Mr S

Many things have happened these past weeks.  Mostly happy things, and the most frustrating thing is that I couldn't find time to sit down and write about them.  I really wanted to write, but I just couldn't squeeze the time.  I ended up writing bits and bits in my math note book - the one I sometimes take to class, but it was just neither proper  nor satisfying.

Ryan is getting more mobile.  It is getting harder to get him stay still for more than a few minutes, except when nursing.  Sarah, Iman and Dayana went to the Camp Ibadat last week and had a great time making new friends and reacquainting with the old ones.  Kushairy is home till Jan 2, his last mid-sem break in PJ campus.

We stayed at my parents' the whole last week, when Daddy was on his research trip in Kertih.  According to Iman, it was the best vacation ever.  ("Best giler" - her exact words).  I concur. Mom cooked breakfast, lunch, dinner and the snacks in between.  Abah ferried Iman to her extra classes.  That left me free to work as late as I want in school (tidying up and filing) and going to spa for facial, accupressure massage and sauna.  Bliss - despite not having my bff around for the whole week.

After almost 6 weeks of holidays, I am back in the bad, yet familiar love-hate relationship.  With the weighing Scale. The kilos have piled up again, and Mr Scale wasn't very polite in pointing it out to me.  The loving relationship we enjoyed (briefly), ended almost as soon as the Srikandi Reunion weekend was over.  The reunion dinner was followed by a string of dinner functions, SPM hi-tea celebrations and wedding luncheons.  Self-control is never my strong suit (especially when it comes to food); but I just never expected that the kilos would pile up so quickly.  It is 5 more days till the new year, (and for the again-new resolution of shedding the extra fat), enough time to enjoy a couple more roti canai and Big Apple doughnuts, to be downed with several more glasses of Nescafe tarik.

I know it is insane to have your state of mind being dictated by a scale.  But Mr S and I went way way back, even before I met Daddy.  He is the only one whom I can trust to be honest, however brutal, about my fat cells.  So I can't just break it off with him, however torturous this yo-yo relationship is to me now.  He's been with me through (literally) thick and thin. He has seen me through my ups and down, mostly ups.I can't abandon him now, just because I want to start acting mature.  That would be an immature thing to do.  Plus, I need him too much.  Yup, I'll do all I can to win back your conditional love and get back into the loving and soothing relationship with you, Mr S.  Next year.

Pantai Senangin To Pantai Hospital

I was less than excited when my friends at Ampang were suggesting to camp at Pantai Teluk Senangin (Pantai Remis, Perak),  It was Wednesday mid-morning, the day after PMR and we teachers were looking for ways to de-stress.  Noorin, Zuriana, Fitrah and Ros were all set to bring their families to Teluk Senangin.  Kak Ilah (our main chef) was going solo and Kak Pipah was bringing her recently-merdeka-from-PMR daughter.  And once they set their mind to it, nothing could stop them.  I am the only one with a child under 1, and I was doubtful that Daddy would be willing to tag a bunch of teachers to the remote area of Perak, as a way to de-stress before another round of Final exams/SPM/STPM fevers.  Plus Daddy wasn't getting enough rest/ sleep as it was.

Then again, after 20+ years of marriage, Daddy could still surprise me.  Daddy even offered to buy new tents and other camping gear and munchies. (But I know you've been busy, Darl, it's the thought that counts).

The weekend was a success.  It was pure fun in the sun, amazing sunset and sunrise, and lovely walk at the beach in the moonlight.  I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

I could be wrong (I seldom am), but I think Daddy over-exerted himself during the weekend.  At 4 this morning Daddy was coughing nonstop and had difficulty catching his breath.  At 4:30 am, we were on our way to Pantai Hospital.  Me and my foggy mind were driving and almost made wrong turns, twice.

ECG was done on Daddy.  Perfectly clear.  The Doc wanted to do the X-Ray.  Daddy refused, saying that his X-ray was done less than a year ago during routine check-up.  The Doc wanted to have Daddy warded for further observation, Daddy objected.  The Doc ordered Daddy to rest at home and gave him MC, but he went to work anyway, and came home past 7 pm.  The Doc gave Daddy an array of medicines, he left them at home, untouched. (Imagine how I felt when I came home to find the meds sitting pretty on the kitchen counter).

So kids.. 20 or 30 years from now, if you ever find yourselves in the habit of ignoring sage medical advice, I want you to know that you don't inherit it from your dear ol' Mommy..

Speedy recovery, Darl..

