103~ Our Ninth Monthsary Overseas!

Spot the 9?

: On Cloud Nine :

It was in our greatest fortune to have our 9th Monthsary fall very close to our second holiday in Kota Kinabalu. We flew there on the Thursday and our Monthsary was on the following Monday, so we decided to celebrate it on the weekend in KK. It was going to be our first overseas Monthsary celebration and indeed in its own self respective way would be one of the most special. We were there with Syazwan’s Family and were on a role to attend his relatives wedding. But before that, we went wild on shopping and enjoying the scenery and more distinctly the Islands they have. We went snorkeling to experience the spectacular marine life and visited its sandy blue beaches. It was certified fun. Specifically for our 9th Monthsary, we dined in the infamous Secret Receipe at the new Square. Syazwan being a ridiculous Hot fan, ordered the Chicken Noodle Tom Yam Soup and NorMala opted for its famous Beef stew. While waiting, we chatted about how wonderful the holiday had gone and how we loved our snorkeling experience. We took several pictures of experimental ways to form the number nine with our food and appreciated our newly bought matching watches. We thought it suited the occasion very well. Once our dinner was over, we headed off to the water front to meet up with the rest and later shared coffee at the nearby Star Bucks. A celebration we will always remember-Snorkeling, Secret Reciepe and StarBucks all wrapped up in a day! :)

HarmonyUs Watches

103 9th Monthsary in KK

103~ Our Eigth Monthsary

HarmonyUs Sovereigns

: A Traditional Affair :

That Saturday afternoon, Syazwan picked NorMala up from work like every other Saturday. We have been doing this since we started going out; Syazwan sends and fetches NorMala on every Saturday so that we can spend more time together and go out for lunch straight away after work. Besides this, we also think that this would be good training for Syazwan in the long run ;). When he arrived, NorMala surprised him with a small tiny love letter. Since it was his first, he wasted no time to open it. It said, “Happy 8th Monthsary, I love you & I can’t get enough of you! Hugxoxo”. He thanked NorMala and greeted her back lovingly.

On this celebration of our Monthsary we decided to go traditional. We had been craving for ‘Ambuyat’ for quite a while now and thought that it would also suit well with the months’ monthsary since we have never celebrated it traditionally. We went to The Aminah Arif Restaurant (a restaurant specializing in ‘Ambuyat’ packaged menu deals) and ordered a bowl of the traditional delicacy. Along with it, was Syazwan’s Fav Kang Kong Vege Stir Fry, Beef Stir Fry, Steamed Fish and some raw veges with chilli salsa. There were a moderate number of people there, all enjoying the Bruneian dish as well. When everything arrived on our table, impatiently, we dug into the steamy bowl with our ‘candas’ ( thin long slender wooden tongs) and yanked out a stretch of the rubber-like glutinousness, then expertly coiled it to our tastes and dipped it in its hot sauce. Delicious! We must admit that those couples who can’t share this delicacy together, it’s really a waste because its one experience we recommend not missing, after all sharing is always best with your loved ones. Another thing about ‘Ambuyat’ we think is that it’s addictive. When you start with your first taste you just can’t stop. Perhaps it’s the after effect you get when you swallow it down, the warmth of it sliding through your throat or the aftertaste of sweet sour hot chili that releases explosions in your mouth and head; but either way it’s awesome! If you’re lucky enough to get it hot enough, you’d get a runny nose and start sweating. We think this a sign of really enjoying it. Syazwan is so much more of a hot craze than NorMala, perhaps a trait descended in his fam.

