I received a very exciting news today. But I cannot disclose in this blog yet. Not until I told my parents about it.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
07 March 2006
26 February 2006
DPA reunion
It was an impromptu arrangement. I called up Syikin after she replied my email, with her phone number. The number was kind of weird so I called up to confirm whether it is correct or not. Talked to her for while and she asked about Ina n Dina. Forwarded her email to both of them and it kind of escalated from there. Somebody forwarded the email to somebody else and before long, 14 of us agreed to meet at MFM last Friday during lunch. Syikin, Kak Ina and Suaidah even took time off after lunch for a longer rendezvous.
It was fun meeting familiar faces that have left the radar for so long. For some of them, the last time I met them was during our diploma convocation day. Mek Tie n Kak Eda can't make it and so was Nole, but we promised to keep in touch.Ina is collecting contact details from us and will be arranging a bigger reunion with more participants from our DPA classmates.
So those of you, who happened to read this, who knew somebody who graduated (or not) with Diploma In Public Administaration ( DPA) from Institut Teknologi MARA Shah Alam year 1989 to 1991, please leave me your contact details. It will be a pleasure to hear from you.
It was fun meeting familiar faces that have left the radar for so long. For some of them, the last time I met them was during our diploma convocation day. Mek Tie n Kak Eda can't make it and so was Nole, but we promised to keep in touch.Ina is collecting contact details from us and will be arranging a bigger reunion with more participants from our DPA classmates.
So those of you, who happened to read this, who knew somebody who graduated (or not) with Diploma In Public Administaration ( DPA) from Institut Teknologi MARA Shah Alam year 1989 to 1991, please leave me your contact details. It will be a pleasure to hear from you.
Rombongan Cik Kiah ke Kota Kinabalu
Am flying to KK, Sabah tomorrow with 4 of my office colleagues. Tina booked the free tickets in December and I had totally forgotten about it until she asked me how am I going to the airport as the flight will be pretty early in the morning. Alamak! Cepatnye...how time flies...I thought lambat lagi....have yet to tell dear hubby and apply for leave.
It will be a 3 days 2 nights stay over there. Tun had arranged all the accomodation and Tina had arranged for the airport transfer, the car rental and even the place to source for freshest udang galah. Trust these ladies to do these unofficial duties efficiently!
We planned to drive to Kundasang with a few stopovers in between. The Filipino Market is a 'must go and must buy ' place on our itinerary. Poring Hot Springs, Kinabalu Park are mostly for picture taking purposes- momentos for the kids left behind with their daddies back home. And if Azah is up to it, we will be contemplating to do some island hopping...Mamutik n Manukan. The last time I did that was in 1991, back from Mount Kinabalu climb.
These time round, there will be no mountain climbing done. We hope to be able to see the top of the mountain clearly, though.
Wish us a safe journey, for all 5 of us makciks. This will be the first time l go on a holiday without my family. Less things to packs, less running around after the kids, less hassle, less everything. I wonder if it also meant less fun..hmmm...
It will be a 3 days 2 nights stay over there. Tun had arranged all the accomodation and Tina had arranged for the airport transfer, the car rental and even the place to source for freshest udang galah. Trust these ladies to do these unofficial duties efficiently!
We planned to drive to Kundasang with a few stopovers in between. The Filipino Market is a 'must go and must buy ' place on our itinerary. Poring Hot Springs, Kinabalu Park are mostly for picture taking purposes- momentos for the kids left behind with their daddies back home. And if Azah is up to it, we will be contemplating to do some island hopping...Mamutik n Manukan. The last time I did that was in 1991, back from Mount Kinabalu climb.
These time round, there will be no mountain climbing done. We hope to be able to see the top of the mountain clearly, though.
Wish us a safe journey, for all 5 of us makciks. This will be the first time l go on a holiday without my family. Less things to packs, less running around after the kids, less hassle, less everything. I wonder if it also meant less fun..hmmm...
14 February 2006
It has been quite a while since I last update my blog. A lot of stories to tell during the long absence. I don't know where to start. Maybe I start with my trip during the long festive Chinese New Year/ Awal Muharam/ Federal Territory Day holidays.
