It's been a long time since I last posted here. It is Saturday night and I am kind of stuck at home due to incomplete construction work right outside my house. My idle mind brought back some fond memories of blogging so I decided to post something tonight.
I can't believe how much has changed in my life since my last post. I feel like a different person. A calmer, happier and more satisfied person.
Today, I will share with you a secret that led me to feeling all these wonderful feelings.
The secret is letting go.
- To let go of all that is controlling you and holding you back from being who you really are.
- To let go of the things you depend on so much. All the things you think you are addicted to.
- Letting go of fears by facing them.
- Letting go of things/words that don't really matter on a deeper level.
By letting go, I do not mean depriving yourself.
It just means to loosen the tight grip you have on things and to live in moderation.
When you let go of those things that are indirectly controlling you, you are suddenly in control of yourself and you get the willpower to do ANYTHING you want.
Am I making any sense here?
There are a few things I have quit over time, I turned vegetarian, I quit drinking coffee (which was my biggest addiction), I quit eating chocolate, I quit 95% of gossiping (5% is from engaging in it unintentionally), I quit my job in Malaysia that I had practically dedicated my entire life to and I quit having fizzy drinks.
I did all these without any expectations. There are people who judged me by claiming it was a 'pact I had made with God' to get something by giving something away. That is bullshit in my opinion. All the above have led me to live an ethical and healthier lifestyle, and it was surprisingly very easy!
As a result of the above, I have started seeing the whole world differently and am more in control of my life.
My version of letting go may sound too extreme to some people, but my point is only to say that if there is something that controls your mind to the point of affecting you negatively, then loosen that grip on it. You will end up releasing a huge burden that you had no idea you were carrying :-)
Wishing you all a great weekend!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Traveling with my Pet Shih Tzu from Malaysia to Tanzania
Hey guys!
Today I will share with you something that is valuable than gold to me!
It is my experience of traveling with my beloved Chica to Tanzania. Chica is my 3 year old Shih Tzu daughter.
Staying in Malaysia for 6 years, we decided to adopt this 2 month old little fur-ball of a baby who soon became the highlight of our days.
After 3 years with Chica in Malaysia, I decided to move back to Tanzania. There was no question about giving her away. Chica had to come with me!
I had a few annoying people suggesting to me to give her away or asking me to get another puppy back in Tanzania. I asked those people to give their babies away and make new ones at their new destination. Yeah, THAT shut them up!
Snub-nosed breeds have been banned from most of the airlines due to health risks in flight. They can only be permitted in-cabin if they meet the weight and height requirements of that airline. Shih Tzu's are usually medium-sized and unless they are very small puppies, the chances of meeting with the in-cabin requirements are very low.
I inquired with nearly ALL airlines. KLM, Thai Airways, Ethiopian airlines, Kenya airways and all those that travelled from Malaysia to Tanzania. NONE of them gave any positive response about in-cabin travel, and must I add that all airline companies in my experience give the worst customer service!
I finally got some hope from Thai Airways. Their seat dimensions were slightly bigger than other airlines, but due to the absense of a connecting flight, I would have to get permission from another airline (Ethiopian airlines in my case) to carry my baby with me in flight.
The agent for Thai airways asked me to get all the vaccinations done, while they got the approval. Ethiopian airlines (Bangkok office) on the other hand took 3 weeks to respond to a yes or no question, and the answer was a last minute no. He said only the ground staff in Bangkok could decide whether Chica could board the next flight or not. I hated the thought of being stranded in the middle of a strange country with Chica.
My only option was Cargo.
From online reviews and friends' suggestions, the recommended one was KLM-Air France cargo. They have the reputation of being the most pet-friendly airline with the biggest airline animal hotel.
That started another stressful journey of getting all the documents ready. After getting 90% of it done, I discovered Cargo could only be arranged by an agent. So I had to pay a hell lot of money to an agent for work that was mostly done.
It was however all worth it if it meant my baby could be in Tanzania with me.
