Captured Moments

Today, I took the day off to see Ilena at her Wet Wet World funtime at her kindergarten, Balqis.

My, what fun it was. The fire brigade came by and the red engine truck was parked right infront of the kindergarten. Then the fire-officers sprayed the kids - who were in their swimming suits - it was amazing! the kids splashed each other and soon rainbows began to appear all over. Soon the kids played bubbles...I have never seen so much fun at the school.

The fire-officers took a photo with Ilena at the end, Ilena said thank you with her winning smile.

I think over the last year - we have had many moments like this - our recent trip to Pekan and stay at Inderapura, 60 Earth Hour day was fun with candles in the outdoor, the girls trip to Bahrain - even the visit to the airport with Megat and Hanif, painting the living room, Ikesha snapping her fingers and singing Mamma Mia, Irani's visit to the theatre to watch Beauty and The Beast with me, our Night of The Keys...

Thank you God, for all these special moments we share...

Soul Food Cafe

Soul Food Cafe
Found this blog - quite a community of bloggers.

Art Community

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Island Hopping

It seems that I live from 'time away' to 'time off', forever working towards captured isolated moments with the family - Iman, Inas, Irani, Ilena and Ikesha with Rudi.

The sea of drowning work and exhilarating book projects continue to have my devotion and all-consuming energy because I promise myself these little pockets of happiness after a long stretch. Singapore in September 2000 with Iman and Inas, Cyberlodge, Cyberjaya in April 2004 with Iman, Inas and Irani, Kampong Tuk Senik, Langkawi in June 2006 with Iman, Inas, Irani and Ilena, Ritz Carleton, Kuala Lumpur in June 2008 with Iman, Inas, Irani, Ilena and Ikesha.

I am now devoting all my energy and concentration to give them a holiday of a lifetime, God willing.

Testing

Testing

Awaiting Ikesha

On the morning of my birthday, Irani woke up and came to me and said..." Nama adik Akisha lah." And suddenly, the name Ikesha was born and sounded perfect after an 8 month search.

I had been thinking about the names of Egyptian queens for some time and one afternoon, Mak Ungku came up with the same suggestion. I considered Nefertiti or Nefertari but desided that history wise, Nefertari was the more significant and beloved Queen despite Nefertiti's renowned beautiful bust.

So, Nefertari Ikesha she will be. Insyaallah.

We are all excited about her, me most of all as I have been quite anxious about her, due to my age and the pressure at work. But baby has been kicking and each movement is a blessing to me...a small happy moment while we wait for Ikesha's arrival.

Mak Ungku

An afternoon of French poetry, parfum exotica et les sieges, resthouses of yesteryears, les vacances, Datin Seri Endon and a Friday afternoon, Lee Kuan Yew, 'ulat nangka', muziums and the National Monument. May I never forget.

The Girls and the World Cup

Crisis

Our Herb Garden

Home At last

Aidilfitri

Aidilfitri 2005

Shahrul Bakhtiar Zubair

UPSR Madness

To think that I would have to go through this in two years time.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this roller coaster ride through Iman's first major step in life. Earlier this year, she panicked and broke down in tears when her results were less than satisfactory. Throughout the months, a stronger Iman emerged . In August, she did her Piano exam which she eventually passed and in September, her UPSR after aceing her trials.

So, the standard sixers enjoyed themselves in Langkawi for 3 days. No matter how she does, I am proud of her for she came through with much diligence, determination and self discipline.

Congratulations, Iman.

Al-fatihah

My dearest aunt, albeit a bit strange and flamboyant, passed away in August. Auntie Yah took care of me when I was little. She would make sure we are scrubbed clean after playing in the rain and check our school bags for any 'extra' coins which would somehow make its way there. She was also my father's secretary. She would make the loveliest Sardine Sandwiches using an iron, and make the most marvellous nasi goreng. When I was going through my divorce, she was a tower of strength and Iman, Inas and I stayed with her in a shoplot on the 4th floor, after leaving Jaf.

Long before anybody could tolerate the idea of me marrying Rudi for the variety of reasons, Auntie Yah and Shahrul became his best buddies, Rudi becoming an ardent admirer of her cooking. Those were blissful days, poor but quite enchanting.

I wanted so much for Auntie Yah to stay with us come December when we move to Rawang. But it was not meant to be. On 27 August,2005 I was at UH, never really accepting the fact that she might be leaving us...evenwhile I was reading the Yassin. I was so preoccupied in doing the right thing, making sure Shahrul gets to see his mother one last time, consoling him when she was finally no longer with us, I forgot to remember the times.

Today, on he first day of Ramadhan, I will say a little prayer for her, May she rest in peace.

Majestic Ipoh

Our 5th Anniversary

Ilena's Marhaban

25th December 2005

We finally had Ilena's special day. Kak Ani, our landlord's wife, arranged for the Marhaban group and cooked.Her daughters dressed up the cradle.

We bought a special white dress, Ilena looked so sweet and demure. As I rocked her, the ladies sang a beautiful shair. The moon was luminous, high up in the sky.

It bagan to drizzle but the rain quickly went away.

Ju snapped away on the camera.

Our number four is offiv\cially our young lady of joy.

Illuminating

Loving

Exuberant

Nightingale

Adorable

Xmas Eve Magic

Despite a terribly busy schedule at work and Preparations for Ilena's Marhaban, we managed to steal 2 1/2 hours to watch The Polar Express at Imax - literrally the story of Xmas Eve wonder.

The girls had a magical time. Inas reached out to touch the screen (just like Iman in Singapore in 2000) and Ira was in huge goggle-like 3D glasses.

The story was touching, the theatre experience mesmerizing, the girls adorable especially Ira who picked up her first Christmas song - Jingle Bells with a resounding HEY! laughing away at the Cristmas tree.

Iman is ever the grown-up sister now - in style, words and responsibility. Ira, however, is the belle of the moment - in love with the world and dancing - most enchanting. Inas is in her gothic movement and element.

Ilena? Happy sucking away, oblivious to the cheer.