Knocking on our door...

Hello! I’m back. Have I been away? Not really. I was just busy playing with Wordpress. Trying to out what is good and bad about Wordpress. So far, I like it…. Check me out at zaiabdrahman.wordpress.com; just a caution though… the blog is in mixed lingo… I have english and malay update that I posted over there… Hmmm… actually there are more malay post than english.., apa-apa aja lah.

Hey, do you know that something is just lurking around the corner? No? Yes? Well…if you know it is good, if not let me tell you what it is… (1) Ramadan is just around the corner. It will be knocking on our door this coming Saturday. (2) Tomorrow is a big day for me and my hubby. It is our 22nd anniversary… Wow… it has been a long journey full of ups and downs, lows and highs… but I won’t share the story on my journey with my partner in crime today. Let's talk about Ramadan….

How ready are we with Ramadan? If you are adults and  teenagers , you should be ready. Ready to give our tummy a rest for a month. But is it really a rest knowing that our society has a tendency to eat a lot during iftar? Or some might be eating and drinking for three quarter of the night. Well, if you do, cut down on that.

Okay, back to my family. Are we ready? Of course… that is always a standard answer. Right? Well, actually my two young kids are really looking forward to this fasting month. They have been talking for a week on this. If Zaki is confident that he can fast the whole month, InsyaAllah he can, I’m not sure about Zara.

Zara is only eight and she has been having some tummy problem, on and off. To be exact, she has gastric. It will be very challenging for her. Well, nothing much I can do except to make sure that her condition did not get worse during the month of Ramadan. Anyway, both of them are not at the age where it is compulsory for them to fast yet. But somehow, they need to start practicing it.

Oh ya… in this holy month of Ramadan, Insyaallah, I am going to cut down on reading those books. What books? Hah…the lovey dovey, mushy mushy novels. I’m gonna spend, Insya Allah, more time reading the Al Quran and also a few books that I bought earlier like Aisyah Ummul Mukminin, Hassan Al-Bana, Salahuddin Al-Ayubi and few others. Those books have been in my TBR (To Be Read) list for quite sometimes. Instead of gracing my bookshelf, it is time for the books to grace my nightstands and my table.

Okay folks… gtg.. haha.. what the $$$$ is that.. Well... I got to go. I need to finish this book Cooper-K by RodieR before the month of Ramadan and also wishing you selamat berpuasa.
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Kids, Books and Reading Habit

Salam.
 

Once upon a time, when they were young

It has been very quiet here. Well, I have been busy updating my other blog.. my malay blog. Lately, I found it difficult to write in English. Not sure what caused it, but my instinct says that I have been reading too many Malay novels, and my thinking is now mainly in Malay. It used to be in English. Hah! I need to train my brain to think in both languages simultaneously. Can I? Inshaallah boleh…

Well, of late I have been reading again. At one time, I was kind of lost interest in reading, but Alhamdulillah I found the joy of reading again. Sometimes, I feel that I spend too much time on reading; staying late night just to finish the books. But, it was worth every minute.

I try to instil the same reading habit with my kids. Do they have the same passion as me? Aaahh… let start with my youngest.

Zaara or I call her my Drama Queen. I read to her every night before she goes to sleep. That was before she knows how to read. Most of the time, I enjoy our time together. It is bonding time between mum and daughter. But, there were times I just want her to go to bed without me reading her anything. 

   

She will also dictate what story or book to read and when we were out of books or stories, she will force me to come out with my own stories.

Now she can read on her own, it eases me a lot. Just like me, she will have her book next to her bed. I will be sitting next to her bed with my book and she with her book. She will read two to four pages before saying goodnight. I really enjoy the moment.

Zaki a.k.a the drummer boy or the joker. He doesn’t read all the time like Drama Queen, but whenever he has a new book, he will finish it up within a day or two. Until I buy him another book, he would spend his time practicing his air drum. Yup, this boy is going through his rock music phase. Two years ago, it was KPOP and today it is Avenged Sevenfold. With his drumsticks and iPad, he will bang my sofa to the beat of the Avenged Sevenfold song until I ask him to stop.

Amir a.k.a the engine boy or the serious one. He likes anything to do with engines. He can spend hours looking at youtube on plane, train and cars. The engine boy likes to read. He loves to read mystery and thriller books, and every week he asks me to buy a book for him. Did I get it for him all the time? Nope or else I will be broke. But, whenever he didn't have new books, he will asked for my book. Haha… I can’t share my books with him yet. It is too early for him to read my kind of book.