It was decided that this time round, it was time to go 'balik kampung' to the East Coast aka my mom in law (MIL)'s place. It is normal for Malaysians regardless of the type of holidays, to head back to their respective kampungs. Be it school holidays, festive season holidays or any other holidays that matters.
We left home at about 11am, heading towards Kuantan. Hubby has booked a room for us there. with the intention of letting the children loose in the swimming pool, together with their cousins. My bro in law ( BIL) resides in Kuantan and he has 4 children altogether. With 3 boys and a girl, you can expect a lot of splashing , combine with my 3 water babies. But that was not be...
Hubby and his brother were caught up in some business deals during the day. We reached BIL's home around 3pm. After some freshening up, children went to the playground in front of the house.
Me and my biras, Zaya( BIL's wife) had some other plans. We booked a facial session with Zaya's friend's saloon. Our maids took care of the children while we had one hour time off to ourselves. It was nearly Maghrib when we got back. We round up the children from the playground, sent them for their baths and dressed them up for dinner outside.
Dinner was at a riverside restaurant near a jetty at Sungai Kuantan ( i'm not sure about the name of the river but it is a wide river allright). I had ikan bakar , whilst the others had other sorts of menu. The toddlers had 'nasi air' or akin to 'bubur' while Anis and her cousin, Nani had nasi lemak. Anuar who was sort of full, ordered burger from a stall nearby but was told to wait as there was a bulk order of 40 burgers aehad of him.
We spent the time talking while enjoying the night breeze from the river. The children were all over the place and we have to keep a sharp eye on them as the river is too close for comfort.
There was an angling competition going on and we went to check it out. The winner get to take home RM10k which I considered is very lucrative.
After dinner, we went to the jetty. Zaya had to get back home to feed her youngest boy, Idham around 1 year old, who was left behind at home with her maid. The rest of her brood were left with me.
To be continued...
It was decided that this time round, it was time to go 'balik kampung' to the East Coast aka my mom in law (MIL)'s place. It is normal for Malaysians regardless of the type of holidays, to head back to their respective kampungs. Be it school holidays, festive season holidays or any other holidays that matters.
We left home at about 11am, heading towards Kuantan. Hubby has booked a room for us there. with the intention of letting the children loose in the swimming pool, together with their cousins. My bro in law ( BIL) resides in Kuantan and he has 4 children altogether. With 3 boys and a girl, you can expect a lot of splashing , combine with my 3 water babies. But that was not be...
Hubby and his brother were caught up in some business deals during the day. We reached BIL's home around 3pm. After some freshening up, children went to the playground in front of the house.
Me and my biras, Zaya( BIL's wife) had some other plans. We booked a facial session with Zaya's friend's saloon. Our maids took care of the children while we had one hour time off to ourselves. It was nearly Maghrib when we got back. We round up the children from the playground, sent them for their baths and dressed them up for dinner outside.
Dinner was at a riverside restaurant near a jetty at Sungai Kuantan ( i'm not sure about the name of the river but it is a wide river allright). I had ikan bakar , whilst the others had other sorts of menu. The toddlers had 'nasi air' or akin to 'bubur' while Anis and her cousin, Nani had nasi lemak. Anuar who was sort of full, ordered burger from a stall nearby but was told to wait as there was a bulk order of 40 burgers aehad of him.
We spent the time talking while enjoying the night breeze from the river. The children were all over the place and we have to keep a sharp eye on them as the river is too close for comfort.
There was an angling competition going on and we went to check it out. The winner get to take home RM10k which I considered is very lucrative.
After dinner, we went to the jetty. Zaya had to get back home to feed her youngest boy, Idham around 1 year old, who was left behind at home with her maid. The rest of her brood were left with me.
To be continued...
17 January 2006
Schooling dilemma part 2
The tantrum continued this morning. She slept late last night, after watching Natasha and re rerun of Mr. Bean. Switched off the light but she refused to go bed. She giggled softly in the dark, watching the antics of Mr. Bean.
This morning, I woke her up softly, proceeded to lift her which is akin to dragging her as she is quite heavy for her age. Anis didn't bat an eyelid, in fact her eyes remained shut. It was nearly 7.30am and schoolbus will be arriving anytime from 7.45am onwards.
