Of all the things we did last weekend...

Thursday (May 28th) - Hubby landed in DXB in the afternoon. Dubai Airport Expo was our destination for the night. There was a Grand Book Sale and we wouldn't want to miss the book fair like last year. At the basement car park, we sensed something was amiss as the car couldn't start after several times trying. Hubby gave me the kind of look that I could understand right away. Y-e-s, I did not start the engine while he was away...not even once since he left for Tehran five days ago! The comfort of being in an air-conditioned room made me so lazy to come down to the car park to start the engine, as hubby told me to, especially during this hot summer. (It's not a valid reason though as the car park is only at the basement...). He was staring at me again. I met his gaze and I dropped it....not because I was shy but because I knew I was guilty! Needn't be defensive, I admit it was my fault. I'm sooooo sorry Yang. Will you forgive me...??? ;-)

Friday (May 29th) - Things became worse when all car rental shops were close on Fridays and workshops were only open after Friday prayer. All our plans had to be replanned with certain activities had to be cancelled. We planned to join MY UAE activities at Safa Park this morning but it had to be cancelled including the order we'd placed for mee tomyam and chicken rice. If not for the important meeting (MY UAE EGM) that hubby had to attend at 4.00 pm today, he wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere. He was just not in the mood...worrying about the car and wondering what could go wrong as we had just changed the car alternator and battery not long but just two months ago. At the same time, anticipating the threat of having to have the untimely big hole in his pocket...sigh...

That evening, a cab sent us to MATRADE (Malaysia Trade Centre), the place where the meeting took place. I accompanied him in order to give moral support especially when he was in the midst of a 'headache' regarding the car, other than to give moral support to MY-UAE itself. Luckily, hubby could hide his worry throughout the meeting. Well, he had to. Being the acting Secretary, he had to be all ears in order to be able to take the minutes. It wasn't just any ordinary meeting okay, it was an Extra Ordinary Meeting held purposefully to approve the draft of the constitution of MY-UAE.

Saturday (May 30th) - Alhamdulillah it was a Saturday...which meant all car rental shops were open and therefore, we could go to the destinations we'd planned...which also meant hubby could send our car to the workshop. No wrongly put, our car could be sent to the workshop. It couldn't start at all even after three times being jump started. So, the car was towed to the workshop at Umm Ramool.

With the car rented, we proceeded with our plans...first, a potluck lunch at Arabian Ranches. Due to the car problem, our intention to cook and bring soto ayam to the potluck lunch turned out to be plucking some grapes and 'baking' Tiramisu at Spinneys supermarket. Syukur Alhamdulillah and thanks a zillion to the generous host for the delectable prawn meals made from some fresh prawns that swam all the way from kolam peliharaan terbaik di dunia in Saudi to Dubai.

Right after lunch, we sent Along to her classmate's swimming pool birthday party at Al Wasl and then headed straight to the Grand Book Sale at Dubai Airport Expo - the place where I told hubby by hook or by crook, come rain or shine, we should go this time hihi...(since we missed one last year). Yesss!! Alhamdulillah we made it this time and look what we'd managed to grab here...

It cost me just 60 dhs to get five books of Jeffrey Archer! (when the usual price for each is about 42-49 dhs old or new). It's really worth coming to this book sale for those who love collecting books/novels of their favourite author. Nasib baik tak sempat pegi the non-fiction section, kalau tak mesti lagi shopping buku tak hengat...

Too bad I only managed to explore the fiction section since hubby dah mencuit to leave the place as we had to fetch Along from the birthday party. Most importantly, we had to return the car by 7.30 pm before the car rental shop closed. If closed before we reached, that would cause hubby having to waste money paying for another four days since he would be leaving for Tehran again early the next morning.

Facebook maniac...??

If the word 'maniac' only refers to 'a person who has an extremely strong desire or enthusiasm for something', then I would dare to call myself a Facebook maniac at the moment. But if it brings the meaning of *'a person who has an extremely strong desire or enthusiasm for something, to an extent that other people think is NOT NORMAL', then I'm not! ha ha ha...

To be frank, I've been more easily accessible at Facebook since the last couple of weeks, as compared to my blog or emails. Too bad that I just couldn't balance my leisure time between facebooking and blogging just like my SIL and a few other friends did. I'm telling myself that I should improve on this, ok.

