in-laws for eid holiday, I went to KL East Mall for a designated (single) purpose. The mission was duly accomplished but I found myself thinking of my late mom so bad that I had to wipe the tears off with cold water in the toilet, generously splashed over my face. By then zuhur’s notification had already appeared on ...

Assalamu’alaikum. It’s been a while since I opted for abayas during eid. There are plenty of choices this year with various range of prices, it’s up to us which one to grab, as long as we know our own capabilities financially, that is. Never fall into marketing tricks of having exactly what others do, let’s be realistic and practical. Ask ourselves whether or not we’re going to wear it (or them) for real after eid celebration. And please be okay not to get new outfits for open houses, we can always wear anything decent from our existing ones in the wardrobe.  There’s a vendor I would recommend at Shopee, called EJ Style where you could get fancy abayas with affordable price. I mean, not everyone can afford abayas from Burj Abaya, Tamara and the likes. Even if you do, it’s not wrong to degrade a little for something way less expensive, now is it?  In the end, it’s how we wear it, dear!  ~ Nai @ Tak Pe Je.

  Assalamu’alaikum. So I lost my mom, my best friend since birth on 1st April 2023, 10th Ramadan 1444H and have been in an auto pilot mode ever since. I have yet to properly mourn and grieve, given hectic responsibilities throughout Ramadan as a wife, mother and employer. Yep, in a strict line of priorities, if I may add.  I’m far from okay, sometimes I would randomly sob especially when reading surah al mulk at night, or while packing for eid vacation. A day before Eid I couldn’t bear it any longer that I cried silently each time I was alone in my room, in between odd hours of cooking for iftar. I slept around 11.30pm, set the alarm for 5am to cook nasi hujan panas all by myself, didn’t want to interrupt bibik who had only slept at 3am preparing the main dish. By the time she woke up for fajr prayer, I was already into 2nd round of nasi hujan panas. Yep, that’s how it’s been all this years: 5kg basmati rice duly cooked 4 or 5 rounds on the 1st Syawal. I couldn’t bring myself ...

Never even attempted to trim my brows, I guess I’ve come to accept whatever factory setting in store for me. Bushy or cramped as they are, I have long since made peace with the Shin-chan brows of mine. It’s in the family anyways, so what’s new? Sometime I whispered wickedly to those who suggested some adjustment: let them be, I feel “Just like the Greeks!” LOL. Hey you, thanks a bunch for stopping by.. sorry I’ve been somewhat missing-in-action lately. Hope you guys are doing great and please be healthy as Ramadhan is just around the corner. I’ll see in the next one, Assalamu’alaikum. ~ Nai @ Tak Pe Je.

Assalamu’alaikum. This is a must have combination, regardless of what your profession is: a black ensemble. Period. If you want to keep it modest or hijabi friendly and don’t want to wear overcoat-like blazer, you might as well opt for long blouse.  It’s still arguable if you could pass this look at syariah courts, for the rules explicitly imply none other than “kain” (which kicks any pants out of the dress code). I’ve seen female lawyers dress up and down in modest sharwa khameez kind of baggy blouse and pants. I myself have been donning the same every now and then, especially when I have high court matters in which huge black robe would camouflage the pants. At least that’s how I view things personally. I would feel somewhat safe to be pretty rebellious that way, provided that the pants maintain to be prim and proper, not tight at all.  There are plenty of decent looking black pants in the market, but if you’re looking for something very comfortable yet not too expensive, pl...

Assalamu’alaikum. CNY holiday was a good time to indulge in premium cinema experience with our loved ones. At least that’s how I looked at it, since we didn’t leave the Klang Valley at all throughout the extra time off, mainly because Junior chose to stay home against travelling some place outside his own territory.  We ended up watching Avatar at Melawati Mall and checked in the Indulge at One Utama’s TGV for The Plane. Should have elected the other way around actually, but I didn’t have much choice due to unavoidable circumstances.  So was it worth the big fat fares? Well, I prefer the old Golden Class Cinema at Bukit Bintang Pavilions especially the menus it offered, not to mention the extra length of hospitality from the designated staffs. Maybe people nowadays are less attentive or I’m too old for some shrugs and indifference. Maybe both? Would I repeat the experience? Nope, but I’d love to try some other premium alternatives available here and there.  So that I coul...