Basically, the whole process requires following a tight timeline and the following steps:
- Firstly, Your pet must be vaccinated against all the diseases that are mentioned in the importing country's regulations. In my case it was Rabies (not given more than 1 year back), DHLP, and deworming. You can get this information from www.pettravelstore.com
- Try to get the vaccination done at least a month and half before the flight.
- 2 weeks before the flight, you need to apply for an import permit from the destination country with the attached inoculation record, international health certificate as filled by your licensed vet, and import permit application.
- The import permit has to be attained from the Ministry of Water and Livestock Development, through the Director of Veterinary services. This import permit is only valid for 2 weeks. So once you have that scanned document, you have to proceed to apply for the export permit from your departing country. The export permit is only valid for 5 days and that includes the flying time.
- Getting the export permit requires another check-up of your baby, together with inoculation record.
- Please note that it is best to have a friend/family member/agent visit the Director of Veterinary services in Tanzania personally as phone calls/emails will not be answered (at least not in my case).
- Get an airline approved carrier and make sure your baby can stand, sit, sleep and turn around comfortably in it. Make sure it is comfortable in it before its flight. It is going to be in there for a long time. You can get lots of advice from the link I posted above.
- Get your baby microchipped for safety. Tanzania doesn't require microchip, but some airlines do. In my case, during my attempt to travel with Thai Airways, I was told Chica would need it, so we went ahead and got it.
If you are sending your pet through an agent, the agent will send a vet over to pick her from your residence on the day of the flight, do one brief health check up, check her in at Malaysia's animal hotel, and the agent will then check her in at the airport.
It is advisable for you to attach your baby's mugshot together with all the documents.
Below is Chica's :) haha!
I was lucky to get updates on Chica every few hours as I was going crazy with worry. I could also track her status through the KLM-AF cargo website.
The first picture the agent sent me of Chica made me burst into tears as she looked really scared and lonely (below). If only I could travel with her :(
Below was the overall setup of her crate.
The base of the crate contained her favourite blanket, a Spongebob toy she loves and 2 layers of wee wee pads in case of accidents.
Unfortunately it all got crumpled up on her way to the airport.
There was a water bottle attached to the cage, as well as two additional plastic containers inside the crate, one containing dry kibble and the other extra water.
The top of her crate had some extra wee wee pads, dry food and treats in case she ran out of them and the animal hotel in Amsterdam would feed her.
Chica arrived perfectly in Tanzania. My family was there to receive her while I prepared for my own flight the next day. I was overwhelmed by the news, and so was her daddy through Skype, who was equally anxious to hear the news from Germany.
I am proud to say this has been the best decision for all of us, especially for Chica, who now has a bigger family, larger space to run around in, lots of love and kisses from everyone.
I would like to thank the following people for making it all possible.
1) Chica, for agreeing to make this big move with me and for being such a good sport. God bless you, my baby!
2) Mostafa for all the research, help and moral support while preparing for the move
3) Meera and Mom, for all the hard work and running around to make this possible from Tanzania side.
4) Bandar Puteri Veterinary Clinic and Surgery Team, for being so gentle and loving to Chica as she went on a weekly vaccination spree.
5) CTI Logistics (the agent), for making the final move possible
6) KLM-AF Cargo for their lovely animal hospitality.
7) Nadiya Paramayuda for all her tips and advice as she went through exact same phase with her Shih Tzu baby at the same time :) (what a coincidence)
8) Just Pets grooming (Ken and team) for making Chica look so pretty before her flight :)
This post was meant to be written over a month ago so it's long overdue, but it was important for me to share this whole experience. You never know who might need it :)
Please do leave your feedback or inquiries in the comments below and I will be glad to answer them all or add on additional information to the already long (boring?) post.
Today I will share with you something that is valuable than gold to me!
It is my experience of traveling with my beloved Chica to Tanzania. Chica is my 3 year old Shih Tzu daughter.
Staying in Malaysia for 6 years, we decided to adopt this 2 month old little fur-ball of a baby who soon became the highlight of our days.
After 3 years with Chica in Malaysia, I decided to move back to Tanzania. There was no question about giving her away. Chica had to come with me!
