Aliah and Hadi's open day: Part 2

On the 21st of March, we had to go to Aliah and Hadi's school for their open day. The open day is for parents and teachers to discuss the children's progress in school. I was a little bit apprehensive to see Hadi's teachers...hehehe (how come the parent's scared?!!). All because Hadi had such a bad report the last time...

We arrived just in time. We were given only a 15 minutes slot for each child. Hadi's was at 9.00 - 9.15, while Aliah at 9.15 - 9.30 a.m. We were also prohibited from bringing the child in question...hehehe. Anyway, I was so happy because Hadi had such great reviews, words such as 'excellent, good, great' were used. Wow, even the teachers said that he had a complete turnaround from the last time we met them. Now, the teachers would use my name if he misbehave and surprisingly he would listen. Hmmm, Hadi listening?!!! Is that truly my Hadi?!! Anyway, he was exceptional in reading, English and topics.

The teachers were amazed at his ability to recognise a lot of things. They said his general knowledge's excellent. Of course, topics like dinosaurs and animals are his pet subject...hehehe. He even lied to his teacher telling her of his visit to Tokyo of all places. Tokyo?!! We've never been there?!! His teacher said that he loved to play on his own especially with sand. They told me that he would like to 'excavate' the sand pit... No wonder he came back with brown pants everyday. His shoes would be full of sand as well...sigh...We're just worried about his ability to 'socialise' because he liked to play alone, even when he's with friends...sigh...

We didn't bring a camera along so we couldn't take pictures of all their work in class. Anyway, Aliah also got good reports. But the teacher said that she might be finding the tasks quite easy so she's bored sometimes and she had only a few friends that she could talk to because they can speak English, the rest speak arabic. So, all in all we're very happy, alhamdulillah. 

When we came back, they were still in their pyjamas. I acted a little bit saying that they got bad reports...hehehe. I told Hadi that I got to know from the teachers that he liked to play in the sand pit and that made him cry...hehehe. Aliah was a little bit dissappointed that Hadi got a good report (she was expecting a bad report like before...hehehe). So, because they performed in school, we brought them out to eat at Kudu (a fast food joint). Again, Thank you Allah...

They were a bit scared, clinging to each other...hehehe

Glad that it's over...

A Day at Tiara Beach Resort 2008

From JB, we drove towards Port Dickson. It was raining and the weather looked quite bleak. We didn't make any reservation at any hotel so in worst case scenario if there's no hotel available, we'll just drive straight home. We arrived near maghrib at Tiara Beach Resort and we managed to get a room, alhamdulillah.

Actually I've been here before with my family (the Sabak Bernam clan) and with my late brother, Ayang and we had a great time. Aliah was so excited because she remembered the water slides and the big pool. After isya' , we ventured downstairs and there was some sort of a show at the centre court. Actually, it was a 'draq-queen' show. After that, there was an acrobatic show by a chinese group. My kids enjoyed the show...hehehe...

They were sitting on the cement...

The men?!!!

Part of the acrobatic team...

Early the next morning, Aliah and Hadi woke us up because they wanted to go to the pool...sigh... I took them while my husband packed our stuff to go back. The kids really had a wonderful time. Aliah and Amir really loved the water while Hadi played near the shallow end (at least in the water, the last time we came he only played with the sand!). Tiara Beach Resort's really good for family vacation because they have several pools and in a variety of depth so it would suit everyone. Just enjoy the pictures.

Amir and Hadi at the shallow end...

Water babies...

The three of them...

Amir's hardly tall enough to operate the water spray...hehehe

Hadi's looking happy...hehehe

Around 11, we checked out. We only stayed for one night because we felt that the kids would only be doing the same thing for another day and of course because the room was quite expensive...hehehe. If I'm not mistaken, nearly 400 per night...sigh...

Reunion in JB: Part 2

The next morning we're supposed to go to Ella's house at 10 a.m. Zana and me checked out of the hotel and head straight to Jaya Jusco nearby. I bought ice-cream for the kids while Zana bought fruits. 

When we arrived (after 'sesat-barat'), Nora, Anne and Shidah were already there. Nora and Shidah arrived via the early morning train from KL while Anne's from Kluang. I forgot to mention that another friend, Syeeqah's father-in-law passed away the day before and she couldn't make it. The ladies straight away talked non-stop while the husbands and kids entertain themselves...heheheh...

Ella, the host...

The ladies in the kitchen...

Nora's chocolate cake, all the way from KL...

Nasi briyani gam and the lauks...

Soto made by Ella's MIL...

