SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

Kami di Dubai beraya pada 30.9.08 bersamaan Selasa.

8.05 malam - baru dapat tau esok raya!

8.20 malam - dlam keadaan terkejut, baru terhegeh-hegeh pegi pasar beli daging dan ayam dll.

10.30 malam - sampai rumah terus masak

At the moment, kuah soto tengah berjerang atas dapur dan baru lepas menggentel begedil.

Nak tido dulu, esok 5.30 nak sambung. Dubai sembahyang raya 6.30 pagi.

Akan di updatekan kemudian...

My Only and 'Most Expensive' Raya Card This Year...

Last Thursday (25.9.08) was the last day of schooling for school kids in Dubai before having their 9-day Eid Mubarak break. Along came back from school today and took out a white envelope written 'To: My Mother ' . She handed the envelope to me with a smiling and proud face. I wonder what was inside and I opened it in no time. This was the content of the envelope...

Wowwee...it was so beautiful! I was so impressed the moment I saw this colourful beautifully created card.

Mana Ayah punya kad raya?

Takda. Teacher kata buat untuk mother dulu. Along buat dalam Art class tadi.

Nanti Ayah merajuk nanti...(luckily Ayah was not around. He was in Lahore that time).

Tak...Teacher kata untuk father buat kemudian.

Actually this wasn't the first time she created a card for me. The last time she made one was during Mother's Day in May...

That time her father was also not around as he was off to Teheran for a month biztrip. Just imagine how I felt...the father wasn't around but it was not the reason for the kids to forget Mother's Day celebration. They did not need to be reminded to make their mother happy. When Along and Ain handed this pink card written 'TO: OUR MOTHER (Nor Azilah)The beautiful mum!' and a cute gift to me, I was so very touched! More than words could describe...

Thank you Sayang, you've made my day...

p/s - Yes, this is the only raya card I received this year, 1429H. However, with the advancement of technology, I've received several raya e-cards and insyaAllah will be receiving lots more raya sms-es by this Wednesday...Thank you (in advance) family and friends out there for the raya e-cards and raya sms-es sent. It makes my day, albeit the sentimental value just couldn't be compared to the snail mail raya cards. With the advancement of technology, I shouldn't feel disheartened...!

28th Day of Iftar...without hubby

Hubby was off to Teheran this morning right after sahur. He's been at home with us this whole week. Today, he's got to attend his monthly meeting in Teheran and will be back tonight. With hubby not around, a simple meal for iftar would suffice for me and the kids..

I cooked 'nasi goreng bodoh' as a friend of mine would call it to refer to a very simple (but still delicious) fried rice with less perencah inside. Then fried some keropok ikan as Apit insisted to have it. Not that bad an idea since keropok ikan can go well with the fried rice. As I had some sweet potato left in the kitchen, I made cek mek molek. Along loves eating it and last but not least, I made the colourful bubur biji nangka. Hmm...Alhamdulillah simple but I'm still full the moment I'm writing this.

27th Day of Iftar

As we are approaching the end of Ramadhan, the more we feel like having just a simple iftar. Our menu for today is hubby's signature dish, spaghetti. Our kids all love it. Frankly speaking, I cannot cook spaghetti as good as hubby. Hubby's spaghetti has always been 'menu wajib' for our open house, apart from my Puding Jagung Koktail Berkuah and Kek Batik Marie, and also the must-eat menu among his friends who come. Besides spaghetti, I made cucur udang and ox tail soup to add to our simple iftar. Then Along asked for kuih gelang @ keria, since we had sweet potato in the kitchen, so there goes kuih gelang.



To tell the truth, actually I've never made kuih gelang before. However, my parents used to sell kuih-muih when I was small and the kuih-making sight is nothing new to me. I guess that explains why I seem to know how to make certain kuih when I myself have never kept the recipe. When we were small, we also never missed having evening tea and there must've been some kuih made for us either by my mother, my eldest sis or even my father. I'm proud to tell that my father is also good at making kuih. In fact, I learned how to make gula sira for kuih keria from my father. My father used to tell "...tunggu sampai gula tu 'kanting', baru masukkan kuih". Until now, I've never bothered to look up the meaning of the word 'kanting' from Kamus Dewan, but what I know that's the word my father used to use when describing gula sira for kuih gelang.

Happy Eid ul Fitr

Sometimes We Just Don't Feel Like Eating Rice for Iftar and Sahur

I did not know why suddenly I felt like I wasn't in the mood to cook. I sms to hubby asking "Yang, any idea for iftar?'. Hubby too had no idea of what to eat for iftar. "Order je la." Ha ha...that's exactly what I wanted to hear. So, for iftar today, we had fried chicken and apple pie ordered from Southern Fried Chicken (SFC), the Dubai version of KFC.

Ain had fish n chips, Apit with his favourite fries (he could have all by himself) and Along with her favourite pizza cheese.

The day before, we also had something else other than rice for iftar. Hubby and the kids love eating burger, so Chef Haza took over the kitchen that Tuesday preparing for the whole family.

On Saturday (20.9.08), we had pizza for sahur. We bought the ready made dough at Carrefour MOE on Friday after coming back from Ramadhan bazaar. It was a plain dough with only tomato sauce spread on it. We garnished it with more tomatoes, onion and sprinkled more cheese and there it was...the super supreme pizza for sahur.

Sprinkling more mozarella cheese...

The smell of the baked pizza could make the kids' eyes wide open for sahur . An unusual sight to be seen during sahur time.

Iftar...Some Life Experiences...

We went to Maxim supermarket last Saturday to buy some groceries. Strolling in the evening to the 1 km away supermarket might be challenging enough for the fasting Ain. But jalan-jalan punya pasal, she was just excited. Furthermore, it's the end of September which means the heat isn't as maddening as when it was in July or August. So there we went from our green and yellow striped apartment building.

