Hasya's Birthday Celebration

First of all, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to all Muslims. We didn’t balik kampong, so it was a quiet hari raya at home... cooking and spending quality time with the kids :)

Ok, what was I planning to write earlier? Oh, about last weekend... it was a blast! My children had fun, especially my Hasya who celebrated her 10th birthday on Saturday November 21st. She actually requested to have a mini birthday celebration at home – with her small group of school friends. So we just thought, why not, after all it was her birthday and the school break’s already here. She invited around ten of her girlfriends to come over, with Hanna and Haifa inviting a few of theirs too.

That morning, Dear Hubby took the girls and Haziq the to the community complex where Haziq & Husna’s School Sports event was held. I had to give it a miss since I haven’t finished cooking. The girls later came home and told me that the event was a fun one, and Dear Hubby said he was amazed that there were so many volunteers to help with the special kids. Alhamdulillah.

Hasya’s party started at 2pm. After having their lunch (Fettuchine Carbonara and Baked Tuna Pasta etc) the girls went to Hasya’s room and had their temporary tattoos. The butterflies were a hit among the girls.


Make-up time was next.... they started painting each other’s face with eyeshadows, lipsticks, blushers and compact powders I bought the day before at Elianto. Little did I know that they were not interested in painting pretty faces, only clown faces... Habis patah semua lipsticks! But it was worth it, especially when you could hear their laughters and gigglings. Girls!!

Then it was the event that they have been waiting for – the Water Balloon war! From using balloons, the girls then started using the pails and the water hose! Imagine the laughters and screamings the nearly 20 lil girls made... you'd think that someone has fallen off the garden swing! It was great fun watching them enjoying themselves :)





The girls later had their shower and tried the treadmill. It was pretty chaotic, with around ten girls using the treadmill at a time, LOL! Then it was the cake cutting ceremony. The cake done by Lea Oven was admired by all of the girls.

Cantik kan? Sedap pun sedap!



See Edward and Bella all ready to be consumed :)


Towards Maghrib time, the girls had their cupcake decorating session. They did all the mixing, coloring and decorating by themselves. Very creative girls, they were!

The last of the girls were sent home at 8pm. I was dead tired by then, but watching Hasya’s contented face, I knew she had a great time.

The next day, Hanna’s two friends came over for a sleepover. We brought all the girls out for a celebration dinner (Hasya’s Birthday and Hanna’s UPSR) at Sunway Pyramid TGI and later watched Disney’s A Christmas Carol. Didn’t like it that much, Dear Hubby actually slept halfway thru the movie!

So tonite we’re watching New Moon. The girls can’t wait to see Edward and Jacob. Hopefully their father won’t fall asleep again!

Congratulations Hanna!

I’ve neglected this blog for quite some time now. There were so many happenings that have been written unfinished and left in draft without being published. I just have to publish them one of these days.... will try to get them done....errr... before the end of the year!!

(A simple case of a true procrastinator procrastinates of procrastinating..LOL!)

Ok, to last week’s story – the UPSR result was out on the 19th, and Alhamdulillah my Hanna got 5As! It came as quite a surprise.... and we were very happy for her, that’s for sure. Dear Hubby who was on leave that day fetched both Hanna and Haifa from school, picked me up from my training class, and had a small lunch celebration at the Italliannies. We later watched 2012 at Sunway Pyramid – with Hanna and Haifa still in their school uniforms!

A note for Hanna :
Hanna,
Ibu and Ayah are so proud of you, sayang. Don’t forget to always do your best in all areas you’ve chosen. We’ll be there to support you come what may. And Hanna, remember that there are more mountains to be climbed later on in life... Climb each at your own pace, reach out for its peak, and expect the unexpected – bruises and skinned knees - along the way.

Congratulations Hanna! We love you!

My Sweet Husna is 15 today!

This is my sweet Husna.

She’s in the world of her own, in the place she created when she was over a year old. That’s the place where she can be who she wants to be. Do whatever she wants to do. We tried so many times to bring her out of her comfortable realm but she was persistent. To stay there and see the outside world thru the glass wall she built over 13 years ago.

Just like any other Autistic child, she needs that wall to feel safe.

And just like any other mother of an Autistic child, I tried so many times to break that wall...

...to get her to this side of the world where she can be safe with us.... and try ....oh so many things! Like how it feels to hold an egg that has been left in a jar of vinegar for a week. Or what happens if you glue a Rubic’s cube together. Or how does it feel when you step on a snail in the garden, barefooted. Or fight over the Astro remote control with your siblings. Or race to get the prettiest cupcake on the tray. Or how fun it is to color each other’s nails with henna....

