10 Revealing Facts About Me...

It's not the award that matters, it's the thought that counts. Thanks so much Eiyda, I really appreciate this. Yup, it has long been overdue but the things I have to answer here are still and will always be relevant...as they are all about me and no one but me.

The rules to receiving this award are:

1. Copy the badge above and paste it in your blog.

2. Tell about the person who has given you this award. In my case, it's Eiyda, the sweet lovely lady whose Laksam Kelate yummmm...you can never resist!

3. As this award will never be given for free, you will have to state 10 hobbies/facts about you.

4. You have to choose 10 other blogger friends to be the next recipients for this award and name them here.

5. Visit the next recipients' blogs and tell them that they have been tagged.

In this case, this tag has long been overdue therefore, I don't intend to pass it to my other blogger friends. I'm afraid it stops here.

So now I'm disclosing myself in these 10 facts about me...

1). I'm the sixth out of eight siblings.

2). Was born in Malacca, my kampung is Kuala Sg Baru, Malacca, grew up and parents' house in Port Dickson, N.S. Never have a Kelantanese blood but on several occasions, people have somehow mistaken me as a Kelantanese at first sight...Pasir Mas to be specific! (still wondering why...???)

3). Wear a wrist watch on my right wrist. My other half also wears a watch on his right wrist...what a coincidence!

4). Dislike perfume. The smell can cause me a headache. Luckily, my other half can't stand perfume too! I would choose baby cologne for it has a soft and sweet smell.

5). Love reading novels both in English and BM. For BM novels, I would choose the female authors however, for English novels, the male authors will always be my choice.

6). Cannot live without teh tarik. By 10.00 am, if I still haven't got teh tarik, I tend to get a headache he he...It started as just a joke amongst my colleagues but has somehow turned out to be a reality.

7). Am always impressed with bilinguists - individuals who are EQUALLY proficient in both English and BM and can do code switching very smoothly. Paling bengang dengan orang Melayu yang tak 'gheti' cakap Melayu.

8). My main weakness - procrastination.

9). Choose to be quiet when angry or upset.

10). May sometimes appear to be a reserved person when in a small group conversation. I'm more an observer than a talker. However, I will turn out to be a 'somewhat different person' when talking in front of an audience. I like public speaking. Always took parts in competitions that have something to do with public speaking when I was in a primary school as well as in a secondary school. (Tapi tak la terrer mana pun. Achievement paling tinggi pun setakat tempat ke 3 peringkat negeri je). At this age, no more public speaking competitions for me. At this age, I've always liked the honour of being the MC/emcee. By profession, English has always been my medium but being the MC, so far it has always been in BM (and pantun has always been my trademark). Seems like now in Dubai I have to 'bersara sekejap' from this thing that I so enjoy doing. I really like it when I can charm an audience with my words.

p/s - Eiyda, sorry for not being able to do the other tag as it is about new year, and I feel it's too late for me already.

My Guts Brought Me Here...Sahara Centre

Despite keeping my fingers crossed praying for a speedy recovery of my father, I am aware that our life here has to go on. I cannot just stay at home worrying myself away.

With that in mind, the kids and I made our presence at Sumaiyyah's birthday party held at Adventureland, Sahara Centre last Thursday night. I was bound to turn down the invitation due to my usual reasons. However, Sumaiyyah's mom is a person who does not take "my husband is not around or we have no transportation" as reasons not to give her sincerest invitation to us to join in the fun. Her insistence had made me change my preconception of not going anywhere whenever hubby was not around. Probably it's not too much to say that her sincerest invitation had melted my heart. Furthermore, Sahara Center is a shopping mall and it's easy to get a taxi to and from any shopping malls as compared to other places. That made me confident to go there with my kids especially when hubby had given me a green light through sms.

I'd never been to Sahara Centre before. When I googled Sahara Centre, this pic appeared. Its appealing ambience seems to be welcoming. Moreover, it is a shopping mall and it is Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) now!!! ha ha ha...At last, I succumbed to the temptations to go there.

Started operating 7 years ago, who would have believed that it was once standing in the middle of a desert.

This Adventureland is like an indoor Genting Highlands with many thrilling rides and games that children surely can't resist and parents will surely have a hole in their pockets. Most interestingly, it is the largest indoor family entertainment centres not only in UAE but also in the Middle East.

Before heading to this Adventureland, the kids and I looked for a prayer room for our Maghrib prayer because we left the house after Asar around 4.45pm. It took us 45 minutes before we managed to get a taxi because it was peak hour and almost all taxi drivers tried to avoid to go to Sharjah area at that hour due to the heavy traffic jam. Luckily, there was a good samaritan still willing to take us there.