There were some interesting life experiences that we managed to capture on the way to Maxim. As we passed by the mosque, we saw a few people (could be the AJK Masjid or volunteers) busy spreading plastic mat in the open area in front of the main entrance to the mosque. Some were seen putting boxes of orange drink, mineral water, dates and bananas on the mat, while some others were seen carrying more dates and more boxes of drinks. This sight really attracted Along, Ain and Apit as they'd never seen this in Malaysia. Ain, as seen in on of the pics with her favourite yellow winnie the pooh bag, looking on curiously. What are they doing and who's going to eat and drink all these. Along, Ain and Apit kept asking. I did not know, probably the poor or any musafir or just anybody but obviously they were preparing for iftar. I wonder if on the way back we could drop by and have iftar here if we happened to pass by this area in time of Maghrib azan...he he. Well, let's see...

When we arrived here at around 6.10 pm on the way back, this was what we saw. The place was already packed with people, all men. It seemed that no rezeki for us to even sniff the food there...he he. Looking at their faces, we could tell that they were the more unfortunate people than us and they deserved that free iftar, not us.

Iftar was at 6.21 pm and we had a few more minutes before we could reach home and have iftar on our own. Upon arriving, sempat panaskan roti Arab on the frying pan with butter and the smell was so mengancam. This Arab bread is my kids' newly found favourite bread. So,that evening we had simple but delicious iftar with roti Arab cicah kari daging campur dhal and bubur lambuk that I cooked the day before. (My mom said jangan membazir...). Kenyang Alhamdulillah.

Later that night, I baked Dates and Raisin Bread Pudding sebab dah tak sabar nak makan puding ni. This is the newly learned recipe that I got from a friend in Sungai Kurus. Amacam...jadi tak puding roti I Teacher? Out of 5, agak-agak berapa markah Teacher nak bagi? Alhamdulillah, hubby and the kids gave the thumbs up...sodaaapp he he he.

We are really, really grateful even though we had simple iftar with no rice (because we chose not to have), it could be so lavish as compared to the iftar that this group of labour workers had when we saw them on the way back from Maxim.

I just couldn't imagine these Pakistani workers, who had to work from morning to evening under the scorching hot sun of Dubai, just had watermelon for iftar to cover up the energy they had lost during the daylight. It was really a very touching experience that I've seen. If only we were having some decent food at hands that time, we'd surely give it all to them. Unfortunately, what we had in hands were flour, uncooked roti paratha and fresh vegetables. The curious Apit and Ain asked...kenapa orang tu makan tembikai je, kenapa dia tak beli makanan lain, kenyang ke orang tu makan tembikai, orang tu takda duit ke nak beli...

Hubby and I made it a point to show Along, Ain and Apit how very fortunate they are for always having enough food unlike the 'uncles' that they saw before their eyes. So, stop grumbling if Ibu prepares food that does not fulfill their likings. The kids were in total silence as if they could understand the situation. Hopefully they do and learn something.

22.9.08 (Mon) - Iftar With Friends

Today we break fast with a few friends at our abode. Two of them are going back to Malaysia to celebrate Eid Al Fitr with their beloved family. Since they may not be attending our open house this coming raya (if we were to hold one), so we invited them to our house for iftar. I wanted to invite more friends but unfortunately the limited space of the abode couldn't accomodate too many at a time. InsyaAllah, there will always be a next time.

After breaking fast with drink, dates and some kuih, the husbands had Maghrib prayer together at the living hall while the wives performed the prayer in the room.

We continued with more heavy food after solat. Alhamdulillah our dining table was full with yummilicious food that night, some brought by friends. Jeda brought Ayam Masak Kicap, Tini with her special mutton curry, Shiela brought with her kuih sagu biji and Riri baked her delicious kuih bakar pisang. Those added to the list of my own cooking - fried vegetables, sambal goreng ikan bilis with potato and tempe, fried chicken for the kids, fried meehoon and my mom's mouth-watering pajeri nenas. Also not to forget my signature dish, Puding Jagung Koktail Berkuah and Kek Batik Marie plus the newly learned recipe Dates and Raisin Bread Pudding. We ate and talked, ate and talked till one of the hubbies had to remind ber babbly wife that it was time to go back...hi hi hi. This was her answer, "Ala...tak nak lah." So cute! ha ha ha. It was really fun chit-chatting that we didn't realize time flew. Furthermore, this was the first time we could really have a long chat with each other for all this while we've been communicating most of the time through our 'cyber world'.

While mommies and daddies were chit-chatting, the kids also had their own activity. Apit was so happy because all this while he's been seeing a lot of girl friends. This time he could play his bicycle and gun with his new power rangers friend, Andri. His sisters were playing in the bedroom with Nana, Iman and Ieam.

"See...our mommies and daddies were busy talking, talking and talking...," complained the two cutey Debots - Aryan and Dina.

Well...what else to do before departing...all the mama vogue posing la. From left: Riri, Tini, Jeda, Shiela and yours truly. How 'cyber world' can bring us close together...

Kuih Raya Dah Siap Dah...!

Last Wednesday, we received this box from Malaysia through a friend who came back to Malaysia for a biztrip. Upon hearing Uncle A nak hantar ke rumah, Along, Ain dan Apit dah terus berlari buka pintu, Ain siap pegi ke lif nak tunggu kotak dari Uncle tu. As usual, bila kotak dah sampai, bebudak ni lah yang paling excited, tak sabar nak tengok apa kat dalam...

Haa...yang ni mula-mula diorang terkam sebab dah tau Mak Ngah diorang kat Melaka tu nak kirim buku cerita dan majalah untuk Along, Ain, Apit dan Ibu. Ayah punya je takda...sebab Ayah tak main baca majalah bahasa Melayu, Ayah baca MU magazine jer...Terima kasih Mak Ngah!

Another 10 more days to go!!! Kuih raya dah siap dah...semua kuih-muih tradisional lagi. Terima kasih Atuk dan Nenek kat Port Dickson, Atuk dan Wan kat Kota, Rembau dan Mak Long di Lukut, Port Dickson kerana sudi mengirimkan kuih-muih raya tradisional ni untuk anak cucu dan anak saudara di sini.

Atuk dan Nenek kirimkan Along, Ain dan Apit serta Ibu Ayah kuih sepit ni. Kekadang orang panggil kuih gulung atau kuih kapit (especially yang bentuk kon leper tu) or sometimes called 'love letters'. Atuk Nenek tau Along, Ain dan Apit suka kuih ni...very crispy.

