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| Wednesday, 7-May-2008 14:47 |
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Spring Again!
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When i was in Malaysia, i never actually take notice of how the day will look like in terms of weather. Not to say that i didn't appreciate the weather, but because it is so the same throughout my life there (hot + warm) , the significant is quite small 
BUT, in UK, it is so totally a different story. Leaving under an unpredicitable weather everyday, it will automatically become one of the most talked topic. I can imagine now why MAT SALLEH adore the sun very much  If you are in the country where nearly 85% percent of your life throughout the year covered in 2-3 layers of clothes  ,the sun will be appreciated These past few days, the temperature is so lovely, it has warmed up to about between 21C - 24C . Plus that daytime now is longer where the sun set is about 9.00 pm  . What more can put the smile on the face? 
When yellow bright daffodils grow everywhere eyes can see, and the trees blossoms in pink and white, we know that the spring has arrived. Although this year, daffodils came together with the snow, eventually the real spring arrives !
Last year, i remembered of 'hunting daffodils' in the park. I wanted so much to capture beautiful yellow daffodils dancing in the wind.The 'daffodil hunting' was successful, when we found a garden of daffodils in Heaton Park,We shot nice photos with Afia playing gracefully with the flowers. This year,the fascination on daffodils has dimmed a little, instead i become interested in capturing the pink flowers on the tree. I have always adore the pink flowers. Somehow i have this funny imagination of myself being showered by pink petals under that tree - alaa..macam citer jepun tuh - bila bunga sakura berguguran 
So the hunt for the pink flowers began . Two families - Sharifah's and mine went to the park nearby to the university area, where there are many lovely pink flowers on the tress. Local people call it 'the cherry blossom'. and in Japan they call it SAKURA. These flowers have a short lifespan, same as the daffodils, therefore, make sure you dont dally to take photos of these lovely nature's creation. As the flowers are quite high on the trees, we have to 'dukung' Afia for the photos.We enjoyed the 'hunt' so much, though our two little girls did not pose much with the flowers.Next time, maybe if we are still in the mood of 'spring hunting' we may hunt for a park with lots of beautiful spring flowers - just maybe
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| Thursday, 1-May-2008 09:27 |
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Hangin' Tough!!
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Doing this entry somehow makes my head echoing NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK song -Hangin' Tough
Who are they..? They are one of the famous band back in the late 80s.Those who were in their teen years then would definately know this band. I was 13 and 14 when i was dancing and echoing most days to their songs . Let me take you to that memory lane by enjoying this clip
Hahaha..hangin tough babes! Teen years..that was the time where 'worry' is not in my vocabulary, the time where important things on the mind are friends,..more friends, tea party and dancing, secret admirers ,  <------- this behaviour school???  ..Those were the days... take me back to that time...
[color=red]Somehow, all of us went through teenage years and emerging into what we are now. I'm sure we may use the phrase 'hangin tough' back then, but perhaps in not a rightful situation - more as a 'slang' -'hanging tough babes! be cool dude! ..
...but now if i whisper to myself or to Afia when she's asleep..that phrase really mean what it meant - 'hangin' tough and be brave'
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| Tuesday, 15-Apr-2008 20:15 |
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Once A Year..
