Women's Day

Its women's day today and I've been wearing two hats for the last five months. I'm not sure how my progress so far but whenever the kids compliment my food or stuff that I prepared for them, it really made my day.

I've tried to fully utilized their schedule especially on weekend when abah is not around.






I'm looking forward for something different this year..really hope that it will be better.

Sunny Saturday

We have not been able to spent time like before since we moved to this house and since their abah is working in Kedah. Its a perfect sunny Saturday morning I decided to bring them out rather than just camping inside the house.

Sometimes its hard to handle three kids alone at one time but I don't have a choice, I always need to think and to prioritized..wether to clean the house and arrange everything according to colour and sizes or to spent time teaching them with reading and writing..I choosed to spent my precious time with them.

Brought them to a playground at Alamanda and met a lady who have been through a rough time..alone with four kids while he husband in Sarawak and she was in KL, and then she was transfered and still could not live together...it was s brief chat..less than five minutes but very meaningful..she gave me a warm pat..and asked me to be strong..InsyaAllah..I think I will survive..

Treat them with colouring books and new Swan colour pencils..
Lil pumpkin was sleeping while big sis and brother busy looking for their books, he wants Ben 10 set of colouring book and sticker and the price is not cheap..knowing him, I refused to buy because that book wont last even for one week.

She took something with Barbie but as a Queen..I didn't agree with her idea.. :-))

Orhan Pamuk's The Museum of Innocence for me..have not been reading since working at new office..

They were happy with their books and we left for some outdoor activities..


They colour and enjoy the slide in between...if there is a waterfall nearby I will surely go there..I hate the thought that they could only play indoor due to my lack of time and their abah is not around....







..Hope this will be a good start...

Reflection...

Tomorrow is already February..one month past a new beginning for many people for many reasons but for us it was just a continuation of mess. Its really hard but we have to be strong especially for the kids. They are really affected by this long distance thing and weekend meeting. To make things worst, Kedah and Putrajaya's weekend are on different days..so Friday is gine while he have to go back on Saturday...

I'm still trying adjusting to this new life, being independent is not that easy..you need the right package, as for now, the are still certain values that I lack..

People could say that we should look on the positive side and yes I've heard it so many times that good things will come your way after a hardship...but its not that easy peasy.

I am trying to create something new each week for the kids as they miss their abah so much especially when they fall sick..

Looking back, its been almost five months ..a five long months with many events..starting from his transfer, my transfer..moving house..new office, new boss with bipolar disorder and pathological liar..newly diagnosed health state of kids...so many things to absorbed..and I'm not a sponge bob square pants...

Viral fever

It's been like a roller coaster ride, there are adrenaline rush and finally there's a big relief when it stop and ready to take other riders.

I'm still on leave taking care of my lil pumpkin who's down with viral fever, it was hard at the beginning especially at night when her temperature rised and she was crying and grumpy...

She's recovering despite difficulty taking any medicine.


..with wet towel which could only last for 30 minutes on her forehead...

Rindu kat Tuhan...

abah : Sufiya cakap dia rindu kat Tuhan, nak tidur dengan Tuhan..nak naik atas sana...

mama:....silent....kenapa dia cakap macam tu..?

I just wish for a good health and wherever we are, He'll be with us..Amin..

No Company

I never agree on idea of leaving kids with parents or inlaw. I prefer to take care and face their tantrum, clean the mess that they make and such. But now, it hit me..reality hit...we are separated by work..he is in Jitra, kids in Alor Setar and here I am, technically alone with no one to talk to, no one to scream...

Its terrible..but life goes on, other people managed to face this, so I've to be strong, its just a phase (I hope).

Our house is neat and clean now..I miss their mess and clutter...
They normally left their toys around this space, sometimes they eat and big bro spills his drinks..and bread crumbs became a pattern on that red carpet :-)


Miss my little pumpkin...


...and my heart and soul....

Friday Flashback

Still in Raya mood even though I spent the whole two weeks holiday not just preparing for raya but attending meeting at three places , last minute shopping and also driving around Alor Setar looking for a decent house for the next maybe five years..

Here are some photos from last week pre-post raya celebration....