Atuk Nenek macam tau-tau je kuih lidah jin ni favourite Along. Terima kasih Atuk Nenek! Kalau pergi rumah Nenek Chik kat Kuala Sg Baru, Melaka tu, Along mesti nak makan kuih ni banyak-banyak. Nenek Chik tak pernah miss buat kuih ni.

Kuih buah rotan aka buah redan ni pun Nenek Chik selalu buat. Ingat lagi masa kecil-kecil dulu, mak dan Along selalu gak buat kuih ni pakai tepung pulut (err ke tepung beras...?) serta santan dan gula. Masa tu sekolah rendah, I pun seronok tolong menggentel kuih ni. Bukan susah pun, gentel bulat-bulat, gelekkan dengan bijan dan goreng. Rangup dan sedap. Yang keras je tak sedap.

Haa...yang ni pula favourite Ain...kuih baulu. Apit kata kuih 'ballu'...he he he cute jer. Masa call Atuk semalam, Ain kata kat Atuk "Terima kasih Atuk bagi kuih baulu...Ain suka kuih baulu." "Laa..ya ke? Kalau Atuk tau Atuk hantar baulu banyak-banyak lagi."

Yang ni pula kuih gunting. Nenek Chik bebudak ni kat Kuala Sg Baru tu tiap-tiap tahun buat. Nenek Chik tau kitorang semua suka kuih gunting dia...cukup dengan rasa udang kering dan rempah-rempahnya serta rangup dan tak keras. Kekadang I buat muka seposen siap minta tapau lagi! Bukan tak boleh beli kat tempat lain tapi yang Nenek Chik diorang ni buat menepati citarasa.

Kuih gunting ni kalau nak buat pun bukan susah sangat. Tak payah nak terap-terap, main gunting jer. Selain daripada dah banyak kemudahan 'tunjuk-menunjuk' kuih raya kat luar sana sekarang ni, kitorang dah lama tak buat kuih ni sebab ada nostalgia pahitnya yang tersendiri...! Masa kitorang adik-beradik kecil-kecil dulu, Along pernah buat kuih gunting ni. Sedap memang sedap tapi sampai bergaduh-gaduh nak buat kuih gunting. Sebabnya...mula-mula tu semua excited nak tolong menggunting tepung kuih gunting ni tapi bila dah lama duduk menggunting penat. Dah la puasa. So, masing-masing tinggal la. Tinggallah orang yang sama aje duduk menggunting. Mana orang tu tak mengamuk, sakit pinggang duduk menggunting sorang-sorang! Bila orang tu mengungkit, tu yang bergaduh-gaduh tu...ha ha ha!! Sejak kejadian itu rasanya kitorang tak pernah buat kuih gunting lagi. Tak boleh ingat nostalgia masa kecil-kecil ni. Begitulah cerita kuih gunting...

Ni la semua kuih raya tradisional yang Atuk Nenek Along, Ain dan Apit kirim dan biskut kelapa tu Mak Long kirim.

Atuk dan Wan pula kirim gula Melaka ori punya yang balut dengan daun nipah tu siap dengan tepung pulut. Wan tau Along, Ain dan Apit suka makan kuih kelopung @ buah melaka @ ondeh-ondeh. Nanti Ibu buatkan ya. Wan pun kirim tepung cucur Adabi perisa coklat dan strawberi. Ini pun favourite bebudak tiga orang ni...dah lama diorang tak makan. So, berbuka puasa esok tu Ibu gorengkan untuk Along, Ain dan Apit cucur Adabi tu. Terima kasih Wan, Along, Ain dan Apit cakap.

So, everyone out there...we're in raya mood now!!!

16.9.08 (Tue) - A Kitten On A Tree...

While watching tv, Along told me that Ain cried in school. I asked why. Along said Ain was stuck on the slide at the playground in front of her class and didn't know how to get down. That happened this morning when the kids just arrived in school. While waiting for class to start, she played at the playground.

Suddenly, Along saw Ain crying on the slide. Once reaching up, she only realised that the slide was too high and she was too scared to slide down. Along asked Ain to come down but she said no. Her sis went to find Ain's teacher, Ms Claire, and informed her that Ain was stuck up on the slide and didn't know how to get down.

Since Ms Claire was wearing a long skirt that day, she couldn't climb up and helped Ain. It was another Grade 1 teacher, Ms Eimear, who was wearing pants had to climb up and got Ain down. Her teacher told her that the slide was actually meant for Grade 4 - 6 students and not Grade 1.

I couldn't help laughing when Along relating the incident to me. I was imagining a kitten climbing up on a tree and didn't know how to get down...har har har!!

p/s - Nasib baik Teacher tak tarik balik the stars given the day before...hi hi hi. Well...kids.

15.9.08 (Monday) - You Deserve It...

1) As usual, everytime the kids come home from school, they must relate to me what happens in school. Along told me about her French and Computer classes. Ain, smiling to show her happy face, told me she has been appointed as 'a helper'. When I asked her what that means, is it a class monitor? She said no. 'A helper' is someone in the class who has been rewarded 5 . The stars are given to those who are obedient in class, do not make noise, finish all the work teacher gives and can give the most correct answers for all the exercises given. 'A helper' is also given a privilege to assist other classmates if they have problems doing the exercises given.

So today, her Canadian teacher, Miss Claire, has rewarded her with the 5 . Her glowing face showed that she was so much flattered that she was the second (after a German boy) in the class of 25 students who has been given the stars. To us adults, it's probably just the stars, but to a seven-year-old girl, it is really something to boost up her motivation to go to school and learn. Right away, I gave her the hugs and a kiss and told her to inform her father when he comes back from Tehran tonight.

2) Today my sis-in-law's blog is featured in the NST on the Tech&U section. Read it here. She's been blogging since 2006 and she writes on life, family, career and most of all running. She was once overweight some time in 2003. You can check here to find out how running can make her as slim and young-looking as ever, and at the same time an optimistic person. She enjoys writing and she just has the flair of language.

p/s - We all kat negara pasir berdengung ni tumpang berbangga dari jauh.

14.9.08 ( Sun) - Yeay yeay...Wan Hantar Baju Raya

I received this parcel this morning.

