It seems when I really think about it, I am quite a juggler of sorts.
Oh, when it comes to juggling three lemons and two oranges, Rudy does it best. I couldn't manage two apples let alone apples, oranges and lemons.
But let me recap July.
At work, I was struggling with my carpenter who was giving me 1001 excuses why he couldn't be on time, why he had to travel here first and there and so took three hours to get to the office, why he could only bring one worker when there were so many things to be done. I had my world global chairman arriving tin KL to launch our new office and Secretariat ASEAN, a networking session at Securities Comission and a golf event. Plus etc etc etc details too boring to elaborate.
To take a break, the family, Mum, my sisters Jah and Farah and the girls stayed at the Crowne Plaza for a couple of nights. I slipped away between the swimming pool foray and midnight feast to check on the carpenter at the office. We managed a midnight rendezvous to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - everyone including Little Ikesha, and it was a great outing with Iman ans Inas too!
We sent Iman home to Banting and I braced myself for a hectic weekend.
Finally with the help of a whole team of people, everything went on well, and I could finally relax. Now another sister, Ju and her family was relocating to Doha and as her daughters Nelly and Arissa and son Arif were favourite cousins of Irani, Ilena and Ikesha, I had to make sure we got to spend some time together. The only day Ju could manage was the same night I was geared to catch the Harimau Tigers in action agaisnt Singapore! No matter, we all turned Mak's house into a mini stadium and cheered on Malaysia to the very last while the kids enjoyed themselves to the max.
The next day, I took the girls so that they could say goodbye. Rudy had to work so I had to tackle driving to the airport, the drive was easy but unfamiliar to me. Anyway, it was an emotional farewell.
Ikesha has turned into a number one Harry Potter fan overnight. So we had performances of snippets from Harry Potter and she drew Harry Potter in various poses marvelously.
Inas turned Warren Officer 2 at the KRS camp last week. It sounded gruelling with her capturing ikan keli with her bare hands and cooking it, and other stuff which sounded too exhausting plus barely 3 hours sleep nightly over four days. i am so proud of her.
Irani is playing the piano and singing like an angel. I need to find a teacher here in the vicinity urgently.
Now we are preparing for Ramadhan. Ilena (Standard One) fasted last year so she is quite determined to fast this year too. Irani too.
I wonder what Iman will be having for break fast.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Joys of June
June kind of crept on us and built up into a joyous crescendo.
We visited Iman at college twice this month. The first time to send her back to college, the second - I was compelled to return to update her wardrobe and room a bit. Brought her a set of linen and proper towels, some throw cushions, a mat for her floor, a simple earthern pot that would keep fruits and food fresh and cool in her room. A dozen green apples, M&Ms. Vitamins. Some Greek and Egyptian mini books...and black and white family photos...we were done. What can I say, Iman's college dormitory Initially broke my heart. Irani and Ilena too felt sorry for their sister. But I was kind of okay after the girls, Bik and I put together our decorating touch. Then we had nasi lemak with sambal sotong, Iman's preferred sambal.
After that, we went to the beach at Morib. It was a great time for the girls who just love playing in the water.
The next week, our favourite garden table and chair were stolen. It was a sad thing to happen, that garden set had been part of years of wonderful memories. Bik who tried to shout the thieves away was quite upset, understandably, that they coolly sped off with the goods right in front of her. To cheer everyone up, I entered the girls in the a'lliance francaise karaoke session. So for about ten days, Irani, Ilena and Ikesha practised their songs to, I must say, perfection! Even Little Ikesha! But I must say Irani did really really well, memorising Loin de froid de decembre in two days.
Inas went to Australia during the school holidays with her father and Ibu. They had a great time. After she came back, I went to see her as she had camp to prepare for. We went out shopping for insect repellent, pills, snacks and a good tough torchlight. She aced her camp and was selected to attend another camp this week to qualify for cadet sargeant. Yay, Inas!
Last week was Rudi's birthday. He turned 35...and the girls made birthday cards. But it was a really busy week, with events, paperwork and school getting in the way of good old fashioned birthday celebrations.
