Dear readers,

This year, I sponsored the Ravens Athletic's Women Futsal Squad together with ViQ Apparel. The co-operation came about when I began playing futsal actively again after so many years of being lazy. My come-back into the healthy lifestyle was really much thanks to Megat, Ravens' founder/coach/manager. He always pushes me to test my physical limits and beyond encourages me to share my journey. He helps create content when I need it too!

Being a futsal enthusiast and in support of women empowerment in what used to be (and maybe still is) a male-dominated sport, I decided to sponsor Ravens Athletic's Women Futsal Squad. Together with me, ViQ Apparel co-sponsored the jersey and had them ready within one week. How amazing is that?

The launch was done at Sportizza's FIFA court and I had the support of Jasyu, Mai, Najwan and Dr. Amir! So much love from them and super fun time with all the girls from Ravens and friends!

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Dear readers,

I first met the author of "New York Calling" in 2020 during a recreational football session he hosted. Ever since, we've developed a friendship especially when FMCO pushed us into isolation where we would have discussions over Google Meet and Clubhouse for the sake of our sanity.

Before he left for New York, we had a chat over chicken rice and I got food poisoning and he didn't - a clear sign that he was ready for the Empire State.

He came back, wrote a book which I voted to be named 'New York Khalling' but he didn't go with my vote. Looking back, I'm glad he didn't! So when he was mulling over doing a book launch, I was like, "Oh, I have done one book launch before!" and decided to volunteer my services not that he needed it with Ahnaf being his right (and left) hand man. 

One of my photo at the exhibition, sold

Over time, Khal had the idea of showcasing a photography exhibition of New York which fits into the theme of his book “New York Calling”.

Knowing that I have also set foot in the Big Apple, he casually asked me to upload some photos onto the Google Drive. Lo and behold, my very amateur (sumpah memang tak layak) photos made it into the exhibition alongside professional and semi-professional photographers’ works. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling to be given such a privilege but what shocked me the most was when I found out that one of my photographs was purchased by an art enthusiast! Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined this!

Thank you so much to Khal and Ahnaf for the honor to be part of yesterday and insyaAllah, to also be part of Recreational Readings, an upcoming publishing company with you guys. Definitely looking forward to that!

I only look fierce, but I really am not!

About Khalilul Rahman
Khalilul Rahman is a community sports activist, mental health advocate, and now an author based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is also the founder of padangbolasepak.com, a Malaysian football collective of activists & bloggers with the intent to get people to get involved with the sport and to build communities, and the secretary general of the Malaysian Association of Recreational Sports.

With love,
Sya.

Dear readers,

As you all may or may not know, I've always been one of the boys so when I play futsal, half the time I'm like the only girl. Which is where I got the scar on my face and most recently, the tailbone injury. During the first weekend of July 2022, which was after the most busy period of my life, I played futsal, fell down and hurt my tailbone really badly.

It was so bad, I had shortness of breath and lost sight for awhile due to extremely low blood pressure. So the Husband rushed me to the hospital where I got an x-ray and all that fun stuff. But here's the thing that really sucked: it hurt like hell and they couldn't do anything about it other than giving me painkillers.

A few days after the fall, I felt sharp pains in my tailbone like a grinding feeling and I said to myself, I really cannot go to work. And that was the day the doctor told me I should be on a one-month MC. I was honestly not happy as I am a workaholic. On top of that, I couldn't drive for a few weeks because I could barely sit down.

It's been a month since the injury and I am still recovering although I am so much better now. There's no bone grinding feeling just soreness. So YAY!

Here's to another month or so.

Love,

Sya.

Before the pandemic, the Husband and I thought maybe Eid is the perfect time for a holiday especially since we did that in 2019 (Read: Raya Sydney: A Short Honeymoon (4 Days 3 Nights at RM3,000)). Then, we wouldn't have to worry about scheduling our Eid plans. Ahhh, those were the days.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we had gone 2 years without spending Eid with my family and I felt really sad about it. I was really looking forward to this year's Eid as we transition into the endemic phase. However, 2022 was legendary as Eid came like a surprise. Not that I was super surprised or anything. 

Long story short, I was in my grandparents place during the announcement that Eid is tomorrow instead of the following day without my Eid outfit! Face palm please! But the truth is, the car couldn't fit my things as we were transporting my brother's family's things. Lo and behold, we had to head back to KL which was an hour or so away. Dah balik rumah, tidur la situ kan? Penat kot.

The next morning, after getting ready and rested, I said to the Husband, we need to go ASAP because my family does Eid celebration like a competition against time. We made it just in time for photo sessions and makan time. 

When the Husband's family wanted to do a family trip, we ended up deciding on Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi as it was really close by so travel wouldn't be an issue, and my SIL, Nina and I had our Thermomix, so food wouldn't be an issue either. The awesome thing about the resort is that they had different types of rooms so we were able to accommodate everyone's preferences.

The Husband and I took AL that Friday and decided to leave in the morning so we could go to Genting or anywhere with his parents. We stopped by Genting Sempah for lunch where I had ikan patin gulai tempoyak which I absolutely love! Then, we headed up to Genting Highlands Premium Outlet where I looked for shoes (but failed). Personally, I find it super difficult to find the perfect pair of shoes. 

We realized that the cloud was getting dark and that it would start to rain anytime soon, so we decided to head to our final destination earlier than planned. 

When Nina arrived, I was so happy because with her there, I knew that dinner would be served soon. 

Honestly, we didn't do much up in Bukit Tinggi but we did play a lot of games like charades and song association. Such fun! Hope to have more trips now that borders are open!

Dear readers,

I know I update the blog so randomly like what is wrong with me? Actually, I wish I'm more consistent because there's so much to tell. But, you know, I'm a corporate PR person so writing is like part of my everyday and sometimes it's just tiring. 

Last year, birthdays got a bit more serious with Jasyu & Mai as we tried to outdo each other in the surprise department. I think the pandemic and being cooped up in our respective houses for so long contributed to this. You know how we are; always looking for adventures.

For Mai's birthday, we took her on a trip to a magical sand bank. You can read all about it here.

However, for Jasyu's birthday, it was FMCO phase I don't know just that we couldn't even travel inter-district. So we thought to ourselves, what can we do?

First, we surprised Jasyu the night before her birthday. This was really funny and awesome. We had the cake, dinner and balloons all delivered and surprised Jasyu as she was ready to go to bed. 

Then, I planned a go-kart session with Nadhil, Najwan and Megat. I invited a bunch of others too, but they weren't fully vaccinated yet. Why so late la you guys? I completed mine way back in July.

Jasyu loves driving too fast too furious and Najwan knew the perfect place for a go-kart session. I can honestly tell you, I had so much fun but they beat me by like 3 laps! Hahahaha. It was such a fun session and an awesome surprise as Jasyu had no idea of who was going to be there and what we were going to do. I'm so glad she I knew her well enough to know what she'd enjoy.

Afterwards, Jasyu and I went back to Mai's place to freshen up and we headed to the final (not so) surprise of the day: Afternoon Tea at The Majestic Kuala Lumpur. She had never gone but I know she's always wanted to. So ta-da!

I know we didn't do anything crazy, but what's important is that we have each other's backs and time. I don't know where I would be without these girls. That's why I go all out for them whenever I can.

Love,
Sya