As I could expect the content, I'd just wait for Along and Ain to come back from school to open it as the parcel was meant for the kids.

As expected Along and Ain were so excited to open the parcel. They just couldn't wait to see what was inside...

Whoa...baju kurung and baju Melayu, two pieces each. Each of them has a pair of green baju kurung and baju Melayu. The other pair is blue for Along (wahh..Wan tau favourite colour Along), red for Ain and pink for Apit (as he told Wan earlier he wanted pink...he he he).

As expected the most excited is Apit. Dia terus nak pakai! hi hi hi..

"aaakk...aaakk", Apit made a crow's sound while flapping her hands like a bird...he he.

Children are always the most excited to celebrate Hari Raya. My children as usual are very excited. Since this year will be our first raya abroad (not for my hubby), I wonder if their level of excitement will be the same. What if my kids especially Apit will beg us to go back and see their Atuk and Wan in Rembau or Atuk and Nenek in Port Dickson...

p/s - "Terima kasih Atuk dan Wan!," Along, Ain and Apit said.

Since I didn't bring any green baju kurung, it seems like I have to find one just to match with the kids' baju raya, hubby already has a green baju Melayu.

12.9.08 (Fri) - A First Timer 'Businesswoman' at 2nd Dubai Ramadhan Bazaar...

Me being a businesswoman...? It never came across my mind in the slightest. But it's been a reality today though only for a few hours. My original idea was I would just stay at home with the kids today as hubby was not around. However, some notable prompting from a friend had changed my mind. Unexpectedly, my face could also be seen in today's Dubai Ramadhan Bazaar as one of the sellers.

Out of saja seronok suka-suka, Jeda came up with her Rendang Tok while I came up with my signature dish (or should I call signature dessert?) which is my kids' favourite Kek Batik Marie and our open house 'menu wajib' the yummy creamy Puding Jagung Koktail Berkuah. Hmmm...

Again for the second Friday, Dubai Ramadhan Bazaar was held at our Consul General's residence...

Some other 'businessmen' or 'businesswomen' (err should I say hawkers..) had arrived when we reached there at 3.30pm. A few customers were already there waiting simply because they didn't want to be disappointed for the second time like last Friday when all the food was sold out not even at 5.00pm!

Thanks Arabic X Aluyah for allowing Jeda and me menumpang sekaki kat gerai you ols. These young entrepreneurs were as vogue and havoc as ever!

The stalls were supposed to start operating at 4.00 until 6.00 pm. But see...at 3.40pm belum sempat pasang payung, gerai Arabic X Aluyah dah kena serbu. So, Domestic Engineer pun dapat la tempiasnya. Can you see me entertaining my very first customer there? he he

Whoa...seronok kira duit. Smiles were all over Jeda's face too.

Good girls...wahh baiknya Ain tolong Ibu meniaga. Iman pun tolong Mama dia menjual rendang tok. Ain said one customer called her 'taukeh muda' when she took over as I left the stall for a while surveying food and meeting other Malaysians. Along was taking care of Apit inside CG's house.

Reunion...meeting ex-coursemates so posing jap. From left: yours truly, Mem Aluyah (batch 5), Jeda (my batch) and Nazrah (batch 6).

Eh ada pembeli lagi...entertain customer jap tapi posing tetap posing...he he

Bro Hasnol...sambil tolong isteri meniaga Mihun Sup Utara n Nasi Lemak juga bertindak sebagai reporter who was responsible to record this Malaysian historical moment and interview a few Malaysians to get some feedbacks regarding this first time ever Ramadhan Bazaar in Dubai. Last week, we were on youtube!

The man in black is Tn Syed Mohd Hasrin, our very own Consul General, a thirty-something very down to earth man. Thank you CG. We really appreciate your kindness allowing us to occupy your compound for four consecutive Fridays.

Even our Penghulu, Pak Payne (on the right with sunglasses) opened a stall Rencah Ranches selling Malay traditional kuih-muih and the mouth-watering Asam Pedas Tulang Rusuk. Seen at the back were his anak-anak Ayah helping in the stall...junior entrepreneurs to be. Beside Pak Payne is our taukeh murtabak.

Anak rantau yang rindukan kuih-muih tradisional Melayu semestinya akan menyerbu habis-habisan gerai Kak Tipah dan Kak Jah!

By 5.10pm, all my Puding Jagung Koktail Berkuah Klein and Kek Batik Marie Cik Zara were sold out. Alhamdulillah...could pack things home now. Slightly feeling tired but really excited, not so much on the income as we did it for suka-suka, but the short experience of being the peniaga and the joy of meeting other Malaysians were the most valuable experience above all.

Taking along with us Nana, tauke Nasi Dagang's daughter, and Shahira, tauke Laksam's Daughter, we headed straight home to my abode to prepare for iftar.

From left: Nana, Iman, Ieam, Shahira and Ain. Itu taukeh Nasi Dagang and tauke Laksam, wa songlap anak lu aah...

Alhamdulillah...berbuka puasa beramai-ramai with small kids meriah, kecoh. Jeda said, "Camana kalau anak sepuluh nanti...?" . We break fast with all the food we bought from Dubai Ramadhan Bazaar. Tak banyak cuma...Laksam, Nasi Kerabu, Nasi Ayam, Nasi Dagang serta kuih-muih seperti karipap, popia bercili, badak berendam, talam ubi, talam tepung and air bandung cincau...errr tak banyak kan?? Syukur Alhamdulillah.

For more pics of the happening Dubai Ramadhan Bazaar, please click here, here and here. (Minta permisi ya En Sham, En Imran dan En Halim. Terima kasih)

Overall, I calculated I've spent 106dhs only on food and drinks that day! However, the food bought not only meant for iftar today but also for sahur and iftar the next day...and probably for sahur on following day also... Ya la it's not that easy to get Malay traditional food here ok.

p/s - Price per item: nasi kerabu 18dhs, nasi ayam 15dhs, nasi dagang 15dhs, laksam 15dhs, air bandung cincau 5dhs, 4 kuih 5dhs, ada kuih 1dhs for 1, ada yang 2dhs for 1, So, the 106dhs I've spent on that day makes more sense now...?