The weekend finally arrived. We went to see Ilena's std One teacher Cikgu Nurbaya who excitedly told us Ilena got first place in class! Well done! Then we went to see Irani's teacher, Sir Zeffri. He was happy with Irani's science for which she scored highest in class but she needed to work on her BM and Math. Altogether, I was quite happy because Irani, Ilena and Ikesha were working hard on their homework I leave for them daily. But Ilena dropped a bomb. She proudly announced that her homework was too easy, she was clever enough and did not want to do her homework anymore!
Wow! I was upset. Bik was too. And when her father got home, he was pretty mad too. He sternly told her to study. But I decided to rope in Iman for this 'counselling' sessionas well. Iman is revered by the sisters as THE brainy one in the family - with teachers, friends and everybody constantly repeating this, Iman has dutifully portrayed the collegiate look. Iman had a one to one with Ilena on the phone and at the end of it, Ilena conceded that she would start her homework again.
Ikesha is drawing really well. Bicycles, fairies, the family become real pretty drawings. Mermaids and cats too. I forget that she's only 4 plus! It was her Sports Day last Saturday and boy! the girl ran her relays well - and got two gold medals. But the best thing was her march past. Left, right, left right. Bik actually cried...
This week we also followed the girls for an excursion. It started with the Museum of Islamic Arts. Irani and Ilena took the bus, Ikesha followed both of us in the car. The Museum was amazing. The girls did the Museum Safari where the kids looked for animals in the artifacts. There was a duck on a four hundred year old plate, dragons on a mosque replica, wolf on a vase and a bird carving in an ancient slipper. Twenty animals to look for actually. One of the Museum guides adopted Ikesha for the day and helped Ikesha with her Museum Safari -all the kids had a marvelous time!
Then we drove to a resort by a lovely river. We had lunch and after a rest, splashed and frolicked in the cool water. Rudi caught a little crab and some fishes which he let go immediately after. It was two hours of fun fun and more fun. Ikesha drew a lovely picture of herself standing on the stones and a streaming waterfall. After a shower and changing, we said goodbye to everyone and left the resort by car. We decided to watch a movie and saw Green Lantern. The kids loved it...After that, we decided to go Petaling Street and Daddy gave the girls a small budget to buy one item each. Ikesha was too sleepy and had to be carried. It was a bit scary, the night market, but Ilena chose to buy a small telescope ('I need a bigger one to see the moon and Mars' she said) and Irani bought a lovely pocket watch for RM 10! I loved their choices. When we got home, it was close to midnight. We had a wonderful day and Bik had a lovely rest at home.
Today, we took it easy. Rudi jogged while the rest of us cycled this evening. I took Ikesha on my bike, and for a while, she held on to me tightly. After a while, she let go a bit, shouting, 'See Mak. Tak jatuh pun!' Oh, I hope I never forget her cute expressions.
Really?
Let's go over and there.
I like Barbie Diamond Castle.
Ikesha habis main Ipad, baru Mak main.
After that, Iman's friend from school, Gorky came by on his motorbike. He wanted to ask about MyIndians.com, a volunteer group I am involved in. Gorky then asked about Jen, that's Iman, and I told him all I get from Iman is that she is in a lecture, she's doing her assignments, she's in study discussions. And Gorky said, 'That sounds like Jen alright!'
I also spent some time remembering Michael Jackson, with his songs aIred all throughout this weekend on the radio. 50 years of Michael Jackson they said. I grew up listening to Michael's song since I was ten! I remember my 11 year old neighbour in St Catharines dancing to PYT. Ben, Human Nature, Remember the time...many many songs...videos...concert in Toronto..Farah singing Bad when she was two, the girls loving MJ as much as I do...a lifetime of memories.
But tonight we settled into our favorite pasttime. I read the girls, again, Harold and the purple crayon and A hat for Ivan. And they dozed off to sleep.
June is just about to end, and we look forward to July.