Assalamu’alaikum. Earlier tonight, I received a whatsapp message from Delay No More Crab wishing me Valentine’s Day. It’s the first ever Valentine’s wish that has come my way in a very, very, very long time.  Yep, it was actually a promotion from a business account, hahah sorry not sorry!  My son has been consistently against Valentine’s Day celebration since in primary school, being nenek’s spokesperson as a haram police. I used to join the party as a teenager, which was limited to exchanging special presents on the 14th February, unaware of any historical or religious reason behind it.  Let’s make a point to celebrate our loved ones on daily basis instead of just once a year, how about that? We can’t promise tomorrow, anyways, so why defer something as precious as expressing your love? Saying I love you takes more than one forms, try show how much you love them sometimes. Actions do speak louder, you know. Give it a shot!  Until then, see you in the next one. Assal...

Assalamu’alaikum. Some of us prefer to wear abayas throughout umrah, can’t blame them at all, really. The least we could say is that, it would be much easier to move around and about, while layering with the comfiest undergarments possible. And who said abayas must strictly be black, not other colours? Forget about travel or packing light ladies, this is umrah we’re talking about, not some backpacking travels around Europe or something.  Because we’re going to wear tons of layers top to bottom, left right centre to cover our aurah, especially those who belong to mazhab Shafi’e like most South East Asians are. That would make us sweat a lot, unless we don’t make any move at all and stay put in the masjid 24/7, which is unlikely. Yes you can pack as little as possible, provided that you’re going to shop there for new abayas or alternatively investing in professional laundry service every other day. If the answer is in the negative, then be prepared to equip yourself with one piece of...

Assalamu’alaikum. There’s nobody in this world who knows you better than yourself, never ever forget that. So much so that when you heard people say anything about you, the reactions would be: 1- If it’s true, it’s okay because it is; or 2- Even if it’s not true, it’s also okay because it isn’t. Reason being, you know the truth anyways. No point to get annoyed, triggered or alarmed and give any credit unnecessarily to toxic people out there. The fact that they reserved their precious time to gossip about others shows how insignificant their own lives must have been. You on the other hand, dearest friends, are better off without them!  Let’s just save our sanity and energy for something bigger, like taking over the world, how about that? Meanwhile, see you in the next one, Assalamu’alaikum.  ~ Nai @ Tak Pe Je.

Assalamu’alaikum. When we promised to become someone’s sunshine, never forget that it comes in one heck of a package. Because you see, sun won’t shine all day and what about the night light then?  Does it mean that we have to sacrifice ourselves to a point we should fade to black? Absolutely nope, dear friends, we owe ourselves much more than that! Be the light ourselves then, day and night. The light that leads ourselves to the right paths. The light that won’t crumble us to pieces unnecessarily. And most importantly, the light that saves ourselves from total eclipse of the hearts. Why suffer when we can be happy?  Never crush ourselves just to enlighten our loved ones when we in fact could write some plot twists here and there. Live life to the fullest means that we must live first, the rest comes second in rank. I mean, how can we talk about doing anything at all if we die before even taking a further step?  Let’s embrace life like a game sometimes, where we could hit ...

Assalamu’alaikum. Another long weekend with Monday a public holiday and again I didn’t even leave the Federal Territory. This time I really took my sweetest time to sit back, relax, sleep and repeat. But not for long, because I felt like throwing up all of the sudden after zuhur to repeat the hibernation zone. So I got my ass up and finish a few outstanding cause papers for inheritance related file, right from a Faraid application with its supporting affidavit and a few other matters. I guess I’m lousy at doing absolutely nothing, might as well bury my face playing games or anything at all, which makes my brain move like Jagger.  Anyways, Friday was too hectic recently, when my first proper meal of the day turned out to be at 6pm, no joke! That’s also because I happened to have a glimpse of a Starbucks right before my eyes, like “hey, belum makan la!”.  This girl is crazy and has become crazier as she’s approaching 5 series. Well, we should be working as if we were going to li...

