We will be going on a road trip beginning this weekend. It is something that Bob has wanted to do for some time now but this time he has decided to take all of us. Initially he thought of just taking the two girls and Ali and I will fly somewhere to meet them. He suddenly decided we should come along too. Not sure how that will fare considering being confined in car for too long may be stressful on Ali and eventually on his folks too!
We will drive into Thailand keep heading North. The ultimate plan is to go as far as Myanmar or even Laos but not sure if that will happen. The other constraint we have is time as the kids start school on Jan 5.
Bob has more or less planned a route to take and we will take it from there. It is a free and easy journey and we will stop when our feet, or our ears, are tired. It is nice to be spontaneous isn't it!
Right now I am busy looking up possible hotels and possible destinations we may stop. Also making sure that we have brought all the necessary items, in this case, Ali's powder milk! I think the most important thing we need is our passports and money! Bob also has to make sure the car is in tip top condition.
Hope I will be able to update you on the trip as we go along!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Family Gathering of Gargantuan Size
It was a family gathering of gargantuan size! It started with just a thought from an uncle of mine, Abg Zul and with some words of encouragemengt from a few of us, he decided to do it. Did it indeed. We expected some 500 pax only but I am sure we reached 1,000 people at least.
Let me tell you about Abg Zul first. He is my uncle from a great grand uncle line. This is all on my father's side by the way. I don't know how many of you feel the need to find your roots and I don't just mean as far as your grandfather. Abg Zul felt this need and he traced it back all the way till our great great grandfather. It took him a good eight years but he did it. I can't show you the entire family tree he drew out but let me tell you, it is IMPRESSIVE! We even have our own blog and are hooked up via Geni on the internet.
So this family gathering I am referring to was held 2nd day or Raya Qorban, Dec 9 at the Kamunting Hall in Taiping. I am the 4th generation by the way. We took a family picture and oh my! What an exercise it was for the photographer! There were so many of us just from that one particular section alone.
My great great grandfather is Haji Rauf who married Hjh Mariam. They had 8 kids and some of these children were left in Indonesia. This explains why I have relatives in Jakarta, Bandung and Acheh aka Medan. Each of these 8 children had kids and my grandfather, Jamil, comes from the child Sawiyah and her husband Hj Habib Hj Rais.
What Aby Zul has done was to trace each of these 8 children and their lineage. Can you picture it now? The children, their cucu and cicit even. Many people were so happy and impressed that Abg Zul took this effort. When I asked him why he said simple because I want to know my roots. But I must say that not many of us would have the drive or inspiration to be so patient to do this. He is by far a wonderful man. He has brought together cousins and aunties and uncles. He has introduced people to each other that you never even knew was your relative before this.
I took some pictures yesterday but it was mostly of the crowd to show you the size of the gathering. Will upload it a little later.
Sad to say thought that from my lineage, only me from the 4th generation and my aunty (3rd generation) and her kids(my cousins), who live in Taiping made it to the gathering. I did get the chance to meet my grand uncles and grand aunties and some of their children and and grand children. It was heartening really cause before this, I never knew they existed.
Thanks to Abg Zul, I also know where to find my family in Jakarta and Bandung now! Means next time can stay with them and save money for shopping! hahahahaha......
Let me tell you about Abg Zul first. He is my uncle from a great grand uncle line. This is all on my father's side by the way. I don't know how many of you feel the need to find your roots and I don't just mean as far as your grandfather. Abg Zul felt this need and he traced it back all the way till our great great grandfather. It took him a good eight years but he did it. I can't show you the entire family tree he drew out but let me tell you, it is IMPRESSIVE! We even have our own blog and are hooked up via Geni on the internet.
So this family gathering I am referring to was held 2nd day or Raya Qorban, Dec 9 at the Kamunting Hall in Taiping. I am the 4th generation by the way. We took a family picture and oh my! What an exercise it was for the photographer! There were so many of us just from that one particular section alone.
My great great grandfather is Haji Rauf who married Hjh Mariam. They had 8 kids and some of these children were left in Indonesia. This explains why I have relatives in Jakarta, Bandung and Acheh aka Medan. Each of these 8 children had kids and my grandfather, Jamil, comes from the child Sawiyah and her husband Hj Habib Hj Rais.
What Aby Zul has done was to trace each of these 8 children and their lineage. Can you picture it now? The children, their cucu and cicit even. Many people were so happy and impressed that Abg Zul took this effort. When I asked him why he said simple because I want to know my roots. But I must say that not many of us would have the drive or inspiration to be so patient to do this. He is by far a wonderful man. He has brought together cousins and aunties and uncles. He has introduced people to each other that you never even knew was your relative before this.
I took some pictures yesterday but it was mostly of the crowd to show you the size of the gathering. Will upload it a little later.
Sad to say thought that from my lineage, only me from the 4th generation and my aunty (3rd generation) and her kids(my cousins), who live in Taiping made it to the gathering. I did get the chance to meet my grand uncles and grand aunties and some of their children and and grand children. It was heartening really cause before this, I never knew they existed.
Thanks to Abg Zul, I also know where to find my family in Jakarta and Bandung now! Means next time can stay with them and save money for shopping! hahahahaha......
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Dec 4 2008
Ali turns 17 months today. What he has learnt today? He can wave bye and know what it means. He has also started right now as I type, to jump up and down from the couch. I have padded the entire area with cushions so he won't hurt his head.
Life with Ali has been very eventful. There is never a dull moment for me, and I think for all in the household, either. He has started walking very fast, almost a half run at times. Letting him walk loose is a big mistake. Just a few months ago at Subang Parade we let him out of the stroller. Not once did he look back to see where you are. He just walked on and on greeting anyone he fancied and going where his little feet take him.