We visited Iman at college twice this month. The first time to send her back to college, the second - I was compelled to return to update her wardrobe and room a bit. Brought her a set of linen and proper towels, some throw cushions, a mat for her floor, a simple earthern pot that would keep fruits and food fresh and cool in her room. A dozen green apples, M&Ms. Vitamins. Some Greek and Egyptian mini books...and black and white family photos...we were done. What can I say, Iman's college dormitory Initially broke my heart. Irani and Ilena too felt sorry for their sister. But I was kind of okay after the girls, Bik and I put together our decorating touch. Then we had nasi lemak with sambal sotong, Iman's preferred sambal.
After that, we went to the beach at Morib. It was a great time for the girls who just love playing in the water.
The next week, our favourite garden table and chair were stolen. It was a sad thing to happen, that garden set had been part of years of wonderful memories. Bik who tried to shout the thieves away was quite upset, understandably, that they coolly sped off with the goods right in front of her. To cheer everyone up, I entered the girls in the a'lliance francaise karaoke session. So for about ten days, Irani, Ilena and Ikesha practised their songs to, I must say, perfection! Even Little Ikesha! But I must say Irani did really really well, memorising Loin de froid de decembre in two days.
Inas went to Australia during the school holidays with her father and Ibu. They had a great time. After she came back, I went to see her as she had camp to prepare for. We went out shopping for insect repellent, pills, snacks and a good tough torchlight. She aced her camp and was selected to attend another camp this week to qualify for cadet sargeant. Yay, Inas!
Last week was Rudi's birthday. He turned 35...and the girls made birthday cards. But it was a really busy week, with events, paperwork and school getting in the way of good old fashioned birthday celebrations.
The weekend finally arrived. We went to see Ilena's std One teacher Cikgu Nurbaya who excitedly told us Ilena got first place in class! Well done! Then we went to see Irani's teacher, Sir Zeffri. He was happy with Irani's science for which she scored highest in class but she needed to work on her BM and Math. Altogether, I was quite happy because Irani, Ilena and Ikesha were working hard on their homework I leave for them daily. But Ilena dropped a bomb. She proudly announced that her homework was too easy, she was clever enough and did not want to do her homework anymore!
Wow! I was upset. Bik was too. And when her father got home, he was pretty mad too. He sternly told her to study. But I decided to rope in Iman for this 'counselling' sessionas well. Iman is revered by the sisters as THE brainy one in the family - with teachers, friends and everybody constantly repeating this, Iman has dutifully portrayed the collegiate look. Iman had a one to one with Ilena on the phone and at the end of it, Ilena conceded that she would start her homework again.
Ikesha is drawing really well. Bicycles, fairies, the family become real pretty drawings. Mermaids and cats too. I forget that she's only 4 plus! It was her Sports Day last Saturday and boy! the girl ran her relays well - and got two gold medals. But the best thing was her march past. Left, right, left right. Bik actually cried...
This week we also followed the girls for an excursion. It started with the Museum of Islamic Arts. Irani and Ilena took the bus, Ikesha followed both of us in the car. The Museum was amazing. The girls did the Museum Safari where the kids looked for animals in the artifacts. There was a duck on a four hundred year old plate, dragons on a mosque replica, wolf on a vase and a bird carving in an ancient slipper. Twenty animals to look for actually. One of the Museum guides adopted Ikesha for the day and helped Ikesha with her Museum Safari -all the kids had a marvelous time!
Then we drove to a resort by a lovely river. We had lunch and after a rest, splashed and frolicked in the cool water. Rudi caught a little crab and some fishes which he let go immediately after. It was two hours of fun fun and more fun. Ikesha drew a lovely picture of herself standing on the stones and a streaming waterfall. After a shower and changing, we said goodbye to everyone and left the resort by car. We decided to watch a movie and saw Green Lantern. The kids loved it...After that, we decided to go Petaling Street and Daddy gave the girls a small budget to buy one item each. Ikesha was too sleepy and had to be carried. It was a bit scary, the night market, but Ilena chose to buy a small telescope ('I need a bigger one to see the moon and Mars' she said) and Irani bought a lovely pocket watch for RM 10! I loved their choices. When we got home, it was close to midnight. We had a wonderful day and Bik had a lovely rest at home.