Assalamu’alaikum. When we work, we work hard. When we shop, we shop hard. I guess that’s what workshop actually means, it has to be, now has it not? Especially when the venue happens to be Genting Premium Outlet, got what I mean? Girls just wanna fun sometimes, you guys, if not all the time, that is. Thing is, the motivation rises higher at highlands, I figured. The focus span seems to skyrocket itself over a cup of strong morning coffee and some tasty muffins, so much so that it took us a few hours to finish more than a handful of workloads, much faster than usual. Because we knew for a fact that we could reward ourselves handsomely afterwards, that’s why.  It was chilly all day, even more so at night that we needed to put our sweaters on to keep warm despite already dressed comfortably. I wore overall denim long dress, which was thick enough for the occasion and my friend wore abaya with sufficient undergarments. Yet we were shivering since morning, the wind was quite harsher tha...

Assalamu’alaikum. Evergreen doesn’t seem to do justice if we were to describe ‘Tambun series’ by Ban Heang, just like the Nyonya Egg and Pineapple Tarts in Melaka. Pure and miraculously authentic, to say the least, you can’t help falling in love and craving for more. That’s how and what consistency means in food and beverage industry, which creates legacy from earlier generation to the next to come.  Tambun Biscuits  Mom really loves this biscuit, that she would be thrilled with the idea of I’m going off to Penang, each and every single time. There’s an outlet in Penang International Airport from which I usually bought souvenirs for mom, a few boxes that would last some time. But last Christmas holiday I traveled by road that I made a detour to get the stocks at a physical store nearby Hameediyah Restaurant, located in Lebuh Campbell, Georgetown, while my partner lining up to get a table. That’s what we call by killing two birds with a stone!  We can also order at Shopee ...

Assalamu’alaikum. Aku memang suka hampir semua jenis batik, terutamanya yang orang panggil sarung. Tinggal lagi aku tak gemar pakai kain sarung, tapi lebih kepada tempah buat baju ataupun skirt. Birthday aku tahun lepas bibik hadiahkan batik asli keluaran kampungnya di Madura, kirim pada anak saudaranya yang sambung Masters kat UIAM Gombak. Aku hantar pada tukang jahit dan hasilnya adalah sehelai blaus labuh pakai dengan palazzo dan sepasang kurung Pahang.  Mungkin tak semua minat fesyen macam ni, maklum la nampak tersangatlah batiknya. Tapi aku suka sungguh, dulu usaha duk beli dua helai batik sarung kat Langkawi sana, tempah buat baju kurung klasik. Makin lama makin sejuk dan lembut dipakai kain sarung ni, itu yang buatkan aku bertambah suka.  Zaman muda-muda dulu ada jugak fasa aku nak pakai baju kurung hari-hari walaupun keluar dating jumpa pakwe. Sekarang ni kalau pakai masa weekend, orang tanya, “ada kenduri ke?” Hurmmm… zaman dah berubah, apa nak dikata?  Takpe la ...

Assalamu’alaikum. I was informed by an immigrant medical doctor in Jeddah back in the year 2018 that Saudi had the most powerful licensed drugs for national usage. Well let’s just take it literally and try to get this cough relief from any available pharmacy in Haramain, shall we? It happened to be the best of its kind by far, for my father-in-law, who had been having mild flu and chesty cough a few days before we reached Madinah from Kuala Lumpur, took this twice (only) and Alhamdulillah he practically was at the pinkest of health. You might want to give it a try should you’ve been coughing like crazy that fate brought you here, dear!  It was some hefty Fifty dinars but well, what do you expect when it’s magical and worth every drop of your nostril? 

Assalamu’alaikum. For those who are not really into abayas, you can in fact donned any solat-friendly attire that you might have accumulated over the years and pack them to Haramain. This post is specially constructed for you, yes you who can relate to such scenarios. The trick is that always bring holy grail trousers that would suit all blouses, preferably black, grey and beige. Apart from that, you can also opt for plain sharwa kameez kinda outfits approximately 3 sets altogether, so that you can have ample time to have them washed accordingly. And let’s take this routine right up to our hometowns, where we continue to dress just like when we’re in Mecca and Madinah, shall we? Next time we repeat umrah or better still, perform Hajj Insya Allah, it won’t be such a burden to buy everything new just to dress solat-ready.  However, there’s nothing wrong if you want to join the Tik Tokkers and dress up to date and latest trend, don’t get me wrong. But then you might not be able to kee...