Sadly, Nora received a phone call from one of her sisters that her mother was bleeding in KL... Zana offered to drive her back to KL but she decided to go back the next day. Poor Nora, we were very concerned about her. 

Gayah came with her family  a bit later. While the men were performing the friday prayers, the ladies continued talking...hehehe. Anyway, I felt so happy to be with friends, close friends. We've been together through thick and thin and I felt blessed having such wonderful friends, 'Thank you, Allah'. 

Anne, Zana, Shidah and Nora...

Shidah, Zana, Anne and Ella...

Our kids...

Shidah, me, Zana, Anne and Gayah...

 

All the girls...

Zana and me made our move towards our destinations after Asar. Zana went back to KL while I was driving towards Port Dickson to have a little family vacation. Again I would like to thank Ella for all the hard work that she put in for our gathering. Thank you all the rest who could make it in JB. To the other friends who couldn't make it, there'll be more 'reunion's to come, insyaallah. 

Reunion in JB: Part 1

One of the highlights of my trip back home last year was of course the reunion of my classmates in Johor Bharu. I was so looking forward to seeing my friends again... I missed a few of the gatherings because I was busy preparing to go to Sudan and while I was away in Sudan. 

We left school in 1990, going our separate ways. A few years ago (maybe sometime in 2004) our friend, Shidah was kind enough to create a new yahoogroup for our class. Since then, the friendship has been growing and now we're more like family than friends. Even though we lead separate lives, we shared happiness and more importantly, we shared our sadness as well. The original group include Shidah, Nora, Anne, Ella, Nita, Zana, June, Gayah and As (hardly join because their so busy) and me... hehehe. Now we've add a few more of our classmates such as Syeeqah, Niza, Nini, Yana and Zmin. Alhamdulillah...

So, we planned for our gathering in JB with Ella as the host and I as the sponsor...hehehe. Ella was kind enough to book the hotel for us in 'U' Hotel. It was in Taman Universiti near UTM...figures, huh?!! She made all the arrangement for our food as well.

Anyway on the 25th of December, we made our way to JB. We were a bit late because we started the journey after 2 p.m. At first my husband drove but as usual he soon felt drowsy...hehehe. So, I took over the wheel, yeay! Being driven around for so long, I find that driving's quite therepeutic...hehehe. For the first time, I reached 160km/ph when my husband was sleeping. To cut the story short, I arrived in JB around 5 p.m, which made Ella a bit flustered because she was expecting us around 6 p.m... hehehe

As usual, slow traffic around Seremban...sigh...

Anyway, when we arrived at 'U' hotel, Zana and her family also just arrived. Yeay! We rested for a while, because Ella would be picking us up after isya'. The hotel was surprisingly spacious and clean! Around 8.30, we followed Ella to pick Gayah and her family in Bluewave and them made our way to ZZ corner to eat the infamous mee rebus tulang. We were shown to 2 connecting huts way at the back. How do they know we're going to make so much noise?!! Hehehe...

We were hungry but when we looked at the mee rebus...we looked at each other... What's the straw for? Ella laughed at us and told us that it's for 'drinking' the 'gear-box'...hehehe. Gayah and me just ate the mee and I could personally vouch that it was the best mee rebus, ever!

Look at the mee rebus!

We ate and we chatted and ate some more... This was plus the noise made by our kids...hehehe, don't ask me about husbands because even though they were near but it felt like they were a million miles away...hehehe. Just look at the pictures...

Zana and two of her kids...

The husbands next door...

Amir asked Auntie Ella to feed him...

We managed to finish most of the food...

Couldn't remember what we talked about, but it was fun...

After the meal Ella asked us whether we're interested to go to Danga Bay. Of course, we agreed (except for Gayah that is). My kids were excited when they saw the rides there. But finding a parking spot was a bit of a challenge...sigh... Anyway, we discovered that the rides were a bit 'pricey' but since we're there and the kids were already jumping up and down, we just paid.

First, we tried the train ride around the carnival ground. It was quite short but we had fun taking pictures. Later the kids went on several rides such as the merry-go-round and Ella and me got stuck on the merry-go-round...hehehe... we were supposed to help the kids onto the horses but before we know it the 'thing' moved.

They also played the frog and the kids bumper cars. Amir cried because he was too small to be on the rides...hehehe, he really had a tantrum because he couldn't join the others. Aliah played with Zana's daughter and Thaqif, Ella's son. They really had fun. around midnight we went back to the hotel...Enjoy the pictures!

We were on the train...