I will still blog as I need some non-human channel to pour out my feelings, my heart, my mind, my thoughts...to keep me sane and this is it.

This FB craze did not leave me for nothing. I got to be in touch with many long lost, old friends in Msia, UAE and also other parts of the world (especially those who are currently struggling their way towards getting a doctorate). What makes you hooked up to this is that the moment you send a message, you'll get a reply/replies within seconds, sometimes from several friends at the same time.

Through this FB, I also got to know that...when I envy those friends who are currently doing their Phd overseas (because I do not know if ever I have that opportunity too hmm..), to my surprise, they envy me too! (not all). Hmm this cikgu tidak bergaji is being envied ke...hmm...

p/s - To friends who asked, you can reach me at FB by keying in 'Ziela Salih' and country 'Dubai, UAE'. (Sorry friends, lambat inform)

* Taken from Oxford University Press

I'm proud to say this...

Tidak ada guru yang tidak bangga bila membaca puisi hasil karya Allahyarham Usman Awang ini...

Guru O Guru

Berburu ke padang datar

Dapat rusa belang kaki

Berguru kepala ajar

Ibarat bunga kembang tak jadi

Dialah pemberi paling setia
Tiap akar ilmu miliknya
Pelita dan lampu segala
Untuk manusia sebelum menjadi dewasa.

Dialah ibu dialah bapa juga sahabat
Alur kesetiaan mengalirkan nasihat
Pemimpin yang ditauliahkan segala umat
Seribu tahun katanya menjadi hikmat.

Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa
Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta
Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara
Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia
Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara
Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka
Jika hari ini siapa saja menjadi dewasa;
Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa
Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.

Di mana-mana dia berdiri di muka muridnya
Di sebuah sekolah mewah di Ibu Kota
Di bangunan tua sekolah Hulu Terengganu
Dia adalah guru mewakili seribu buku;
Semakin terpencil duduknya di ceruk desa
Semakin bererti tugasnya kepada negara.
Jadilah apa pun pada akhir kehidupanmu, guruku
Budi yang diapungkan di dulang ilmu
Panggilan keramat "cikgu" kekal terpahat
Menjadi kenangan ke akhir hayat

Usman Awang, 1979

Yes, this is not the only poem exists concerning teachers...but this is the most moving of all. I've 'fallen in love' at first sight when I first came across this poem years ago. More than words can explain how I feel everytime I'm reading it.

May 16 - Happy Teacher's Day to all my friends out there and all teachers wherever you are. I'm really glad and thankful that I am still being remembered despite being far, far away from my homeland. Thanks for all the HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY messages I've received through sms from my (ex) Boss, a non-teacher close friend, two ex-students (Fariza & Rifa'at from USIM, thanks dear!), a colleague and not forgetting from my other colleagues and friends through Facebook.

As I said before, I may not be a very good teacher but when I'm being remembered, it does tell me something...

p/s - ...and I'm proud to say that I AM a TEACHER.

May 5 - She got a bump on her head on her 8th birthday!

Apit spilt some water on the floor. Wasting no time, he ran to get some tissue papers before Ibu chewed him out. Ain was on her way to get some snacks from the fridge. The moment I turned to warn her of the spilt water, she was already lying on the floor. Her head hit the floor and she cried in pain.

Panic-stricken, I smacked Apit on his hands for causing Ain to fall on the spilt water. But I didn't help Ain to get on her feet, I scolded her instead for being careless. I knew I shouldn't have done those and I felt very, very guilty! Pity Apit. I took Ain in my arms, kissed her and rubbed her head. Who doesn't feel worried when her child falls and hits her head on something hard. I was very worried especially when her father was not around...what if something bad happened...

Within 24 hours, I watched her closely for any sign of fever or vomitting. Alhamdulillah none except for a swelling at the back of her head. Hubby said tuam that swelling part just like our mother did when we were small, so I did. She was absent from school the next day as she was still complaining of the pain at the back of her head and dizziness. But only one day...the following day, she had to come to school as it was her birthday. Furthermore, Ibu had prepared something for her to share with classmates on her special day.

Ain when she was 3 1/2 years old. With a very fair skin, didn't she look like an Amoi?

This Amoi is now eight years old. She was called Amoi since baby especially by her grandmother and aunties because she looked very much like anak Cina. Luckily she was born at Pusat Rawatan Islam (Az Zahrah, BBB), if she was born at Hospital Kajang, we would surely have thought that we had mistakenly taken an anak Cina from the hospital nursery...

