Thursday, August 27, 2009

Kids Say The Darnest Thing

Well today marked the 6th day of fasting. The elder two kids so far had not much problem completing the task. Nabil had his puasa penuh last year when he was only 6. Khairina just started this year, and so far she managed to get 3 days of puasa, not too bad, I think for a start.

I did not actually force them to fast, they fast when they think they are ready as it's no use forcing when the child is not ready. But these children of mine can be funny when fasting.

Scene 1

Khairina lying flat on the sofa while watching tv at around 5.10 pm today.

Khairina : Ibu, Nina tak tahan dahlah, Nina nak minum boleh?

Ibu : Nina nak buka puasalah ni.

Khairina : Nina dah tak tahanlah Ibu, Nina nak air

Ibu :
Ok, kalau Nina nak buka puasa, Nina minum air pastu Nina kena makan sekali.

Khairina : Nina tak nak makan, Nina nak minum air sejuk aje.

Ibu :
Macam tu baik Nina puasa je lagi 2 jam dah nak berbuka, tapi kalau Nina nak berbuka pun takpe, tapi kena makan nasi ok?

Khairina : Kena makan nasi ke? Takpelah camtu, Nina puasa jelah.

Ibu :
(dalam hati) Wakakaka....kesian budak ni.


Scene 2

Nabil also lying flat on the sofa in the living room, after tiring himself with rounds of ball kicking.

Nabil : Help me! Help me! I need water! water !Water please!

Ibu :
Ha! ha! Main lagi. I told you to stop, tak nak dengar cakap, sekarang dah dahaga.

Nabil : Mana ada Abil cakap Abil dahaga, Abil cakap nak water je. Bukannya nak minum.

Ibu : (dalam hati) weh! tak sama ke?


Scene 3

Khairina : Ibu, nanti Nina berbuka, Nina nak makan kuih bulu-bulu.

Ibu : Kuih bulu-bulu?

Khairina : Ala kuih yang macam semalam tu, yang warna hijau tu, pastu atas dia ada bulu-bulu warna putih, pastu makan dengan kuah yang black-black colour tu.

Ibu : Yang macam semalam tu kuih lopes lah darling.

Khairina : Hah! Kuih bulu-bulu tu lah, ok?


Scene 4


Before break fast today.

In the kitchen, I was busy preparing for the iftar.


Nabil : Ibu, hari ni Ibu masak nasi ayam kan?

Ibu : Yelah sebab semalam Abil and Kakak Aina kan cakap nak makan nasi ayam, so today nasi ayamlah.

Nabil : Jelly yang Abil suka tu Ibu buat tak?

Ibu : Dah. Dah buat dah. Ada raspberry dengan orange.

Nabil : Coklat Cadbury Dairy Milk tu ada.

Ibu :
Dah beli dah. Ada dalam fridge.

Nabil : Ok. Very good Ibu. Nanti berbuka, Abil nak makan chicken rice, soup, jelly and chocolate, pastu Abil nak minum air grape tau.

Ibu : Yes Sir.


Nabil : Isyy...Ibu ni ada pulak panggil Abil Sir, Abil kan belum kahwin lagi.

Ibu : Huh ! Wakakakaka.....


During berbuka.

Nabil : Sedapnya nasi ayam Ibu. Lebih sedap daripada chicken rice shop.

Ibu : (sangat kembang) Ya ke? So makan puas-puas ok.

Nuraina : Sebab tu Ibu selalu cakap kalau nak makan chicken rice tak yah beli. Ibu boleh buat.

Ibu :
(dalam hati) Ceh! macam terror!

Aft
er berbuka

Ibu : Abil, ni Ibu dah keluarkan jelly dengan chocolate. Nak makan tak?

Nabil : Abil sakit perutlah Ibu, sebab Abil makan chicken rice banyak sangat. Tulah sebab Ibu masak sedap sangat, sekarang Abil dah tak dapat makan dah semua tu.

Ibu : Aikkkk! Macamana boleh jadi salah Ibu pulak ni?

Nabil : Yelah, saper suruh Ibu masak sedap sangat, pastu Abil makan banyak sampai dah sakit perut dah ni.

Ibu : Hah! (tak terkata teman)

Funny kan? Sometimes they got me gobsmacked and dumbfounded.