10.9.08 (Wed) - Earthquake in Iran...Hubby in Tehran. OMG!

Hubby was off to Tehran again since last Monday (8.9.08) for his 13th biztrip there and will only be back on the coming Monday (15.9.08). Lucky enough I have kids around. Otherwise, I couldn't imagine myself breaking fast (iftar) alone. Alas, this is the first time ever since we got married we've been away from each other during fasting month. I've never imagined before having to break fast without hubby around but really this is not what he chooses to have. His work commitment I have to understand.

I just started cooking for iftar when a friend YMed to me this news - UAE Hit By Tremors After Iran Earthquake. Thank you Mem. Among the places in UAE affected is our own area Bur Dubai. I YMed back to Mem telling I didn't notice or feel any tremors just now. She replied the same.

Then, I read an email from my uae group telling about the same news - tremors in UAE. Some Malaysians here telling that they could feel it at their areas. I reread the email and only then I realized that UAE could feel the tremors because there was an earthquake in IRAN at around 3.00 pm...IRAN! OMG! My hubby's in Iran...

Leaving my hot frying wok in the kitchen, I called hubby there and then. He answered, Alhamdulillah. Guess what...if I didn't call him, he wouldn't even know there was an earthquake in Iran!! Hubby told me if UAE could feel the tremors, the earthquake must be somewhere nearer to it which is the southern part of Iran but Tehran is in the far northern part. Phewwww...what a relief.

This map confirms it :

p/s - Syukur Alhamdulillah.

9.9.08 (Tue) - To Husbands Out There...

I qoute a friend of mine relating in her blog entry, "I got into a heated tete-a-tete with hubby regarding the duties of a wife". No doubt, I really appreciate the tazkirah given by her hubby to her...very good points for wives to ponder. Nevertheless, in respond to that, I also have a little something for hubbies and brothers out there to ponder too...

Mengapa WANITA sangat Istimewa......

Mama dan Papa sedang menonton TV, seraya mama berkata. "..i letih la..dah lewat ni, i nak tido lah...."

Mama pun pegi dapur nak tutup tingkap dapur, nanti masuk pulak lipas...leceh pulak nanti..dah tu, ade pulak rice cooker dalam sink..rendam lepas makan tadi..basuh jap...

susun pinggan kat rak, lap dapur..terpercik kena sambal masa masak tadi...check air panas dalam flusk..takut habis pulak nanti malam anak nak susu...memang dah kering pun flusk ni, jerang la air...sementara tunggu air masak, nampak pulak bekas gula dah kosong....salin la gula...chec k bubur untuk anak nak hantar ke taska esok..nasib baik ade lagi...ishh...ni lauk bila ni, semalam...dah beku dah...basuh la kejap....pegi yard, masukkan baju kotor dalam mesin basuh...penat dah ni, besok je la basuh...sidai kaian lap je lah...

tik...bunyi air dah masak...salin air dalam flusk...ok settle...

baru teringat tak semayang lagi...on da way nak g bilik, papa tgk tv lagi...nampak pulak beg anak untuk hantar ke taska...check...baju 2 pasang, towel...towel kecik utk selsama...calamine lotion untuk sapu ruam...pampers 4 keping....alamak..telupa pulak masukkan botol...basuh botol jap...ok settle...

ternampak pulak beg g keje...emm..besok nak pakai beg polo coklat lah, asik2 pakai beg hitam ni je...salin jap barang2 g beg coklat...cek sume 6 poket beg, takut la tetinggal apa2..leceh pulak..selalunya barang yang tertinggal tu la yang nak pakai nanti...hishhh sempit la beg ni...hangin je...nak kena beli ni beg baru...rasenya 25 hb ni Sogo sale nih...mana flyers tadi ek...ha ni die..ok, catit jap kat yellow sticker, nanti lupa..ok settle...

Tetiba dengar suara papa..."..u buat apa lagi tu..tadi kata nak tido.."...."..yelah nak tido la ni..nak smayang jap..."

masuk toilet..buat apa2 yang patut...cuci muka dulu..2 jenis lak tu...adoi..gosok gigi...smayang...pakai toner...pakai treatment cream...nak lawa and maintain punya pasal lah ni...

nanti orang kata baru anak satu dah macam anak 4 pulak...huhuhuhu...

bukak almari...emmm...pakai baju hijau ni lah besok...gosok kejap..check baju papa, baju papa pun kena gosok jugak ni...kat bilik belakang...

la, napa komputer ni tak tutup ni..gelas kopi pun ade lagi, dah bersemut dah..ishhh ...g dapur, basuh, sambung gosok baju...gantung elok2...kemaskan baju gantung2...masukkan seluar papa yang dah kotor dalam tempat kotor...ok settle..

dgr suara papa lagi..."..i dah ngantuk ni.."..dalam pada nak masuk ke bilik...owh...pokok aku dah nak mati ni ha..lu pa dah 3 hari tak siram...ok, siram jap...check jap pintu ni...sah tak kunci lagi...grill pun tak tutup..ni kalau tak check ni, senang2 je mat indon masuk rompak umah aku...bukak lampu luar..

ni mainan ni sepah2...masukkan la dalam bakul mainan budak ni...banyak nya...sampai bawah meja makan pun ade...adoi....ok dah ...

ok dah boleh baring...adoi sakitnya pinggang...cium si comel ni kejap...selimutkan die...la..napa basah ni...emm, tukar la pempers ni...tak bagus la brand ni, nanti nak tukar lain la...nanti g Sogo 25 hb ni beli la skali...ok sayang tido k...kalau boleh jangan la bangun tgh malam ni eh..tido sampai pagi k...gud nite..sweet dreams...

aaahh...sedapnya dapat baring...mana pulak lotion sapu kurus aku nih...ha, ni dia...sambil sapu lotion kurus,,,setkan alarm...setkan program kerja besok...pg kul 9.30 ade meeting..

ahh...boring...panas pulak lotion nih..dah la...emm..sedapnya lelapkan mata...Ya Allah...terima kasih untuk rezekiMU hari ini,. ..mohon keberkatan dari mu tuhan...papa pun bangun tutup tv..."...i dah ngantuk sangat ni...nak tido lah...citer pun tak best malam ni, bola pun takde..."...selang seminit ...dengar suara papa berkeruh...dah agak dah....

