UNWG Bazaar - 17 November 2009

The UNWG (United Nations Women's Guild) Bazaar was held again this year at Palais des Nations, Geneva. As always, Perwakilan Geneva took part in the most important fund raising activity organised by UNWG. The funds raised through the Bazaar are distributed to children in need around the world.

This year, 'nasi lemak, 'nasi ayam', fried noodles, currypuffs and cakes were on the menu, Besides food and drinks, our craft stall offered among others 'kaftan', sarong and 'tudung saji',

It was a tiring yet fulfilling event, and we look forward to another exciting bazaar next year.

Preparations for UNWG Bazaar - 15 November 2009

On 15 November 2009, members gathered at Rumah Malaysia to prepare curry puffs for the UNWG Bazaar which will be held on 17 November 2009. Members arrived at 10 a.m. at the residence, and the process of curry puffs making began! About 300 curry puffs were made and baked with love and care by members ready to be fried and sold.

Members would like to thank Datin Rohayazam for the delicious lunch, and also Perwakilan members who participated in the curry puff making event.

Congrats Pn. Noor Hamidah!

We would like to congratulate Pn. Noor Hamidah and family for the arrival of a pair of lovely boys! The boys - Affan and Ammar were born on 2 June 2009.

May the twins bring more love, happiness and laughter to the family.

*photos will be uploaded soon*

The following is a nice, heartwarming poem about motherhood...Enjoy!

Before I was a Mom...

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on, peed on,
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night......

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests, or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

before I was a Mom......
- Anonymous-

A Talk by Ustaz Zaharuddin Abdul Rahman - 25 May 2009

A religious talk was organised by Puan Noor Hamidah Mohd Tahir and hosted by DPR Puan Siti Hajjar Adnin for Perwakilan members and family. The guest speaker was Ustaz Zaharuddin Abdul Rahman from Wales, UK who spoke on "Kesempurnaan Solat" and Islamic Banking. Members may wish to view Ustaz Zaharudin's blog at http://www.zaharuddin.net
where he elaborates on the issues and questions raised during the talk.

As usual no Perwakilan event is complete without delicious treats prepared by Members. "Jamuan moreh" was served before Ustaz said goodbye.
The session with Ustaz Zaharuddin provided much important and beneficial information. Perhaps more such events could be organised in the future.

Farewell and Welcoming Get together

We bid farewell to our beloved member, Pn. Pauziah Hassan who left Geneva on 6 May 2009 and say hello to our new member, Puan Salmah Ismail.
A farewell and welcoming get together was held on 3 April 2009. Besides, a farewell bowling was also organised where Pn. Pauziah Hasan emerged as the champion, followed by Pn. Aishah Ghani as the 1st runner-up and Cik Wan Wadrina, 2nd runner-up.
On top of that, Puan Siti Hajjar organised a barbeque at her home where members got the chance to catch up with Pn. Pauziah for the last time.
We wish Pn. Pauziah and family all the best back home, and Puan Salmah a great new start in Geneva!

Cooking Demonstration by Pn. Asma - 9 March 2009

Pn. Asma demonstrated how to prepare 'kuih cara berlauk' to the members at her home. The following is the recipe:

Bahan Inti
1-2 cawan daging/ayam/udang dikisar
1 inci halia diketuk
2 labu bawang besar ( mesin kering /potong dadu kecil)
4 ulas bawang putih ( mesin kering bersama bwg besar/ cincang halus)
2 s/b rempah kurma
2 s/b rempah kari
1 s/b serbuk jintan manis
3 s/b minyak utk menumis
1 batang seleri dipotong halus( jika suka)
Ramuan menumis - bunga lawang,kulit kayu manis, daun kari
garam dan gula secukup rasa
Hiasan :
Daun bawang dimayang kecil
Cili merah dihiris halus
Daun sup
Bawang goreng

Berus - Daun pandan dipotong 2 dan carikkan sbg berus utk menggris acuan kuih.