She refused to give in when I tried peeling off her pyjamas. Instead, she threw her tantrum and refused to enter the bathroom. I just left her there and proceed to kitchen, telling Bibik to pack up her school stuff because ' mak nak hantar balik buku2 ni kat Cikgu Idah, sebab Anis dah tak nak pergi sekolah dah. Pasni, nak cakap dengan Makcik Anom, tak payah ambik Anis lagi sebab Anis dah tak sekolah lagi.'
I heard her cry even louder.
Babah took over. Predictively, Makcik Anom arrived and left without this passenger. She smiled and waved knowingly.
Babah sent Anis to school at 8.20am, a few minutes before school starts for day. I predict the routine will be repeated tomorrow morning.
This morning, I woke her up softly, proceeded to lift her which is akin to dragging her as she is quite heavy for her age. Anis didn't bat an eyelid, in fact her eyes remained shut. It was nearly 7.30am and schoolbus will be arriving anytime from 7.45am onwards.
She refused to give in when I tried peeling off her pyjamas. Instead, she threw her tantrum and refused to enter the bathroom. I just left her there and proceed to kitchen, telling Bibik to pack up her school stuff because ' mak nak hantar balik buku2 ni kat Cikgu Idah, sebab Anis dah tak nak pergi sekolah dah. Pasni, nak cakap dengan Makcik Anom, tak payah ambik Anis lagi sebab Anis dah tak sekolah lagi.'
I heard her cry even louder.
Babah took over. Predictively, Makcik Anom arrived and left without this passenger. She smiled and waved knowingly.
Babah sent Anis to school at 8.20am, a few minutes before school starts for day. I predict the routine will be repeated tomorrow morning.
16 January 2006
Another schooling dilemma
Anis didn't want to board the bus yesterday. She's all dressed up for school and we were waiting for the school bus at the front gate. Makcik Anom came and honked at us, in her yellow bus. I was gesturing to her... kejap kak kejap...urging Anis, to move quickly towards the bus. And there she was, completely frozen to the ground. She refused to budge and instead, started crying. I was completely bewildered. Everything was fine but why was she crying? Bik and Nana looked at her curiously. Maman was still sleeping soundly, like any other little- boy- who- refused- to- sleep- early.
In the meantime, I asked Makcik Anom to leave Anis behind. I don't want other Setapak kids to be late for school.
Is she sick? No...stomachache? No...Forgot something? No..Sleepy? Well, a little bit but no reason to cry over that, even Mak also go to the office half awake most of the time.
Then, why didn't you board the bus? Because I cant't wave you goodbye when you leave to go the office...laaa....takpelah, then Mak can wave to you when you board the bus. No, it will not be the same.
Babah used his veto power, when he lifted her on his motorbike and delivered her to school...tears and all.
Later, that night, when I was busy breastfeeding the twins, actually more like sumo wrestling as the twins became heavier by the day, I overheard the conversation between Anis and his dad.
Kenapa Anis tak nak pergi sekolah?
Anis nak pergi sekolah, Anis nak pergi sekolah dengan Babah
Babah nak pegi opis
Babah antar lah Anis pergi sekolah dulu baru Babah pergi opis.
Anis kan dah ada bas, Anis naiklah bas dengan kawan Anis
Kawan Anis, ada yang naik motor pegi sekolah. Anis nak pegi sekolah naik motor. Anis tak nak naik bas.
So, this morning, she deliberately buttered and munched her toast very the slowly. I was dressing up for office when I heard Kak Anom passed by. Before that, countless...cepat lah anis, nanti bas tinggal...fell on deaf ears. Nana was excitedly waiting at the gate to wave to kak Anis while kak Anis was still at the breakfast table.
Anis got her wish granted. At least for today.Babah have to sent her to school on his motorbike. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
In the meantime, I asked Makcik Anom to leave Anis behind. I don't want other Setapak kids to be late for school.
Is she sick? No...stomachache? No...Forgot something? No..Sleepy? Well, a little bit but no reason to cry over that, even Mak also go to the office half awake most of the time.
Then, why didn't you board the bus? Because I cant't wave you goodbye when you leave to go the office...laaa....takpelah, then Mak can wave to you when you board the bus. No, it will not be the same.
