Joys of June

June kind of crept on us and built up into a joyous crescendo.

We visited Iman at college twice this month. The first time to send her back to college, the second - I was compelled to return to update her wardrobe and room a bit. Brought her a set of linen and proper towels, some throw cushions, a mat for her floor, a simple earthern pot that would keep fruits and food fresh and cool in her room. A dozen green apples, M&Ms. Vitamins. Some Greek and Egyptian mini books...and black and white family photos...we were done. What can I say, Iman's college dormitory Initially broke my heart. Irani and Ilena too felt sorry for their sister. But I was kind of okay after the girls, Bik and I put together our decorating touch. Then we had nasi lemak with sambal sotong, Iman's preferred sambal.

After that, we went to the beach at Morib. It was a great time for the girls who just love playing in the water.

The next week, our favourite garden table and chair were stolen. It was a sad thing to happen, that garden set had been part of years of wonderful memories. Bik who tried to shout the thieves away was quite upset, understandably, that they coolly sped off with the goods right in front of her. To cheer everyone up, I entered the girls in the a'lliance francaise karaoke session. So for about ten days, Irani, Ilena and Ikesha practised their songs to, I must say, perfection! Even Little Ikesha! But I must say Irani did really really well, memorising Loin de froid de decembre in two days.

Inas went to Australia during the school holidays with her father and Ibu. They had a great time. After she came back, I went to see her as she had camp to prepare for. We went out shopping for insect repellent, pills, snacks and a good tough torchlight. She aced her camp and was selected to attend another camp this week to qualify for cadet sargeant. Yay, Inas!

Last week was Rudi's birthday. He turned 35...and the girls made birthday cards. But it was a really busy week, with events, paperwork and school getting in the way of good old fashioned birthday celebrations.

The weekend finally arrived. We went to see Ilena's std One teacher Cikgu Nurbaya who excitedly told us Ilena got first place in class! Well done! Then we went to see Irani's teacher, Sir Zeffri. He was happy with Irani's science for which she scored highest in class but she needed to work on her BM and Math. Altogether, I was quite happy because Irani, Ilena and Ikesha were working hard on their homework I leave for them daily. But Ilena dropped a bomb. She proudly announced that her homework was too easy, she was clever enough and did not want to do her homework anymore!

Wow! I was upset. Bik was too. And when her father got home, he was pretty mad too. He sternly told her to study. But I decided to rope in Iman for this 'counselling' sessionas well. Iman is revered by the sisters as THE brainy one in the family - with teachers, friends and everybody constantly repeating this, Iman has dutifully portrayed the collegiate look. Iman had a one to one with Ilena on the phone and at the end of it, Ilena conceded that she would start her homework again.

Ikesha is drawing really well. Bicycles, fairies, the family become real pretty drawings. Mermaids and cats too. I forget that she's only 4 plus! It was her Sports Day last Saturday and boy! the girl ran her relays well - and got two gold medals. But the best thing was her march past. Left, right, left right. Bik actually cried...

This week we also followed the girls for an excursion. It started with the Museum of Islamic Arts. Irani and Ilena took the bus, Ikesha followed both of us in the car. The Museum was amazing. The girls did the Museum Safari where the kids looked for animals in the artifacts. There was a duck on a four hundred year old plate, dragons on a mosque replica, wolf on a vase and a bird carving in an ancient slipper. Twenty animals to look for actually. One of the Museum guides adopted Ikesha for the day and helped Ikesha with her Museum Safari -all the kids had a marvelous time!