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I wonder if someone's birthdate suddenly vanish from the calendar, would it be devastating? . If you don't mind that happens, then its true that you do not care about birthday,but if you do mind, that makes birthday is actually a big deal to you
We tend to be more 'control-macho' as the numbers of the age becomes bigger We say birthday is a-no-big-deal thingy But surely, deep inside, you celebrate the day in your own way I always cherish 15th of April - it is the day where i exist in this world. It is my special day. When i was a little girl to probably till my 20s, i always wait for the day with pounding heart anxiously for presents and surprises from family and friends. However as i reach my mid 20s, i cherish the day reflecting on the past years at the things that i have accomplished and looked forward to all that maybe waiting in the year ahead (and to wait and see who among the people that still remembers my birthday..hehehe)
After i knew hubby, who's birthday just a day before mine which makes him a year and a day older than me we always celebrates our day together. Takkan ada antara kami yang lupa each other's birthday Some people wonder, are we mirrored each other's behaviour as the birthdate is near well.. that's for us to know and for you to find out Anyway, this year prior to our birthdays, on the 13th, we went to dine at a HALAL restaurant called RICE. Mr April la kena belanja  They served chinese-malaysian-jamaican mix food - and i love it Anything with chinese food element, would definately get in my good book
On the 14th, i cooked for hubby,pulut kuning,rendang ayam and telur dadar. However motivated and easy people said about cake baking, i am so not into it. Its just so so lazy to even think of it. 'Pulut Kuning' is tradionally a dish by my family on birthdays. Therefore i think its good for me to carry out that tradition Last year i served it with chicken curry, still think making 'rendang' is a big deal. This year-dengan semangat kental rendang ayam pun dimasak Jeng!Jeng Rendang Ayam successfully cooked!
Its the best present i have ever given to myself for my birthday
In addition to this birthday entry, our little girl has also reach 31 Months this month (sure punyer nak enterframe gak entry ibu and papa dia ) Sudah besar anakku kalau ibu dukung, kaki Afia dah sampai lutut ibu . 31 Months little girl who is so 'manja' lentuk-lentuk ..and new facelook- kerut muka cam dalam gambar tuh - kalau marah ibu or papa, kerut muka, kerut muka..
Last but not least really thank you to families who sent us cards,friends who wishes us birthdays, and also to Zully-yg buat dedication lak kat myself in her fp-and to Zully's son alias my twin kecik-Hariz, Happy Birthday Handsome!!!
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| Monday, 7-Apr-2008 00:08 |
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'Red Devil' Stadium Visited
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'Red Devil's' stadium is re-visited by us for GOD knows how many times
And..we often made the visit with our visitors. This time, our visitors are lucky as the wall in the souvenier room which is alternately changed with different pictures of Man U, was yesterday wall-papered with Man U team . They were printed enormous. Sungguh lawa dan memikat hati.Queued with people busy snapping photos at the wall . Compared to all wallpapers i have seen, this is definately the BEST!!
Apalagi 'tuan rumah' pun sibuk 'enterframe' As told earlier, all of our photos taken in the stadium were taken with our visitors . Like 'Rombongan Cik Kiah Ke Sukan Komanwel'- this will be - 'Bawa Rombongan Cik Zie Ke Stadium Man U'
Last weekend it was Marina and the family from 'the Medieval Warwick'. Marina arrived last September in Warwick to pursue her PhD. Marina and her hubby were my juniors back then in UKM, but we were closer, as Marina and i had the same co-supervisor during our MSc.
However lawa wall-paper and regardless penat 'sengih' ibu and papa Afia, hati tak la 100% satisfied, as our little missy wouldn't tolerate even a bit. She insist not to pose, and not to even look at the camera - sungguh kelakar at the last photo- Afia rolled her eyes- acooooo- anak ku ini  Anyway, as years comes by, it is definately more merrier in UK as more and more my friends come to pursue their studies - yang pasti - tempat persinggahan ronda-ronda ada di merata UK .
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| Tuesday, 1-Apr-2008 14:42 |
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When The Clock Moves Forward...
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At 1.00 am GMT on Sunday 30 March 2008 the clocks has moved forward by an hour from Greenwich Mean Time to British Summer Time (BST). BST will be commencing starting at that date until the last Sunday in October  . For this reason, these few days, i am feeling a bit 'confuse dot bengong'.  Well it is always like this, everytime the time changes from SUMMER TIME to WINTER TIME or vice versa - nak tune kepala manyak susah, wake up at 8.00 am terkejut gila, yer lah baru last 2 days, that same time was actually 7.00 am jer tau!!