We left for Penang on the 24th and made few stop at RnR to rest..and by the time we reached Juru tol, it was already 7.30am..I was behind the wheel from Sg Bakap to Tg Tokong, we rest for only two hours and headed to Sik for my work...it was raining and we were tired....but at least I could finished one task before the holiday


Here's our kitchen helper, preparing ingredients for nasi tomato for Iftar

nasi tomato in a big pot

Had to finished another task before raya in Gurun and Yan..Gurun has changed a little bit
View of Gunung Jerai ..rail track project is on going


Old photo of pekan Gurun..please ignore the reflection

Big sis with her sketch , she draw everyday..its the almost the subject but loves their drawing simply because they are not perfect.

Tesco Tanjung Pinang is just few meters away from MIL's house, so went there for some last minute shopping and let the kids have fun indoor
Cosy inside tesco trolley..put on a hairclip to tell people that my lil pumpkin is a girl..tired of answering people's question :-)



We treat the kids before raya..their cousin joined us ..games and ice cream

We were in Alor Setar on the firtst Syawal, but I missed going to the old madrasah for solat,..it is just a small madrasah but the thought of meeting so many familiar faces old and young that make it special....and the weather was nice..sunny compared to wet and gloomy few days before that...


Big Bro with his cousin in Jitra..cheeky..

Open house on second day in Alor Setar..office mate from Putrajaya with her family


And we made a tour in Penang ...

We went to Gurney Plaza before visiting relatives house and lil pumpkin need a rest and it was feeding time for her.

It was a tiring two weeks holiday because we were driving back and forth..andon the 4th of Sept, we were back in Alor Setar for hubby's work..and back in Putrajaya on the 6th...

I just wish that this Syawal will bring another good news...Insyaallah

Sweet Sunday (artwork)

I promised them to do some painting but had to cancel the plan due to housework and the laundry..plus lil pumpkin has started seeking for attention, she will cry when no one nearby of see her..

Even with no watercolour and brush, I let them do whatever they want as long as they are happy.Big Sis with her sketch..she wants me to count all the clouds and figures..notice that pearl bracelet..? she asked me the price..'berapa ribu..?"..main ribu-ribu ringgit jee sekarang :-)


And this is Big Bro's sketches..he's not feeling well since last night
He's better with poster colour and brush I guess..but still need to let him sketch to stimulate his fine motor skill.

And as for me..I have a plan (as always, but hope it will turn out as planned :)..will continue with art as well..soon

Black or White

But, If
You're Thinkin' About My Baby
It Doesn't Matter If You're Black Or White

I Said If
You're Thinkin' Of
Being My Baby
It Doesn't Matter If You're Black Or White

(MJ Song..)

Kids could say or ask anything that come across their mind, they would say it bluntly. Sometimes whatever they says are cute..just like the 90's show kids say the darndest thing...but sometimes what they say could make us pause and think or even cry....

I know that one fine day she will ask this kind of questions base from her own perspective and surrounding, she did asked why Burberry campaign ad female model is black..? She's not satisfied with the question and she simply said that most girls are fair...'black tak cantik..'...
She even snobbishly said to our friend's son..'brown tak cantik' ..and just walked away ..dushh dushh to me...like a big slap on my face !!..that poor guy just want to say goodbye to her and she refused with a style..

And last night, it broke my heart when she asked about her brother..'mama, kenapa hadif black..?'...


........

I told her that it was a gift from Him and that black is 'handsome' just like her abah, cacu, bhod abah,...and just hug him tightly..

I'm sure one day he'll be a dark, tall and handsome man...

Still crawling

I'm still crawling...but by next week I will start brisk walkin..:-))

I have been working for two days now but still in a different mode, there few things that still need to be organized daily. Luckily at work we are not that busy compared to last year, so I have extra time to provide EBM and visit my little baby during lunch time.

Unfortunately for the elders who have to wake up earlier than before, that means they have to sit down for dinner earlier and sleep early than usual, no more Disney Junior till late night.

The little one did not have a problem every morning, she'll wake up at around six something and just sucks her mitten...that means she need to be fed..she did not cry and just wait and smile whenever we passed.

When we are young, our life is easy and free..and then there's marriage that change a little bit with few adjustment to life with a partner..and then we are three, four and counting..AND that means a lot more changes and adjustment that need to be done.

