Farewell to Kak Halina...

This is another farewell story, obviously...hehehe. This time it's Kak Halina's turn to go back to Malaysia for good, though her husband's staying on. She was one of the most senior in Khartoum. She came in 2004 with her kids, so this year would be her 6th year in Sudan.

Actually, I first met her in April 2008 before she went back to Malaysia for a long break which lasted until January this year. Unfortunately, I didn't get to know Kak Halina all that well, only been in her company for several months. But I definitely acknowledge her expertise in cooking. She's definitely a great cook...hehehe. She helped cooked soto for my kids birthday and it was marvelous... definitely a 'soto queen'...hehehe

Being in Sudan for so long, she could also speak Arabic, Sudan style. One of her latest craze before going back was shopping, shopping and more shopping, especially for victorinox and carpets...hehehe. For me, she's very jovial and we could get along so well...hehehe, especially the shopping part...hehehe

So, on the 19th of March, she left us to start her new life in Malaysia. So long Kak Halina, till we meet again, insyaallah. Enjoy the pictures! 

K. Jannah, K. Faridah, K. Nor, K. Halina and Kak Umi (K.Rafiah and Aseh at the back)

Lisna, K.Halina, me and K.Erlina...

More pictures for the album...

Even En. Rahim joined us...hehehe

Everyone's looking at different cameras...hehehe

The hugging session begins...

With Kak Hanum, one of her longest buddy...

Started crying...

Close-up...hehehe

Leaving their friends...

Even Joseph came to see her off...hehehe

Ready to go home...

Goodbye guys...

Lisna's eyes were actually red...hehehe... Nangis ye?!!!

Farewell to Devinder...

2 weeks after Aiza left for Malaysia, it was Devinder's turn to go back. She's pregnant with her first child and it's also the first grandchild of both families. And when they scanned, it looked like a boy. So, it's a big event for both families. Hopefully the baby's not going to be spoilt rotten...hehehe

Devinder's actually one of the few female staff of Petronas in Khartoum. Her husband also followed her here and worked in Sudan. So with a baby on the way, both decided to go back to Malaysia. Good luck to Devin and hubby. Hope it'll be a momentous event for both of them. 

On the 3rd of February, we had a farewell lunch for Devin. It was held in Petronita's room, Block B. I remembered Noni's praises for Devin as she's very hardworking and the best thing was she hardly ever spoke ill of others. Hopefully the baby'll be blessed with the parents' good looks and the mother's good grace. 

There was so much food but I had to rush back home because my kids were due to arrive after school. It was a nice lunch anyway. Enjoy the pictures...

Noni as the MC...

Devin, second from the right...

Kak Husna's speech...

Devin's speech...she hardly looked like a 7-months pregnant lady, right?!!

Farewell for Hj. Zul : Part 2

On the 27th of January, we invited Hj Zul and a few friends to our house for dinner. It was only the second time I invited people to the house for dinner but the first time cooking malay dishes...hehehe, the first time, we served our guests roast chicken. I'm not a good cook remember?!! Sometimes I wish I have the culinary skills of either Nora or Shidah (my friends)... sob, sob...

Anyway, I cooked ayam goreng berlada, fried shrimps, beef kurma, daging goreng and vegetables. For the starter I baked the readymade murtabak and served fruits and tiramisu for deserts. After isya', Hj Zul, Che Ku, Kamal and Aladin came. Hj Wahid was late because he was still in a meeting (which my husband 'escaped' from attending...hehehe).

So, Che Ku suggested that we started first...hehehe. Hj Wahid only came around 9.30 with Syed Salim and Anuar Rahman... Pity them, they must be really hungry because they said the food was nice... hehehe. We had a cosy chat with Hj. Zul, which was nice... They all went home around 10.30.

Then, I had a good night's sleep. Planning dinner for people was definitely exhausting, especially for me...sigh... It'll be a long while till my next group of guests...hehehe

Strawberries with choc. dip and oranges...

The food...

Murtabak...

My husband's arranging everything...

Serving his boss...hehehe...

Che Ku, Kamal, Aladin and Hj Zul...

Hj. Zul relaxing... hopefully he's full...hehehe

Entertaining his boss...hehehe

Farewell for Hj. Zul : Part 1

On the 24th of January, we had a farewell party for Hj Zul at the cafeteria (actually next to the cafe). He's been working in Sudan for years, if I'm not mistaken this is his fifth or sixth year. He's going back not because his service's not required anymore, to the contrary in fact... but because of his health and also family commitments. He was actually warded for pneumonia (paru2 berair) in December 2008. Luckily he was in Malaysia at the time.