So?....apa yang peliknya..??

Anda tahu kenapa wanita hidup lebih lama?...SEBAB ADE BANYAK KERJA NAK KENA BUAT....tu yang tak boleh nak mati cepat tu...

Tak kira la wanita berkerjaya atau surirumah...setiap wanita adalah istimewa dengan cara mereka sendiri...

Kalau lelaki mengakui kebenaran ini....hormati dah hargailah mereka...untuk keperibadian dan kebolehan mereka untuk berdikari...pasti anda disayangi kerana memahami mereka...well, women understand women better...

Semoga lelaki-lelaki di muka bumi ini akan lebih menghargai emak, isteri dan kawan-kawan dengan lebih baik lagi.

* This article was forwarded to me by my brother and also a friend (with a little modification).

This story if not exactly the same is very much similar to my daily routine (before being a domestic engineer in Dubai) especially when I've never had a maid. I'd rather not flashback to those difficult times...Come to think of it, if both the husband and wife work to earn a living, why must the wife do everything at home???

However, I am very thankful that my hubby has been very understanding enough as he always helped me preparing beg anak untuk hantar ke taska especially when I had so many things at hands that I did not know which one to catch up first...and once a while being the Jamie Oliver in our kitchen.

p/s - The only thing in the story that's not relevant to me is the lotion sapu kurus... Alhamdulillah can save a few hundreds from that.

8.8.08 (Mon) - Provokasi Melampau Bulan Puasa (Di Rantau Orang)

Ada la sorang kawan tu kan, sebab dia jeles tak dapat pegi Dubai dia hantar gambar ABC kat I. Di tengah-tengah panas terik mentari Dubai bulan puasa ni, tanpa sedikit pun rasa belas kasihan, ada ke patut dia hantar gambar 'membunuh' tu kat I! Cuba you ols pikir patut ke tak patut?? Ish ish ish...

Ooo dia ingat ABC takde kat Dubai eh. I lupa nak cakap. Jumaat hari tu masa pegi Ski Dubai kat MOE tu sempat gak I ambil beberapa kepal ais. Pas tu I bubuh kacang, jagung, cendol, pas tu tambah susu cair/santan, sirap dan gula melaka sikit. Perrgh...inilah hasilnya!!!

Nak lebih 'ummph' I bubuh ais krim satu scoop...yumm yumm...

Pas tu tambah cincau lagi...

Slurppp...sedap bangat ABC Ski Dubai ni...!

Tak cukup dengan ABC, ada ais Iebih-lebih tu I siap buat cendol lagi...3 jenis!

Cendol biasa

Cendol Kacang & Jagung

Sempat pulak I tanak pulut, buat cendol pulut...waduss...

Pas tu rasa macam nak minum cendol ngan straw, I tambah air sikit. Pas tu sedut slurppp...

You ols bayangkan la bila cendol madu yang sedap tu meresap kat kerongkong arghhh...tak boleh digambarkan! Tambah lagi dengan kacang dan jagung melalui anak tekak...perrghh sangat membunuhh!!!

Balik Mesia tahun depan, nak beli ice grater satu bawa balik Dubai. Puan koordinator makanan bazaar Ramadhan Dubai, I dah chup nak meniaga ABC Ski Dubai Domestic Engineer taw. Jangan lupa.

p/s - Puas ati aku.

7.8.08 (Sun) - Geng Bas Sekolah Learning French

After I posted the entry about my kids going to school by bus, their Mak Long nicknamed them Geng Bas Sekolah in her own entry. Yeah I thought I'd just refer to them as Geng Bas Sekolah (GBS) as the kids used to be the avid fan of GBS on Astro Ceria before we left for Dubai.

Even the style they posed reminds me of GBS (esp Ain).

Coming back to school today, Along excitedly related to me that she had French class today. She taught her donno-anything-about-French mom "Comment tu t'appelles" means 'What is your name' and answer "Je m'appelle..." which she translated 'My name is...'. Complete with the pronunciation and intonation, we had a short French class that day where my eldest daughter became the French teacher.

Last Thursday, Along and Ain were given a form to choose from three foreign languages they wanted to take up - French, German and Mandarin. I simply suggested to her to consider Mandarin as she can definitely apply it back home. However, she had already made up her mind that she was keen on learning French. Only then their father and I realised that she's already a 10-year-old girl who's able to choose her preference on things like this.

Her seven-year-old sis, Ain, is also interested in learning French. Ain said, "Ain pun nak pilih French macam Along. Nanti Ain boleh cakap French dengan kawan kelas Ain, Oliver". (Oliver is a French boy in her class...handsome! ).

So, we the parents let them choose what they like as long as they're happy with their decision and it benefits them in the end.

Along also told me her teacher brought them to a computer class this morning and asked them to google anything on space and printed it out. Ain was brought by her Islamic Studies teacher to Islamic Lab. The look on their faces showed that they enjoyed the out-of-classroom lessons so much. And they are also looking forward to having their Music class in Music Room as they can see many musical instruments there. I wonder if all pupils prefer the out-of-classroom lessons since being in a classrom from early morning to afternoon or evening (other than going to the science or KH labs) would bore pupils to death.

5.8.09 (Friday) - From Dubai Ramadhan Bazaar To MOE

As planned the first time ever Dubai Ramadhan bazaar went well and received an overwhelming response from the Malay-food-craving Malaysians in UAE especially Dubai. As promised, I would show pictures of that historical moment to friends and family in Malaysia. We arrived at the Consul General's residence at Al Barsha at 5.00 pm. Upon arrival, this was what we saw...

What a very beautiful ville of our Consul General. People started loading things back into their cars. It was only one hour after the bazaar started, takkan food dah abis kot...We entered the gate...

Confirm food dah abis! Peniaga tengah lipat meja dan alas meja. Many who'd just arrived were bafflled by the sight...how could it be...(I already expected this to happen).