My Husna's trying hard, I know. I know this because I understand what’s going on in that magical mind of hers. And she too understands. She smiles whenever she hears her name. She’ll run and hug me if I called her name. She’d lie in my arms when I asked her to.... and sleep like a baby afterwards. And I'd feel contented, just by having her in my arms and watching her sleep... so innocent and pure. My Ahli Syurga.

Today my sweet baby turns 15, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY Husna sayang!! Remember that our love has no boundaries. Ibu and Ayah will always pray that you’ll someday stay on this side of the wall with us, so that you know that in this world, only the sky is the limit.

Happy Birthday! We all love you sayang!

18 Years Into Forever

It was August 1990 when I came back home from the States, after graduating and working there for a year. Months of spoiling myself followed - with Mak’s cooking, sleeping and enjoying my worry-free days. I however had to get my feet back on the ground when I got this job in KLJ, to report duty on February 18 1991.

I remember clearly the day when I first saw him. The memory so fresh, as fresh as the air in my garden after a heavy downpour. So clear that I could actually feel and watch the episode as it unfolds itself right before my eyes.

It’s true when people say that some moments in our lives come with vibrant colors and shades. This surely is one of my mine.

It was my third day of working when I first met him. I was walking along the office aisle when I saw this unfamiliar guy walking my way. I could swear that I heard my heart thumping fast as he was approaching me. What’s happening to me, I wondered, and as I struggled to keep the beat back to its normal tempo, I failed... my heart actually skipped a beat, when our eyes locked.

He came to my cubicle, normally during the end of the lunch hours, when our co-workers were not back yet. We’d talk until the first footstep was heard, then he’d leave. We were discreet about this, especially when I was new and he certainly didn’t want his colleagues to know about this, yet.

By the fifth month, we realized that the story of a man and a woman, became the story of OURS. And so we got engaged in July 1991.

And became husband and wife today, 18 years ago.

It’s only been 18 years, but I just can’t imagine my life without him - my rock and foundation. These 18 years of going through life’s ups and downs. How we spent hours making a decision that we hoped could change our child’s life, only to realize a year later that we made the wrong one. How we comfort each other with unspoken words. How we learned to accept fate, and welcome possibilities into our minds.

And what it means to be unconditionally loved.

We learned a great deal, Dear Hubby and I, even when cryings and laughters became synonyms. I’m so blessed to have him and the six beautiful children. Syukur Alhamdulillah. And a great life to be in. A life that allows you to float in the air so freely, fly into the moonlight so pale, run towards the sunset so full of uncertanties, or simply walk on the clouds where your heart is filled with utter joy. I’ve been there. And I can be there whenever I want to, coz I know he’ll be there to hold my hands, walking this life together. Or catch me when I fall.

Abang,
Happy Anniversary! I’m so thankful to Allah for giving me you. The one who completes me. Alhamdulillah.

Happy Birthday Haziq!

Today’s my only boy’s birthday. His 16th! It seems only yesterday that I had him in my arms the first time. Oh.. I could still remember how it was when he didn’t cry when he was born... The ruckus made in the delivery room... And the time spent without my baby by my side for he had to be monitored and placed in SCUBU since it was a forceps delivery.

And I remember writing an entry for his 15th birthday last year. It’s been a year already? I’m amazed at how time realllly flies!

My Birthday Boy. My Haziq. My Firstborn. My Ahli Syurga. My Special One who’s 16 today. Being special, he doesn’t ask for birthday presents. He’ll be happy just by listening to his sisters singing the Happy Birthday song tonite when we cut the cake. Haziq will then have one or two pieces of cake amidst the gigglings and laughters his sisters will make...

He’s my Haziq who never demand anything except for us to fulfill his routine schedule and most of all – our LOVE and AFFECTION.. And he gets loads of them.... Alhamdulillah.

Haziq sayang,
I know there are so many things you wanted to say to me if only you were able to express them all out. I know that there were times when you wanted to look me in the eye and let me know a lot of things – but you just couldn’t. Believe me sayang, I heard you.. for I’m there in your mind.

And you’re there in my heart and... soul.

Happy Birthday my brave boy! We love you!

Swimming Girls

What hectic weekends we had in this Syawal month! I feel as if Raya was 2 months ago. Never get to fulfill all open house Raya invitations, since we were really busy with the kids’ activities.