Then we drove to a resort by a lovely river. We had lunch and after a rest, splashed and frolicked in the cool water. Rudi caught a little crab and some fishes which he let go immediately after. It was two hours of fun fun and more fun. Ikesha drew a lovely picture of herself standing on the stones and a streaming waterfall. After a shower and changing, we said goodbye to everyone and left the resort by car. We decided to watch a movie and saw Green Lantern. The kids loved it...After that, we decided to go Petaling Street and Daddy gave the girls a small budget to buy one item each. Ikesha was too sleepy and had to be carried. It was a bit scary, the night market, but Ilena chose to buy a small telescope ('I need a bigger one to see the moon and Mars' she said) and Irani bought a lovely pocket watch for RM 10! I loved their choices. When we got home, it was close to midnight. We had a wonderful day and Bik had a lovely rest at home.

Today, we took it easy. Rudi jogged while the rest of us cycled this evening. I took Ikesha on my bike, and for a while, she held on to me tightly. After a while, she let go a bit, shouting, 'See Mak. Tak jatuh pun!' Oh, I hope I never forget her cute expressions.

Really?
Let's go over and there.
I like Barbie Diamond Castle.
Ikesha habis main Ipad, baru Mak main.

After that, Iman's friend from school, Gorky came by on his motorbike. He wanted to ask about MyIndians.com, a volunteer group I am involved in. Gorky then asked about Jen, that's Iman, and I told him all I get from Iman is that she is in a lecture, she's doing her assignments, she's in study discussions. And Gorky said, 'That sounds like Jen alright!'

I also spent some time remembering Michael Jackson, with his songs aIred all throughout this weekend on the radio. 50 years of Michael Jackson they said. I grew up listening to Michael's song since I was ten! I remember my 11 year old neighbour in St Catharines dancing to PYT. Ben, Human Nature, Remember the time...many many songs...videos...concert in Toronto..Farah singing Bad when she was two, the girls loving MJ as much as I do...a lifetime of memories.

But tonight we settled into our favorite pasttime. I read the girls, again, Harold and the purple crayon and A hat for Ivan. And they dozed off to sleep.

June is just about to end, and we look forward to July.

May - Post 100

The month of May was one of many challenges. I promised myself that I would not let Legends of Hikayat go beyond the first week of May with only about 20 or so stories to be finalised. Iman helped me get through the last stretch, she typed all my longhand written stories in record time.

Here I owe a great deal of gratitude, first and foremost to my Mother, Puan Kamariah Jaafar for contributing all the ancient malay comedies - which I finally admitted - is a wealth of unrivalled treasure. She wrote the full length of Pak Pandir, Lebai Malang, Si Luncai and Pak Kadok stories, some of which I am sure I have never heard before. Mum studied geography and history at the University of Hobart so her stories have a beautiful atmosphere surrounding it.

Secondly, I must thank my darling Iman without whom I would never have finished this book. I wrote stories - quite a bit of them, in long hand and it was her job to retype them. She also researched stories from China, Indonesia and Nepal.

My sister Khadijah researched stories from Thailand, Vietnam and general Asia. Inas selected the best of Korea and Japanese stories for me to rewrite. Together, we all managed to pull off re-collating, retelling, editing 366 Legends of Asia in four months. Thank you all.

In May too, we had a surprise wedding held at our home in Rawang. My brother in law was supposed to bring his bride home to Kelantan after the wedding. However, logistics made it easier for the 'sambut menantu' to be held at our place. So there we were, busily painting, repairing and cleaning up here and there. And suddenly, the porch roof, which had been needing repairs, crashed to the floor and the fridge door fell too! Well, the fridge had been around far much longer than it should have been since 1996.

Rudi and I decided to repair the ceiling and since there was going to be kenduri, we did a good job out of it. It was money well spent - even if we were pushed into it. And we replaced the fridge consoling ourselves surely this is a better thing than worrying if the door would fall on Ikesha one day. We treated ourselves to an aircon in the master bedroom, with the excuse that the 'bridal room' should be comfortable even though it was just for one night.

So May was an upheaval.