Ache

Today Daddy came home with a headache, obliterating my hope to go out tonight.  What a bummer..  It has been a tough week for him, with 5 days of meetings and studying, followed by 2 days of open houses-hopping.  The last 3 weekends has been filled up to the rim with kenduris (weddings and pergi-Mekah's) and raya open houses.  Four weddings to be exact.  The travelling and kenduri food has finally gotten Daddy.  I had been secretly wishing that his PhD thing to be over as soon as possible, until last Sunday, at one of the kenduri houses, his collegue remarked, "enjoy your days as a student, Di, ni berlambak keje waiting for you'. Urgh.. more work for him means less of him for me.  I am missing someone who is sleeping soundly beside me.

Dayana's 10th Birthday

Happy Birthday Dear Dayana..

Dayana is our 3rd photographer in the family - comes after Daddy and Kushairy.  She likes to take pictures of everything in everywhere. That should explain the difficulty to post her pictures here.

Our petite Dayana was born on Friday morning, Sept 29, '00, just as my mother and little sister were boarding the flight leaving KL.  There was no way of contacting them, so imagine their surprise when they finally reach our Chandler residence, on the night of 30th Sept, to find baby Dayana, our 2nd US citizen, sleeping in her cot, a full 2 weeks before her due date.

Now 10 years old, optimistic Dayana is almost always without fail the first one to offer to carry Ryan whenever possible.  In the recent exam, she managed to obtained 4As and a 100% in Bahasa Arab which put her 4th in class.  Khatam Qur'an this year and now reads Qur'an with Sarah and Iman.  She studies and practices piano diligently, been elected a prefect since in 3rd grade, and selected as Tokoh Nilam in school.

Someday.. when she is older, I do hope that, when she reads this, she can feel the enormous love and admiration I have for her..

Full week

Finally, a full week of teaching is over.  I am easing back to my pre-Ryan routine of doing grocery-shopping during Friday prayer, just before picking up kids from their transit home, and then Ryan from his Pengasuh's. I managed to stop and visit my friend Daizura, who just delivered her 7th son through emergency c-section procedure (gory details spared).  She looked glowing, and already asking about matters in school.  Even with 8 children (1 daughter), she is eager to come back to teach and is worried about her students' preparation to face SPM.  A true teacher.. body, mind and soul..

After 15 years of teaching, I guess I can say that I'm resigned to whatever time-table that the admin dish out to me. I used to protest and grumble (sometimes loudly, mostly silently and cowardly) when they give me subjects which are not my option to teach.  This week has been a real test.  My T&L schedule includes classes in Form 1, 3,4,5, Lower and Upper 6, with 6 different subjects to teach.  This has got to be my most 'caca marba' time table I've received in my entire life as a schoolteacher. And I've never been more spirited to march into the classes.  Form 1KAA was the most welcoming.  These 13-year-olds are quite easy to approach.  But class 4K1 proves to be the most challenging.  I literally had to climb the desk to get their attention.  Fortunately I am limber enough to get down, when the bell finally rang.

I can definitely say that I am in the right profession now.  I hope I can teach till the day I die, or until they force me into retirement.. whichever comes first.

21st Hijriah Anniversary

10 Syawal 1431

10.10.10 - 10.10.31 

21 short years..

Daddy put this song on my FB wall at 10.22 am, 30th August 2010.  So I am claiming this to be our song till the end of time.. or for the rest of our lives.. or until Daddy dedicates another super romantic song.. (I'm not holding my breath). 

I love you too Dear.. and I'm still waiting for you to serenade it personally to me.  Don't bother to deny it.. I know you've been practicing.

For the rest of our lives..

I praise Allah for sending me you my love

You found me home and sail with me

And I`m here with you

Now let me let you know

You`ve opened my heart

I was always thinking that love was wrong

But everything was changed when you came along

And there's a couple words I want to say

Chorus:

For the rest of my life

I`ll be with you

I`ll stay by your side honest and true

Till the end of my time

I`ll be loving you... loving you

For the rest of my life

Through days and night

I`ll thank Allah for opening my eyes

Now and forever I`ll be there for you

I know that deep in my heart

I feel so blessed when I think of you

And I ask Allah to bless all we do

You`re my wife/bff and my friend and my strength

And I pray we`re together eternally

Now I find myself so strong

Everything changed when you came along

And there's a couple word I want to say

*Repeat Chorus

I know that deep in my heart now that you`re here

Infront of me I strongly feel love

And I have no doubt

And I`m singing loud that I`ll love you eternally

Repeat Chorus

I know that deep in my heart..

I'zzah 7th Birthday

Happy Birthday I'zzah..