Syafiq a.k.a the big brother or the musician. Oh… this one, I have tried to get him to read since young, but suffice to say he is not a reader. He is like the drummer boy, into music. Not to say he didn’t read at all. He does but depends on the book. He likes inspirational book and autobiography. Other than that, I didn’t see him read much. Most of his time is spent playing his guitar or fiddling with the piano.

What about my dear hubby? Well, he reads the newspaper and magazines only. No fiction for him. Sometimes I told him to be creative and read fictions. He is my point of reference for my grammar, and my English teacher.

So, what is the best book that I have read? Obviously, it is the Al-Quran. No doubt about it.

Iftar at Villa Seroja

My family was at my place on Saturday for Iftar. Well, not everyone was there, but the majority of them were there. The most important guest was there! My mom and so were my sisters. Both my brothers couldn’t make it, but Bang Ngah sent his kids and grand kids. He had other appointment that he could get away from.

I was happy as it went well. We started the event with tahlil for my late father and followed by doa selamat. When we started the prayer, it was after 7pm. My fault because the prayer was added at the last minute. They only know about it at 5.30pm, so can’t blame them when they reached my place late. By the way, the prayer was led by my father in law.

We had kuih muih, murtabak, pengat pisang, santan durian, orange juice and teh Tarik for the break fast. Some we bought and some were brought by my sisters. The table was full of food. The hit of the day was Tembosa, which was made by my sister, Ami. I called it a giant curry puff, but the filling was made from egg, black pepper, chili and onion.

We then adjourned for Maghrib prayer, and this time, the prayer was led by Ustaz Najib. He was the only non family member that was invited. After the prayer, we resumed our dinner. We had rice, chicken kurma, prawn sambal, fried Kailan, fried chicken and fried ikan pari masin. My mom brought Sambal Tempoyak goreng with anchovies. I was very happy to see that most of the food finished and only left some for sahur.

I was lucky to have my mom’s helper and my sister's maid to help washed the dishes. After they had left, my nieces, Yasmin and Nadia turned to wash. Without them, I guess I would be busy washing dishes the whole night.

Since my house has a lot of spaces outside, my sisters proposed barbecue for another family gathering which we planned to do it during Eid. Hmm... No problem for that as long as I have someone to help the cleaning.

High Tea at Putra Height

It’s another family gathering today. This time, it was at my niece house in Putra Height. Such a lovely neighborhood. I like her house. It’s cozy and very homey. She lives in a gated area, and we have to register at the security house before we can enter the place. 

We reached there around 3.30pm, and Emil, my grand nephew, was very excited to see us, especially my kids. My sister said that he had been checking on the clock waiting for my kids.  After the salam and kisses, he immediately took my kids to his room. “Haha!” I said. When the kids went up stair, it gave us the grown up chance to talk peacefully. No disturbance.

We started the event with a special prayer, and my father-in-law lead the prayer. The prayer was for the dead relatives and that included my dad, and also to bless the new house. After the prayer, we had a surprise birthday celebration for my sister, Along Norlia’s fifty-nine birthday, Syafiq’s 17th birthday and my niece’s maid thirty-second birthday. My sister and my son share same date. Both were born on the same date.

The birthday girls and boy were surprised. We managed to hide this, and, in fact, the cake was brought in later by my niece, Izrianna through the back door. Well thanks to my niece Syafiq got a yellow Ripcurl T-shirt for his birthday, and RM50.00 from my mom. He is very very happy.

Besides cupcake, my niece treated us to Mee Soup, Mee Hoon Goreng, Curry Puff, Pudding, Kuih Bakar, Popiah and Seri Muka. And for the drinks she served Teh Tarik and Sirap Ice Cream Soda. Oh yeah, I helped to prepare the Teh Tarik, and that’s my speciality. 

We were there until Maghrib, and after the Maghrib’s prayer, everybody said goodbye. Emil was sad because my kids were leaving. I invited him to come with me. He wanted to, but than his mom didn’t let him because he needs to do his homework.

I told him that he could come during school holiday, and when my kids heard that they were very excited to have Emil over at our place. Hehe..I can anticipate how lively my place will be then, and I think I’m going to like it.