That was not all. Iman got her driving license. That was great. Then suddenly, after months of preparing to enrol for A levels at Taylors, (she decided against University just yet) her father decided it was best she goes to Matriculation. Her aim was still to study for best results to qualify overseas. They agreed, she'd start sooner and it was lovely college in Banting. I was not happy but supported the decision. It was hard watching my lovely girl grow up - so suddenly - I guess, she has grown up quite a while...ever since she was three years old.

Yesterday, Rudi decided to take Ilena and Ikesha for a train ride. So we took the commuter to KL Sentral and the girls had a LOVELY ride. They played tag with the shiny poles and exclaimed at every factory, river and huge trees they saw. On the way home, it was no wonder they slept throughout the journey.

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Special thanks to our neighbour Cikgu Rohani and Cikgu Rahim who were, as always, our life-savers and perfect neighbours. They lent their home for us to welcome the ladies for dinner, and Cikgu Rahim organised the tahlil - which was held in our house and was packed from wall to wall despite the late invites. Thank you to Mak Teh Yam for organising the home-cooked delicacies for 100 people including the hit - agar agar kentang from Rantau Panjang!

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Took Iman, Irani and Ilena to Bukit Rotan for some volunteer work in our quest to find kids with citizenship issues. Distributed clothes and the girls helped the doctors and dentists who were giving free consultation. It was a lovely and very clean country-side. A totally different world just 15 minutes from where we stay. Rudi was content to Iman drive and she found the way.

I was quite amazed.

Ilena, the Origami enthusiast and Ikesha the door painter

Somehow, Ilena fell in love with origami. We always have an abundance of used paper which I collect from here and there. My penchant for writing longhand first has made this necessary.

And so the girls too can get by the whole day working and playing with paper. We make sticker paintings, collages and treasure hunt maps using coffee. Impromptu congak is done on paper. As well as puzzles galore.

Today, Ilena made a swan, a boat, a house, a dog and a snowman! She wants to take it to school on Monday. Ikesha made an ice cream cutout, a painting brush with which she proceeded to paint the door with it [remember, I was busy painting our doors a few weeks back]. And as she used pink paper to make the brush, our doors are now imaginary pink!

A perfect busy day

I must say I am enjoying my new life. Yes, after I changed jobs, I have discovered one can breathe, laugh and love while still being a working mom. I used to pause to take a deep breath...now I can do it all the time. My time is flexible enough for me to pause and reflect. The best part is that I have my Saturdays off as well!

I usually start the day with prayers. But now I can also tuck in some exercise time after that. I can prepare the girls' homework and see them off to school. even little Ikesha!

Then, I get to have breakfast with hubby, something we have not managed on a working day on a regular basis for a long time.

Driving to work now takes 45 minutes, and not two hours like it used too. Wow!

Today I managed to see an old friend who needed company. And talked to my daughter Iman about college. And I managed to have tea with hubby on the way home. Checked the girls' homework. Normally I read them some stories but not tonight. Rudi and I both exercised again. I finished the day off with my prayers. And managed to remember to moisturise with right night cream...I always forget this.

And did I mention...my pomegranates are fruiting for the very first time!

Fruits from our garden

Ikesha's favourite cherries


Our nona fruit


The guava is especially good this year

Sunday is my gardening day. We no longer have space on the ground as I do keep a corner empty for our balloon race and water play. So today I bought cheap terracota pots and planted two more pomergranate trees, two chili plants, limau kasturi and one kedondong tree to line the backyard.

I missed our passion-fruit that grew wildly on our back fence so I bought two to see how they will grow again. And I have finally added some colour to our garden having planted red flowering wild gingers, frangipani and cactus.

It was about 11.00am when we finished. Iman and Inas are home so the house is 'riuh-rendah'. Inas made cup-cakes and pizza. The younger sisters are thrilled. Yesterday we ALL went to do our hair including Little Ikesha, our favourite stylist Annie at the neighbourhood salon had her hands full!

A lovely weekend and we are still waiting for Rudi to wake up to take us out for roti canai!

