Thurs (Feb 5th) - One Night at Um Al Quwain

After fetching Ain from school and, Along and me from Safa Park, hubby drove us to Uptown Mirdiff. We were to join another two families to go to Palma Beach Resort at Um Al Quwain. At 4.45 pm, we drove in convoy as hubby wasn't sure of the route.

Um Al Quwain is one of the the seven emirates of the UAE. This is the fourth emirate in the UAE that we've travelled to after Dubai, Ajman and Sharjah. There are three more emirates that we are yet to explore - Abu Dhabi (the federal capital), Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

When we reached Palma Beach Resort at around 6.20 pm, it was almost Maghrib.

We'd booked a single room that overloked the sea instead of the resort's swimming pool.

(This particular pic is taken from Channels World of Hotel UAE)

This room which is neatly decorated with an Arabian style is spacious for a family of 2 adults and 3 small children like ours.

That night, about 200 hundred Malaysians, big and small, gathered at this three-bedroom villa rented by several Malaysian families for a BBQ. At least we had some time to kill before gearing up for a big and adventurous event the next morning organised my-UAE Pro - from Malaysians for Malaysians.

I was so tired after joining Along's school activities at Safa Park during the day that I went back to our hotel room early to catch some z's. Furthermore, we had to get up early to catch up on a more exciting thing awaited the next morning.

We woke up early that morning and looked out of our room balcony...what a stunning view! Hubby grabbed his camera and in no time captured this beautiful scenery.

No, we're not in Egypt. Palma Beach Resort, UAQ is a resort hotel with a distinct ancient Egyptian theme. Along, Ain and Apit were so scared to even go near these Pharaoh's big black and golden statues.

We took a few photos that morning right after breakfast and before getting on a boat that would take us to the neighbouring Palm Island.




We'll surely come here again...not only for the peace and tranquility of the place but also because we felt that it was such a waste to spend such a short time at this beautiful resort.

Let's Learn & Play at Safa Park

Last Thursday (5th March), Along had a class trip to Safa Park. It wasn't merely an outing or a picnic at the park but it was a fun-filled activity held for all four Grade 4 classes from the south and west campuses of Raffles IS. Four buses took them to the park which was not very far from their school.

Once inside the park, the students and teachers assembled at one of the fields for a briefing before dispersing to their own respective groups that had been assigned to them the day before. There were four very interesting activities carried out by the teachers, and assisted as well as supervised by a few parent volunteers (including myself).

Activity 1: Drawing Burj Dubai - the soon-to-be world's tallest building - conducted by Ms Tiffany

Activity 2: A Walk In The Park conducted by Ms Lee

In this activity, the students were to list down living things and non-living things which they found along the way from the grassy lawn up to the top of the hill. The things that they jotted down would be used for the follow-up written activity. It was such a breathtaking panoramic view from the top of the hill which was landscaped with a man-made cave and waterfall. The breeze was so cool and refreshing in this spring afternoon.

The students, together with teachers and parent volunteers, took a break for meal at 11.00 am.

Activity 3: Petunias Counting conducted by Mr ...... (can't remember his name)

These are Maths and Science activities. In an interesting way, the teacher showed the students a metre stick and told them to make a pace forward that measured a metre. By referring to the petunias square nearby, they were asked to show which one was the width and length. Then, they were instructed to pace from one end to the other end along the width of the petunias square. Once again, they had to pace along the petunias square but this time, they had to count how many rows of white, violet, cream and red petunias altogether. This was followed by pacing along the length of the square and counting how many petunia trees in each row. The students were to jot down the number of rows of petunias and petunias in each row. The addition and multiplication had to be done in order to find out how many petunias altogether in the square.

After that, they were given a microscope each and asked to examine parts of a petunia under the microscope i.e. stigma etc.

Activity 4: Playing Rounders by Mr Tony

This was the activity that Along enjoyed very much. She's liked playing rounders very much ever since she started learning to play it just a few weeks ago. The moment I saw her hitting the ball I knew it she's after her father who played softball in his college years and was the captain of the team. Along got the chance to become the batter twice and managed to make a home run after both hittings. Pics 2 & 4 saw her running wholeheartedly after hitting the ball.