For Ain's birthday, these are what Ibu had prepared for her to share with her classmates and class teacher.

Goodie bags with snacks and balloons inside. Strictly no chocolates with traces of peanuts included.

Ain's classmates and teacher said Ibu's first homemade choc chips muffins were delicious...auuwww!

Our eight-year-old Nura'ain Nabilah memang suka bergaya...

Ibu dan Ayah doakan Ain akan menjadi anak yang sholehah dan membanggakan Ayah dan Ibu.

p/s- While Ibu was in the OT, anxiously but excitedly, welcoming Ain to come into this world, Ibu didn't know that Ayah had experienced a suspenseful story while waiting outside the OT!! Check it out here.

On This First AGM of My-UAE Pro in Dubai

I've attended several AGMs (Annual General Meeting) or Mesyuarat Agung before. Mesyuarat Agung Persatuan Penduduk, Mesyuarat Agung PIBG sekolah and what not...but nothing like this AGM of My-UAE Pro (the society of Malaysians in the UAE). This AGM that was held at MATRADE (Malaysian Trade Centre) in Dubai on the 1st of May last Friday was neither too formal nor too informal. One thing for certain, it was...meriah!. And this was my first time ever attending AGM abroad.

A few pics of that event...

First from left: The former President of My-UAE Pro was giving a speech; 2). Pengerusi tetap -Prof Dr Rani in his welcoming speech; 3). Consulate General - Tn Syed Hasrin giving a few words; 4). The three ladies in scarves - Kak Aishah (the wife of the former President), Zaida (green) - the 'second' lady and Suraya (black) - our new First Lady hehe...; 5). Proses pengiraan undi sedang berlangsung dengan disaksikan pemerhati-pemerhati tidak rasmi; the biggest pic - Refreshment time, while waiting for the results of the newly elected exco members to be announced (ada nasi lemak sedap...).

The newly elected exco members of My-UAE Pro 2009/2010

2nd from left: Tn Hj Affandi (red) - our new President, Clinton Ooi, KP, Haza Hilmy (ehh dear hubby pun ada...!), Firdaus, Ms Chan, Putri, Rozana, Afza (Treasurer), Yusree (Secretary), Imran (Vice President), Hasnoal, Mushil and Nik.

To all exco members: Congratulations and selamat menjalankan kewajipan kepada agama, bangsa dan negara. Semoga My-UAE Pro semakin proaktif bawah pucuk pimpinan baru.

p/s - Yang, even though you used to be the exco member of our Persatuan Penduduk before, and used to be the President of Malaysian Students of Sacramento, CA long time ago, this one could be different and could have different challenges. I just hope that you can give your very best and do it sincerely, ok Yang.

Swine Flu - Circular To Parents

Along and Ain brought home this circular from school yesterday. Although this is just a note of caution following the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and US, this pandemic disease has got victims in other countries as well such as Germany, Costa Rica and Austria.

There's no such case reported in Dubai yet but it's quite alarming when this circular issued by the school where our children are studying, especially when there are just too many expats in Dubai including those coming from the two badly infected countries.

Just want to share the important piece of information contained in the circular:

We parents can help educate our own children by taking these common sense measures to prevent against infection, as stated in the circular:
* Wash your hands frequently.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue upon coughing and sneezing.
* Use appropriate gel or foam hand sanitizers (As most food courts at many Dubai shopping malls do not provide sinks to wash hands, I'll make sure that I will not forget to include hand sanitizer in my handbag apart from lipstick and lip gloss).
* Stay away from work or public transportation if unwell.
* Avoid people who might be infected.

The circular also warns parents of a suspected case of Meningitis in a Dubai school (though not yet confirmed by the Health Authority). So, those parents whose child has not received a vaccine for the past 3 years are advised to get their child a Meningitis A&C shot.

As far as I know, none of my children has taken such an injection because if I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong), in Malaysia it is not included in the series of injections that a baby has to get especially in a government clinic. Now I understand why some private clinics, while we were in Malaysia, strongly advised parents to get their baby an injection for Meningitis.

Bekwoh Gulai Kawah di padang pasir

I've heard of gulai kawah before, I know it's a Kelantanese dish but I'd never seen or tasted it. When I heard there would be a bekwoh gulai kawah in this desertland, I surely wouldn't want to miss the opportunity of seeing and tasting it.