Cara-cara memasak inti:
1. Tumiskan bahan tumis. Masukkan bawang, masak hingga layu. Masukkan rempah dan sedikit air. Masak sehingga wangi.
2. Masukkan daging/ayam dan kacau hingga sebati.
3. Masukkan seleri, garam dan gula dan biarkan mendidih dan kering.
4. Bila telah kering, angkat dan sejukkan.

Bahan bater
4 cawan tepung gandum (2 cwn tepung T45 dan 2 cwn tepung T55)
1 cawan santan pekat
1 cawan susu cair kotak 1.5%
4 cawan air
2 biji telur
garam dan gula
pewarna kuning
4 sudu besar esen vanila

Cara-cara:
1. Ayak tepung ke dalam mangkuk, tuang santan, susu dan gaul rata. Masukkan bahan-bahan ke dalam mesin basah dan mesin. Kemudian masukkan telur,garam dan gula secukup rasa dan terus mesin hingga hancur. Untuk dapatkan adunan yang betul-betul sesuai, tapis bater agar tidak berbintil-bintil. Biarkan selama 1/2 jam agar tepung sebati dgn air.
2. Masukkan sedikit bater ke dalam bekas bermuncung (bg memudahkan utk menuang ke dlm acuan kuih cara).
3. Minyakkan acuan kuih cara dgn berus atau daun pandan dan panaskan menggunakan api sederhana. Bila acuan sudah cukup panas, tuangkan adunan.
4. Masukkan sesudu kecil inti.
5. Taburkan hirisan cili merah, daun bawang dll hiasan. Tutupkan acuan dgn tudung periuk. Biarkan selama 10-15 minit sehingga masak ( adunan akn lekang dari tepi acuan).
6. Apabila masak, keluarkan. Ulang cara 3,4,5,6.

Nota: Jika kuih agak keras, tambah sedikit santan cair atau air. Ini kerana lembutnya kuih bergantung pada kelembapan tepung yg digunakan.

A bunch of thanks to Pn. Asma for sharing the recipe with the rest of us! Appreciate it!

Useful Tips for the Diplomat's Wife

To carry out the role of a diplomat's wife is indeed challenging. A book written by Datin Seri Sharifah Aziah Syed Zainal Abidin contains useful tips for the diplomat's wives.

Among the useful tips from this book include the following:

1. A diplomat's wife should accompany her husband at post unless specified in a hardship posting, for example. While her career is important, some sacrifices are also required for the working wives.

2. Be gracious, be tactful and be respectful of others. These are some of the traits that may prove to be an asset to your husband's diplomatic career.

3. Avoid back-biting or back stabbing. It is an unhealthy habit.

4. A diplomat's wife should avoid arguments and quarreling with people. Be mindful of the fact that your 'transient' stay at post really is temporary. Bring home sweet and pleasant memories of your posting. Cherish it forever.

5. Be articulate. When asked for an opinion, say the right thing, choose the right words. Do not hurt anyone. And do not be too familiar with someone you have just met.

6. Protocol must be observed at all times.Everyone should know their place and position in the overall organisational structure.

7. Be considerate of others whose needs may be different from yours.
As much as possible, avoid patronising anyone.

8. Be house proud. Take good care of your house. Maintain a clean home and pay extra attention to your toilet/bathroom/powder room and the kitchen.
This is yours and the country's image.

9. When your husband is posted to a difficult post, support him and don't give unnecessary stress by complaining about the place.
Wives should be happy to be with their husbands and their children wherever they are assigned.

10. Be a friend to all and enemy to none. Never intrude into the privacy of your colleagues and friends. Respect them. Accept all invitations unless you have an unavoidable matter to attend to.

Hi- tea with Puan Sri Norizan Sulaiman - 10 January 2009

A Hi-Tea was held to welcome Puan Sri Norizan Sulaiman, the President of Perwakilan. The event was held at Hotel Royal Manotel where sumptuous dishes were served - prepared by the members.Also present were Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Datuk Othman Hashim and Datuk Faizah Mohd Tahir.