It's a free activity now...



Along (standing at the far left) with Ms Lee and classmates.


With other parent volunteers: (from left) Ms Connie and Ms Kattea (Australian) and Ms Abeer (Egyptian)

It was really fun although a bit tiring. I didn't do much actually, just supervising the students and giving them moral supports. Tiring probably because I had to follow them wherever they went around the big park.

At least I've learned some useful refreshing ideas that I could bring back to carry out with my own students back home.

Feb 26th - At The International Fringe Festival, Dubai Festival City

We went to the Fringe Festival to watch Along performing Little Red Riding Hood with her classmates. Hubby took a half day off just to give her a moral support and also spend the evening at Dubai Festival City since this was our first time coming here. Raffles IS (south campus) was scheduled to perform at 4.30 pm. However, we didn't manage to reach in time. When we reached here at around 5.00 pm, Along and classmates had just finished performing. It was an open stage at the Timeout Kids' Zone, Marina Terrace 2. Upon arrival, this was what left...

However, Along was happy to see us coming although we missed the performance.

Her friendly and sweet homeroom teacher, Ms Lee was there welcoming us while supervising the other Raffles girls.

Pic 1 - The maroon pants children (Raffles IS students) were seen all over the festival area; Pic 2 -Puppet show by Universal American School students; Pic 3 - A song and guitar performance by Al Khaleej National School; Pic 4 - A live band by Deira International School students.

There were also workshops on creative writing and exhibitions on Literature held on the next and following days (27th & 28th Feb), however we couldn't manage to attend all.

While Along was having a late lunch with her classmate cum an Egyptian best friend, Lina, we walked around the mall to savour the stunning view at the Canal Walk area overlooking Festival Marina on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek.

* Dubai Festival City, if fully completed, is expected to be the largest mall in Dubai and the newest shopping venue. It is at present Middle East's largest mixed-use development programme which comprises 550 shops, a 12 screen cinema complex and 90 international restaurants, bistros and cafes including 40 al fresco dining venues along Canal Walk. It is not just a mall but it harmoniously blends hotels, homes, offices, schools and a golf course. Among the famous most visited spots here are IKEA, HyperPanda supermarket (first Panda hypermarket outside of Saudi Arabia), Plug-ins ElectroniX and Ace Hardware (the largest outside North America).

My Little Pink Riding Hoods

My Little Pink Riding Hoods

went out to the woods

not much equipped with a hopeful basket of cookie

nor had they an overwhelming jar of jelly.

My Little Pink Riding Hoods

went out to the woods

started out humbly with almost nothing

the evil wolf notwithstanding,

they do come back with a little something...

My Little Pink Riding Hood,

in her Grade 1 CW class assembly,

presented 'My Aunt Came Back' song

about countries in the world, if not wrong

with her classmates all along.

Being the lead

whom Ms Claire had carefully picked,

my Little Pink Riding Hood stood up

and threw a question to open up
"Who remembers the countries that we sang about?"

which the audience responded with no doubt.

My Little Pink Riding Hood

on two separate days, came back from the wood

with a basket full of these sweeeeeeeeeet cookies in her hood...

--------------------

My other Little Pink Riding Hood

on another day came back from the wood

with no basket of cookie

but a jar of jolly sweeeeeeeeeet jelly...

My other Little Pink Riding Hood

in her Grade 4 LF class assembly

was one of the three main characters

in a skit on 'Heroes and Legends' though no actors.

Tomorrow (26th Feb)

at the International Festival of Literature

my other Little Pink Riding Hood

will be staging 'Little Red Riding Hood'

with seven other girls in the same wood.

One girl becomes the wolf and another girl plays the little red riding hood
but my other Little Pink Riding Hood

with the rest five who Ms Lee considers good

will be reciting the poem 'Little Red Riding Hood'.