The sun is showing off its lights now - the last entry i did was on the snow that came to visit us, this week, the temperature warms up, mark that probably spring is around the corner - this is British Weather- so whenever somebody calls you a 'british weather' - you know damn well what he or she means !! You must be a truly unstable-unpredictable-mood swing person
As i mentioned in the photos, last weekend we went to visit Kina and Family at Sheffield. we had a terrific time-leisure'an' at kina's- apart from when little miss Afia 'membuat perangai comel-lote' nya with mogok-nangis the Saturday that we arrived. Afia refused to eat anything, refused to take a bath, and keep pulling our hands to go home ..Huh, my 30 months with her ever-so 'awesome perangai' On Sunday when she woke up, she was smiling all the way and having 360 degrees behaviour from the previous day.She was smiley, cheerful and playing along with her 'Abang Hadi' - Kina's son. Afia the 'British Weather'???
Uhh- and another credit in Sheffield- we got to 'mengurut' on the new massage chair in Kina's house - adushhhh semua urat ku diurut-urut-dibetul-betul-selesa bangattttttt. Masih terasa urut-urutan kerusi enak ituh!!!
Talk about time movement - time has actually witness my long friendship with Kina. It started in 1995 when we were first year in UKM. That was the time when anybody who saw kina without me, would definately have the 'soalan cepu mas' - "Kina, mana Zie?", and the same if myself without Kina, "Zie, Kina takder??".Even our lecturers used to tease us about how they have to give us same marks in the exams, afraid that if we would be unsatisfied if one have different mark than others - huh, as if!! Cheeky lecturers
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| Tuesday, 25-Mar-2008 22:09 |
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White Blanket And Daffodils
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Traditionally, daffodils are regarded as harbinger of spring. Present-day bulbs of daffodils are bursting everywhere eyes can see. BUT can we actually give up totally on winter weather? Nope, not necessarily.
We are actually in the early spring- daffodils and cherry blossoms have beautifully come out. However on Saturday the 22nd, 'hujan batu' or' hujan ais' poured so heavy.At that time i was about to cross the road on my way to buy some meat. As the wind was strong and 'hujan batu' was pouring non-stop, i only managed to cross half of the busy road, and got stuck right in the middle of it. Momentarily i was static there ,holding my head for being non-stop hit by 'hujan batu' that was madly pouring. It was OUCHHHH !!!!  Honestly i think whoever comes up with the old saying ''Hujan Emas Negeri Orang, Hujan Batu Negeri Sendiri, Lebih Baik Negeri Sendiri ' probably never experience 'hujan batu' before because if he does - i am certainly sure he will use a different types of 'hujan'
We would never imagined it would be snowy though the tempereture was rather cold. However, when i woke up Sunday the 23rd, and look out from the window- the land was full covered with white blanket.  It was so lucky for Awanis and family our friend from London who come for a visit in Manchester.Awanis's hubby never experience snow before.Opportunity ni memang sungguh bagus lah. Beria dapat posing dengan snow
Variations in early spring weather are relatively common in UK.Conditions can vary back and forth from very cold to warm. It's literally as if the atmosphere can't make up its mind between winter or spring. The next cold morning the 24th Monday, our family and Sharifah's Family, decided to keep hunting for snow near Glossop in Derbyshire. It was oly 30 minutes drive there. Glossop is a small valley at the edge of Peak District.It is surrounded with hills and known as 'kawasan tadahan snow'
Some friends who went to Glossop on Sunday, claimed Glossop was 'all white' When we went- there is still left-over snow from yeterday, the hills looks no more fully white-there's patches of melting snow everywhere, nevertheless, when photographed, the photos are still remarkably satisfying .