The Wedding Reception last September

My quirky family


The cousins led by Arrif


Butterfly Ilena


Ikesha practising sitting quietly for more than two minutes


Ilena loving the moment


Steady steady


Quirky quirky

Irani at the piano

Our old piano is in severe need of tuning and overhaul. It has served us well ever since Iman took up piano so many years ago. Now one of my greatest joys is listening to Iman and Inas play the piano and violin respectively.

Last Sunday, Irani practiced three songs, Geylang Si Paku Geylang, Allouette and I am a Little Teapot for a recital she had planned with her teacher at school. Ilena practiced her Ode To Joy. Double joy!

Even though one key was out, the music sounded lovely to a mother's ears. And even Bik in the kitchen gave her stamp of approval to Geylang SiPaku Geylang. Irani then sang The Climb and Semporna while Ikesha belted out Insya'allah with the badminton racquet as her guitar!

Rudi and I had a wonderful concert to end the weekend!

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Irani was SO excited when she came home after her piano recital at school. Now she has a special place as she is the only one in the class who can play the piano. Her music teacher is now her special anchor.

Suddenly school work in not a chore but something to look forward to. Including maths!

My English teacher was my anchor, Mrs Khaw Choon Ean. I am glad Irani found hers.

MyIndians.com at Thaipusam

A Day at Sunway

My Egyptian Ball on New Years Eve

I had a blast organising the New Year's Eve - On The Nile



The grand entrance by Queen Of The Nile, Juita Jalil led by her entourage.


It was themed Egyptian all the way through.



Dancers enthralled.



Couldn't have done it without my team!

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Thank you Juita Jalil, Michele Nunis, Ee, dancers, Tony for the excellent Egyptian fare and beng for the lovely lovely Souvenir Programme, backdrops and more. Most of all, thanks to Thana and Khalil for the whole coordination.

Hard work, hopes and dreams

Iman was hard at work this December, as the final lap to SPM came to a grinding halt. She was satisfied with her efforts, regreted a few mistakes. Whatever happens, I am proud of her for her determination to do well, and yet willingness to help her friends too was quite inspirational.

I had kids in the house studying together, sprawled in my living room studying biology, physics etc. The phone would be ringing and there would be exchanges of math equations and solutions. Discussions. Stopping only for a drink or food.

And the Harry Potter movie.

Finally it was all over on 8th December. I had a garden BBQ the very same night and all her classmates and friends came by. It was a relaxing and fun release for the seniors. There must have been close to forty kids and a few adults. My mum helped chaperone as well, and I kept going round making sure no couples escape anywhere, no smoking and no holding hands. No going upstairs.

Actually I needn't have worried. They were all well behaved. The kids also organised the BBQ pit themselves in turn. They made sure rubbish went into the rubbish bin. At about 10.00pm, the guitar and violin came out. Wonderful music in the garden.

It was a lovely evening.

Last weekend, Iman and Inas went out to check the University exhibitions currently on-going with their father. Iman felt much better about her choices. Inas was more determined than ever she wants to do architecture. Iman was ecstatic that even the private colleges told her with her trial results, she can apply for scholarships for sure. A few months back, I had visited Taylor's University By The Lake and loved it. Iman went over the weekend and was enthusiastic (that's mild) - she went on and on about how it felt to be in the lecture hall, how the facilitators spoke to them like young adults - it is going to be exciting watching this young lady grow...
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I must mention - as soon as her SPM was over, I reminded Iman to thank Bik Een who really made life much easier for all of us. For cooking for her, for washing her clothes, for all the little things she does day in day out for the last five years. For cooking extra when her friends come by. And I was glad to know Iman already thanked Bik for all her care.

Concert Day

The whole family got together for concert day! Bik too!

Ilena and Ikesha(her first concert) were adorable. Ilena danced in the Justine Bieber's number Baby - looking immensely adorable and Ikesha sang and danced to a little medley which ended with the song Insyaallah.