After we settled our tanks and paid the bill, we headed of to the grocery store to get some ingredients for the nights plans. Every Saturday Night we like to get together with some friends and hang out. This Saturday Night we thought that it would be nice to stay in for some cooked dinner and watch a dvd. NorMala cooked her special wet noodle pak choy chix dish (always promoting her greens to Syazwan) (and friends!) hehe. Then, in the middle of the movie we had a short warm milo n cake break, feasting on some cakes that we had bought earlier from a Fav bakery, Bakerlyn. Celebrating on work days are always made simpler just because we always fall exhausted fast at the end of the day. But, we felt the celebration went really well and was more than satisfying, there would’nt be anything more left to ask for than just to have a great time together ;)

103~ Our Seventh Monthsary

: A Fasting Celebration :

103 7th Monthsary in Fasting Month

Today marks our first Monthsary celebrated in the fasting month. We both realized this from the beginning and exchanged opinions in excitement to what we would do for it. After our sixth month, we had been preferably making our decisions together, always checking with one another first with every single thing, perhaps a trait followed on after choosing matching colours for our Hari Raya clothes. And perhaps the best thing ever since thinking is just half the run hehe. Since it is the fasting month, the celebration only started after the break. NorMala thought that it would be nice to break our fast at a hotel for a big buffet and Syazwan made the bookings. We tried many hotels, looking for table vacancies and choosing menu deals at the same time. Eventually, we managed to book a table at the Orchid Garden Hotel where they were serving a spread of Western dishes. We made our way there that evening and hurriedly found our parking space after hearing the ‘azan’ start. We made it just in time to our table and quickly nibbled on our dates, we didn’t even get to see who were sitting on the other tables. In no time the buffet tables were completely flooded with people waiting to get their share of bites and we joined in at the appetizers stall. We took almost everything, an attempt to taste all the dishes but as usual, it didn’t take much to fill our tum tums. As soon as we were having our desserts, we started noticing everyone around us. We spotted many acquaintances including NorMala’s Sister, Liza whom on our way to out, managed to call Us to run by some last minute errands for the coming Hari Raya celebration. After that, we bought some decoration light bulbs and retreated home. We both worked on Hari Raya preparations together for the rest of the night putting up the decoration lights. It was a bit like decorating a house of our own, we fantasized, Syazwan with his white Haj hat hammering away and NorMala with her hijab holding on to the ladder, a sight worth remembering for nostalgia. With Lots of Love and Appreciation to Syazwan for having such a generous helpful heart! The lights look great!:D

The First 6 Monthsary

103~ Our Sixth Monthsary

Half AYear!! Sssuuuurrrprriiisee!

NorMala was excited to host our 6th Monthsary and did itinerary the days’ events knowing that it would be marking our half-year monthsary. However, as excited as she was to see it all pan out as planned, the day also coincided with Syazwan’s Fam BBQ in Lambak. So, the plans were all forcibly in for a change. Because of its special occasion, NorMala decided to surprise Syazwan with a gift. She hurried off after work and got them at the last minute, luckily there were two little helpers who made the surprise feasible. Thanks! As soon as everything was ready and possible, she sneaked into Syazwan’s room and left it on his bed. NorMala has noticed how Syazwan has been moaning all week about how difficult it has been at work and thought that this would cheer his spirits. Since Syazwan started his attachment, he had been complaining about the long hours, the work load, the difficulties of juggling time and traffic during the rush hour and many others. We also noticed how it lessened our meet- up time and it was all a bit of a shim sham in the beginning really. Fortunately, we eventually learned how to get by it. That day, Syazwan made his daily weekday return home; turned into the drive way, parked up his car, took his keys out and made his way to his room to change for the BBQ. Then as soon as he opened the door, there laid a bouquet of red roses endorsed with one of his most Fav colours; green. And beside it was a heart shaped box with red rose imprints that enclosed some of his Fav Hersey Kisses. Syazwan smiled at the surprise and wondered how it got there, but he suspected a few details.

Syazwan picked NorMala up and drove to the BBQ but he didn’t utter a word about the surprise. NorMala just pretended that she knew nothing. Then before they left the car to harvest the sizzling lamb chops on the grill, NorMala couldn’t wait another minute to know what his reaction to the surprise. We both started talking about it at the same time! We cracked out with laughter while wooing each other of how we knew that we both were pretending not to know anything. Syazwan loved the gift NorMala gave him and thanked her for it guiltily confessing that he hadn’t gotten her anything. Remembering that he had gotten NorMala a gift just recently, which were a pair of work shoes to replace the old worn out ones, NorMala assured that he didn’t have to anyway. We celebrated the rest of the day sinking our teeth barbarically on lovely delicious BBQed meat..yumm!