With not so original Hermes bag we add one more bag as accessories daily, a bag with new equipment, bottles, ice packs and such. I just bought a new set yesterday at Susuibu.com Bangi..its MamiVac..I just found out that Moms Little Ones and SusuIbu.com has merged. I've been BF since Hadif was born and managed to BF him exclusive for six month, that means no formula just totally BF and Alhamdulillah I survived until 2 years before I pregnant for the thrid time. We save a lot during the first year because no more rushing to Carrefour to buy formula milk...BF is not about saving money but the most important is whats best for the baby.

For the last one week, we did not plan too many things, I used to planned a lot..sometimes it work but sometimes it turn out the other way..There are many things coming our way and more too come in drastic way..we are expecting the worst case...so for now we just plan for daily basis...hope the news will gives us new adventure and hope that we were given guidance and protection where ever we are..

Bunny time

I don't really into soft fur and fluffy animal but since Abah has been thinking about buying rabbits for them and constantly checking out his friend's blog which selling US breed rabbits, I just grab the opportunity when a friend offerred to give away her one month old rabbits..

A day before the 'transaction' (FOC actually)..I google about the food, cage, and what not..inclusive of Pet Shop in Bangi but later that day we found one pet shop near our house at Diplomatic Enclave..

Here are our three little bunny and friends for the kids..Sufiya has been asking for pink rabbit, she watched to much Play House Disney especially Dibo the Gift Dragon..(and I really hate that nagging and self conscious pink rabbit..!!)..Oh no..I've been affected by cartoons as well I guess ..:-))


We don't have a name yet for them but I just call that one brown little thing as Brownies..after its colour..the rest we will decide later..

The three siblings used to live in an apartment, so now is the time for them to explore and have fun like what rabbit should do. They jump and went straight for my potted plants..and at first they were choosy eater just like Hadif. They only eat the kangkung leaves and after that decided to finished the whole stalk


The only thing the worries me now is Hadif who constantly open the cage, throw stones and charcoal in..He has strated doing nasty things to these poor thing...co cheeky..

Hazif from next door joined the fun...

Well I guess its not a bad idea afterall having this cute fluffy thingy..the only thing is somebody need to clean their tray, feed them etc..I'll do that chores later, maybe in August..:-))

Outing :Putrajaya Wetland and JJ

Sufiya wakes up everyday and ask me of what day is today..she's expecting its always Sunday..and I wish for the same thing too :-))

This weekend is a bit different now because they have no one to interrupt anymore :-) ..She told me that ..'Abg Qayyum muka mcm sedih je..Abg Farooqi muka happy.." :-)) observation...


Taman Wetland Putrajaya, I like the well kept landscape here and there is one big open field call Padang Semarak and perfect for kite flying. And their public facilities like camping ground,toilets and wakaf are well designed and so ergonomic.Even my child knows how to complaint about design nowadays.

They ran around and sing their current favourite song.."mama ,papa bolo bolo.."

A group of uncivilised people..they came, they collected pebbles..and they thrown those pebbles to the white swans...annndd they seems so happy with what they did..!!



Later that day we went to IOI Mall Puchong and they had a chance again while I went shopping stuffs for 2 and a half kids :-)

It was a tiring day for me at this stage..walking and screaming..

New Experience

When I was her age, I only went to tadika at Masjid Zahir for six month and later joined tabika 4B near my house, the reason my mom transfered me to other place was I always came back with drawings each day..







Last two days she spend almost 4 hours at Smart Reader not far fromour house for her trial class, a little shock at first, but the moment she joined her class, she became herself. Her teacher told me that she is independent but talkative and a little bit hyper, she loves craft but have a short term concentration..




She told me that she don't like assembly because 'kakak malu'..but this morning she has started singing that 'monkey and doctor' song.. :-P

Demam panas & asam pedas

I'm on emergency leave today, both of them are not feeling well, little princess is down with fever ..38 degree, and she is so weak.

We were ready for a visit to Dr.Halim's and suddenly she came to the bedroom asking for lip gloss and eyeliner..but she insisedt on MAC (of coz she don't know the brand , just the casing) and refused to used celak Mekah..:-)

Its good being at home even though tiring with two sick kids and house chore, cloths are piling up, flor that need to be clean and shiny before the King arrived..and some reading for the kids and some write up myself...but whatever it is being with them is the best thing..no phone calls from #$#$@#...no silly request from !#@$&&...and no BULLS&*t...hehehe

I cook asam pedas nyonya style today after thinking and salivating reading Kak naz's status on FB...no dried chilli, no buah keras..but still menjadi...ikan senangin sekor habis dimakan sorang -sorang...puas hati...