Anyway, sempat gak klik-klik crazy dengan Shiela tauke nasi dagang. Tak sempat ambil gambar nasi dagang, dapat bergambar dengan penjualnya pun jadi la. (Laa...patut la nasi dagang cepat abis...punya la cun penjualnya!)

Syabas dan tahniah kepada semua peniaga makanan dan pengunjung bazaar Ramadhan Dubai atas semangat Malaysia Boleh anda semua! Syabas dan tahniah juga kepada diri sendiri dan famili kerana dengan 'magic carpet bling bling' mampu juga sampai ke bazaar Ramadhan Dubai, dan menerbangkan kami ke destinasi seterusnya...

1) p/s - When there's a will, there's a way.

This was our next destination...Mall of the Emirates (MOE), the world's first shopping resort and the largest shopping centre outside of North America. It is the home to over 450 international retail brands. (read: we went there only as window-shoppers coming just for sight seeing...).

MOE also offers unique family entertainment especially the famous Ski Dubai, one of the largest indoor ski resorts in the world. It is an amazing 22,500 square metres covered with real snow all year round. As much as it has become the pride of UAE, it has also been largely criticised by the environmentalists for its large contribution to the green house effect.

Nantilah Ayah kita dapat bonus nanti kita main ski kat sini ehh...

Tengah shopping kat Carrefour, azan Maghrib berkumandang...so apalagi, buka puasa dulu. Luckily we bought chicken nuggets and cornflakes cookies from Dubai Ramadhan bazaar just now, the kids could have their simple breaking of fast.

After Maghrib prayer, we had the actual breaking of fast of beef and chicken kofta plus New York Fries.

2) p/s - Syukur Alhamdulillah...probably the kids' rezeki that we had the opportunity to go to the places we wanted to go today. Thanks to our Sudanese 'chauffer' whom we also donated one pasta bought from Ramadhan bazaar for his kindness. Thanks Tini for your brilliant idea.

3.9.08 (Wed) - Going To School By Bus

If Monday was the orientation day for the kids, today Wednesday is their actual first day of school for the year. Today also saw Along and Ain riding a school bus (or more of a van) to school for the first time in their life.

Along and Ain in front of the lift waiting for their school bus.

Ain getting on her 'school bus'...a fully curtained white van.

A helper assisted Along fastening her seatbelt. There are two lady helpers on the van.

In Malaysia, going to school by bus was the thing that Along and Ain had always been dreaming of but we never let them. Now in Dubai they got to experience what they'd always wanted. All this while, their father always sent them to school in the morning and I fetched them from school in the evening. The first time Along and Ain rode a bus was when they were in kindergarten for a trip to Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. They were very excited then.

Since it's fasting month, their school hour will be from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, as compared to the normal school hour from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm (including after school activity from 2.20 to 3.30 pm).

Reaching home at 3.00 pm today, they brought this back from school...a parent & student handbook. Cheerful faces, Along and Ain related to me that they've started learning, having homework and found more new friends today.

p/s - Believe it or not that's the van that we've got to pay dhs 1xxxx per year for the school bus fee!

2.9.08 (Tue) - Ramadhan Away From Home

Today is the second day of fasting month, the month where Muslims have to be more self-disciplined and self-restraint. It's only the second day but I could feel that fasting in Malaysia is much merrier than fasting here in this desertland. Could it be because Home's always the best? Maybe.

UAE is an Islamic country too and the mosques here will be illuminated for the whole Ramadhan and no doubt be full with worshippers for tarawih prayers. However, it's kinda unsual to hear that some mosques here do not accept muslimahs for tarawih. I mean to say that they do not provide a place for muslimahs to pray. Luckily, the mosque near our apartment is muslimah friendly. Anyway, it's no big deal I suppose as we can also perform tarawih prayers at home on our own even though it may take more than your guts to self-discipline yourself because there are so many temptations to make you forget your tarawih when you're at home. There are also lots of kurma here and if you are lucky can get fresh ones which are more delicious and ciku-like taste. In fact, kurma trees can be seen everywhere in Dubai.

However, I feel that there's something amiss here. What is the thing that Malaysia has during Ramadhan that other countries do not have? It's none other than the so-much-awaited once-a-year a month-long Ramadhan bazaar. In Malaysia, I just wonder why fasting month is always associated with food fest...? If you try to google Ramadhan bazaar, you can only find it in Malaysia. Well, I do not know if there's also Ramadhan bazaar in other parts of the world but with a different name. If anyone knows, please let me know.

*Gambar sekadar hiasan

Although I am aware that Ramadhan does not mean you have to be extravagant on food, the Ramadhan bazaar is just too good to resist. I always went to Ramadhan bazaar on the way back from fetching Along and Ain at school. Just bought a few kuih and the kids' favourite bubur lambuk.

*The famous bubur lambuk Masjid Kg Baru

It's not that I do not know a thing on how to make those kuihs. But why should go through all the trouble when almost every kuih you want is there. You just need to tunjuk and get it in an instant. Isn't it sooo easy? Here...I really cannot show my tunjuk-menunjuk skill . Everything the family want I have to make but it's ok as long as my kids will get healthy and hygienic food, that will be good enough. Besides, I can also develop my cooking skills (konon la kan...).

Heard that there will be Ramadhan bazaar here in Dubai organised by the Malaysians UAE committee. The first time ever. Wah...Dubai Ramadhan bazaar, sound interesting. Though it will only be held every Friday (an off day here), it is really a good news to the many Malay-food-craving Malaysians here. The Malaysians themselves are invited to open stalls. Our Consul General is very kind enough to let us converge at his residence for the Ramadhan bazaar.

Frankly speaking, I initially was interested in opening my own stalls selling kuihs or bubur manis, not so much of getting untung but just to memeriahkan suasana. It's one way I can see and get to know more Malaysians here...and have the feel of Ramadhan bazaar away from Malaysia. Must be something interesting. But unfortunately we have no transport. How are we going to carry all those things to the place? Have a ride in other's car? I have three kids plus my hubby and the things, how to accomodate everything? Kalau I sorang or berdua je senang la nak tumpang, ni I dengan anak-anak lagi sape nak tumpangkan ye tak. It seems that we may not have the chance at all to experience that Dubai Ramadhan bazaar as it is not easy to get a cab from that place...hhmm (sigh). Kempunan nampaknya I nak tengok bazaar Ramadhan Dubai.