This is all HIS Work - we know when HE say KUN FA YA KUN - impossible will be possible, unusual will be usual . Snow can come in Spring
| Quote: | | Here, last friday the christians celebrate their Good Friday-the day their Jesus was crucified, and for us Muslims, it was Maulidur Rasul- the day Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was born |
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| Wednesday, 19-Mar-2008 07:47 |
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The Ceremony
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It has been 3 months - as written on the Yasin- since the ceremony. 'Basi' event? However, as i have just gotten the full CD showing the events' photos from a Fizah's hubby-Din who has just come back from KL, and mum has passed several things to him including the photo CD, the entry could only be created. My brother had emailed me few photos right after the event, but i thought of waiting for the full CD and look at every single photos, besides, it was also Afia's Doa Selamat Ceremony - and it was not satisfying to look only at several photos, i need each single photos taken, therefore i could feel the feeling of being there 
Originally plan was only 'Majlis Bercukur' for our new member's of the family - baby Hizqeel, but mama thought it would be even blessed if it was done together with 'Majlis Doa Selamat' - and she wanted to specially dedicated the holly ceremony to all four of her grandchildren. She told me on the phone that she had specially printed names of all her grandchildren on the Yasin - however, only after i saw the yasin's photo in zubye's blogspot (as she is our official photographer for the day) suddenly melancholy swept upon me
Definately the sense of melancholy will swept upon anybody who hasn't return HOME for almost 4 years Afia is not seen by majority of my family aside from my parents. Zubye told me that there were lots of photo frames of Afias' in many corners of the house. Perhaps as Afia is the furthest in distance compares to other grandchildren, her photos are the nearest to Afia that mama and abah could daily look at. Old saying goes ' photos speak thousand words' - but to mama and abah our photos must have said trillion times more 
Regardlessly,mama loves displaying photo frames of the family in the house - photographs are always be top on her priority - it probably runs in the blood - as my house currently also full with photo frames too .
The way i remembered my house interiorly is not as photographed. Mama must have make a lot of changes within 4 years. She does interior changes almost every year - it is one of her hobby to decorate the house The way i remembered both of my sister's children arent the same either - i left both of them when there still each 2 and 4 - in my mind they are still that pre-schooler i left - and looking at these pictures of how 'abang' Syahmi is, and how Syasya has become a pretty young lady - phewww- it is that long huh? And when i left home - the name of Hizqeel is not even in anyone's vocabulary - but now look at him - cheeky 7 months who occupy the house with many of his rattles and rhymes.
When you are far from home - moments like those are mostly missed and can never be rewind.
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| Monday, 3-Mar-2008 19:50 |
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Mother's Day
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2nd of March 2008 is the celebration of Mother's Day in UK- the day to put yorr feet up, hang the apron and be like our 'husbands'.. (surely these statements only exist in our dream ). The celebration of Mother's Day varies in different country.Last Sunday it is the celebration in UK and if i'm not mistaken- Malaysia usually celebrates it in May.
Mother's Day this year is full with excitement as i received my first Mother's Day Card from my little angel Obviously she did not write the wishes by herself and has been helped by her keyworker - however Afia did the painting by herself- an 'artistic' painting - and later the painting is being cut and shaped into flower and being pasted on a coloured paper to bring it into a card and WALLA - the card is ready for me..
The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world - is the hand that made 'you and me' - blessings on the hand of women - This is actually a poem dedicated to motherhood as the outstanding force for change in the world - So mommies do you all feel good about yourselve by reading this quote? - very influencial eh?
Here's a few quotes about moms to laugh at - our children laugh a lot in a day- we should probably try to copy their enthuisiasm and get at least few laughs a day too
"A mother who is really a mother is never free.” - ( i am already in this category )
"The phrase "working mother" is redundant" - (Ohhh ho ho - it is so so so true )
"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”
"There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.”
"Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease."
"Only mothers can think of the future - because they give birth to it in their children."
To all UK Mommies - hope all have a terrific mommy day !!