I had a few annoying people suggesting to me to give her away or asking me to get another puppy back in Tanzania. I asked those people to give their babies away and make new ones at their new destination. Yeah, THAT shut them up!
Snub-nosed breeds have been banned from most of the airlines due to health risks in flight. They can only be permitted in-cabin if they meet the weight and height requirements of that airline. Shih Tzu's are usually medium-sized and unless they are very small puppies, the chances of meeting with the in-cabin requirements are very low.
I inquired with nearly ALL airlines. KLM, Thai Airways, Ethiopian airlines, Kenya airways and all those that travelled from Malaysia to Tanzania. NONE of them gave any positive response about in-cabin travel, and must I add that all airline companies in my experience give the worst customer service!
I finally got some hope from Thai Airways. Their seat dimensions were slightly bigger than other airlines, but due to the absense of a connecting flight, I would have to get permission from another airline (Ethiopian airlines in my case) to carry my baby with me in flight.
The agent for Thai airways asked me to get all the vaccinations done, while they got the approval. Ethiopian airlines (Bangkok office) on the other hand took 3 weeks to respond to a yes or no question, and the answer was a last minute no. He said only the ground staff in Bangkok could decide whether Chica could board the next flight or not. I hated the thought of being stranded in the middle of a strange country with Chica.
My only option was Cargo.
From online reviews and friends' suggestions, the recommended one was KLM-Air France cargo. They have the reputation of being the most pet-friendly airline with the biggest airline animal hotel.
That started another stressful journey of getting all the documents ready. After getting 90% of it done, I discovered Cargo could only be arranged by an agent. So I had to pay a hell lot of money to an agent for work that was mostly done.
It was however all worth it if it meant my baby could be in Tanzania with me.
Basically, the whole process requires following a tight timeline and the following steps:
- Firstly, Your pet must be vaccinated against all the diseases that are mentioned in the importing country's regulations. In my case it was Rabies (not given more than 1 year back), DHLP, and deworming. You can get this information from www.pettravelstore.com
- Try to get the vaccination done at least a month and half before the flight.
- 2 weeks before the flight, you need to apply for an import permit from the destination country with the attached inoculation record, international health certificate as filled by your licensed vet, and import permit application.
- The import permit has to be attained from the Ministry of Water and Livestock Development, through the Director of Veterinary services. This import permit is only valid for 2 weeks. So once you have that scanned document, you have to proceed to apply for the export permit from your departing country. The export permit is only valid for 5 days and that includes the flying time.
- Getting the export permit requires another check-up of your baby, together with inoculation record.
- Please note that it is best to have a friend/family member/agent visit the Director of Veterinary services in Tanzania personally as phone calls/emails will not be answered (at least not in my case).
- Get an airline approved carrier and make sure your baby can stand, sit, sleep and turn around comfortably in it. Make sure it is comfortable in it before its flight. It is going to be in there for a long time. You can get lots of advice from the link I posted above.
- Get your baby microchipped for safety. Tanzania doesn't require microchip, but some airlines do. In my case, during my attempt to travel with Thai Airways, I was told Chica would need it, so we went ahead and got it.
If you are sending your pet through an agent, the agent will send a vet over to pick her from your residence on the day of the flight, do one brief health check up, check her in at Malaysia's animal hotel, and the agent will then check her in at the airport.
It is advisable for you to attach your baby's mugshot together with all the documents.
Below is Chica's :) haha!
I was lucky to get updates on Chica every few hours as I was going crazy with worry. I could also track her status through the KLM-AF cargo website.
The first picture the agent sent me of Chica made me burst into tears as she looked really scared and lonely (below). If only I could travel with her :(
Below was the overall setup of her crate.
The base of the crate contained her favourite blanket, a Spongebob toy she loves and 2 layers of wee wee pads in case of accidents.
Unfortunately it all got crumpled up on her way to the airport.
There was a water bottle attached to the cage, as well as two additional plastic containers inside the crate, one containing dry kibble and the other extra water.
The top of her crate had some extra wee wee pads, dry food and treats in case she ran out of them and the animal hotel in Amsterdam would feed her.