But cooking for the family during Ramadhan has been fulfiling as they enjoy their meals during berbuka. The first week tu enjoylah, not sure on the days to come due to my limited cooking skill and recipe. ahak ahak.


Hope you all have a nice Ramadhan too.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What Ramadhan does to me:-

During break fast today, Nabil commented 'seronoknya berbuka, nikmat Abil rasa' the look on his face and how he finished his food sends some joy in me, knowing that he loves fasting due to the nikmat he gets during berbuka.

The doa my children recite before the break fast, makes me proud of them for being thankful with the food spread on the table.

The family walk to the surau in our praying attire for the terawikh prayer, brings me calmness beyond compare as we walk hand-in-hand clad in our wudhu' is a journey that I enjoy every night during Ramadhan.

Waking the kids up for sahur, though it's a challenge but the fact that they managed to be on the dining table in time for sahur, and finishing up their food gives me an accomplishment that even words can't express.

Sitting together in the living hall, laughing and teasing each other in the wee hours of the morning while waiting for the azan, is another simple pleasure in life that I treasure.

The obstacles the children had to endure to get a puasa penuh is another proud moment that only a mom can understand.

And I get all these during Ramadhan.
The month of Ramadhan definitely strengthen the bonds among my family members and I treasure the every moment it brings.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

My weekend

Before I ramble on on my weekend, I hope it's not too late to wish all Muslims out there a 'Happy Ramadhan, moga-moga ibadah kita kali ini lebih diberkati dari sebelumnya'.

So the Saturday that was supposed to be a first day Ramadhan for the Muslims had been a pretty hectic for our family mainly myself, hubby and the two elder kids as they had their Wushu tournament on that day. After the sahur and Subuh prayer Nuraina and Nabil took a short nap as we had to be in the community hall in KBU before 8 for the tournament. Nuraina participated in the Wushudao 1 Individual Pattern competition and Nabil in Primary Students Male Sparring below 22 kg, Nabil is 20.8 kg (kurus kan?)


There was a lot of waiting involved throughout the whole event which irritates me to no end. First we had to wait to get the kids to be registered, then we had to wait for the event to start, we had to wait for the VIP to arrive, basically there was a lot of waiting involved as we were not given a timetable on what event should start first, second so on and so forth. We wasted so much time that day waiting for things to happen.


The hall was filled with so many people. After the registration which I felt like took forever they had a rehearsal for the opening ceremony, the kids did some warming up and some pattern practices, that too took a lot of time, Nuraina event began after the rehearsal and she was in the 7th group to perform. Her pattern performance took less than a minute to execute and we spent hours after that waiting, and we found out she made it to the second round and we waited and waited and waited even after the lunch break only to be told that the second round is to be held the next day, on Sunday. Arrrgghhhh......!!!


So at around 12 ish, it was the opening ceremony where all the participants gathered in the middle of the hall and did their performances. After the speeches, which were all spoken in Mandarin, we had break for lunch.


During the rehearsal


Still doing their routine during the rehearsal

Although the kids were fasting but all the participants were given a pack of chicken rice each. I was pissed when I found out that the rice was 'non-halal'. God!!! Can't they be more sensitive regarding this issue? I know they were not many Muslims taking part in the competition but they were more than 20 Muslim students on the first day, they should be more sensitive and the fact we are all living in Malaysia, so to say a Muslim country. What I cannot understand is, when I asked one of the officers if the food is 'halal,' he did not even know what 'halal' means, omigod! how could there be such ignorant human exist here in Malaysia. And I went to see another officer and she said it is 'halal' and I asked her again 'are you sure?' and she answered 'yes, yes, very sure, it's chicken rice what? It's not pork'. n my heart I went 'God lady 'halal' doesn't mean only pork it means that the animals are slaughtered by the Muslims using the Islamic way'. Haiiyooo.... luckily one officer of a higher rank confirmed that the food is 'non-halal'. Can you imagine if it's not fasting month and my children would already have eaten the food? I'm so so sad that these people are not sensitive enough on this issue.


So after the break, we waited and waited again because Nabil's event will be starting after the secondary school male and female sparring. We waited and waited until it was nearly 5 pm only to be told that he will compete tomorrow morning because his opponent had gone home so he had a walk-over wining. So that was how we wasted our Saturday.