For this gulai kawah, we came all the way from Dubai to another emirate of the UAE, that was Ajman, on Friday last week. Gulai kawah was not the sole purpose, the main reason of going there was actually to attend a farewell ceremony of our My-UAE Pro President (it's a Malaysian society in the UAE).

Berbekalkan dua bilah pisau pemotong serta anak-anak berbekalkan bantal-bantal busuk dan comforter, maka menujulah kami ke destinasi yang dituju. Tengok tu budak 3 orang ni kalau nak travel jauh sikit mulalah buat kereta tu macam bilik hotel bergerak. Apit siap bawa kengkawan dia Bumble (bunny) and Eddy (the blue elephant). Hmm sukahati laa...

Mr A and Mrs S's abode. Thanks so much for your hospitality. (Maaf baru perasan gambar rumah ada, gambar tuan rumah lupa nak ambil)

So, the gulai kawah together with fried chicken and fish were prepared through gotong-royong just like a kenduri back in our kampung - from cutting the meat up to serving the food. Being far away from home, it was really great watching the gotong-royong spirit among Malaysians here.

Whike the men were showing off their hidden cooking talents, the ladies were busy in the kitchen cutting fruits and kuih-muih. There were just many, many fruits and delicacies brought by other Malaysians who came. Each and everyone did not come with tangan kosong. Name it what Malaysian local delicacies that were not there - karipap, kole kacang, putu ayu, kuih koci, bubur kacang, puding jagung, agar-agar pandan, agar-agar kacang merah, kuih sagu dan seri muka - all heavenly irresistible especially for those who live abroad like us! Dapatlah hilang rindu pada kuih-muih tradisional. There were also carrot cake, puffs, donuts and chocolate cake.

At the end of the day, the serving tables were more than full with many varieties of yummilicious Malaysian dishes and delicacies. Ikan masin, petai dan jering pun ada...jangan marra...So, that's the delicious gulai kawah. Now only I know gulai kawah tastes like beef curry but a little bit sweeter and undeniably delicious.


Sesi makan-makan dan penyampaian cenderahati to Mr President and another Malaysian who are leaving for good.

These are only some of those many who turned up that night. It was real fun!

p/s- Errr what is bekwoh anyway?

It's been almost 7 years...

It had turned off automatically, unintentionally, a few times for the past few weeks. Never happened like this before. The climax of it was when smoke was seen billowing out of my laptop through the cabel port when I was online. The smoke was not that much though but enough to cause me panicked. Thank God it didn't explode! Huby was quick to turn it off. Everytime there was a problem with my laptop, I always resorted to using my kids' one. Too bad when the kids' laptop had the same problem. Arghhh...mati kutu sekejap since I couldn't watch TV online anymore, read news online, update my blog and log in FB (I did use hubby's laptop a few times when he was home to check important emails).

It's been one of my closest friends for the past seven years...since 2002. I just do not want to let it go...yet.

Pity the kids...their laptop has had only a short life span...less than a year. Hubby refused to have it repaired...at least for the time being. Good for Along and Ain as they can now give their full concentration on the coming final exam at the end of May. (But not good for their Ibu as it made her mati kutu when wasn't able to be online sob sob...).

Two days ago, hubby sent the damaged part of my laptop for repair. Alhamdulillah... this closest friend of mine can now work like normal, serve me as usual. Thanks a lot to dear hubby. ;)

As blogging keeps me sane, being unable to blog for a fortnight leaves me feeling 'not-so-sane' (not 'insane' ok!).

Apit nak masuk KG

Today is the first day of school for Along and Ain after a two-week Spring break. After a long go-back-to-sleep-after-hubby-goes-to-work, my early morning duties started as usual today. Apart from preparing Along and Ain's breakfast and lunchboxes, hubby and I had extra duties this morning...waking up Apit, bathing him and preparing his milk. Apit's going to school today yeayy!! No, not schooling yet but our little boy is sitting for his assessment test for KG at 8.30 am this morning. We took him to Raffles IS because he had an interview session as a requirement for admission to KG. As a mother, I was worried as if he was sitting for a big exam hi hi...Bukannya apa risau gak mana la tau Teacher tanya in English dia bantai jawab dalam BM ikut sukahati dia...like he sometimes do at home hmm...Lagipun masih banyak English vocabs yang Apit belum tau even though he already knows ABC until Z in both capital letters and small letters, and 123 until 10.