Hanna, Hasya and Haifa were frustrated since they couldn’t take their taekwondo tests yesterday. It was because they’ve missed their classes during Ramadhan and the tests were conducted on the same weekend that they were having their swimming competition, which was held on Saturday and Sunday, 10-11 October.

So the red belts will have to wait for at least another 3 months.

This time, the swimming event was Kejohanan Jaguh Renang Kompleks Sukan Negara which was held at the National Aquatic Center, Bukit Jalil. The girls participated again, just for the fun of it. It was quite hard especially when they didn’t go for their training during Ramadhan. I’ve told them that the important thing was the spirit and the experience gained.

Hasya climbing out of the pool after her 50m backstroke

The girls waiting for their heat numbers for 50m butterfly to be called. Haifa tengah nervous tu!

Hanna in 100m freestyle

Haifa readying for her 100m freestyle

Somehow this pic reminded me of leaping frogs! LOL!

They participated in most of the events they’ve been registered in, except for 100m backstroke which Hanna chickened-out the last minute... hahaha... Kesian jugak, especially when they didn’t learn much on two swimming strokes - backstroke and butterfly. Dear Hubby and I just encouraged them to participate, stressing on the fact that Bukit Jalil is like their home ground since they spend 4-day a week there for swimming and squash.

So I was stationed there for two days, and without Dear Hubby on Sunday since he had his high-school class reunion in PJ. The girls had so much fun especially during between-events and lunch hour when they could play with their friends in the pools. Sampai nak luruh jantung watching those other small kids playing around the diving areas - diving... mak aaaiii.. tingginya!

Haifa in her playful mood

Everything went well except for that big, fat migraine that I had on Saturday. The weather was just too plain hot lah. Felt like jumping into the pool with the girls to cool off! Lucky we (the mothers) had a nice spot to spread our mats on Sunday... and the cool breeze really made you wanna sleep... Nice.

Raya oh Raya.....

I hope it’s still not too late to wish everybody - SELAMAT HARI RAYA and MAAF ZAHIR BATIN! I hope everyone had a wonderful week of Raya with family, relatives and friends.

This year is Kluang’s turn for us. Since there’s no airport there in Kluang, we couldn’t ‘post’ the kids home via air thus we had to travel in two cars. My first time driving this far tau! I was lucky that the traffic was good to and fro. Alhamdulillah.

The Projek Bunga Api on that malam Raya was great. The nephews, nieces and my kids were the project members.. and don’t forget the project manager and directors too ok.... Tua-tua pun main Thunder Clap and Thunder King..hahahaha! Meriah betul main bunga api kat kampung! You could see and hear mercun everywhere! It took us around 3-4 hours to finish everything off. It was fun. My Haziq especially, had so much fun.

Haifa watching the bunga api

Haziq, Hasya, Hanna, Hanis, Haifa and the maids sempat posing sambil main bunga api at their nenek's house di malam raya

My Hanis celebrated her 4th birthday on the Raya day itself. “Hari Raya Happy Birthday Hanis” was her mantra a few days prior to the 20th. Brought her to Secret Recipe that morning and asked her to choose the cake herself, and she chose the one with cherries on top... what else, the Black Forestlah. That 'lil girl blushed when all her siblings, aunties, uncles and cousins sang her the birthday song. She was happy to add more Barbies into her collection. And this time Miss Barbie comes with Master Ken ;)
Nampak sangat muka nervous. Segan sebab ramai orang kot....

My five girls - Haifa, Husna, Hanna, Hasya and Hanis in their Baju Boria di pagi raya di rumah Nenek

We went to Pontian on the 2nd day of raya to visit my Pak Chaq, who is my mother’s eldest sibling. What was supposed to be a less-than-two-hour trip became more-than-three-hour trip. Traffic punyalah teruk near Ayer Hitam and Benut! But it was all worth it. The hospitality and company was great, and the food was A+++ I tell you! My Mak Chaq’s really a great cook. I’m sure if she were to open a restaurant, mesti tak menang tangan punya! I wonder why my cuz Che Uda doesn’t gain weightlah...hmmhh... Kena mintak petua nih!

My 86yo Pak Chaq. My Mak - his youngest sibling- would surely want to see this pic

This is my Mak Chaq yang terror masak!

Hanis with her Kak Asma'

Came back to home sweet home on Wednesday the 23rd. Oh.. doing the laundry took us two days to finally wash and dry everything, from the baju rayas to comforters. Lucky that those two days saw the sun in its fiercely hot state.