Today, we took it easy. Rudi jogged while the rest of us cycled this evening. I took Ikesha on my bike, and for a while, she held on to me tightly. After a while, she let go a bit, shouting, 'See Mak. Tak jatuh pun!' Oh, I hope I never forget her cute expressions.
Really?
Let's go over and there.
I like Barbie Diamond Castle.
Ikesha habis main Ipad, baru Mak main.
After that, Iman's friend from school, Gorky came by on his motorbike. He wanted to ask about MyIndians.com, a volunteer group I am involved in. Gorky then asked about Jen, that's Iman, and I told him all I get from Iman is that she is in a lecture, she's doing her assignments, she's in study discussions. And Gorky said, 'That sounds like Jen alright!'
I also spent some time remembering Michael Jackson, with his songs aIred all throughout this weekend on the radio. 50 years of Michael Jackson they said. I grew up listening to Michael's song since I was ten! I remember my 11 year old neighbour in St Catharines dancing to PYT. Ben, Human Nature, Remember the time...many many songs...videos...concert in Toronto..Farah singing Bad when she was two, the girls loving MJ as much as I do...a lifetime of memories.
But tonight we settled into our favorite pasttime. I read the girls, again, Harold and the purple crayon and A hat for Ivan. And they dozed off to sleep.
June is just about to end, and we look forward to July.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
May - Post 100
The month of May was one of many challenges. I promised myself that I would not let Legends of Hikayat go beyond the first week of May with only about 20 or so stories to be finalised. Iman helped me get through the last stretch, she typed all my longhand written stories in record time.
Here I owe a great deal of gratitude, first and foremost to my Mother, Puan Kamariah Jaafar for contributing all the ancient malay comedies - which I finally admitted - is a wealth of unrivalled treasure. She wrote the full length of Pak Pandir, Lebai Malang, Si Luncai and Pak Kadok stories, some of which I am sure I have never heard before. Mum studied geography and history at the University of Hobart so her stories have a beautiful atmosphere surrounding it.
Secondly, I must thank my darling Iman without whom I would never have finished this book. I wrote stories - quite a bit of them, in long hand and it was her job to retype them. She also researched stories from China, Indonesia and Nepal.
My sister Khadijah researched stories from Thailand, Vietnam and general Asia. Inas selected the best of Korea and Japanese stories for me to rewrite. Together, we all managed to pull off re-collating, retelling, editing 366 Legends of Asia in four months. Thank you all.
In May too, we had a surprise wedding held at our home in Rawang. My brother in law was supposed to bring his bride home to Kelantan after the wedding. However, logistics made it easier for the 'sambut menantu' to be held at our place. So there we were, busily painting, repairing and cleaning up here and there. And suddenly, the porch roof, which had been needing repairs, crashed to the floor and the fridge door fell too! Well, the fridge had been around far much longer than it should have been since 1996.
Rudi and I decided to repair the ceiling and since there was going to be kenduri, we did a good job out of it. It was money well spent - even if we were pushed into it. And we replaced the fridge consoling ourselves surely this is a better thing than worrying if the door would fall on Ikesha one day. We treated ourselves to an aircon in the master bedroom, with the excuse that the 'bridal room' should be comfortable even though it was just for one night.
So May was an upheaval.
That was not all. Iman got her driving license. That was great. Then suddenly, after months of preparing to enrol for A levels at Taylors, (she decided against University just yet) her father decided it was best she goes to Matriculation. Her aim was still to study for best results to qualify overseas. They agreed, she'd start sooner and it was lovely college in Banting. I was not happy but supported the decision. It was hard watching my lovely girl grow up - so suddenly - I guess, she has grown up quite a while...ever since she was three years old.