Nampaknya kerisauan Ibu Apit tak berasas. Apit steady je, Ibu dio pulak yang lobih. Apit was very excited sketching, colouring and trying to write any alphabet that he knows and even trying to write his own name while waiting for Ayah filling up some forms (even though what came out was 'AFOFI' instead of 'AFIQ' he he...apa-apa je la..). When the Teacher called him to go to the assessment room, he held the female teacher's hand and was ever willing to follow her without bothering his worrying Ibu.

After more than half an hour, Apit was returned to us by the Teacher. We were expecting a very worried or crying face of Apit after not seeing his father and mother for more than 30 minutes tapi muka Apit selamba je, excited je he he...We curiously asked him, "Teacher tanya apa?" Apit kata, "Teacher ajar main toys, pastu Teacher tanya ABC dengan 123 until 5." "Alaa Apit lupa la nak cakap I don't know masa Teacher tanya Apit tak tau nak jawab"...

Nails In The Fence

Got this piece from a friend, an ex-coursemate through an email. I just like this...

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally, the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. But It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound will still be there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Remember that friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us."

*If only, there's no hole at all in the fence...

March 20th - Groove & Grind at JBH

Never did I imagine that I would step my foot at a famous five-star hotel in Dubai. If not for the annual dinner organized by the company hubby is attached to, it would still remain an imagination. My family and I were actually there at Jumeirah Beach Hotel to attend the dinner.

That was our first time at this wave-shaped hotel, so we were like total strangers looking for the place the dinner was held and a prayer room. In no time, the hotel staff approached us and showed us the way. Since it was near Maghrib, we headed for the prayer room first. We felt so welcome although we knew it that this was 'not our place'. With the extravagant hospitality shown by the hotel staff, it is no wonder that Jumeirah Beach Hotel has been voted ‘Best Resort Hotel in the World’ by readers of Business Traveller Magazine, UK, 2001-2008.

Themed 'Groove & Grind' in the 50s and 60s, hubby, the kids and I were trying our best to fit ourselves into the theme. We did not dress to the teeth, we just made do with what we already had. Hubby and Apit were in checked shirts with the sleeves rolled up whereas Along and Ain were in dresses with leggings and hair bands. Me, with ala-ala Saloma style but of course with my head scarf on.

Although we came a bit late, that was not a reason for us not to have fun. With Elvis' songs filling the air together with 70s and 80s nostalgic songs, the night was so lively. We had a blast (but we did not dance though, we just watched). The food was a variety ranging from Japanese to Indian to Arabic food and yummiliciously good of course. What made it so special is that the place we had dinner is overlooking another famous five-star luxury hotel - Burj Al Arab. It looks so near from that open grassy beach of Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Burj Al Arab is one of the most photographed structures in the world. Your stay in Dubai is considered not complete if you yourself haven't been photographed with Burj Al Arab as the background he he...Let's feast our eyes on this stunningly beautiful Burj Al Arab. Very interestingly, at night its colours change every few minutes as it is illuminated by choreographed lighting representing water and fire.

If Sydney is famous for its Opera House and Paris with the Eiffel Tower, Burj Al Arab is an iconic or symbolic structure for Dubai. Designed to resemble a billowing sail, Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It's the world's tallest hotel which characterizes itself as the world's only "7-star" property.

Although we didn't bring back any SONY Bravia LCD or a SONY home theatre set for the lucky draw prize, we were happy as we were full and really had fun.

Of the soft palate and the hard palate and the tip of the tongue etc. etc...

I thought I wouldn 't have to hear these linguistic terms of Phonetics and Phonology anymore...on how to articulate these letters and those letters and all. I thought when I had to deliberately practice moving the right and left jaw up and down to produce a certain sound etc. etc. in my Oracy class long, long time ago during my matriculation years, that was the end of it. No more after this. When we had to carefully practise touching the tip of the tongue to the soft palate and hard palate or putting the tip of the tongue between the plates of the top two incisors etc. etc. in Dr IH's class during uni years long time ago, I thought that was more than enough (pllleeaeseeee). The fact that he's indeed a very good and knowledgeable lecturer did little to help to reduce the migraine that I often had after his every lecture he he...especially the part when we had to give the linguistic description of how certain letters were articulated. Luckily, in the inroduction class of that thing with Mr J Fitzpatrick, I'd never had any magraine not only because I adored him so much but because the things studied were still less technical.