Sumaiyyah with her sweet mommy, Shiela.

After performing Maghrib prayer, we saw a large Toys 'R' Us on the way to the Adventureland. It was just nice as we hadn't bought any birthday present yet for Sumaiyyah. I really didn't know that there's a Toys 'R' Us in UAE. I met a few other friends who were also looking for presents. Then, we headed straight to the room where Sumaiyyah's birthday party was held. This two-year-old cute little Sumaiyyah seemed not to be aware of what was going on around her although it was her party he he he...

Along and Ain were enjoying themselves with other friends in the games carried out even though they looked a bit too shy as they were not used to attending such a birthday party. There were more than 20 children altogether - boys and girls.

Apit and little Sumaiyyah. They are just friends, no gossiping ok...he he

Anak sapakah yang chumel ini...?

After the games and and eating session, the children were released to the castle playground in the adjoining room. Along, Ain and Apit were really making the most of it as their requests to be playing in the castle playground at Berjaya Times Square have always fallen on our deaf ears. I was really happy to see them happy.

Before the party ended, each children was given a voucher and an Adventurecard each. A voucher is for one free ride and the card values 20 dhs which can be used at anytime and reloaded once finished. Woww...thank you soooo much Sumaiyyah, Auntie Shiela and Uncle Ma'ju for giving us all those...Along, Ain and Apit said happily. Since we had to leave early to catch a taxi, I told Along, Ain and Apit that the vouchers and cards could wait until their father came home from Egypt.

So, as promised that Saturday hubby drove us to Sahara Centre with a mission - to let Along, Ain and Apit use up all the vouchers and cards to enjoy the rides, and also to let Ibu window shopping and/or shopping (hari tu tak sempat kann kena balik awal he he...the 40%, 50% discounts seolah memanggil-manggil...).

There was this acrobatic show or something...

Along had wanted so much to ride this Adventure Train and asked Ibu to accompany her since Ain didn't dare to and Apit was too small. At last, her father was on the train with her. (Jangan cakap orang, sebenarnya Ibu pun tak berani hi hi...)

Ain and Apit wanted to have a ride on this Barnstormer. It looked okay and not frightening, so all the five of us enjoyed it. Real fun...should try it again next time.

Along asked permission to try this Tidal Wave and a roller coaster. Hohoho...tada berani ooo...So, no Tidal Wave and no roller coaster.


After all the fun rides, Along, Ain and Apit tried their hands at some of the games. Here, we don't have to slot in coins, instead just swipe the Adventurecard at the machines. Ayah also tried his shooting skills he he...

We had so much fun at Sahara Centre. Ayah and Ibu were really happy to see Along, Ain and Apit overjoyed with the joyous experience there. (Ibu could be happier if could grab a pair or two pairs of blouse or shoes...too bad tak sempat juga ish...).

My father, without a...

Jan 28 - My father was transferred to Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban in an ambulance.
Jan 29 - He had to undergo a surgery for a diabetic foot ulceration or sepsis that he's been suffering from for the past few weeks (or months). It was a minor one though as the doctor just wanted to remove the pus produced on the infected part on his right toes.
Jan 30 - He looked more cheerful than he was for the past few days although still dehydrated. If anything went well, he could be discharged tomorrow. I was relieved.
Jan 31 - He texted to say thanks to Along, Ain and Apit for 'writing' the long warkah for him. Apparently, their Mak Ngah had printed it and passed it over to him to read in the ward. Couldn't imagine how he must've felt when reading it...
Feb 1 - No sign he would be discharged today.
Feb 2 - My eldest brother texted me telling that father would have to undergo a second surgery. It seemed that the first one wasn't enough for father's present conditon. But this time, I was told that he didn't sound as worried as he was before the first surgery. Probably, he was mentally prepared now. - Angah texted saying father looked healthy after the surgery and had the appetite to eat. Alhamdulillah.
Feb 3 - I texted my father asking his condition today and when he would be discharged from the hospital. He said he didn't know yet, probably tomorrow...Really hope so. He sounded so optimistic.

One thing’s for certain, my father will be leaving the hospital without a toe on his right foot.

Warkah buat Atuk (kat wad Hosp Sban)

Assalamualaikum Atuk,

Harap Atuk dan Nenek sihat walaupun Along, Ain n Apit tau Atuk tak berapa sihat sekarang ni.