So, come over tomorrow

with no gloom or sorrow

to this International Fringe Festival thingy

that will be held at Dubai Festival City.

We always say

to our Little Pink Riding Hoods

never forget to say

thank you Allah whenever you pray.

May our Little Pink Riding Hoods

live happily ever after. Amiin.

The end.

-domestic engineer in da house

Dubai, UAE

25th Feb '09 (5.21 am)

p/s- Atuk, Wan, Atuk Salih dan nenek selalu tanya camana Along dan Ain sekolah kat sini? Macam ni la...Along dan Ain suka sekolah kat sini. Kalau Ayah dan Ibu balik nanti, Along dan Ain nak terus sekolah kat sini, boleh tak?

Macam-macam Apit 2

Hi! My name is Afiq. I'm four years old. Ayah dan Ibu kata Apit nak school bulan 9 nanti.

Hari tu, Apit telefon Wan kat Rembau. Wan kata dah lama tak tengok gambar Apit. Ni ensem tak rambut pacak Apit, Wan? he he

Apit suka main power rangers, Spiderman, Superman and Ben 10. Apit nak pakai face mask, Ayah Ibu tak nak belikan. Apit pakai la spenda power rangers Apit letak atas kepala, pastu pakai stokin kat tangan, baru bole main lawan-lawan. Best...

Apit sayang Ayah dan Ibu. Apit happy sebab hari ni Ayah tak pegi Iran, tak pegi Egypt. Kalau Ayah pegi Iran dengan pegi Egypt, Apit selalu letak selipar Apit kat dalam selipar Ayah. Apit selalu cakap Ayah ensem, Ayah pun selalu cakap Apit ensem.

Apit suka makan roti bakar dengan Nutella. Roti bakar tu 'shebet' (favourite) Apit. Kalau Ibu penat, Apit selalu minta Along atau Kakak buatkan roti bakar. Kadang-kadang Along marah Apit minta roti bakar sebab Along tengah buat homework. Lepas makan roti bakar dengan Nutella, Ibu cakap mulut dengan pipi Apit comot kena Nutella. Haa...tengok, mana ada comot, tak comot pun haa.

Hari tu Apit tengah main 'pushka-pushka' (lawan-lawan power rangers), Apit terjatuh. Pipi Apit kena kat bucu kabinet TV. Apit nangis...tapi bukan sebab sakit. Apit boy, Apit strong. Apit nangis sebab Ibu marah Apit lari-lari kan dah jatuh...Ayah kat Iran masa tu. Ibu sapu minyak gamat kat pipi Apit, pastu Ibu tuam dengan towel. Malam tu masa Apit 'chit' ngan Ayah kat Iran Ibu send gambar pipi Apit tu kat Ayah. Ayah kata sian Apit.

Apit suka 'ninum' susu. Bangun pagi dengan sebelum tidur malam, Apit selalu minta Ibu buatkan susu. Kalau Ayah tak pegi Iran, tak pegi Egypt, Ayah yang buatkan susu Apit.

Lepas 'ninum' susu, Apit bawa kawan-kawan Apit masuk tido. Kawan-kawan Apit ada 5 - (dari kiri) Ohok-ohok (sebab penguin ni ada bunyi ohok-ohok bila Apit gerakkan tapi Apit kata 'tenuin'), Sotong, Bumble (bunny), Edi (the elephant with eyes open) dan Eli (the elephant with eyes closed yang pakai baju tu). Kawan-kawan Apit tu sume tido kat sebelah Apit malam-malam. Apit selalu cakap kat Ibu...susunkan kawan-kawan Apit. Kalau Ayah tak pegi Iran, tak pegi Egypt, Apit cakap Ayah susunkan kawan-kawan Apit. Pastu Apit selimutkan dia. Kadang-kadang Ayah Ibu buat-buat tido tak nak susunkan kawan-kawan Apit. Apit nangis Apit ngantuk nak susun sendiri.

Ok la Atuk, Wan, Atuk Salih dan Nenek, Apit nak tido dulu ni. Good nite...jumpa lagi.