After so many years, never did I imagine I would have to study these linguistic terms again. But the fact is I am now learning it. Of course not the same subject but the same linguistic terms which I came across in the book Part 1 have already given me some kind of phobia (he he...). However, since I am now learning it for a good reason, a very, very good purpose, I am sure that The Almighty will be helping me all the way through the process as long as I have the sincere will to continue learning. Not only for my life at present but also for the life after this. It's not merely a linguistic class, it's more than that....

Having missed the first sessions of book Part 1, I have no choice but to do extra work on my part. I guess I have to stop mumbling now as I need, I repeat, I need to study book Part 1 as well as Part 2 for tomorrow's class (hmm like good hi hi...). So that, I don't have to unnecessarily get the jitters when I have to sit beside the teacher and read. (Now I know exactly how my students felt having to sit near me and read or present their part for the oral test). If that sweet soft-spoken teacher reads what I'm writing (which I don't think so...???), she must be smiling knowing how I feel he he...

Fri (Feb 6th) - Hang Loose and Kick Back at Island Escapade `09

Everyone seemed to be full of anticipation of the Island Escapade `09 - a family day from Malaysians for Malaysians in the UAE. As early as 7.00 am, Malaysians were seen waiting patiently at the jetty for a boatride to take us all to the neighbouring Palm Island, UAQ. Those who didn't stay overnight at Palma Beach Resort were among the early birds. The guest of honour, our ambassador Dato' Yahya and Consulate General Syed Hasrin, were among those riding the early boat.

While we who were putting up there at the resort taking our own sweet time snapping pictures...

Along, Ain and Apit couldn't wait for the boatride.

Even if it is a 10-15-minute boatride, safety jackets are a must...

Our hotel room seen from the boat. It's like a double-storey townhouse in which the first and second floors are occupied by two different families. What's special here is that each room is allocated an exclusive parking space right in front of the door.

Among the activities...

Reminiscing some 28-29 years ago, I took part in the traditional game galah panjang. It was so exciting although we lost...it's not the prize but the fun that matters.

The kids may have never heard of galah panjang, but they were not bad at all. By just listening to the instructions given, they coud understand the game. Along enjoyed playing galah panjang for the first time in her life. Her team got second place.

Knee injury forgotten, hubby took part in champion ball (it's like netball for men). His team also got second place.

Queuing up for food ration for lunch.

It was like our school years when we were all divided into four houses - white, yellow, red and blue - colours of Jalur Gemilang for sure. Penat bermain, rehat kejap sambil tolong Kak L and hubby touched up our house flag - Yellow The Champ.

Sukan, sukan juga, kewajipan sebagai seorang Muslim tetap tidak dilupakan. It was Friday so, the men had their Friday prayer at the beach...a sight that we would never be able to see in Malaysia.

I also took part in medley relay together with 5 other members...the event that saw me accidentally flying like a superman in the sand...(I wonder if anyone's lens managed to capture me in that rare action he he...)...which had caused my team, that almost won, lost in the game.


Sorry friends but I'm proud that it's the sportsmanship of the teamwork that matters most.

Hubby in tug-of-war is nothing new. His team was the champ, the strongest of them all...yeay!!

But, me in tug-of-war...is the sight that my students would kill to see ha ha ha...!!

Small kids looked so cute in this tug-of-war. Judging from their faces, they were enjoying it including Along.

Prize giving ceremony...except for tug-of-war, Along got 1st prize for dodge ball and medley relay, and 2nd for galah panjang.

Hubby was the champ for tug-of-war






...and 2nd place for champion ball.

Since events for kids below 7 years old were cancelled due to a certain reason, each and every kids from the age of 7 and below got a prize each. Good news for Apit and Ain. Apit was seen queuing up for the prize. So cute he he...

Tired...but satisfied and happy. Ready to go home...anticipating body and muscle aching in one or two more days...hi hi

p/s- Sekalung ucapan tahniah buat semua AJK my-UAE pro terutama kepada Island Escapade Project Director dan semua orang2 kuat my-UAE pro atas kejayaan projek ini. Very well organised!

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.