Yesterday, Rudi decided to take Ilena and Ikesha for a train ride. So we took the commuter to KL Sentral and the girls had a LOVELY ride. They played tag with the shiny poles and exclaimed at every factory, river and huge trees they saw. On the way home, it was no wonder they slept throughout the journey.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks to our neighbour Cikgu Rohani and Cikgu Rahim who were, as always, our life-savers and perfect neighbours. They lent their home for us to welcome the ladies for dinner, and Cikgu Rahim organised the tahlil - which was held in our house and was packed from wall to wall despite the late invites. Thank you to Mak Teh Yam for organising the home-cooked delicacies for 100 people including the hit - agar agar kentang from Rantau Panjang!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Took Iman, Irani and Ilena to Bukit Rotan for some volunteer work in our quest to find kids with citizenship issues. Distributed clothes and the girls helped the doctors and dentists who were giving free consultation. It was a lovely and very clean country-side. A totally different world just 15 minutes from where we stay. Rudi was content to Iman drive and she found the way.
I was quite amazed.
Here I owe a great deal of gratitude, first and foremost to my Mother, Puan Kamariah Jaafar for contributing all the ancient malay comedies - which I finally admitted - is a wealth of unrivalled treasure. She wrote the full length of Pak Pandir, Lebai Malang, Si Luncai and Pak Kadok stories, some of which I am sure I have never heard before. Mum studied geography and history at the University of Hobart so her stories have a beautiful atmosphere surrounding it.
Secondly, I must thank my darling Iman without whom I would never have finished this book. I wrote stories - quite a bit of them, in long hand and it was her job to retype them. She also researched stories from China, Indonesia and Nepal.
My sister Khadijah researched stories from Thailand, Vietnam and general Asia. Inas selected the best of Korea and Japanese stories for me to rewrite. Together, we all managed to pull off re-collating, retelling, editing 366 Legends of Asia in four months. Thank you all.
In May too, we had a surprise wedding held at our home in Rawang. My brother in law was supposed to bring his bride home to Kelantan after the wedding. However, logistics made it easier for the 'sambut menantu' to be held at our place. So there we were, busily painting, repairing and cleaning up here and there. And suddenly, the porch roof, which had been needing repairs, crashed to the floor and the fridge door fell too! Well, the fridge had been around far much longer than it should have been since 1996.
Rudi and I decided to repair the ceiling and since there was going to be kenduri, we did a good job out of it. It was money well spent - even if we were pushed into it. And we replaced the fridge consoling ourselves surely this is a better thing than worrying if the door would fall on Ikesha one day. We treated ourselves to an aircon in the master bedroom, with the excuse that the 'bridal room' should be comfortable even though it was just for one night.
So May was an upheaval.
That was not all. Iman got her driving license. That was great. Then suddenly, after months of preparing to enrol for A levels at Taylors, (she decided against University just yet) her father decided it was best she goes to Matriculation. Her aim was still to study for best results to qualify overseas. They agreed, she'd start sooner and it was lovely college in Banting. I was not happy but supported the decision. It was hard watching my lovely girl grow up - so suddenly - I guess, she has grown up quite a while...ever since she was three years old.
Yesterday, Rudi decided to take Ilena and Ikesha for a train ride. So we took the commuter to KL Sentral and the girls had a LOVELY ride. They played tag with the shiny poles and exclaimed at every factory, river and huge trees they saw. On the way home, it was no wonder they slept throughout the journey.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks to our neighbour Cikgu Rohani and Cikgu Rahim who were, as always, our life-savers and perfect neighbours. They lent their home for us to welcome the ladies for dinner, and Cikgu Rahim organised the tahlil - which was held in our house and was packed from wall to wall despite the late invites. Thank you to Mak Teh Yam for organising the home-cooked delicacies for 100 people including the hit - agar agar kentang from Rantau Panjang!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Took Iman, Irani and Ilena to Bukit Rotan for some volunteer work in our quest to find kids with citizenship issues. Distributed clothes and the girls helped the doctors and dentists who were giving free consultation. It was a lovely and very clean country-side. A totally different world just 15 minutes from where we stay. Rudi was content to Iman drive and she found the way.