Well, it's ok. I will just sit at home for the whole Ramadhan and cook for my hubby and my kids. Enough. I guess I'll be granted more pahala. InsyaAllah.

p/s - Ukur baju di badan sendiri...

1.9.08 (Mon) - The Kids' Orientation Day at Raffles IS on the First Ramadhan

Today is the day that I (not the kids...) have been anxiously waiting for - the kids' orientation day at Raffles IS. When Along and Ain were so excited to start their first day in school after a two-month long break, Ibu was so worried. Their father was as excited as the kids that he even helped me ironing the kids' school uniforms the day before he left for Iran.

I was so worried that I could hardly sleep last night. First, I was worried that I may have overslept and missed our first sahur. Hubby was not around so, I had to rely solely on my own clocktime. Secondly, I was afraid that I might have overslept after sahur and woke up late which may result in the kids coming late on their very first day to school. Thirdly, I've been asking myself can Along and Ain cope in this totally new environment...Alhamdulillah I woke up on time at 3.30 am for sahur. Along and Ain had also been cooperative enough that I didn't have to take long to wake them up. Again at 6.15 am, they woke up high-spiritedly to put on totally different from their usual school uniforms and black school shoes.

Manalah Ayah ni tak sampai-sampai lagi...While waiting for Ayah to land in DXB from Tehran, the kids gave this pose that obviously shows their excited faces.

At this hall which was next to the school lobby, the registration was done.

We were being ushered to the kids' respective classes by the kind lady stuff (or teacher?). On the way to the classes, this is the view that we could see...Burj Al Arab. Ohh...if only I could teach in a school that has Burj Al Arab as the panoramic view...mesti mata lebih banyak memandang keluar dari memandang students sambil membayangkan bilik-bilik hotel mewah bak bilik istana, tak pun berangan bermain tenis ngan Andre Agassi kat the famous tennis court at Burj Al Arab...

As Grade 1 class was more welcoming for parents as compared to Along's Grade 4 class, so we took this opportunity to snap photos in Ain's class. (Nanti Atuk-atuk, Nenek dan Wan nak tengok sekolah baru cucu-cucu diorang).

There were just free activities for Grade 1 students today. We saw Ain taking this opportunity to read story books there and do some colouring. Still shy to mix around with totally new unfamiliar faces and names in her class.

Kesian Apit, dia pun sibuk nak sekolah nak colour-colour macam kakak. So, we let him sit beside her sis. There he was concentrating on his colouring.

These are the results of Ain and Apit's colourings. Ain handed in her paper and Apit's paper to her teacher, Miss Claire who then put them up on the class notice board. Ain's paper on the right and Apit's on the left. Wah...pandai la Apit kaler...he he

Coming back from school at 11.00 am, I asked Along and Ain about their feelings on their first day at an IS. Along said she's happy and it shows on her face. She's got a new friend named Maryam, an Emirati. But Ain who was so eager in the beginning said, "boringla...", probably because they haven't learned anything yet. Actually we knew that the main reason she said that was because she was tired. She was fasting today and yet some non-muslim kids in her class were given chocolate muffins and drinks and they ate it in front of her. And chocolate muffin was her favourite...We knew it actually she wanted to say she wanted to break fast but didn't dare too..hi hi hi. However, Alhamdulillah she made it today!

p/s - Syukur Alhamdulillah, I feel a bit relieved today.

30-31.8.08 (Sat-Sun) - On 30th & 31st August Last Year...Where Was I & What Did I Do?

Did you all watch last year's 50th Independence Day celebration on tv? If you did, you must've noticed my 120 students wearing red, blue and yellow outfits who made several formations beautifully. 120 SMK Saujana Impian, Kajang Form 2 students were among more than 1000 lucky students from a few schools taking part in that golden celebration.

On the very same day, another 33 students of SMK Saujana Impian were also given the honour to take part in the 50th Independence Day celebration at Selangor state level. They were members of my Kadet Koreksional. So that night of 30th August, all the 153 students and teachers in-charge, including me, put up a night in school and had our own Di Ambang Merdeka celebration.

As early as 8.00 pm, my Kadet Koreksional students were lining up for the last rehearsal before going to Shah Alam early tomorrow morning for perarakan Hari Kemerdekaan Ke 50.

The school Principal, Pn Hjh Basinah, the ex Principal En Nik Mat, all the senior teachers, a few teachers in-charge and myself were there at the canteen preparing for the ceremony Di Ambang Merdeka.

At 12.01 am sharp, Merdeka was proudly shouted 3 times led by the school counselor, En Zahir. It was followed by Negaraku and Keranamu Malaysia. The Principal and the senior teachers sang along with the 153 students. Later, we had makan-makan at the school canteen. It was really a glorious night for us even though we had to uncomfortably slept in school (but not the Principal and senior teachers).

As we had to be at the place as early as 6.00 am, some of the classrooms were used as the one-star hotel that night. Wanted to avoid any late comers who might spoil the Independence Day parade tomorrow. My cadets were busy putting aside chairs and desks in a classroom to enable them to have ample space to sleep.

My hubby and the kids also put up a night in school to give me moral support. Actually, I'd been sleeping in school for the past few days with the students.

My cadets were ever ready to go.

For the first time in 7 years since the school existed, pasukan badan beruniform SMK Saujana Impian, Kajang (my Kadet Koreksional to be specific) was given the honour to take part in Malaysia's Independence Day celebration. Though only at a state level, me the head teacher advisor, was so proud of them.

My cadets proudly marched in that 50th Independence Day celebration at Selangor state level.

The guest of honour was YB Datuk Seri Dr...the then Selangor Chief Minister.

Hubby and the kids enjoyed watching army vehicles that were also involved in the parade.

Keranamu kami mendakap tuah, Keranamu kami bangsa berjaya, Keranamu kami hidup selesa, Nikmat budi kemakmuran negara...

The kids were also singing the very familiar and most popular song of the year Keranamu Malaysia. They were really enjoying themselves. For the first time in their lives (my life too) watching Independence Day celebration live!


p/s - On 31st August this year, where am I...