That's why I'm currently all tanned-up. No, not because of doing the laundry, it was due to the hours spent outside the house on the weekend. Hah, buat lagi gardening tengah panas!

September - The Month of Birthdays

UPSR is over on the 10th September and I’m totally at ease now. Not that I’ve been helping my Hanna with the revisions that much, but the suspense was there all the time. Now that it was over- phew.... LEGA! Time for Birthdays!

Here are the September Birthday Boys and Girls:
14th – Hanna’s 12th
16th – Dear Hubby’s 45th
20th – Hanis’s 4th
24th – My brother - Benjie’s 47th

Hanna’s Birthday:
So what’s my Hanna doing now? She’s enjoying every merdeka moment at home. Especially on the 14th – when it was her 12th birthday.

She got her presents the day before, but I still owe her something – that she could get her first experience in having her mani-pedi. Hasya and Haifa were home, but since it was supposed to be only Ibu-Hanna’s day out, I didn’t allow them to tag along. However, as we were leaving the house, I saw Haifa crying in the living room. Alahaaaii.. kesianlah pulak, so I said – OK lah.. Hasya and Haifa cepat siap!

We left for OU, and since I’ve already signed up with Missy Nails last year, I took them there. The girls were so excited to have their nails done. Hasya and Haifa were only having their manicure while Hanna and I would have our mani-pedi.

Hanna's having her pedicure

Hasya tengah syok

Excitednya budak pompuan nih!

Then off to MPH (as usual) and they got their books.

Takpa, ambik, ambik...Ibu belanja :)

I’ve already anticipated that it would be a long day in OU, so I made the reservations earlier at Delicious – just in case we wouldn’t make it for iftar at home. And I was right.


Here are my favorites – Fried Mushrooms and Spaghetti Bolognese with Seafood.

Sambal Udang served in jantung pisang... good idea kan?

The birthday Guy and Gal

Later that night, as usual, we had the cake-cutting ceremony.

Here’s Hanna with her birthday cake

Hanna, Ibu and Ayah’s do’a for you – May your life is filled with all greatness and happiness - outstanding performances, beautiful imaan, unclouded health and flourishing rezeki. Semoga Hanna menjadi anak yang solehah dan sentiasa berbudi-pekerti luhur. Ameen...

Dear Hubby's Birthday:
Yesterday was my man’s 45th birthday. I remember when we first met, he was only 26+. Gosh... how time flies!

Abang,
Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do

For the morning sun in all its glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
You fill my life with laughter
And somehow you make it better
Ease my troubles that's what you do
There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray
To the one, to the one...

Happy Birthday Abang. I love you...

52nd Independence Day of Malaysia

Merdeka! This is the 52nd year we're celebrating Independence Day. We've changed so much since 1957, haven't we?

My hope and do'a is for Malaysia to be more prosperous and peaceful, and her citizens be spared from all the agonies that are such a norm in the world today.

May all of us continue to live harmoniously regardless of race, culture, ethnic and religion.



Long Live Malaysia!

Girls Having Fun - Swim and Squash

Hanna has been asking me to see the pictures taken during the swimming competition held on Aug 8-9 and the session with Nicol David on Aug 15. I haven’t shown them yet since I was pretty busy with... well so many things. So I told her to just check my blog today to see some of the pix.

So here goes, Hanna, an entry with only pictures.

These 6 photos are taken on Aug 8-9. Event: SportsExcel-Milo-NSC-ASUM Junior Swimming Circuit Venue: KL Swimming Complex, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras.

Haifa - having fun before her 100m Freestyle event

Hasya - 100m Freestyle

Hanna - 100m Freestyle

Hasya (lane 3) and Haifa (lane 5) - 50m Breaststroke

Hanna - 50m Freestyle

Hanna - 50m Breaststroke

These 9 photos are taken on Aug 15 at Bukit Jalil National Squash Center:

World No1 showing her skills

Nicol giving the kids some tips

Feeding session with Nicol - Hasya's 2nd from left

Hasya and Nicol during feeding session

Hasya's turn - hit the ball ok, not pick the ball...hehehe

Hasya waiting for her turn with butterflies in her tummy

Q&A session with Nicol

Nicol autographing Haifa's t-shirt

Haifa, Hasya and Hanna with the Queen of Squash

OK Hanna? I’ll copy the rest of them (hundreds!) into your external harddisk later, ok?