103~ Our Fifth Monthsary

: Piece of Cake :

Since our last Monthsary left us with such tummiful gloriousness, in fact a bit too overwelming maybe hehe :), we decided that this time we would make sure that it was just a simple sweet and short soiree. It was Syazwan's turn to organise it and coincidently his pockets were only half full from our short holiday to Kota Kinabalu in June. Luckily it was perfect timing. He was worried and a little bit embarrased that NorMala would'nt be happy with what he had planned for the day as it was'nt going to be as luxurious and warned her of it from the very beginning. She lightly laughed and assured him that she did'nt mind a bit because obviously, it's always the thought that counts. So, on went the show! We headed off to fleur d' lyss first and bought our Favs; Blueberry Cheese Cake for Syazwan & Carrot cake for NorMala.

103 5th Monthsary at Empire

After that, Syazwan drove Us to The Empire Hotel where we went to watch the Sunset at the hillside cliff. We sat there and had a nice small cake picnic for two hehe. We both love watching the sun set/rise and thus decided that it would be a good idea to record it. We both took turns recording the sun set in until the night came and later made our way to Excapade to attend a dinner outting in account of Syazwan's Dad's Birthday. Gobbling up the d'lisc chilled 'Free' Sushi and just devouring the moment and atmosphere, we were afraid that we could not afford to stay longer. Knowing that we are a very busy couple LOL, we had to make it to another function, which was to a BruStu BBQ gathering. Syazwan was happy to meet up with his long term web pals and we briefly enjoyed the melodious accoustic tunes that were played by his friends there. We then had to go again and make our last destination of the day We jetted off to catch a movie. It surely did sound that we had made a lot of stops that day and indeed we did, nevertheless, it was exhilirating-not only because of the adrenaline pump we got out of it but also because we succesfully managed to fit in a start and end of our own special plans.

Last but not least, we thank Syazwan's Fam and the BruStu'ers for making it a fuller Monthsary with complementary dinner;D

103~ Our Forth Monthsary

HarmonyUs 103 Sovereigns

: A Feast Fit for a King and his Queen :

For Our 4th Monthsary, we went to Rizqun Hotel for a dinner buffet. It was NorMala's idea and treat. She had thought that just a special dinner would suffice as things were getting hectic around her schedule and there just was'nt enough time and effort to spare in preparing any thing more, luckily the Mr. was forgiving enough. Even so, we still had a good time and definitely strectched our tummies for this lot. The buffet was served inclusive of so many dishes under its Western theme, we could'nt possibly get a bite of everything as tempting as they all were. We think perhaps after this we might want to consider eating at a fast food restaurant next time just to break the taboo of dining heavy. Although we both had our episodes of runting, regreting how full we got- the constant pleasure of enjoying the whole thing together put us at ease, we held hands throughout the rest of the night and lightly conversed on plans to make our next one simpler and more importantly less filling ;)

103~ Our Third Monthsary

103 3rd Monthsary at Matadore

: Once, Twice, Three times a Couple :

Obviously, it was Syazwan's turn to host the evenings' celebration and this time he thought of the theme of 3's. We decided to celebrate our 3rd Monthsary as a triple date thing. We invited two other couples; namely Syazwan's BFFs, long term partners Azim and Dyjie and Zizi and Ernny to join us for dinner at the Matadoe. Matadoe is another fine cafe and restaurant that we love to go to, especially with the initial of the place being an M -(for Mala ;P). It's a nice cool place to hang out with anyone. Besides this, it is also located next to our Fav places to visit-as-hobbies IKEA outlet store and HAUS interior designer furniture. With its Spanish feel of splendour in its designs you can't help but look around. However, places of such beauty meat fine dining and this meant paying abit more but this was'nt something the Mrs. needed to worry about. We had a splendid time, just reminiscing our school day memories and chatting along about other stuff and of course not short of telling jokes.