And before I sign off, I would like to share this song with you. The song is about God's greatness, and the singer is D'lloyd from Indonesia. It was one of my sister's favorite group when she was young.

When a nephew met an uncle...

Uncle and Nephew

I had visitors yesterday. A visit from my niece, Iza and her kids, Emil, Mika and Maryam. Three adorable and cute kids. Iza is my oldest niece in the family. Her mom and her father also came yesterday, but very much later.

This is the first time they come to my house since I moved to Bangi, and took this opportunity to visit Zaki. Emil and Zaki are of the same age, except Zaki was born in April, he was in November. An uncle and a nephew.

When they were young, they were not closed. Emil is more closer to Sophia, who is 9 years old, and Kimi, who is eight. They are Emil’s auntie and uncle too. Actually, Emil and his siblings are the fourth generation in the family.

I’m not sure when Zaki and Emil started to be closed. Maybe when they were 5 years old during the Hari Raya holidays. Since then, Zaki and Zara always asked about Emil. Whenever we went back to Seremban or visited my sisters, the first question that they would ask, “Is Emil going to be there? What about Sophia?” 

Whenever these five kids met, just be prepared what kind of havoc they would create. I still remember during Hari Raya last year when the room they played in, looked like a hurricane just passed through. They thought they could escape from cleaning the room. But their Maksu, which we nominated to play the role of the bad auntie, forced them to put the room back in order. But I don’t think she’s playing the role well because she’s the kids favorite. 

When Emil came yesterday, his mom intention was for him to find out from Zaki about bersunat. When Iza asked Zaki whether it was painful, my dear Zaki pretended that it was not painful. Hah! Only me knows how he was after he came out from the OT.

Emil who didn’t want to go through bersunat at first was convinced enough by Zaki that it was not painful. After he reached his home, he told his mom that he wanted to bersunat too, and in returns, he wanted PSP. Hahaha, his mom didn’t expect that request. Well Kak Yong, you have until November to get out from that request.


Sekian. Salam.

My little niece engagement...

Yesterday, 1st May, was a special event for the family. My niece and her fiance decided to take the relationship to the next level. They have been going out for eight years. It was a small event. Initially it supposed to be a family affair only, but when you live in a close knit neighborhood, you have to at least invite your immediate neighbors.

The event started at 3.30pm, but as usual, the day was full of activities. In fact, it started a month ago when my oldest niece was busy planning for the day.


The party from the groom-to-be arrived at my sister’s house at 3.40pm. They brought four gifts, which were flowers, chocolate, clothes and the most important items, the rings. Yup, Wan gave two rings to my niece. Nice!

Tepak Sirih - not part of the gift

Clothes 

Bouquet of flowers

Godiva Chocolate

The two rings

In exchange, Dikna gave five gifts. They were cupcake, fruits, sirih junjung, toiletries, bunga rampai. 

Bunga Rampai

Sirih junjung

Toilettries

Cup cake

basket of fruits

The gifts from both parties were put out in the middle of the living room where everybody can see it. Then the men from both sides sat around them to discuss and negotiate on the coming wedding, and how long the engagement will be.

My Bang Ngah was the spokesman from my side, and he was supported by Bang Zahir and my cousin, Zul during this negotiation. At the end of the discussion, the rings were handed to my Bang Ngah. He then passed it around for the rest of the family members to see.

What were they discussing?

FInally it was the event of the day ,"menyarung cincin" where Wan’s mom gave the rings to my niece , and then it was followed by the Special prayer. After the prayer, everybody enjoyed the foods that were ordered specially for the event.

Menyarung cincin

Well it gives my sister one year to prepare for her youngest daughter wedding, but there will be one wedding bu end of the year. It will be the only boy in the my sister's family. Yeah! Let's the preparation starts.

I didn't expect it.....

Last Sunday, after my kids Quran lesson, I sat down and talked to the Ustaz. He is around late twenties or early thirties.

He asked me whether I’m working, and I told him that I worked in a telecommunication company. Then I asked him, “What about your wife?”

He replied, “I’m still single,” and without a pause, he asked me, “Can you find me a wife?”

I was stunned, and was quiet for a while when he said that. Never in million years have I expected someone to ask me to find him a wife. It took me a while to register what he asked, and when it did, I just laughed.