Kat Malaysia sekarang ni tengah cuti sekolah Chinese New Year kan? Kalau kat Malaysia, time cuti panjang macam ni mesti Ayah dan Ibu bawa kita pegi cuti-cuti Malaysia...ke Penang, Kelantan n Terengganu, Cameron Highlands, Bukit Merah, Kuantan rumah Pak Lang, Melaka dan mana-mana la tempat menarik kat Malaysia. Tak pun, Ayah Ibu bawa Along, Ain dan Apit balik kampung je...Port Dickson atau pun Rembau. Kita seronok balik kampung. Kalau balik PD, mesti Atuk dan Nenek bawa kita breakfast roti canai kat tempat favourite Atuk Nenek - kedai Motai. Dah jadi tempat makan favourite (Apit kata 'shebet')Along, Ain, Apit dan Ayah Ibu gak. Roti canai dia best giler...sedap dan garing, Along mesti tak cukup satu hi hi. Kedai dia kat tepi pantai, best dapat tengok laut dan angin tiup kuat. Lepas makan roti canai Motai, kita selalu jalan-jalan kat tepi pantai tu, kadang-kadang mandi laut terus. Best..

Ibu kata Atuk dimasukkan ke wad hospital PD dari hari Ahad lagi, sebab kencing manis. Orang putih kata diabetes. Kesian Atuk. Kaki Atuk yang sakit hari tu makin teruk...ada nanah, darah dan berair. Ibu suruh kita doa supaya Atuk cepat sembuh. Along, Ain dan Apit serta Ayah Ibu selalu doakan untuk Atuk. Atuk tak kasi bagi tau kita kat Dubai dan Pakcik Amam n family kat Holland sebab takut kita risau. Tapi Mak Ngah selalu updatekan tentang perkembangan kesihatan Atuk kat Ibu thru sms, Atuk dan Nenek tak tau. Mak Ngah kata 2 hari lepas Atuk nampak dah segar balik lepas Doktor cuci kaki Atuk. Makan minum pun terkawal. Paras gula Atuk pun dah turun sebab Doktor dah suntik insulin 3 kali sehari. Ain tanya insulin tu apa? Insulin tu ubat la nak turunkan kadar gula dalam darah, eh betul ke? Nanti la Along google tentang insulin.

Semalam Mak Ngah sms bagi tau Atuk curi-curi makan kuih manis. Ooo Atuk naughty ehh...Doktor tak kasi makan manis Atuk makan lak. So, gula dalam darah Atuk dah naik balik dari 7 ke 16, Mak Ngah cakap. Doktor kata Atuk bila-bila masa je akan di bawa ke hospital Seremban. Atuk dah mula risau, Nenek pun susah hati. Takpa la Tuk, kat hospital besar tu kan lagi ramai doktor pakar boleh ubatkan Atuk. Nanti Atuk lagi cepat sembuh insyaAllah, Atuk jangan risau ya.

Subuh tadi, Mak Long pula sms kat Ibu kata Atuk akan dihantar ke Hospital Besar Seremban (Hospital Tuanku Jaafar) pagi ni. Mak Long suruh bagi moral support kat Atuk sebab Atuk risau sangat-sangat. Ibu pun risau. Semalam Ibu ada sms Atuk tanya kabar, baru la Atuk cakap kaki Atuk dah teruk. Pagi ni Ibu nak call Atuk tapi tak jadi sebab Ibu takut nanti Ibu meleleh. Along, Ain n Apit tak pandai nak pujuk kalau Ibu nangis. Kalau Ayah ada, Ayah boleh pujuk Ibu tapi Ayah kat Egypt lak sekarang ni. Lepas 2 hari kat Iran, Ayah terus terbang ke Egypt. Ayah cuma sempat balik sekejap je semalam untuk makan tengahari dengan Ibu n Apit (Along dengan Ain kat sekolah masa tu) sebab flight Mahan Air yang Ayah naik dari Tehran tu transit kat Dubai. Along, Ain n Apit kena faham, Ayah ada tugas. Nanti la Along, Ain n Apit cakap kat bos Jepun Ayah - Tanikawa tu jangan la bagi Ayah kerap sangat outstation. Kalau ada emergency kan susah. Tapi Ibu selalu update tentang keadaan Atuk kat Ayah thru sms kalau siang, kalau malam YM macam biasa.

Ok la Atuk, dah panjang ni. Atuk jangan risau sangat ya. Kat hospital besar tu lagi ramai doktor pakar, insyaAllah Atuk akan cepat sembuh nanti. Tahun ni Ayah Ibu kata kita balik raya kat Malaysia. Eee kita rasa tak sabar...Bila kita balik kampung bulan 9 nanti, Along, Ain n Apit gembira kalau tengok Atuk sihat macam sebelum ni. Nanti kita makan roti canai kat kedai Motai lagi ya Tuk. Kirim salam kat Nenek, Nenek pun jangan susah hati sangat. Kita selalu doa Atuk Nenek sihat. Sampai jumpa lagi...