Sunday was almost the same, we were there early in the morning. We waited and waited for the event to start. It was supposed to start with Nabil's sparring but after the draw lot, Nabil got a 'by' and he will straight away go to the final which will start after lunch. Then we waited....and waited...and waited until it was Aina's turn which start nearly around 11 pm. Aina didn't make it through the 3rd round but overall she did fine as she was the only white belt holder made it to that round.

We wanted to go home but was afraid Nabil would miss his chance in competing because nobody could tell us when it will start. So we waited and waited and waited until it was 1.00 pm and I decided to bring Nuraina home as she has her piano class at 4 pm.

Nabil getting ready for sparring. In his mouth is the mouth guard.

So hubby waited with Nabil whilst Aina and myself made our way home. After sending Aina for her piano class, I went to fetch hubby and Nabil bringing the other 3 younger kids along. So it was prize-giving ceremony, Nabil didn't win but he deserved the silver medal as he competed in the final.

Nabil and his medal



Although the children were complaining of hunger and thirst for the 2 days we were there and although I told them they could break fast if they wanted to, they did want and am proud.



P/S- Can you feel my predicament on the many waitings involved on my weekend?
P/S/S- And don't forget to go to the www.orangutanchatters.blogspot.com as this your chance to show your support before the due date at the end of this month. Thank you.




Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Save the Orang Utans!!!

Dear readers,

Our orang utans are at extinct!!!!

Please show your care and support to our orang utans.

My students have worked hard to create a blog in the awareness in saving and caring for the orang utans.

If you have reached this page, please click to this url www.orangutanchatters.blogspot.com

We are trying to make a difference in their lives and we hope you are with us.

Leave us your comments and share your ideas to save these little ones.

They will truly appreciate your love and support!


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Doesn't this sound familiar?

25 THINGS I OWE MY MOTHER FOR

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I've just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.'You'd better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.' Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC . 'If you fall off of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the shop withme.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. 'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY 'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. 'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM . 'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. 'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. 'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. 'If I've told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE . 'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. 'Stop acting like your father!'

15.. My mother taught me about ENVY. 'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. 'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING . 'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. 'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP. 'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOUR. 'When that lawn mower cuts off your foot, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT . 'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS. 'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. 'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn ?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM. ' When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'And my favorite:

25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE 'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

Hmmmm......? Wow! Turned I actually did teach them a lot of things Maths, Science, History, Religion etc....etc...

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Things that I cannot stand and understand

I just cannot stand when a husband cannot speak nicely to the wife.
I just cannot stand when this other half refused to recognise the wife's sacrifices.
I cannot stand when the wife has to oversee to all the things especially the upbringing of the children when it is supposed to be both the parents job.
I cannot stand husband who does all the decision without consulting the wife before hand,
What I cannot stand the most is, when things go wrong, the wife gets the blame.

I just don't understand when some husbands often look down at their wives.
I just don't understand some husbands who want the wives to cover but ogling other women with short skirts and low cut dresses.
I just don't get it husbands who can go out with his female counterparts but do not allow the wives to even befriended a guy.
I just don't get it husbands who refuse to listen to his wives when most of the times the wives are actually right and the things told are actually for their own good.
I just don't get it husbands who hug his wives with only one thing in his mind.

I'm furious at husbands who act pious but watch pornography during his free time.
I'm furious at husbands who dare lay their hands on their wives.
I'm furious at husbands who dare ask money earned by the wives without feeling guilty.
I'm furious at husbands who believe they do not have to appologize to the wives even though it is blatantly obvious that they are wrong.
I'm extremely furious at husbands who do not play their part as the head of the family.

Whatever it is, I'll still keep mine. So this post has nothing to do with him ( if you wonder). Fine. I lied. Well there's actually 2% of him in this post. But he's a keeper and I intend to keep him forever.

P/S- Abang if you're reading this, you know which part you are, kan? Can you change just a
little bit for me? Thank you and I love you, ahak ahak.

Ok . Wow! That was random.

Sorry if I have wasted your time reading the post, but this post is an observation of mine of things happening around me.

Hilman-Gibberish

Check out Hilman in this video,




As you can see, Hilman's favourite word is 'kakak' ask him anything and he will say 'kakak'. It feels great that he is now at his usual self, healthy and bubbly. Syukur alhamdulillah.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Uber Amazing Blog Award


Well, I was given this award by Myra. Thank you so much dear. I don't think I deserve it nonetheless am thankful. So with this award comes with the rules...

so these are the rules..
# Write five (5) interesting facts about the person who gave you this award.