All month long they were dancing in the house, bits and pieces and it turned out lovely!

We brought food as part of the pot-luck buffet - lamb chops, salad and tons of root beer! What a hit!

Photos to come...

Ilena rides the bicycle!

Today, Ilena rode Irani's bicycle without training wheels anymore!

And she was so good at it, handling the turns and brake while her Daddy ran after her to make sure she did not fall.

And who inherited Ilena's little bicycle with training wheels?

Ikesha of course!

(Need to repair that camera of ours!)

Throughout the years

2010


2009


2008


2007

Now That Was A Fun Night

My favourite gang for the night out
- and they adore Rudi!

Bosom buddies

My favorite guy

Bedtime ritual

Picture by Jerome

Bedtime for Ikesha starts in the garden
A stroll under the moonlight and I
Point out to Ikesha the various plants

Yam, birdnest
Ciku, guava
I love Aloe Vera

She piped in

Ciku, pomegranate
Chili, wild ginger, kantan
Limetree, lemongrass

Lovely scents

From jasmine so fragrant
Kasidang in the corner
And favourite citronella

Then, time for bedtime stories
Book after book, I am to read
Until I spy drooping eyelids

Harold and the Purple Crayon
Merliah, the mermaid,
School Bus and Peter Pan

Lullabies the final stretch
To get the girls to bed
Three songs at least

Tidurlah Permaisuri
For lovely Irani
For Ilena, La Nuit

Nina Bobo, for all three
Then This is me
Mamma Mia and finally

Once upon a December

By then all should be fast asleep...

Amy and the Blue Strawberries

I bought this delightful picture book years ago for Inas when she started reading storybooks. Today I read it to Ikesha who made me read it three times.

Then Ilena read it almost perfectly! Of course Irani can read this book too and I think she read it to Ikesha at bedtime a couple weeks back.

Aahhhh, I love watchingthe kids growing up. And seeing books passed down lovingly.

A Fun Sunday

Rising later than the sun
Willing myself to wake up
After languid love early morn

Girls pitter patter
Wake up wake up
It's Sunday, remember

Off to the corner stall
Little Ikesha, one and all
Inas off to basketball

Roti canai and teh o

Bik and I decided
The garden needed tidying
Under the big cherry trees

Chalk on the pavement
Time for hopscotch
Hop hop, one to ten!

Rudi saw to the kitchen fan
And the girls' cabinet door
Time for lunch, for sure

Siput masak lemak cili padi
Said the chef, yours truly
Sambal belacan, quite heavenly

No we are not done

Fried chicken for the girls
Rozelle drink from the garden
Lunch always kept simple

Later, football for daddy
While badminton for Irani
The little ones played tea party

Inas came home beat
She packs so much energy
Iman at Tok Wan's in deep study

I continue raking leaves

Now it is time
The ole Vespa takes five
For a slow ride

Hands wave, smiles
Puddles cause cheer
Hold on tight!

Time to go in
Bik lights candles
In the wind

Goodnight goodnight

An Ode To My Grandmother

Rahmah Nik, the only daughter of Nik bin Besah and Yang Chik. granddaughter of storyteller Bebunga from Endau. An avid reader, Syair Ken Tambuhan, Hikayat Tajul Muluk and Hikayat Abdullah enthralled her. It was the 1930s, life was charmed yet turbulent with her policeman father travelling around the country. He was honoured for saving Dato Hussein's life during the war.