As for words, rather limited vocabulary still. He can say mama really nicely now. His first word was ayah you see, which was a bit of a disappointment to me. What else can he say...? Well milk, nak, he can shake his head tak nak too. He can also say sejadah as he lays it out and bows his head in prayer. He can say bak for almost anything he wants to do or have. He has also started imitating the cat ad dog sounds. He likes looking at the birds fly by too.
I know that before I know it Ali will be 2 years old. Time just flies by so fast. Soon I will be asking you where shall I send him for school. I still take him to KidSports once a week for his play classes. He really enjoys it! He has so much energy. Last week someone in the class asked me does he ever keep still. Hahahaha! A real adventurer he is .. I don't think he knows the meaning of keep still at all lah!
How are the girls taking to Ali? Well, just fine unless they have all their toys laid out in the room. Then Ali is forbidden to come anywhere near their door. He has, I think, started to call his sisters but it isn't very clear. Sounds somewhat like Najihah and Nadiah. He also seems to know what makes them tick.
The three also love to hug each other I noticed. I must say that they are very loving with each other. I hope that will keep up till they are older. Oh yes! Ali also seems to pick fights with Nadiah very well which kinda tickles me since he is still so young.
Ali has also travelled quite a bit in his young age. Let me see ... he has been to Krabi, Thailand and Bandung, Indonesia already. Not counting all the trips to Bukit Mertajam lah. Cherating and Janda Baik too. Not bad eh?
I hope Ali wil go up to love travel. And books. And be a healthy boy and eater. And to love his family. Amin
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
NOISE!
I have eight kids and one baby in the house right now. Nieces and nephews are here. I have confined them upstairs to play as I am downstairs trying to get some work done in my little office. Their lunch is ready and hopefully after they eat they will go back upstairs in peace.
I was thinking of bringing the eight of them to the National Science Center this afternoon but am kinda having second thoughts. They are old enough to more or less take care of themselves but not sure if I want the added stress!
I would rather be at the sales ... hmmmm...that's a thought isn't it!
I was thinking of bringing the eight of them to the National Science Center this afternoon but am kinda having second thoughts. They are old enough to more or less take care of themselves but not sure if I want the added stress!
I would rather be at the sales ... hmmmm...that's a thought isn't it!
Smell The Air
It is nice to wake up early in the morning and smell the fresh, crisp air. There are times however that you get up and smell the pollution instead but put those thoughts aside lah. Today is not so bad, the air smells quite clean.
Sometimes I wish life was like that, clean and crisp at all times. But it is not. There are ups and downs and pitfalls and challenges. There are emotions and turmoils. Smiles and tears. That is what makes life more colourful rite!
My life has been like that, full of all kinds of colour and emotions. In fact right now as we speak I am facing some rather colourful moments. Some exciting moments too.
For that special someone who is going through a difficult time, I want you to know that we are always here for you. It is just your choice if you choose to have us there with you or not. It is sad to see a loved one go through so much by themselves. I always believe in life you have choices and it seems that this is the path you have chosen. You have to live it out and see what comes your way. If you don't like where the path takes you, then by all means, make that choice but if you choose to stay on that path, pay the price
Sometimes I wish life was like that, clean and crisp at all times. But it is not. There are ups and downs and pitfalls and challenges. There are emotions and turmoils. Smiles and tears. That is what makes life more colourful rite!
My life has been like that, full of all kinds of colour and emotions. In fact right now as we speak I am facing some rather colourful moments. Some exciting moments too.
For that special someone who is going through a difficult time, I want you to know that we are always here for you. It is just your choice if you choose to have us there with you or not. It is sad to see a loved one go through so much by themselves. I always believe in life you have choices and it seems that this is the path you have chosen. You have to live it out and see what comes your way. If you don't like where the path takes you, then by all means, make that choice but if you choose to stay on that path, pay the price
Monday, December 1, 2008
Time After Time
It was a crazy weekend. What I did, I can't remember now. But all I know is that it all went by so fast. Saturday came and then Sunday finished. Time flies by so fast these days. A friend commented that it is because we are getting older that is why time flies by so fast. hmmmm....
Age makes a difference then does it? I remember when I was in school, time seemed to crawl. Days were so long, months were longer and years took forever. Now that I am 36, it seems it was just the other day we were sitting at home enjoying the New Year's eve fireworks.
So what plans do you have for New Year? Where will you be? What are your resolutions? I gave up on resolutions a long time ago. They are over rated and they never seemed to work for me anyways. You forget them the next minute after you declared them.
I do however have some plans for next year. What are they? Actually I don't know yet. But I know I will be busy as can be. Najihah will be in Std 3 and in the morning session and Nadiah will be in Std 2 in the afternoon session. Isn't that enough? And somewhere in between that I have to juggle tuition and KAFA. Wish me luck!
Age makes a difference then does it? I remember when I was in school, time seemed to crawl. Days were so long, months were longer and years took forever. Now that I am 36, it seems it was just the other day we were sitting at home enjoying the New Year's eve fireworks.
So what plans do you have for New Year? Where will you be? What are your resolutions? I gave up on resolutions a long time ago. They are over rated and they never seemed to work for me anyways. You forget them the next minute after you declared them.
I do however have some plans for next year. What are they? Actually I don't know yet. But I know I will be busy as can be. Najihah will be in Std 3 and in the morning session and Nadiah will be in Std 2 in the afternoon session. Isn't that enough? And somewhere in between that I have to juggle tuition and KAFA. Wish me luck!
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