I was quite amazed.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Ilena, the Origami enthusiast and Ikesha the door painter
Somehow, Ilena fell in love with origami. We always have an abundance of used paper which I collect from here and there. My penchant for writing longhand first has made this necessary.
And so the girls too can get by the whole day working and playing with paper. We make sticker paintings, collages and treasure hunt maps using coffee. Impromptu congak is done on paper. As well as puzzles galore.
Today, Ilena made a swan, a boat, a house, a dog and a snowman! She wants to take it to school on Monday. Ikesha made an ice cream cutout, a painting brush with which she proceeded to paint the door with it [remember, I was busy painting our doors a few weeks back]. And as she used pink paper to make the brush, our doors are now imaginary pink!
And so the girls too can get by the whole day working and playing with paper. We make sticker paintings, collages and treasure hunt maps using coffee. Impromptu congak is done on paper. As well as puzzles galore.
Today, Ilena made a swan, a boat, a house, a dog and a snowman! She wants to take it to school on Monday. Ikesha made an ice cream cutout, a painting brush with which she proceeded to paint the door with it [remember, I was busy painting our doors a few weeks back]. And as she used pink paper to make the brush, our doors are now imaginary pink!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A perfect busy day
I must say I am enjoying my new life. Yes, after I changed jobs, I have discovered one can breathe, laugh and love while still being a working mom. I used to pause to take a deep breath...now I can do it all the time. My time is flexible enough for me to pause and reflect. The best part is that I have my Saturdays off as well!
I usually start the day with prayers. But now I can also tuck in some exercise time after that. I can prepare the girls' homework and see them off to school. even little Ikesha!
Then, I get to have breakfast with hubby, something we have not managed on a working day on a regular basis for a long time.
Driving to work now takes 45 minutes, and not two hours like it used too. Wow!
Today I managed to see an old friend who needed company. And talked to my daughter Iman about college. And I managed to have tea with hubby on the way home. Checked the girls' homework. Normally I read them some stories but not tonight. Rudi and I both exercised again. I finished the day off with my prayers. And managed to remember to moisturise with right night cream...I always forget this.
And did I mention...my pomegranates are fruiting for the very first time!
I usually start the day with prayers. But now I can also tuck in some exercise time after that. I can prepare the girls' homework and see them off to school. even little Ikesha!
Then, I get to have breakfast with hubby, something we have not managed on a working day on a regular basis for a long time.
Driving to work now takes 45 minutes, and not two hours like it used too. Wow!
Today I managed to see an old friend who needed company. And talked to my daughter Iman about college. And I managed to have tea with hubby on the way home. Checked the girls' homework. Normally I read them some stories but not tonight. Rudi and I both exercised again. I finished the day off with my prayers. And managed to remember to moisturise with right night cream...I always forget this.
And did I mention...my pomegranates are fruiting for the very first time!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Fruits from our garden
Ikesha's favourite cherries
Our nona fruit
The guava is especially good this year
Sunday is my gardening day. We no longer have space on the ground as I do keep a corner empty for our balloon race and water play. So today I bought cheap terracota pots and planted two more pomergranate trees, two chili plants, limau kasturi and one kedondong tree to line the backyard.
I missed our passion-fruit that grew wildly on our back fence so I bought two to see how they will grow again. And I have finally added some colour to our garden having planted red flowering wild gingers, frangipani and cactus.
It was about 11.00am when we finished. Iman and Inas are home so the house is 'riuh-rendah'. Inas made cup-cakes and pizza. The younger sisters are thrilled. Yesterday we ALL went to do our hair including Little Ikesha, our favourite stylist Annie at the neighbourhood salon had her hands full!
A lovely weekend and we are still waiting for Rudi to wake up to take us out for roti canai!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Wedding Reception last September
My quirky family
The cousins led by Arrif
Butterfly Ilena
Ikesha practising sitting quietly for more than two minutes
Ilena loving the moment
Steady steady
Quirky quirky
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