# Jot down ten (10) interesting facts about yourself or your hobbies.

# Pick your ten (10) most deserving recipients and describe them.# Leave a comment on the recipients' blog to tell them they've been tagged

# Paste the award badge in your sidebar

Actually Myra doing this award is a great challenge for me being such a boring and laid back person ,well somehow I'm just gonna attempt it with a gusto. If I bore you with my nonsense I'm sorry as there's nothing much interesting about me.

Ok 5 interesting facts about Myra

1. she's a sis-in-law of my late good friend Shera (just mentioning her name almost sent tears to
my eyes), who is always with her kind words.

2. she's very selfless, caring person. She cares for the animals and the people she loves

3. she's eccentric to the point of being OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) ahak ahak (jangan
mare ye!) she sets high standard for herself, she wipes spoon and fork before she uses them,
everytime. If she sujud, she must make sure she hits the correct spot, not too far out or
lower. So before praying, she will do her sujud practise first. For further explanation you can
check her blog from my site she goes under the name of Hai Mum. (Myra, I'm promoting
your blog, hope you don't mind.

4. I envy her for her ability to juggle her work, being a good mom to her children and her ability to cook, bake and entertaining her guests with her scrumptious meals and desserts.

5. she has a heart of gold, always putting others first than herself.

Now here comes the challenging part

1. Call me weird but I like to read manuals, even though some of the times (or is it most?) I just couldn't make up what it is all about especially if it just too technical for my standard

2. Another weird thing, my favourite past time is plucking my armpit hair (ewww!) Maybe Boza of Jabishah can confirm you this as she was my partner in crime when we were in college. ahak ahak. So my armpits are almost hairless. I don't shave because that will just take the joy away. This hobby is very therapeutic and rewarding especially if you could pluck it sampai ke
akar dia(fuuhh!!!puas). Masyuk....wa cakap lu.


3. I don't like leaving my kids for long hours except for work basis. Although, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, deep inside I feel a slight tinge of guilt towards my children for leaving them behind. Hence I prefer to take them along almost everywhere I go.

4. I seldom cook for my family, that explains why I envy those people who love to cook and serve the family with their air tangan.<

5. I love being with my family, although I am one garang mother but I just love to be surrounded by my husband and children

6. I tend to forgive and forget. I try not to remember things that make me upset

7. I'm quite dependant. I need to be assured that I'm doing the right thing from my family and good friends. That's why it often worries me if I accidentally make people upset because I just cannot stand being alone

8. I have poor sense of direction. My journey is only to school, home, Giant, children's schools. Yeah, so if ever I need to go to a new place, I'll start hyperventilating, if husband is around, we will go reccee the place before hand. Tapi kadang-kadang reccee waktu malam and bila dah siang benda nampak lain sikit, I akan mula panik. At all time possible, I prefer to car pool with my friends or convoy which I will follow them closely behind not leaving a gap for any car to cilok in between

9. I'm a homely person. I do not like to go out that much. I just love the comfort of my own home

10. I enjoy dancing and acting. I never failed to take part in dancing during the prize-giving ceremony in school since I was in Standard 1 up until I was in Form 5. Every year, without >fail. This actually created a stir between me and my mom because she'll be saying parents who attend that ceremony are proud parents witnessing their children excel in academic and my parents are there just to see her daughter tergedik atas pentas. So they stopped coming when I was in Standard 5.

Ok now I will tag Christina Chan, Sibyl Su, Dikny, Shahid and Nik Rahila.

Sorry I can't do 10 as I don't think I have that many people who actually read my blog.

Myra I'm not sure how to do the last part. So setakat ni jelah yang mampu den buek.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Home Sweet Home

Many of you may wonder why I've been keeping low and quiet for so long. Well, last 2 weeks wasn't a good week for me. It started off with my maid having a bad cough and high fever. Things get a little kelam-kabut as my right hand and leg was not very fit to do the chores around the house. Although she was taken twice for check-ups there wasn't much change to her condition. Then on that Thursday night, it was my turn to be down with high fever and a severe headache. It was so bad that I couldn't make myself to get up for school the next day. The situation got even worse when my baby Hilman and Dhaniyah were down with fever, flu and cough too. As the outbreak of the serious cases of H1N1, we decided to go to the clinic immediately for check up. Turned out all 3 of us had temperature of 39 degrees and were told to do the throat swab in 2 days if the symptoms persist.