Zana's husband had to be the captain...hehehe

Hadi's first ride on a merry-go-round...he looked really happy...

Amir and his father downstairs...

They looked like they're having a race...

Birthday Bash 2009: The loot!

My kids were so excited with the many presents that they received for their birthdays. When he woke up at 6 p.m, Hadi straightaway insisted on opening his presents. I have a strict rule not to open gifts when other people were still around, so I let them open 1 present each (including Amir). These came from us (we bought them in Malaysia). The boys got train sets while got her Princess story book.

Later, I let them open all the presents. I had to supervise because Amir wanted his share as well...hehehe. Chocolates for example I gave to Amir, so he was happy with his 'presents'. Aliah was quite sporting when sharing her gifts with Amir, alhamdulillah. All in all, they got quite a lot of presents and 'angpau' as well. 

It was such a great day for them. When I went inside their room that night, I saw them fast asleep, but Hadi had his toy beside him in bed. And they've put all their presents at one corner of their room...hehehe

 

Before opening the presents...

After opening... Look at Amir's eyes...hehehe

Fast asleep...

At one corner of their room...

Birthday Bash 2009...

Early in the morning, the kids woke up and they were happy to see all the cupcakes. Hadi was so excited looking at his 'turtle' cake. I felt glad that I took the time to make it...hehehe

I baked a proper choc. moist cake for Aliah. The students came to help us rearrange the furniture. We decided to put all the sofa and chairs outside, so the inside felt a bit spacious. Thank you Kak Zu for giving me the idea...hehehe. 

Around 12.45, Kak Halina asked about the nasi impit and I panicked! That was the only thing that I was supposed to prepare but I totally forgot about it! I scrambled to boil the nasi impit...hehehe... Kak Halina and Asmaa' helped to cook it in their houses too... I think Asmaa' panicked more than me...hehehe

While waiting for the nasi impit, I still had time to decorate Aliah's cake, while my husband busy grumbling about other things to be done...hehehe. Anyway, Kak Shidah came at 2.30 and panicked when she saw that we were still not ready. She panicked on my behalf...hehehe. I managed to have the nasi impit ready on time. To cool it fast, I put it in the freezer...hehehe

The first guests were Mazman and family and soon most of the Block A residents were here. Saufi, Nina and Army from Mitco also came. We had the nicest time chatting and eating...hehehe. Hadi was so proud of his 'turtle' cake, he brought it along for everyone to see. I felt so happy...hehehe. After that I asked him to share it with his friends. Amir took the turtle head...hehehe. Not long after that Hadi and Amir fell asleep, right until 6 pm! Convenient, huh!

Anyway, around 4 p.m, Block B residents started arriving, so we had to segregate, the ladies inside while the men stayed outside. The ladies had the better deal because I kept on replenishing the desert table. I was lucky because some of the guests came with a variety of deserts...hehehe. Finally I brought out the decorated cake and we had a cake cutting ceremony for Aliah. She was happy that she didn't have to share with Hadi because he was sleeping. She liked the cake because it was a bit girlish with pink flowers...sigh...

All in all, I felt that the party was a success. Plenty of food and of course plenty of friends to share it with. At the end of the day, I was satisfied that all the energy and time invested in the Birthday Bash paid off. Luckily, birthdays come once a year, so I have a full year to recuperate...hehehe. But, I still have Amir's birthday to plan in July...sigh... at least I'll be back in Malaysia, then. Just enjoy the pictures.

 

Aliah, Hadi, Amir, their previous ustazah and Nabila...

A happy Hadi...

Had to feed them first...

Hadi showed his turtle cake to practically everyone...hehehe

Amir was waiting to eat the turtle cake...

Some of Block A ladies enjoying their food...

Aliah's cake... my hands were shaky when I wrote their names...

My husband lighting the heart-shaped candles...

Aliah and some of her friends...ready to cut the cake...

The ladies having a good time...

Some of Block B ladies...

Men outside... right infront of the lift...hehehe

Kak Halina was licking her fingers...hehehe

They looked so intent in their 'discussions'...

At the end of the day...some of the guests...

Finally I would like to say thank you to Kak Halina, Kak Hanum, Kak Rehana, Asmaa', Najwa, Lisna for helping us making the birthday bash possible. Kak Halina of course cooked the soto and its condiments, Kak Hanum helped shredded the chickens, Kak Rehana made the fried onions while Asmaa' helped cooked the nasi impit and lend us her dining table. Lisna made the tiramisu and lend us her coffee table while Najwa gave us the use of her front passageway...hehehe... Thank you friends from the bottom of my heart...