Being away from your family's definitely not easy. Especially like the single status guys. They have to work 70 days to get a 20 days leave. So basically you're only at home 4 times a year which is equal to about 3 months with your family and the rest you have to devote to work, work and more work! And naturally when they finally get to see their families, there'll be lots of things to be done, family members to attend to and so on. 20 days would just flew by, actually.

On that night, GNPOC also said goodbye to Anuar Aziz who transferred to RSPOC if I'm not mistaken. Che Ku was the MC for the night and it was a relaxing evening. The only thing I remembered was the advice given by Hj Zul... he said that having a supportive family would be a great help for husbands to concentrate on their jobs...hmmm... I'm supportive what??!!! Hehehe...  

My signature dish...hehehe

Hj Zul in green...

Amir enter-frame...hehehe

Hj Zul's speech...

Paparazzi...

A very humble person...

Hj Wahid giving the token of our appreciation...

Anuar, 1 year in GNPOC...

GNPOC family...

Farewell to Aiza...

After Syikeen, it's Aiza's turn next. She's going back not because her husband's repatriated but because she's pregnant and her due date was sometime in April. The normal practice here is that when you're pregnant, you'll have to go back to deliver the baby 2 months before your due date. In Aiza's case, she went back in February, 6th February exactly. She's also due to start working sometime in July so the timing's quite perfect...hehehe

On the 23rd of January, she invited all of us for hi-tea at her house. She cooked penang laksa and cucur udang...hmmm, her laksa was so delicious though it was quite hot and spicy...hehehe. The spread was great, the company was also great and we had a wonderful time.

My contribution...

Full with friends...

They're enjoying the laksa...

The food was so delicious...

Amir in Aiza's empty house on the 6th of February...

Then on 6th of February, she went back to Malaysia with her 3 daughters. Razali, the husband had to come back and work in Khartoum and start his single-status life here. But I think he misses his wife and kids so much. There was one time when we caught him looking at the children going to Little Friends forlornly. He was probably longing to be with his family back in Malaysia. Actually, now he's in Malaysia to be with Aiza for the delivery. Hopefully everything goes well for them. Good luck Aiza!

p.s: I don't have the 'nangis-nangis' pictures because I wasn't there. We were at Mitco's BBQ...hehehe

Farewell to Syikeen : Part 2

Before I start, I'd better warn everyone that this is going to be a pictorial report...hehehe

Earlier in the afternoon, I went to Syikeen's house, just to chat. Soon, others came to bid their farewell. Later, the house was filled with well-wishers. I went downstairs to join the others waiting at the entrance to Block A. By 5.30 pm, they came down with the help of friends to carry their stuff.

And came the moment that all were waiting for, the 'crying session'...hehehe. You could see that living in Khartoum made us closer and parting was definitely painful. I tried not to shed tears because I knew that insyaallah, we'll see each other again in Malaysia. All too soon, they had to leave for the airport and we could only waved them goodbye. 

Farewell Syikeen, till we meet again... 

 

Amir and Ehsan playing for the last time... You could see the empty house...

Erica wearing Kak Zu's glasses...

Noni and Fino came too...

The house's filling up...

Syikeen and Ina...

Packed with people...

Ehsan and Amir, downstairs...

Even Mahmud Hisham had to carry one of their boxes...hehehe

Ipin's trying to 'cheat' by putting his load on the luggage pulled by my husband's...

Some of their 'stuff'...

Some of the ladies waiting downstairs...

Syikeen, Ezalman and Ehsan...

Syikeen and Aiza...

Syikeen and Kak Maria...

The start of the 'tear-jerker' drama...hehehe

Syikeen and Lisna... old neighbours...

Syikeen and Su...

Some of our kids, came back from KAFA class...

Syikeen and Aseh...

Syikeen and Kak Husna...

Kak Hanum and Ina... Ina cried because she's left behind...hehehe

Amir and Erica... I'd better not show the picture of Amir kissing Erica...hehehe

Lisna and Aiza...

Final wave...

Don't cry Syikeen...

Bye Syikeen, Ezalman, Ehsan, Erica and Sila...

The ones left behind...sob, sob...