Fine Fun Friday

We started our Friday morning at Mirdiff Park. It has become a weekly activity for Malaysians in UAE to come here for recreations. Here, they come to play volleyball or tennis, and the kids would choose soccer. (Hubby's in that green and yellow T-shirt).

The mothers can spend time jogging or simply accompanying their kids at the children playground. This was my first time coming here (and second time for hubby). We'd wanted to come here to join the activities long before this but just couldn't do so. Alhamdulillah, it did materialise today. Along, Ain and Apit were having fun at this playground.

Not to forget, there's also another interesting activity going on here among Malaysians every Friday. Don't be surprised if you find the selling of nasi lemak, nasi kerabu, nasi goreng kampung, mee goreng and karipap here he he...So, we had a delicious brunch of nasi kerabu and karipap that day, the homemade recipe from one cek mek molek Kelate Mas, delicious of course...Along tak cukup satu nasi kerabu...sedaap giler Along kata he he. Since the nasi kerabu sedap giler, it finished before I could snap the picture of it. Next week probably will take photo of it (Mas, buat lagi nasi kerabu, pleaseee...) :-)

Sambil makan nasi kerabu sedap Mas tu dan bersembang-sembang, banyak pula kapal terbang yang dok melintas atas kepala. This park is near to Dubai International Airport. Managed to capture the pic of this Emirates latest edition of AirBus A380. I wish I can fly in this two-storey airplane (err tapi kapal terbang 2 tingkat ni terbang ke Malaysia ke tak..).

The same Friday evening, we attended a farewel makan-makan event for a Malaysian who's coming back for good. The gathering was held at a Malaysian senior's house at At Twar 3 - can be said as a 'favourite' hang out place for any makan-makan gathering here.

While the mothers were busy in the kitchen, the men performed Maghrib prayer.

I brought bread pudding to complement much, much more delicious Malaysian delicacies served - nasi ayam, nasi tomato with dalca gravy and masak ayam merah, laksa asam and a few other desserts - all homemade ones. The nasi ayam, nasi tomato and laksa asam can jual one, I tell you...hi hi..

The video session followed the eating session. We were full that night Alhamdulillah...but still we were packed with the leftover food. Thank you daun keladi... :-)

When Ibn Battuta Came To Dubai

Did Ibn Battuta come to Dubai? No, he didn't. However, as a famous 14th century Arab (Moroccan) traveler and adventurer, he is very much remembered in Dubai. Thus, our visit to Ibn Battuta Mall recently has not only answered some of my curiosity but most important of all, my kids - Along, Ain and Apit got to learn about this great Muslim explorer in an entertaining way.

Along, Ain and Apit were enjoying themselves at Ibn Battuta Mall - the only shopping mall where you can view historical icons, learn facts about Ibn Battuta the traveler, and combines education and entertainment under one roof. By coming here, our kids could, in a way, learn that Ibn Battuta was a man of great vision and strong Islamic values. It is the first ever shopping complex inspired by an individual's life six centuries after he embarked on his renowned journey.

Being the world's largest themed shopping mall, it consists of six themed courts namely, Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China – which are named after the six regions that Ibn Battuta explored. Each region is reflected in the architecture and theme of the mall’s six courts. These courts strongly project the historical and cultural richness of this Arabian icon’s life which, in a way, is hoped to give an inspiration to all those who visit.

We captured this at Egypt court. Magnificent, isn't it?

Laa...ni sapa pula ambil gambar Ayah, Ibu dan Apit dari belakang ni...??

Since it is a large and long mall, we didn't manage to explore all the six courts at one round...tiring. We missed China and Andalusia courts which are located at both ends of the mall. We will surely make another visit here next time.

Ain was crying that we didn't allow her to be in that Sky Dubai. We did promise Along, Ain and Apit that the next time we come here, we will be flying in that yellow hot air balloon.

Glad that there is a shopping mall here where we do not only get the entertainment (for me window shopping, of course...) but also education. Thus, one of the the mall's targets to provide edutainment seems to be right.