I'll never forget, the day I fall in love with your song Negarane Mani after watching Maahe Asal. I asked my husband who sing that song. Then I found out that it is you and you're battling with cancer when singing that song.
Maryam Hashemi is a 20 years old girl who just passed her konkoor test to enroll in bachelor of medicine (daroo sazi) at Islamic Azad University Roodeheh. Her family cannot afford to pay tuition fees as well as other expenses for her to register in the university. Therefore, with help from her mom, she was introduced to work part time at 5 star hotel, the same place with her mother as a housekeeper. Maryam doing her best in her job that makes the supervisor Mr. Reza likes her. Even though Mr. Reza never says anything, people around realized how he treats Maryam. The most person that hates this fact is Ms. Mohtashami the so called Mr. Reza's girlfriend. She does not agreed with the fact that Maryam is working part time. She tried to fire Maryam but the top management call Maryam back to work. Her objective to rid off Maryam from the hotel is going to succeed when a guest's watch (Amitabh Bachan's) was stolen from the room. She suspected 3 housekeepers including Maryam who cleaned the room. Ms. Mohtashami is very strict in job and all the staffs do not like her, even the top managers. Although police did not find any evidence that the 3 housekeepers steal the watch, she still want them to be accused. Finally, Mr. Reza found the watch and he doesn't want to tell how he found it. Because he was so tired and disappointed with Ms. Mohtashami, he is willing to be caught by police so that he can end his relationship with her.
In my opinion, this movie is better than the previous movie I watched because I can understand what's going on and why it happen. Overall i give 4 star out of 5.
This week Sunday movie as recommended in Iran Proud. Agha Davood is a doctor which is diagnosed with brain tumor and expected to live only for 3-4 months. He had divorced with Shahrzad (Niki Karimi) and their children are living with him. After divorced he "married" sigheh with one woman for a short time just to take care the children but one day she found out she is pregnant Davood's child. Davood asked her to do abortion as he doesn't want to marry "daeim" with her. She reluctant to do but finally agreed. However, as life getting harder realizing he soon gonna die, he plan to give the children custody to his ex-wife and asked the sigheh woman to marry him once the sigheh period ended. On the day of aqdh, the woman confessed that she is actually did not pregnant and she did that because she likes Davood. They end up married and the family went to shomal as he promised his daughter. He tried to accomplish all the things he should have done before he die. In the end, he replaced Shahrzad's husband place in prison just to make sure the children have a good life with Ali (Shahrzad's husband)'s presence.
How can I fall for Agha Davood's charm. Besides, Ali is very good looking with blue eyes. :)
The most fancy dialogue for me is at 44:35 - 45:26. Hahaha I think Iranian censorship council(or whatever they called it, the one that responsible to filtering film content) is more open than Malaysian :). In malaysia no cursing/harsh words/actions are not allowed in film (of course) not even the mild one like bodoh or smoking a cigarette. But in this film they included words such as "khafesho" which means shut up but it really a harsh words in Persian that when anybody said khafesho to me will make me cry :). And another one "bedarak" which means uhmmmm "whatever" but in a harsh way.
Again, this time the director did not disappoint me. Overall it's a good film, full of meanings and moral values.
Any how where is the persian alphabet "jh" on keyboard? I couldnt find it to wrote vijeh. So I copy paste it from internet for the title.
I miss Iran so much, particularly one particular person inside it. How can I not miss a country that I really like? In the 6 ++ years I've been involving myself in "Iran" related matters, I never experienced any thing that makes me hate Iran, yeah maybe sometimes there are Iranian that pissed me off but the country itself never make me unhappy, even with all the bad deeds the world is talking. By the way, is Iran really a not good country for living? Because there are people said I never live there that's why I don't have bad impression about Iran. But for me, I don't think I will hate Iran if I live there as well. I don't know. Maybe. That is my instinct.
Its been a year. I wish time will pass by faster for my next visit to Iran. I want another paiz if not zemestoon in Iran. For the mean time, here some photos of my last year visit. Taa daafe baad...moraghebe khodetun bash. Hava aloode shode.
After some times, tonight I logged in to this blog and decided to write some words motivated after i watched an Iranian movie in Astro A-List where my crush acted. Ashkan Khatibi hi!! :)
The title is قاعده تصادف. Translated as the canon of accident but on tv they translated as bending the rules. But now i dont wana talk about this film. I wanna talk what this post's title is. Where is the climax of Iranian movies. Is it me who didnt understand or it was intentionally created without a clear climax? The director somehow want to make the viewers do conclusion by themselves. Whether they ended marry or no, divorce or no, die or no, going or no etc..
I dont know whether any one of you have the same feeling or no but for me most of the films, particularly the one that got awards have no clear climax. But overall I love the simplicity and value of the films the director tried to deliver.