We were glad to have shared our special night with others. Giving might be the only way we know how to delight our humble hearts and truly you can say that it was quite a refreshing celebration. Perhaps we should do it every 3rd Monthsary of each year??

Azim & Dyjie

Zizi & Ernny

103~ Our Second Monthsary

: A Romantic Candle Light Dinner For Two Please :

It was the second month of Our Love and this time NorMala was the organiser. The 1st Monthsary was a blast and according to her this meant that it was more pressure on her. Who were we kidding; celebrations at expensive luxurious hotels were not to be made a custom for. But since it was Our 1st it was an exception. This time NorMala gathered up her wits to organise a romantic candle light dinner for two right in her home garden. It was the perfect step to humblise our celebration. Just a sweet and calm fine dining between the two, enjoying home cooked meals made by herself. What better way to make things more personable and special as nothing beats originality. Fortunately, dinner at her home garden was possible with the existance of a beautiful arrangement of her Mother's orchid garden and a suitable outdoor stone table and stools. NorMala cooked Syazwan's Fav Dish Vege Tom Yam Soup with tangy Char Sui Sauce Chicken and for dessert a Longan Fruit Macaroni Chilled Salad. Syazwan was so thoughtful to suprise her with a bouquet of roses that night and in return he was also surprised by a gift in his goblet. It was a ring, a token of their Love together. NorMala had received hers' the week before when Syazwan came back from his holiday with his brother and friends. She wanted to give him one as well, so the surprise came when she asked him while he was swallowing down his drink, "Whats that in your glass?". Beneath the ice cubes was buried his ring and Syazwan's face slowly lit up with a big smile. NorMala just cracked up into a giggle and wished him Happy 2nd Monthsary.

We just love surprising eachother and enjoy the thrill of seeing our smiles. Under the stars and moon of the romantic night it was a very lovely special night that we will not forget.

103~ Our First Monthsary

: 103 1st Monthsary At Empire :

Today marked our 1st very ever Monthsary, 1st Month of Our Love together and by this we decided to celebrate it extra special. We agreed to celebrate our Love Day every month and promised to take turns in oganising it. This 1st monthsary, Syazwan gets the turn. The idea is that who ever is the organiser, thinks of the whole days' plans for the celebration and is also responsible for coming up with the payment..=) cool right?

Well, for our 1st Monthsary, we celebrated it at the most presteigous luxurious Empire Hotel. We went there for a lovely dinner together right after enjoying the amazing seaside sunset and caught a movie at its nearby cinema. There was nothing quite nonchalant about the whole celebration- we were excited the whole time and made jokes all throughout the evening. Perhaps it was the thrill of the celebration at an amazing place or just the current beautiful setting of the atmosphere but more importantly we're sure it was because who we were with that night that did it for us we think ;) We loved it so much there that we continued the celebration the next day by coming back again to go for a swim at its pools. We definitely had lots of fun, perfect for a 1st Monthsary celebration and would most probably do it again perhaps more often than we think. Syabas! to Syazwan for making it a wonderful experience for Us.

Our Love Story

: An Ever Ever After :

'The Greatest Thing In Life would be To Love and Be Loved in Return'

'The Best Advice for Life is to Love, Love & Love'

There would be so many quotes to choose from to allow but just a hint of the description of our infinite Love together but never would we dare say that it would be well suited for such a devine harmony so rarely found by Man. Only God was our saviour, witness and sole creator to the destiny of Us and thus HarmonyUs Sovereigns. Therefore, we are endlessly and greatfully thankful for drawing fate to bring Us together, for saving each other for Us. We are forever in his debt with the happiness we have found and only pray that

May God will continue to protect and prolong Our Love Together even until the after life..Amin!

Within our love set hearts, Our moment of instantaneous harmony was realised and captured for ever ever after. We put our minds together and built Our Sovereign. Through our finding, the 10th of March 2007 was when all this destiny happened, thus it became our proclaimed Love Day :D. There were so many dates that marked the beginning of Our Love but 103 was the most suitable.