Chica arrived perfectly in Tanzania. My family was there to receive her while I prepared for my own flight the next day. I was overwhelmed by the news, and so was her daddy through Skype, who was equally anxious to hear the news from Germany.
I am proud to say this has been the best decision for all of us, especially for Chica, who now has a bigger family, larger space to run around in, lots of love and kisses from everyone.
I would like to thank the following people for making it all possible.
1) Chica, for agreeing to make this big move with me and for being such a good sport. God bless you, my baby!
2) Mostafa for all the research, help and moral support while preparing for the move
3) Meera and Mom, for all the hard work and running around to make this possible from Tanzania side.
4) Bandar Puteri Veterinary Clinic and Surgery Team, for being so gentle and loving to Chica as she went on a weekly vaccination spree.
5) CTI Logistics (the agent), for making the final move possible
6) KLM-AF Cargo for their lovely animal hospitality.
7) Nadiya Paramayuda for all her tips and advice as she went through exact same phase with her Shih Tzu baby at the same time :) (what a coincidence)
8) Just Pets grooming (Ken and team) for making Chica look so pretty before her flight :)
This post was meant to be written over a month ago so it's long overdue, but it was important for me to share this whole experience. You never know who might need it :)
Please do leave your feedback or inquiries in the comments below and I will be glad to answer them all or add on additional information to the already long (boring?) post.
Monday, October 15, 2012
I'm back!
There was a time when I used to blog about each thought, each idea, and then suddenly I went dead. What happened?
Workaholism hit me as usual. I got fully engrossed with work and had no time for anything else, and as it usually is with Routine, while some people like the stability of daily routine, I started to get seriously bored.
I knew it was time for change.
We all know change is not always easy. Especially when it is a big one. With big changes, come fear, risks and excitement. A special friend once mentioned this line to me "This will pass too" and this line gave me unbelievable courage to make these changes. Everything we go through is going to pass eventually, be it good or bad. So rather than holding on to the negative feelings of fear/resentment/nervousness etc, we should just remain calm and neutral to them and let them pass.
First step I took was to resign from my very nice job.
Next, I decided to move back to Tanzania, and start over a new life there.
I brought my little Shih Tzu puppy together with me and that involved many risks as well along the way.
Point of the story is, had I not taken these steps, I would never have enjoyed the fruits of it all, and I feel proud and optimistic about the future.
Workaholism hit me as usual. I got fully engrossed with work and had no time for anything else, and as it usually is with Routine, while some people like the stability of daily routine, I started to get seriously bored.
I knew it was time for change.
We all know change is not always easy. Especially when it is a big one. With big changes, come fear, risks and excitement. A special friend once mentioned this line to me "This will pass too" and this line gave me unbelievable courage to make these changes. Everything we go through is going to pass eventually, be it good or bad. So rather than holding on to the negative feelings of fear/resentment/nervousness etc, we should just remain calm and neutral to them and let them pass.
First step I took was to resign from my very nice job.
Next, I decided to move back to Tanzania, and start over a new life there.
I brought my little Shih Tzu puppy together with me and that involved many risks as well along the way.
Point of the story is, had I not taken these steps, I would never have enjoyed the fruits of it all, and I feel proud and optimistic about the future.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Recipe: Chicken and Mushroom Stir-fry!
Hi all!
Today I'd like to share with you this delicious recipe of mine. Read on if you like what you see :-)
Chicken and Mushroom Stir-fry
(serves 3 people (or two VERY hungry people)
You will need:
- About 350gms of chicken fillet (as shown in the picture below)
- About Half of a capsicum (cut as shown below)
- 1 Medium sized onion (Cut as shown below)
- salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic, chopped
- Ginger, chopped
- Mushrooms, sliced
- Tomato Puree
- Soy Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
- *Hot sauce
- *Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- *Potatoes for French Fries or frozen French fries
- Oil for frying
Method
For the Marinade:
- Wash the chicken nicely and cut into about 1-inch cubes
- Place these cubes in a container and add salt, pepper, 3 tbsp Soy Sauce, 2 tbsp Oyster sauce, 1 tsp of chopped garlic and 1 tsp of chopped ginger to it.