Lately this blog received lots of viewers searching for sup tulang merah recipe. Yesterday it was viewed 185. I never thought this "malay" recipe is the most popular one among my other recipes since I shared mostly persian foods recipes. By the way, if anyone ever made sup tulang merah following my recipe, please share with me the outcome. Hopefully it turned out good!
Hello dearest readers..How's your day? It seems like times past so fast. We're already in the 3rd week of ramadhan. Have you prepared for hari raya? Me, not a single thing. This year I have no passion to celebrate. I'm so lazy to make biscuits. I cooked only for iftar like 2 times per week. Other days mak or my sisters prepare for iftar. It's totally different like other past years ramadhan. I have no appetite to eat, i eat just to not feel hungry not stuffing myself like normally i did. Maybe because we're only 2 people in house, me and mak. My mak also like that, 5 minutes after iftar she'll finish eating and go to pray. I haven't started cleaning house, I haven't buy baju raya or maybe I won't buy any. I hate going to malls, it's crowded on weekend and hard to find parking.
On the other hand, i'm currently doing my data collection so my mind is so tired. So tired that I just don't want to wake up from sleep because I don't want to think.
Lets see how my hari raya will turn out this year. Will update later.
Bye.
After 14 episodes of maahe asal, I am addicted to this song.
(Instead of me, you are torturing yourself)تو به جای منم داری زجر می کشی
(There is someone that you loved loves you) یکی عاشقته که تو عاشقشی
(Instead of me, you are full of sorrow) تو به جای منم پر غصه شدی
(Don't let me tired, don't say you're tired) نذار خسته بشم نگو خسته شدی
(You're worrying me, that my heart don't hurt) نگران منی که نگیره دلم
(To seeing you, my heart is pumping) واسه دیدن تو داره میره دلم
(You're worrying me, like a child) نگران منی مثل بچگیا
(You know, what I want from you) تو خودت می دونی من ازت چی می خوام
(Is it ok for you I stay lonely) مگه میشه باشی و تنها بمونم
()محاله بذاری محاله بتونم
(I no longer missing him) دلم دیگه دلتنگیاش بی شماره
(Other than you, he still has nobody) هنوزم به جز تو کسی رو نداره
(You're changing our life) عوض می کنی زندگیم و
(You make me remember our loves) تو یادم دادی عاشقیم و
(You're in my memory forever) تو رو تا ته خاطراتم کشیدم
(I never seen anybody with your beauty) به زیبایی تو کسی رو ندیدم
(Don't say) نگو دیگه آب از سر من گذشته
(Is there anybody other than you that) مگه جز تو کی سر نوشت و نوشته
(You don't have to have tolerance) تحمل نداره نباشی
(You're not alone) دلی که تو تنها خداشی
(A frozen pride, A cold star) یه غرور یخی یه ستاره سرد
(A night full of complaint to God) یه شب از همه چی به خدا گله کرد
(One time all of things gone) یک دفعه به خودش همه چی رو سپرد
(He did not cry anymore only bored) دیگه گریه نکرد فقط حوصله کرد
(You're worrying me) نگران منی به تو قرصه دلم
(You're by my side, there's no fear) تو کنار منی نمی ترسه دلم
(Hug me, take everything from me) بغلم کن ازم همه چیم رو بگیر
(Let me cry near you) بذار گریه کنم پیش تو دل سیر
*****This is my attempt to translate the lyrics. I got the farsi lyrics from RadioJavan. There's خدث mistake from the original source that I've corrected. It written غبار instead of غرور. Btw, I know it is not exactly translated as what it means in farsi. Words in blue means I didn't get to fully translated it. If anybody want to correct, please do so.****** Will update once I've recheck with mr.bf.
Maahe asal is a program by channel 3 Iran that screened every day during ramadhan right before iftar. Previously I watched few of past years episodes where I found it when I am searching for "Iran documentary channel 3" in Youtube. I remember one of the episodes where parents of a teenager canceled death prosecution of the murderer who killed their son. Months after that few episodes, I wanted to watch more but I couldn't find what is the name of the program until this year's Ramadhan I found it as it come out on my youtube's subscription lists because I subscribed IranianTVseries channel. Khoda ra shokr. Until today, 12 episodes has been screened but the best episode is on the 10th Ramadhan. I bet most of Iranians who watched this program saying the same thing. There are 2 parts and I am saying about the second part where Solmaz and Ehsan are the guests. Their love was being tested after Solmaz involved in an accident where her parents and cousin passed away and she went to a 40 days coma. Then after God shows how a pure love tackles everything. It was a touching, sincere expression of love by Solmaz to thank her husband of what he had done for her in the past 5 years. Ehsan is one in a million man in this world. Solmaz is a lucky girl to have Ehsan as a husband. For those who haven't watch this episode please do so. I bet after you watch it, you'll understand how lucky you are and how important to appreciate people that we love despite situation. This is the 'shahzadeye royaye man' that every woman should have.