February 23rd, 2007- Syazwan First Asked NorMala Out

February 25th, 2007-First Real Get To Know

March 10th, 2007- Official Birth of Our Love

March 17th, 2007- First Official Date to Commemorate Our Love Day

On the 17th of March 2006, we decided to go out for a special date for the first time as a couple to commemorate the Birth of Our Love. We dressed up, Syazwan played the perfect gentleman- picking NorMala up, welcoming her with an esthetic pink rose stalk gift, and openned doors and chairs. We went to Charcoal for the romantic evening, ate yummy tender beef ribs and lamb steak and enjoyed our mocktails to harvest our celebration. We had a wonderful time together just as how it felt like how it should be.

103

~: Meeting The Family :~

Syazwan wasted no time in wanting to share his good news of finally finding his Love for Life to his Family. He grew up very close to his Mum's side of the family and considered them to be his immediate family too.
He invited NorMala to meet his Aunt who was staying at the local Empire Hotel that weekend and his whole family was there! This was her first meeting with the Family and of course was nerve racking for both of Us, but perhaps more especially for her. However, we managed to get through it well. After meeting them at the pool, we slipped away for a walk at the sea side. Being at one of Our Favourite places to be, we had a great time! We took lots of pictures together and played in the sand with our sticks. A beautiful day for a beautiful start to our Journey together.

Our Love Story (2007- A Year Of New Beginnings)

: Chapter 1 :

Cupid Chose Us and Struck the Arrow Later On

Syazwan-

It was a usual Sunday routine hanging out session at the Taurean Too Café. There she came and sat 2 seats away from me. I was immediately mesmerized by the way she talked and laughed from a far. Her personable smile, character and actions- everything about her was so cute. My first ever clear sight of her, unlike Mala’s of mine, was in fact the very 1st moment I had a crush on her. Since then, we had met for a few times and every time we did, my heart raced. I felt really excited. I literally could not tear away from staring at her gorgeous face. Then one time, after meeting up again for a coffee and movie, I decided to do something about my feelings for her. When it was time for everyone to go home, finally I gathered the guts to confront her and ask her out. It was a gamble I was willing to take and was ready to accept any answer given. I said, “Would it be weird if I asked you out?”. She only smiled and didn’t give the answer straight away. She said that it felt kinda weird since I was few years younger than her and added that she could be old enough to be his older sister. A few days later, she gave me her answer through an email message saying:

“Yes it would be weird and I cannot go out with u, but you seem like a very nice person and I like you, so I would'nt mind just hanging out as friends. I meet you sometimes anyway kan..so if you don't mind with this, I don’t mind either...”

I felt really excited at first but as I read on, it somberly disappeared. Well, at least I tried I said to myself accepting the dissapointment, but nevertheless, I felt glad that we were going to be friends. However, after a few times hanging out with her more, my feelings for her grew deeper and stronger. And a few weeks later, we both realized that we had similar feelings for one another. Like cupid had just struck us with his arrow to enchantly bound our hearts, minds and souls together.

NorMala-

Having just come out from our separate break-up’s, broken-hearted; we were in no state to go anywhere near a serious relationship (at least that’s what we thought) but on a given day and given hour and second, perhaps cupid chose us and we had met. It was never a falling in love on the first site thing. We met just as mutual acquaintances up until Wan got up the urge to ask me out. I was of course flattered but very doubtful of him especially since I knew he was a few years younger than me. I had never known of such a relationship nor did ever come close to know how it would ever happen or work. For me, it felt like as if I was going to be going out with one of my small sister’s friends and I was ready to not accept it at all counts. So, I told him that we can just be casual friends that hang out with one another and he agreed. It seemed so easy and accordingly at the time but as soon as I engaged a closer bond with him after getting to know all his sides, I fell just as hard and fast as he was for me. It didn’t take anytime for us to feel naturally destined for one another and at that very moment of our harmoniousness we knew that we were in for something so much more. A feeling we had never gone through with anyone else, a feeling that we both have been looking for all our lives and gladly found in each other.


Some pictures taken during our times together hanging out as friends:

Syazwan's invitation to 'Work' at the Stadium & meeting his friends.

NorMala's invitation to help out with her Sister, Liza's wedding reception.