When I told my husband, who joined us later, he said he knew that. The ustaz then said, “Kak, why not you find one for me and one for abang (referring to my hubby).”

It was funny, and I just laughed. I know that if my husband wants another wife, he will find one on his own. He won't ask me to get for him.Hah! He knows the consequences, and I trust my husband. He will not look for another wife because he knows it is not easy to raise another family. One family is enough to give him headache.

For those who wanted to practice polygamy, they need to be fair to all their wives. He has to practice equal treatment in term of loves, property and wealth. It is not easy as no matter what, he will still has his favorite wife.

But some people don’t care about equal treatment. Lust will rule them, and most of them who married more than one, marry a young women, and they are proud of it. Oh! I bet that feeling will be slowly fading away once they realize that they have small kids that need to be feed, need to be cared and most important, need education. All of that need money.

Just imagine, when man at their age can relax and look forward for retirement; they will have to continue to work to support the young wife and kids. Oh yeah! If they have baby, they also have to get up in the middle of the night to take care of the baby. They have to go through the whole cycle as what they have gone through with their first wife.

How many men think about this before they married a second one? Not many I guess because one particular part of their body over rules their rationale thinking.

Okay guys, sorry if I offended you. Sekian. Salam.

My mom, the Brave Lady.

I went to see my mom at the Putrajaya Hospital this evening. She had an operation on Saturday. Alhamdulillah, she is fine. Her recovery has been smooth so far and no major complication.

I called her before I leave the office, asking whether she needs anything, but she already asked my sister, Arda, to buy Nasi Lemak for her. The hospital has been giving her porridge, and she doesn’t like it. Doctor told her that there is no problem for her to consume rice. Aahh! Someone must have forgotten to order the right food for her.

When I reached there, my mom was in the bathroom. Hah! The first thing that caught my attention was the mango in the container. Whoa… without asking permission I just took it and started to eat. When my mom came out, I told her that I was hungry. Luckily the mango was sweet.

As we chatted, I asked my mom to show me her wound. Wow! A single long cut across her left breast, and it's healing nicely. There’s a small rubber hose attached to the left breast that drains the blood to the bottle.

When Arda and her husband arrived, they brought the Nasi Lemak and Mee Hoon Soup for mom and Musliha. The Nasi Lemak looked very nice, but mom only ate a little. Since I was still hungry, I took some and ate it, but what a turned off. The chicken was sweet and not to my liking.

As we sat down and chat, my mom told me that sometimes she felt my father was around. Whenever she closed her eye, she saw him sitting on the wheelchair, wearing his black shirt and kopiah. We were silent for a while.

Dad used to be at Ward 3A, and now, mom is at Ward 3B. Dad suffering was still fresh in our memory. My niece was very sad when she came to visit my mom, and she was not alone.

When I left, my sister and her husband were still there. Hmmm.. They will only leave the place when the guard chases them out. So, dear mak, don’t think of going back home yet. You just rest and relax there so that you can heal faster.

Sekian. Salam

Thank you on this special day....

Thank you to all the birthday wishes. It was a lovely day for me. I celebrated my birthday with my friends and family. Hmmm... Did I feel older? Heh! No, I did not. In fact I feel younger. Age is just a number. Most important thing is how you feel. If you feel young, than you will be younger. That's my philosophy! 

On this special day, I received two books that I have ordered few weeks back from the Book Depository. So I treat this as my birthday gift. One is a book by Andrew Bernstein titled The Myth of Stress and the other book is 'Taken by the Prince' by Christina Dodd. Aaahhh! My to be read (TBR) pile is mounting. I need to make time to read those books.

My hubby got a Marshmallow Cheesecake for our birthday. Sorry, no picture here. The kids did not like it, but not my hubby. He likes it very much.


I also spent 30 minutes today with Streamyx technical support team. It been a long time since I do troubleshooting, and I enjoyed it very much. But at the end, the streamyx problem is still not resolved. They promised me it will be resolved within a week. Let's see how it goes.

Since my age has increased by one, it means I also need to up my spiritual level. There is a Malay saying that says, ‘Kubur kata mari, rumah kata pergi’, (the grave says come here and the house says go away). So one has to be prepared to accept life in the other world.


Okay, again thank you for the wonderful wishes and may Allah bless you. Salam.