Babah used his veto power, when he lifted her on his motorbike and delivered her to school...tears and all.
Later, that night, when I was busy breastfeeding the twins, actually more like sumo wrestling as the twins became heavier by the day, I overheard the conversation between Anis and his dad.
Kenapa Anis tak nak pergi sekolah?
Anis nak pergi sekolah, Anis nak pergi sekolah dengan Babah
Babah nak pegi opis
Babah antar lah Anis pergi sekolah dulu baru Babah pergi opis.
Anis kan dah ada bas, Anis naiklah bas dengan kawan Anis
Kawan Anis, ada yang naik motor pegi sekolah. Anis nak pegi sekolah naik motor. Anis tak nak naik bas.
So, this morning, she deliberately buttered and munched her toast very the slowly. I was dressing up for office when I heard Kak Anom passed by. Before that, countless...cepat lah anis, nanti bas tinggal...fell on deaf ears. Nana was excitedly waiting at the gate to wave to kak Anis while kak Anis was still at the breakfast table.
Anis got her wish granted. At least for today.Babah have to sent her to school on his motorbike. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
10 January 2006
The bus trip
Did the craziest thing last night. I don't know what possessed me but I bravely agreed to take the bus home from JB to KL with all 3 kids in tow and maid but without hubby. He cannot take leave on Monday and had some business commitments to settle. He drove us down to JB on Saturday morning and went back to KL sunday afternoon.
So there we were, me and my brood, maid, mom and brother with my dad at the wheels, driving like crazy, cursing at every traffic light, trying to reach the bus terminal before my 6.30pm express bus leaves.
Reached the terminal a few seconds before 6.30pm, looked for the platform and the bus. Dragged the children with brother minding the luggage.Reached out for my 4 tickets to the driver and then suddenly " Eh, kak, ini tiket semalam!" Huh! Yesterday's ticket...mana boleh, I specifically asked for tiket petang raya, which is today. Remembered going behind the ticket counter and looked at the seats diagram, telling the fat lady minding the counter, I wanted these specific seats....not to the back but at the same time, not directly behind the driver.
Iye kak, hari ni 10 haribulan, ini tiket semalam.Ya Allah, I have checked the tickets umpteenth time but for the life of me, I can't register that 9 Jan is on Monday.
Huaaa....what should i do? It's not my fault, is it? Because I remembered telling the fat lady, I wanted tickets for petang raya. Buat apa nak beli tiket balik before raya because that is the reason I balik JB in the first place. Huaaaa...
The friendly drivers and staff ( I presumed) of the bus company called the fat lady, which I eventually I found her name to be Kak Ina. Kak Ina asked me to come to the ticketing counter. To cut the long story short, I can board the bus but I have to pay half of the fares. Whateverlah...as long as I can board the bus. In the meantime, my children and luggage are all over the place with my maid n brother minding them.
It was nearly 7pm when the bus left the terminal. It was largely an uneventful journey, the children felt asleep right after the bus moved. I cannot sleep, cursing myself for my carelessness and stupidity, which made me RM48 poorer. The highway was busy and as usual, was congested right before Seremban. We reached KL around 12am.
But remind me to ask Bibik to take anti mabuk pills the next time we plan to travel. The children are all quite well behaved ( well, quite...except for a few cries here and there) but Bibik was mabuk all the way! I cannot depend on her to take care of the children and I have to do everything myself. She smothered herself with some type of minyak angin or balm, which made it worse, because the smell of the minyak is too strong. I just have to endure it and the jam packed highway doesn't made it any easier.
Towards the end of the trip, the friendly driver ( did I mentioned' friendly' earlier?) told me that a few people called him, asking him to stop the bus.It seemed that the 4 passengers left behind, asked for him to wait for them. Nasiblah, next time, if the ticket said 6.30pm , then it is 6.30pm lah not 7pm lah brader...heheheh...or else I would be left stranded at the terminal...phew...
So there we were, me and my brood, maid, mom and brother with my dad at the wheels, driving like crazy, cursing at every traffic light, trying to reach the bus terminal before my 6.30pm express bus leaves.