Episode 10
In the beginning of 11th episode, they showed some after-show clips. Do watch it too.
Finally after 1 and half month I finished reading this 380 pages book. Overall I am satisfied with the content and story line. This is the first time I read a book related to literature. It's a bit hard for me as I never knew about Lolita or Darcy or James etc...Azar Nafisi combined and mix everything very well. The story is during Iran's Islamic revolution, Iran - Iraq war and post war. It shows how Iranian most of the time the author herself and her students adapting and behaved to the changes by relating it to English literature books. So today I'm going to read new book that I just bought, Honeymoon in Tehran by Azadeh Moaveni. Will blog about it later!
Update October 2014: I saw this book on sale RM12.00 at Popular while I bought it at RM74++ at Kinokuniya!!!!!!!!!!
Alhamdulillah today is the 2nd day of ramadhan. I'm so glad to have the chance again to celebrate ramadhan near my family. Meaning that I'm fasting for 14 hours instead of 17 in Iran. :) As every year's ritual, on the first day of fasting, my sibling will gather in mak's for iftar. As usual I'm the head of chef of the house. Yesterday the sisters ordered nasi kerabu. So I made nasi kerabu, the simple one without solok lada or ayam percik or grilled beef. They went to bazar ramadhan but it was so crowded that they only bought some ayam percik and drinks.
The day before ramadhan I craved for noodles by nearby warong (stall) near my house. My sister bought for me mee bandung and mee goreng. The mee goreng still have the same flavor like it used to be but it's disappointing that the mee bandung was tasteless. In Javanese culture, there is one ritual before ramadhan called "ngerangsom" which means people eat foods they like before ramadhan. This year my mak ngerangsom to eat cendol which she had in the evening at night market.
Oklah. I wish you all have a great and meaningful ramadhan. Taa daafe baad...khoda hafez!
Guys....There's no such thing like killing shia and go to heaven. However, InsyaAllah you will get the direct access to Jahannam. Why be such a fool? Don't you have family? Don't you love them? Don't you want to see your children become doctor or engineer when they grow up? Don't you want to sleep calmly at night and wake up for a nice morning? Don't you want to go for a vacation? Don't you want to eat good foods? Why you like to die? What do you get?? Damn, I really don't understand. Maybe you are sick! You are your sponsors' dog. You are not Muslim.
Recipe: Click here. Instead of normal rice tahdig, place the bottom of pot with onion slices and bread. Decorate nicely and steam with very low heat for about 30 minutes. Watch closely as onion and bread will easily burn (yes I burnt it) :) Maybe because I didn't use teflon pot (excuse). I made this another another one time with teflon and it turned out beautiful and yummy. Didn't snap photo though.
~ 2 large onion, dice (I used a lot to get thick gravy and sweetness)
~ 5 cloves garlic
~ 2 tspn turmeric powder
~ 1 tspn cinnamon powder
~ 1/2 tspn blackpepper powder
~ 2 tbsp saffron liquid
~ salt to taste
~ juice of 1 lime
~ hot water
~ cooking oil
Methods:
1. Heat some oil in a pan. Place chicken thighs, fry until all sides turn brown. Set aside. This step is important to get a juicy meat.
2. In the same pan, saute onion and garlic, add turmeric powder.
3. When the onion turn golden color, add in the seared chicken, cinnamon powder and blackpepper powder.
4. Pour hot water and saffron liquid, covering the chicken. Let it boil.
5. Lower heat to medium, cover the pot simmer for 1 hour.
6. After an hour, the water level has reduced by half. You'll get a thick gravy from the mashed onion and garlic.
7. Add in lime and taste with salt. I prefer not to put salt earlier. Somehow the sweetness from the onion and garlic need only a litlle pinch of salt.
8. Simmer for another 30 minutes or until the meat get very tender.
9. Serve with rice or bread.
Another version of Persian Style Recipe. Click here.
This is Zariff Zaquan. My best friend's first son. He's only 3 but has managed to steal my heart. We used to see each other often but now after he goes school we rarely have time to meet up. Or maybe aunty who is the one that always busy. My heart melted when he cried every time I wanted to go back from meeting him. Nowadays he knows how to use his mom's phone. He likes to send me messages or voice massages. Even though sometime only ABC or 123 or spelling my name or voice that I don't understand, I'm touched that he remembers me or maybe misses me. One night he called me and I only heard he's crying. Then I burst my tears in laugh knowing that he wanted me to come and go to Maslee together. Why Maslee Zaquan why?? haha. I am sorry boy that aunty couldn't meet you often. When you grow up you'll understand that adult has responsibilities and time constraints. I just want you to know that I love you so much like my son. Your mommy and I are best friends and we will never be separated. I'll watch you grow up and I know you'll be the best boy in town. :)
According to bff, Aghaye Hekayati was a children show during his childhood. Aghaye Hekayati was the story teller, telling story about animals. I tried to find it in Youtube but didn't find any. I think it's same like Aksi Mat Yoyo, a children show by Singaporean TV channel, SBS if I'm not mistaken.