My grandmother
Young reader
Lovely daughter
.
Cikgu Rahmah Nik, young teacher in her teens. She taught school children during the day and adult literacy classes at night in Pekan, Pahang. At a school fair, a visiting teacher - Jaafar Awang Pekan bought a blue muffler she knitted from her. Little did she know, Jaafar fell in love with the hazel eyed vivacious teacher in kebaya there and then.
.
My grandmother
Young teacher
Beguiling beauty

Puan Rahmah Nik, married at eighteen years of age. This was not an easy endeavour as Jaafar was engaged to another in Chenor. The break up caused a minor family riot which took years to settle. But both Jaafar and Rahmah were very much in love and remained so for the rest of their lives. During the war, she spoke of tapioca days and thread made of pineapple leaves, saving matches to last the day. Hiding neighbours in the kitchen, masquerading as maids. Sisters masquerading as boys. Later they were involved in the National Teacher's Union, fighting for a better life, then for the country. There were conferences and rallies to attend. She gave up jewellery and time for the cause.

My grandmother
Good neighbour, quick witted
Passionate about Malaya

Tok Rahmah Nik, grandmother at age 41 when first granddaughter was born far away in Australia. Together with Tok Jaafar, they were pioneers, he as headmaster and she was a teacher at the first Felda school in Lurah Bilut. Life was hard at the Rumah Kongsi - she negotiated with the Orang Asli for supplies as they loved to barter for batik, and other household stuff.

My grandmother
Knew hardship first hand
She kept the family together

Mak Chu Rahmah Haji Nik, back in Chenor was mother of ten, and Wanita UMNO leader. The household doubled up with nieces and nephews coming to stay. It was not luxurious but everyone had enough to eat and most importantly, the discipline to study hard. Everyone of the children and adopted children earned a place in residential schools.

My grandmother
Generous as she knew how
Problems to be solved - now

Tok Rahmah Haji Nik took in her eldest grandchild, yours truly who needed to be schooled in AlQuran and religion. At age 10, I could not read the Al-Quran nor understood the need to pray. Grandfather, Grandma and Tok Lebai took charge and I finished reading Quran the year after. Long after I left Chenor, I was told how Tok Lebai Ismail praised my ease and determination to read the Al Quran until his dying days. He passed away when I was overseas in Canada.

My grandma cooked breakfast for the poor students in school and entered craft fairs. She held Tupperware and Arcopal parties for the ladies. At night, she would faithfully prepare her notes for lessons the next day and she wrote in the most meticulous and beautiful handwriting I have known.

We watched Peyton Place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, P Ramlee on Friday nights. School holidays started with Tok Jaafar going to the train-station in Mentakab to fetch my aunties and uncles who returned for the holidays from MCKK, STF, SDAR, SEMSAS, STAR and more. She took me to do my IC. When I was to be sent to boarding school, Sekolah Seri Puteri, Tok Jaafar and Tok Rahmah drove me to Kuala Lumpur. We stayed at Hotel Asia.

My grandmother
Showered me with attention
Told me stories - Ken Tambuhan
To think through problems
Always surmountable

Hajah Rahmah Haji Nik went to Mekah after Tok Jaafar recovered from a prolonged illness which left him bones and skin. Whenever he was ill, that old blue muffler faithfully kept him warm. He recovered and they went for pilgrimage the year after. This started a passion for travelling in Tok Rahmah. After Tok Jaafar passed on, Tok Rahmah travelled to Jordan, Turkey and Egypt. She bought a little camera and used it with sheer delight.

My grandmother
Late starter traveller
Stories from abroad

Hajah Rahmah Yang Chik, passed away after being cared for by my mother in Taman Melawati. She was in pain, we told her stories and she wanted to hear Ken Tambuhan for the last time. As always, the Classic Nasional on the radio was by her side. She had always wanted her final resting place to be in Pekan where her father and husband were laid to rest. So we gathered as family in Pekan, the sky was overcast, there was the gentlest of drizzle.

My grandmother
Is no longer with me
Her last quiet breathe
Softly exhaled
She left gently

A lifetime of purpose.

The Wedding Day

My darling 16 year old Iman thanking the 400 odd guests


Flower girls at final rehearsal at 6.00pm


Getting ready


With Iman and Inas



Last photo the night before - Sisters Iman and Inas

Coming up next : The Wedding proper