As bibik was unwell too, she needed the time off so she could seek traditional help. We granted her the permission because her cough was so bad that everytime she coughs, she vomits. So imagine how chaotic the situation was with my bibik not around and the two younger children being sick. The next day the fever attacked Khairina and Nabil, their temperature was so high that we had to put wrapped ice on their forehead to bring down the temperature. My macho son Nabil shed a few tears because he just couldn't stand the pain. All of them were so weak and terjelepek, I felt so sorrry for them.

My maid was supposed to come back on Sunday night but as she was still so sick, she asked for extension, so Monday morning only Nuraina got up for school with bibik not around and myself was still unwell, she went to school without a belt around her pinafore but I was too sick to go look for it. She was unhappy though and she went***grumble grumble*** I am a prefect***grumble grumble*** not setting a good example***grumble grumble*** I don't look smart***grumble grumble*** with tears flowing down her cheeks. The next day, there was still no sign bibik, we tried calling her but our calls couldn't get through so we started to panic. With Hilman's condition getting weaker, with fever, cough and cold and he will regurgitate everytime when we had to give him the medicine made it even worse, he's once chubby face had somewhat seem to shrivel as he didn't eat and drink as much as he used to.

So the next day began with still no sign of bibik and now all 5 of my kids were down with fever but the other 3 showed sign of recuperating now it was Nuraina's turn to get sick and Hilman to be sicker. Hilman's cough and cold was so bad, he couldn't sleep well at night. He was given suppository for 2 days but still no improvement. Alas! Bibik came back on Tuesday afternoon and turned out she was so sick she couldn't get up.

With bibik being back, Hilman was brought to see his paeditricain Dato Dr Musa in DSH. Parking in that area was so bad, I had to make a few rounds and it took me almost an hour to get a parking space which was 1.5 km away from the hospital itself. Luckily my mom was with me, while I was looking for parking, Mama went to queue for our turn to see the doctor. When I arrived, Hilman looked so sick and weak, he was quiet and clingy. As the doctor was attending to Raja Nazrin's son, it took us longer than usual to get to see him.

Once checked, Hilman was told to be turned in as his throat and both his ears were infected and his temperature was 39.4 degree celcius and he was dehydrated. He was taken for x-ray and to do a blood test. Seeing him in that condition was heart-wrenching as he cried and cried during x-ray and for the blood test. Waiting for our room to be ready took us more than an hour as the hospital was packed with patients. Hilman later was given the nebalizer where he protested everytime, and antibiotics shot on his thigh.

Every 6 hours he was been monitored for fever and suppository was given everytime. We were there for 2 nights until he has completed his 10 sessions of nebalizer and 6 shots of antibiotics. Hilman being an unfriendly baby by nature became so clingy as he refused to be put down, he didn't want to walk, he wanted to be carried all the time and he can't lose his sight of me or he will start wailing. Hence it made my life quite difficult as I had to hold my nature call or bring him along with me. As the place was alien to him, he refused to sleep until I lie down with him on the bed with my tudung detached if I still have my tudung on he just won't make himself go to sleep. He'll go 'nak kut, bu. Nak kut bu'. Until i took off my tudung and lie on the hospital bed beside him. He will start crying everytime he sees the nurses as it means it's time for his shots or nebalizer so the sight of nurses means bad news to him.

Alhamdulillah he got better, no more fever but he's still coughing and he was given ventolin and aerochamber so we can do it home. The timing can't be better as school was closed due to suspected cases of H1N1 in my school so I need not apply for CRK. We arrived home yesterday, it feels so good to be home, sleeping on my comfortable bed and eating rice and lauk at home as we were fed only porridge during our stay there.

Although I am tired and suffer from slight headache, body ache and a backache due to my awkward sleeping position on the uncomfortable hospital bed. It is so goooooooooood to be home. Finally the children are better and am happy to be out of this mess. Home sweet home.

P/S - Myra if you're reading this, I'll try to do that Uber Award entry in my next post. Sorry dear.