(this post drafted last week nd I forgot to publish)
Finally my favorite TV host Anthony Bourdain went to Iran to shoot 'Parts Unknown'. I am a biggest fan of his shows especially No Reservations, A Cook's Tour and Parts Unknown at TLC. Before this I really wished that one day they will go to Iran. When I saw his tweet last 2 weeks that he is going to shoot parts unknown and he will off from all his social media for 10 days, I knew it! It must be Iran. Yeay it's true as he posted about it yesterday on all of his social media platforms. I really can't wait to watch the show. :)
one of mr bourdain's photo. he was at milad tower deck during the sand storm
There is another TV show that is currently on air every Tuesday on TLC that show Iran - Shane Delia Spice Journey. It is a cooking show actually where the host went to middle east counties to search for nice foods and recipes and later when he get back to Australia he adapt the recipes for a new fusion recipe. Past 3 episodes was about Persian foods where he traveled started from the south of Iran, and then Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd and Tehran. Next week's episode will be Tabriz and north of Iran. There is one scene in Shiraz that makes me laugh during the host's conversation with one Shirazi woman.
Shirazi woman: People in Shiraz is very popular for our hospitality.
Host: Oh, I heard that Shirazi people like to lay down, rest .....
(They both laugh)
For me, it is good to watch shows related to Iran in television. It is an opportunity for people to see and know Iran better. I hope there will be more in the future. Other than documentary, lately ASTRO bring several other Iranian films for channel A-List. Maybe I'll share it late. Till then..keep safe everyone..khodaegahdar.
I am sitting on a couch damedare faculty. It's 1.15 p.m. I just came back from faculty's library. Wanted to go for lunch but my head spinning like rollercoaster. I am having this bad headache on right side for several months. Normally I just let it cure by itself but sometimes when i have to do some important things, i pop panadols too,
Shekamam dare sedaye ahang jame jahani shakira mide. Ole ole ole. Goshnameeee. I look into my phone and saw this maash polow with nun lavash tahdig o sibzamini i made 2 months ago. Vay.....i want it now. :(
For recipe just go to the right tab and find under 'rice' label. I am so tanbal to find the link as i'm writing this post using tablet. Taa daaafe baaad....naaharet yadet nareh..nushe jooonet..khodahafez.
This is one of the films that I like to watch for second time. I remember when I was in Tehran October 2013, I saw the advertisement of this film on a billboard. I was thinking to go to cinema but decided to cancel it because of my health issue. On the night we wanted to go to cinema, there were so many cars queuing to enter cinema parking lot, bf decided to go to hyperstar instead where I fainted!! Back to the film, it's a story of a couple that face difficulties in relationship because of some problems. The husband is drug addicted, the wife seems bored with it (plus other conflicts with husband's family) and happened to have other relationship with another guy (her photoshop instructor/neighbour). It's not just the story line that excite me, but also at other things like Turkish language the husband talks with his family, there's also one scene that the husband had a hiccup, it shows some remedies that normally iranian people do to stop it (the niece tried to make him shocked, he drinks water while standing and bending half body, lying down on floor while legs on top of body) these are very interesting just like what bf taught me :). The ending..quite satisfying where the wife left the husband because it's too late. Overall I give 4.5 out of 5 stars!!
I read somewhere that this film is very interesting to watch. So last night I spent my time watching this film. At first I was very excited to see that Leila Hatami was one of the actresses. It's a story about 3 couples of friend attended a mehmooni (ceremony) birthday. Throughout the ceremony, there are 3 conflicts between the 3 couples happening. It's kind of nice story line but overall it's a little bit of bored movie. Only the 6 people, in a one house, in one occasion. Maybe if I understand farsi better, it'll be a better movie for me. ;) But it's more than ok for me that I could understand the story well (yeah, with some translation by mr. bf of course). Ending, as usual like most of other iranian films..I could'nt understand much why all of the conflicts happened. hurmm...Out of 5 I give3 stars!!
Me and my life..This is my story, my reference of my experience in learning Farsi and cooking Persian foods. For me Farsi is a very beautiful language. Persian Cuisine is not only foods to stuff hungry stomach, but it is an art that need to learn and practice to master. I have learned little and have lots ahead. This is my passion, my love.