Anak Songeh dan Malam Bulan Mengambang

Both of them are exploring the world at a very fast speed and sometimes its scary thinking about the exposure and experience around them, scolding and yelling will not help, one solution is by using gentle words with praise...even if I ask for a little help.

Big sister is helpful with setting the table before dinner and sometimes taking care of his little brother.

She went out with abah last night to buy her favourite nasi ayam and along the way abah was preaching...and she replied : 'Kakak nak jadi anak songeh'......ohhhhh...;-))

Anak soleh la tu..songeh means banyak hal..kecoh...haiii sabar je laaa...

On the other hand, Hadif is the one I think..he is the 'anak songeh'...banyak songeh..he is so demanding, moody, choosy...typical middle child

And last night the moment he step into the house he started crying just because he still wants to play outside at the porch..pujuk macam-macam tak jalan...throwing tantrum....after 30 minutes he's done with his bad mood..then came again another character...cry again...then came out from his shell with another demanding act...ohhh pening...

And when abah look at the sky he just noticed that it was full moon...

abah: 'tengok tu..(pointing at bulan penuh)..patut la perangai macam ni..ni semua effect dr bulan mengambang..'

hahaaha.....anak banyak songeh di malam bulan mengambang penuh ...

Le Tour de Langkawi, Sabah & Ipoh

Since kids were left with their mak tok and tok ayah in Alor Star, I had a chance to prepare for my trip properly without rushing to Parcel E and stuck in really bad jam everyday..and he got a chance to prepare for his exam..(i hope so..:)

I left for Kota Kinabalu on the 3rd March at 9.20am, it was almost full with many kind of people and also many kind of odour..I think this guy next to me just had nasi lemak with egg....due to the fragrance that has been released on board..

3rd March 2010-Wednesday-KL-Kota Kinabalu:

Arrived KKIA at 12noon and it was so hot..headed to Promenade Hotel which is facing the sea but not too far from the Filipino market
I had to wait at their lobby for an hour facing this same view..it was also fully booked and many late check out and too many tourist in groups from the Penisular, Japan ...MLM..etc

My room at level six-its a smoking floor, I actually requested for non-smoking room but since I've been waiting for so long and tired..I just grabbed whatever they offered..its a room with a view (RM155++ for government rate), their king size bed are limited so I don't mind having this room except when I travel with kids..

Nothing much to be done except for channel surfing, reading the material for the next day briefing and enjoy the sunset...unfortunately its a fixed glass window..so I could only captured all these photo from inside the room..sunset from Promenade Hotel KK at 6pm...

I went to the market for dinner of seafood which was served in a simple way without spoiling the taste and freshness of the food.
Seaweed with air asam, it looks like a plastic toys, and crunchy and fresh..

My ikan putih bakar with air asam..simple menu, they pre- grill these stuff and after you decided which squid, prawn or fish, then they'll heat them up again.The concept of this market is simple just like our pasar malam, with long tables and dim light and smoky ambience..its a good place to see many kind of people from different places coming to this humble spot for a local taste.

The pearl stalls were already closed after we finished our meal..nothing much to shop but everytime I passed by that area, my left palm will get itchy..is it true..?hahaha..hope not!


4th March 2010-Thursday, KK-Keningau:
I woke up as usual but it was already bright...
Same spot captured at different time..once again please ignore the glare in this photo

We left for Keningau at 8.00am with our driver T.Jay Afifi..yup that his real name..we were joking, maybe his father is a fan of T.J Hooker

We planned to arrived in Keningau by 10am depending on the road condition and the thickness of the mist..(just to add some drama here..)
Crocker Range from afar..we will cross this range and will see a misty cool mountain...

It was a long winding road..Cheryl Crow's 'Everyday is a winding road' came across my mind...
This is peaceful and slow moving Keningau town, with timber shophouses along the road, its 1200 ft above sea level, it looks like a sleepy town but there are also 3 star hotel here (Juta Hotel and Perkasa)

I finished the briefing and site visit and had a chat with a young majistret who lives there for two years, she's still single and enjoying her life in that small town and have not thinking of going back to Penisular yet..