Salam sayang dari cucu-cucu yang jauh di mata,

Along, Ain dan Apit
Dubai, UAE.

What A Rainy Night In Dubai

I've been 'absent' for almost a week. There's so much to blog about but something happened that caused me to be in a tizzy. Hubby brought the camera to Tehran hoping to capture a pic or two of the beautiful snowing Tehran...the camera with all the many pics yet to be downloaded. What frustated me was that I had planned to blog about all the pics. Although hubby had emailed the pics to me the next day, I'd lost interest to blog...there and then. Tergencat emosi sekejap he he...merajuk la lebih kurang...(Yang, I tak marah you ya, I cakap je).

So, just to warm up emosi yang dah tergencat sikit ni, just want to share a few pics depicting a rainy night in Dubai for our remembrance once we return to our homeland. It's nothing special if we're in Malaysia but it's something in Dubai as it is a desertland where rain is a very rare thing. It only falls during winter.

It feels so good to actually drive in the rain in Dubai as we've never experienced it since coming here seven months ago. There was less traffic because it was around 6.00 pm, Maghrib time. We were on our way back from a friend's house at Dubai Marina.

The famous Burj Al Arab looks so magnificent at night especially in the rain. However, this pic was taken by the not-professional-at-all photographer (...yours truly :-) ) from inside the moving car.

These twin towers have really attracted us as they resemble our world-famous twin towers in KL. So stunningly beautiful at night though we have yet to find out what building this is. This pic was captured by Along. Seems like she's after her father who loves photography.

p/s - It's CNY tomorrow. I miss the free oranges given by students.

At The Eleventh Year

Last Thursday (15.1.09), Along got out of the school bus with this big paper bag in her hands. Grinning from ear to ear, she showed the paper bag to me.

Once inside the house, I peeped inside the paper bag and these are what I found.

Presents and cards...Tickled pink, she opened one of the presents.

She received this card from her teacher and classmates. One of the presents given by one of her best friends revealed this manicure and pedicure set for children...several bottles of nail polish, nail polish base, artificial nails, nail adhesive for the artificial nails, nail brush, nail glitter, nail sticker roll, and what not...The things that I myself have never paid much attention on but she'd always had her eye on everytime we went shopping/window shopping.

Along and Ain had a good time trying on the new manicure and pedicure set. Quite honestly, these things have never really attracted my attention but to these girls...Well, girls nowadays...

Ain and Apit say Happy 11th Birthday Along!!!

Along was really in seventh heaven when Ayah and Ibu presented her with this birthday present...which she had always hinted that many of her classmates already have a pair.

To our dearest eldest daughter, Nurlina Khalidah bt Haza Hilmy, Ayah and Ibu wishes you many happy returns on your 11th birthday. May this eleventh year gives you more maturity and sense of responsibility. May you be a very good daughter, sister, grandaughter, student and a wholesome person in the future. May success always be with you in your academic, in your life, in your future. Ameen...

Honey + Lemon

Thanks to all the well-wishers, my concerned friends. Thank you so much for your prayers. Due to your kind prayers, I'm now back blogging. The headache, the muscular aches and pains have subsided but I'm still not feeling myself yet. I'm still left with coughings and a sore throat which are about to subside too.

As expected, some have presumed that Along, Ain and Apit might be getting an adik baby he he...How delighted hubby and me if it is true and nothing but the truth. But no...no such thing. I won't be knocked up as my protective shields are just too efficient he he...Well, unless it's "kun fayakun.." hubby and I will be more than happy.

Hey, I've just been under the weather - I've caught a cold. I didn't go to any clinic though. When hubby's not around, no way I'm going out of my shelter (unless my kids are sick). So, I've been depending on honey and lemon these few days.

Scientific research shows that by taking a spoonful of honey (with or without water) can help you get rid of the irritating phlegm when you have a cold and also sooth your sore throat. When mixed with a few drops of lemon juice, not only it tastes good but also helps reduce the flu as lemon contains a lot of vitamin C. Thanks to honey and lemon. Without them, I can't seem to shake off this persistent cough. My cold's better now. Alhamdulillah.

Honey is Allah's gift to humans and it is even mentioned in the Qur'an in surah An-Nahl. If you google 'honey' or 'madu', you'll find lots of information about the health and medical benefits of honey.