Reached the terminal a few seconds before 6.30pm, looked for the platform and the bus. Dragged the children with brother minding the luggage.Reached out for my 4 tickets to the driver and then suddenly " Eh, kak, ini tiket semalam!" Huh! Yesterday's ticket...mana boleh, I specifically asked for tiket petang raya, which is today. Remembered going behind the ticket counter and looked at the seats diagram, telling the fat lady minding the counter, I wanted these specific seats....not to the back but at the same time, not directly behind the driver.
Iye kak, hari ni 10 haribulan, ini tiket semalam.Ya Allah, I have checked the tickets umpteenth time but for the life of me, I can't register that 9 Jan is on Monday.
Huaaa....what should i do? It's not my fault, is it? Because I remembered telling the fat lady, I wanted tickets for petang raya. Buat apa nak beli tiket balik before raya because that is the reason I balik JB in the first place. Huaaaa...
The friendly drivers and staff ( I presumed) of the bus company called the fat lady, which I eventually I found her name to be Kak Ina. Kak Ina asked me to come to the ticketing counter. To cut the long story short, I can board the bus but I have to pay half of the fares. Whateverlah...as long as I can board the bus. In the meantime, my children and luggage are all over the place with my maid n brother minding them.
It was nearly 7pm when the bus left the terminal. It was largely an uneventful journey, the children felt asleep right after the bus moved. I cannot sleep, cursing myself for my carelessness and stupidity, which made me RM48 poorer. The highway was busy and as usual, was congested right before Seremban. We reached KL around 12am.
But remind me to ask Bibik to take anti mabuk pills the next time we plan to travel. The children are all quite well behaved ( well, quite...except for a few cries here and there) but Bibik was mabuk all the way! I cannot depend on her to take care of the children and I have to do everything myself. She smothered herself with some type of minyak angin or balm, which made it worse, because the smell of the minyak is too strong. I just have to endure it and the jam packed highway doesn't made it any easier.
Towards the end of the trip, the friendly driver ( did I mentioned' friendly' earlier?) told me that a few people called him, asking him to stop the bus.It seemed that the 4 passengers left behind, asked for him to wait for them. Nasiblah, next time, if the ticket said 6.30pm , then it is 6.30pm lah not 7pm lah brader...heheheh...or else I would be left stranded at the terminal...phew...
05 January 2006
Amazing, isn't it
Do you know how someone can have her bath and yet sleep at the same time? Well, you should ask Anis because that was what she did for three days straight. On the first day of school, managed to coax her out of her bed ( tilam actually, didn't trust her enough to let her sleep on a bed, she would be under it in no time) at around 7.15am. Dragged her to the bathroam, peeled off her jammies and asked her to squat. Turned on the heater and washed her bottom, hair and body. Asked her to open her mouth to brush her teeth and saw that her eyes closely shut. She has been sleeping through her bath all this while. Washed her face, brushed her teeth, soaped her body, shampooed her body and there she was, no jumping or squealing like the usual bath times. Even Nana, who was standing at the bathroom door kept very quiet, as if she doesn't want to wake her sister up.
After I finished rinsing her and dried her up, dragged her to the bedroom to put on her clothes. After everything was done, asked her to wait at the sofa while I prepared her breakfast. She was fast asleep when Bibik came to fed her with some cereal and milk. After breakfast, I let her continue her sleep while I dressed. Babah left for work while the twins were busy feeding the cats at the back lane.
It was nearly 8.20 while school stars at 8.30am. Woke her up and rushed her to the car. Thankfully, we reached kindy in time.
Yesterday, Babah bathed her and I heard some tears shed. She must have been asleep again in the bathroom. This morning, the same routine, she slept through her bath. Amazing, isn't it?
After I finished rinsing her and dried her up, dragged her to the bedroom to put on her clothes. After everything was done, asked her to wait at the sofa while I prepared her breakfast. She was fast asleep when Bibik came to fed her with some cereal and milk. After breakfast, I let her continue her sleep while I dressed. Babah left for work while the twins were busy feeding the cats at the back lane.
It was nearly 8.20 while school stars at 8.30am. Woke her up and rushed her to the car. Thankfully, we reached kindy in time.
Yesterday, Babah bathed her and I heard some tears shed. She must have been asleep again in the bathroom. This morning, the same routine, she slept through her bath. Amazing, isn't it?
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