The journey back to KK was much better because the sky was blue and its perfect for some photo as memento
A small resort along the range..this is one of the place to pull over and have some coffee and photo shoot

A dog was barking at the hill when I shoot this photo..'anjing menyalak bukit'..T.Jay told us that his friend from this hilly side of Sabah cried the moment he saw a beach..a real beach with white sand, waves and salt water...some people live their whole life in certain area and don't have a chance to move out and explore the world around them

It was misty and cool and we could off the air cond and enjoy the natural breeze
Reminds me of route to Mordor (Middle Earth)

I'm not tired looking at the same spot..

5th March 2010-Friday, KK-Sipitang-Papar-KK-KL:

We left for Sipitang at 8.15am and check out from the hotel..different driver because T.Jay's father has passed away this morning ..Al-Fatihah to him..

Route to Sipitang is the same as going to Keningau but we just had to go 12 o'clock at the roundabout where else Keningau is at 9 o'clock..its a different view with no climbing the hill and no mist except for hot sun and lorries and movers along the road



Our proposed site...to many issue..can't revealed everything here, bound by the act...hehehe..

Sipitang is a small town by the sea ..a nice and humble place..but maybe not for luxurious traveller, but for those who seek for something different Keningau and Sipitang are the place, but can't expect to have all the convinients like we do in KK...

After finished our job in Sipitang we left for Papar...another small town not too far from KK...
Yup..I was wearing a black jacket under the hot sun..can't stand the heat and sunburn..and that guy had his no 20 cigarettes..'jalan-jalan cari makan...makan angin..'..(Faira and Zakiah, if you guys read this--> biar pecah di perut okay..)

We had lunch there and had small chat before we left for the airport ..Tuan Richard told us Court's antic :that different people with different cultural background will take an oath according to their culture..for example:

'Saya, Jingo anak Jimi berjanji bercakap benar, jika tidak benar, bila saya panjat pokok kelapak, saya akan jatuh..'.. ni kalau orang bukit..

kalau orang laut pulak, their oath will be something like this:-

'Saya, Jimi anak Jonngos, berjanji akan bercakap benar, jika tidak benar, bila ke sungai, saya akan dibaham buaya..'....!! woohooo..!!

Lain padang lain belalang...

Anyway I left for KL at 4.55pm on board of MH51 Boeing 777 which was full with Oshin look alike, Rain wannabe,Takeshi Kaneshiro look alike...Mr Cigerettes had a bad day..(he should sing Daniel Powter's .'i had a bad day,'..)he had stale asam fish on board...muaahhhahahaa...

Arrived at the airport at 7.30pm and rushed to the ERL station and after 35 minutes met my dark, tall and handsome hubby..(please do not puke people..)

We went for a movie at Alamanda -Percy Jackson the Lightning Thieves..a movie that is only suitable for younger generation, weak storyline..the only eye candy (for me) is Pierce Brosnan..(i'm already old...but he said..you are not that old to watch this movie..)..thats so sweet...i replied (but my mind process a different thing..) woman..!!

6th March 2010-Saturday-Putrajaya-Ipoh
Tired and missing the kids..and we were up and ready to meet them on Saturday morning in Ipoh..but stuck in Putrajaya due to Le Tour De Langkawi 2010, they just released the cyclist for Putrajaya-Genting route..



Energetic young cyclist in multi burst shot using Nikon D90...

We arrived in Ipoh and anxiously waiting for the kids and pengantin..what would she wear, will Hadif cry upon seeing his abah, will he recognized us..it was too many mind boggling questions....

Hadif only said :'aabaah'' with his soft tone..and don't even mind about his mother..

Look at her..everywhere is a playground..
Sufiya was playing around with these renjis-renjis stuff...she splash the water everywhere
Family photo from Ipoh and Alor Star

We headed back to Putrajaya at almost 4 pm and the traffic flow was bad after Ipoh tol, it was raining and cars were stationed along the highway about one km...not moving at all...


As expected..an accident involving one car, one tonne lorry and a bigger buddy...white liquid was all over the road...


This big guy was in the middle of the road.....accident, rain and slippery road..what a perfect combo...

That did not spoilt our mood especially when we were finally reunited with lil S & H..

It was a lovely ride with the kids onboard, sleeping like they always do and the sky was perfect for some shooting but I just used my loyal N82 to snap these picturesque view ...sometimes they make funny formation, and there are times that you'll lose yourself in that fluffy white cloud....imagination could bring you high up...



It was a tiring week that made me weak..Oh, what a rhyme!...but this week will be the same like last week..