- Close the lid or seal with cling film wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
The marinade
While the chicken is marinating, you can keep yourself busy by frying your french fries, and preparing the veggies for the next stage.
The boring French fries-frying process.
After your have marinated your chicken for about an hour, fry it on medium heat till it's cooked well. Make sure you don't overcook or undercook it. Just observe it, and you will know :-)
Doesn't look that tempting yet, but smells delicious!
Now comes the fun part!
- Put 1-2 tbsp of oil in a pan
- Saute the mushrooms with 1 teaspoon of garlic, salt and pepper on medium heat
- After about 2 minutes, add onion and capsicum.
Love this combination!
- Saute for a few more minutes till you feel the onion and capsicum pieces begin to slightly soften.
- Now add about 2 tbsp of Soy sauce, 2 tbsp of Oyster sauce, 1 tbsp of hot sauce (depends on how hot you want it to be), and about 2 tbsp of tomato puree.
- Stir it and let it cook for a while.
- You can add half a glass of water to it to lighten the consistency.
- Now add your chicken pieces into it.
- Cover the lid and let the flavors combine and strengthen the taste for about 5-7 minutes on low heat.
- Make sure you are there to monitor it. We don't want to burn it at this stage!
Your chicken and mushroom stir-fry is now ready!
If you want, add grated cheese to your french fries and bake for about 5-7 minutes in your oven for an extra delicious treat!
...And Voila! My dear friends, your food is ready! Enjoy it!
I served mine with Arabian bread and these delicious mouth watering French Fries, you can serve yours with rice, veggies or anything you feel like having that day!
Have a great day everyone!
Health: A Miracle Cure for Sore Throat and Cough
Hey guys!
I hope you are all in the best of health and not affected by changes in weather as I am here. If you are one of the unlucky ones who have been attacked by a deadly cough that has not been cured in spite of several medications and herbal options, you have come to the right place.
The past 40 days have been hell for me. I have had this cough that really doesn't want to leave. I gave up hope on doctors after they prescribed 3 different antibiotics to me on each visit, which didn't work at all. I suffered the side effects of taking too much medication: weakness, loss of concentration, weight loss, depression and so on. I just gave up trying.
This is not one of those pages where I gush about a wonderful solution to something and ask you to pay for it in the end. This is a free miraculous cure that is found in your kitchen; offered from me to you with the hope that you will share it with everyone as it was shared with me.
Here's what you need.
- A Lime
- A tablespoon of Soy Sauce
Method and Directions:
- Cut your lime in half.
- Pour the Soy sauce into the lime
- Squeeze the mixture into your mouth and swallow it.
PS. DO NOT try to taste it. It is NOT a pleasant combination!
Some of you may wonder why we need the soy sauce. Well, according to my research, soy sauce neutralizes the acidity of the lime to make it drinkable. It does not really take any part in curing the cough.
I can proudly say that I am 95% better now; and what helped me is this mixture. Of course, along with that, I took lots of warm water, ginger tea and so on, but this is the one that brought immediate relief.
I thank this lovely lady I know for sharing this with me. It doesn't sound like much of a big deal, but if you have been suffering as much as I did, you will know how much it means.
Hope you all have a good day! In my next post, I will be sharing a delicious recipe that you don't want to miss, so please keep checking! :)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Health: Let's go Herbal with Ginger Tea!
It's been nearly three weeks now since I have had my nasty, chesty cough. It is really annoying and I just can't seem to get rid of it. I have completed my antibiotics dosage, a bottle of cough syrup, lots of warm water, eaten lots of fruits and veggies, but nope! The cough wants to stay! Once I cough, I just can't stop. (Thank you for the slogan, Pringles!)
So yeah, I have gone through various kinds of medicines and decided to completely go herbal now.
I have now decided to turn to folk medicine, and the first one I tried is one from my own folks! (my sweet mother)
My mother always told me to boil a few pieces of ginger in water and drink it when I have a cold or fever, it instantly warms the body and makes us feel better.
Ginger, for many centuries, has been a natural remedy for various problems.
Below is a list of some of the ailments ginger can cure:
• Stimulates digestion
• Naturally freshens breath
• Relieves nausea, including dizziness from motion sickness
• Helps lower cholesterol
• Relieves gas and bloating
• Soothes common cold symptoms, including respiratory infections
• Eases menstrual cramps
• Relieves headaches
• Helps stop diarrhea
• Believed to have anti-cancer properties
(Source: http://stacienaczelnik.hubpages.com/hub/Ginger-The-Benefits-How-to-Use)
Today I decided on researching more about ginger. I found this really nice ginger tea recipe here.
Basically, you have to grate ginger, add crushed garlic and boil the mixture in water for a few minutes. Once it has boiled, add a tablespoon of honey and squeeze a wedge of lemon into it and drink it warm. You will feel the difference instantly!
I tried it today, it was really strong and the taste wasn't that good, but it really helped relieve my cough.
If you decide to try it, make sure you inhale it while it is boiling and while you drink it.
All the above ingredients have different health benefits.
Garlic is considered a natural antibiotic. Lemon boosts the immune system. Ginger has the above mentioned benefits and honey contains antioxidants that help sooth sore throat.
I think it is much better than all the stuff that we get at hospitals that apparently didn't work for me this time.
I will keep drinking this for a few days and let you know if it worked!
Have a great weekend guys!
• Stimulates digestion
• Naturally freshens breath
• Relieves nausea, including dizziness from motion sickness
• Helps lower cholesterol
• Relieves gas and bloating
• Soothes common cold symptoms, including respiratory infections
• Eases menstrual cramps
• Relieves headaches
• Helps stop diarrhea
• Believed to have anti-cancer properties
(Source: http://stacienaczelnik.hubpages.com/hub/Ginger-The-Benefits-How-to-Use)
Today I decided on researching more about ginger. I found this really nice ginger tea recipe here.
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Basically, you have to grate ginger, add crushed garlic and boil the mixture in water for a few minutes. Once it has boiled, add a tablespoon of honey and squeeze a wedge of lemon into it and drink it warm. You will feel the difference instantly!
I tried it today, it was really strong and the taste wasn't that good, but it really helped relieve my cough.
If you decide to try it, make sure you inhale it while it is boiling and while you drink it.
All the above ingredients have different health benefits.
Garlic is considered a natural antibiotic. Lemon boosts the immune system. Ginger has the above mentioned benefits and honey contains antioxidants that help sooth sore throat.
I think it is much better than all the stuff that we get at hospitals that apparently didn't work for me this time.
I will keep drinking this for a few days and let you know if it worked!
Have a great weekend guys!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Rambles: Operation H Begins Today!
If you read my last post, you will see that I was feeling blue prior to my 25th Birthday. Reaching Quarter of a century freaked me out a bit, but I was still happy that I was still on a roll with my work, balancing everything that I did, updating my blogs often and so on.
Then came the D-Day - my birthday. I had a great time celebrating with my loved ones. It was really overwhelming receiving all the wishes, cutting the cakes and feeling like a princess for a day.
Unfortunately, the same day, I started to fall sick. I got fever and sore throat, and I was like Uh-oh!
Since then, I have been fighting a never ending cold, on and off fever and horrendous cough (I thank my colleagues and housemates for bearing with the ugly sounds I produce as a result of that he he!).
Falling sick changes a lot of things. It sometimes makes one feel down, uninspired and weak. The same thing happened to me. I lost all my design motivation, fashion sense and my cheerfulness.
I became a grouch.
As I recover slowly, I have now decided to once again push myself to resume my life prior to falling sick.
I call this Operation H. H standing for Healthy, Happy and Hungry.
Image from: http://freelancefolder.com/self-motivation/
Healthy - Eating/drinking healthy again to stay fit, glowing and pimple-free.
Happy - Getting back to doing what makes me happy - hobbies, fitness, design etc
Hungry - Feel Passionate about what I do, and stay motivated to do more and more...and more.
So this is my plan, and I would love it if you would all do the same. Let's get the Operation H started, shall we? :-)
Have a great day you all!
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