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| Thursday, 28-Feb-2008 01:45 |
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Fun Play and Learn at Nursery
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I dont believe how time flies, and in less then two weeks Afia will turn 30 months My little girl is about to leave her toddlerhood  and will soon enter her pre-schooler zone
Afia has been enrolled in a nursery / pre-school near my house. It is only twice a week- Thursday and Friday for only 2 1/2 hours- from 9.30-12.00am. We still have to pay for her nursery as free education in UK is only entitled for every 3 and 4 year old child. Education at these age is an option and majority of the parents here do take this option. The free education for this group of age should be for at least two and a half hours a day, for five days a week during normal term times. Full-time education is only compulsory from age 5.
As Afia only sees our faces 24-7 without any interference of other close relatives - she has become too clingy. We can hardly leave her with other person besides both of us - she will get weepy - she is not being friendly with other people. So, we thought it is probably a good idea to try and send her to nursery for some social development exposure
The first few sessions - Afia was being weepy and reluctant to be left at nursery. However, after Afia has been assigned with a keyworker - Afia gradually form a bond with her and become more ease at nursery. A keyworker is a member of staff who will be responsible to certain child for the initial settling-in period, The key-worker will also be responsible for keeping a developmental record and writing out your child's weekly report. However, the key-worker does not have sole charge of your child throughout the day. In the photo above showed how relaxed and comfortable Afia is with her keyworker- Jane- during their cuddle time
Surprisingly after three months at nursery, Afia has reformed her ways. She behaves more friendly and less frightened with our friends. She is more interested in playing with other children, more focus and more enggage with her toys and play activities (She's done lots of MORE ..hehehe)
I guess she really enjoy her time at nursery - especially when they let her make all of those messy paintings Wondering of what Afia is doing at nursery, i have enquired her keyworker to snap some photos of her and her activity during her session - Mak memang terlebih-lebih excited - sumer mende memang nak capture -if possible every tiny little bits-tak mo miss -this is what people called obsession with yr first born I wonder would i do the same with my next child - if there is any
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| Sunday, 10-Feb-2008 02:45 |
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Soft White Flakes
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Manchester - and to be more specific Cheetham Hill -our residency area - is probably one of the snow-proof area It is so really really hard for the snow to come and freely fall here. If only there was any, its probably just a slight shower-and by the time it reaches the ground-they melt instantly .Oddly, Manchester is in the North part of England- and cooler definately-and should get plenty of it - and in additional to that - our residence is named after a hill (Cant actually figure out why it is like that coz i didnt see any hills around here)  One of my friend jokingly said that, they are too many people eating curries in Manchester therefore it is so hot and the snow are chased away Anyway, when the news about other places in UK have been heavily covered by snow - we probably could only see drops of snow, passing by through wind Last year, there was none and personally i was a frustrated.Hey, called me a 'snow jakun' - but its probably the only obvious thing that Malaysia would never had- so coming here and staying in a snow-proof area is just sooo sooo heart-breaking 
However, last week, Saturday the 2nd of February 08 marked the event of the soft white flakes from the sky, namely snow falls QUITE heavily at our place - finally *sigh* . Therefore all of the photos showed in this entry is not, and i STRESS NOT A SUPER-IMPOSE photos . It was about 9.30 am in the morning, and Afia has just woke up and had her breakfast - and when it happened-Rizal quickly helped me to dress Afia and himself and we rushed out to catch the event - without even realising - he just quickly snatched his CAP instead of his SNOWCAP Nak kejar snow punyer pasal . Afia was really excited when the soft flakes embraced her skin
Later that morning, we went to Heaton Park for a quick pose with the snow.Ja and Aadiyat followed us too, but too bad Ja's hubby Shah couldnt be with us as he has to work overtime - or else it would probably be more massive snow fights We were not so impressed with the snow at Heaton Park - the ground was not fully covered with snow, we could see patches of grounds here and there - BUT hey - bersyukur lah - at least ada gak snow
We located an area where the snow was quite thick, and Aadiyat just couldnt wait to come out from the car. He really enjoy running - throwing snow balls at us - crashing on the snow HOWEVER, it is a different story with Afia . For a start - she DOESN'T want to wear her gloves.She took it out and throw it away - we managed to struggle it back on her -BUT only for a second, the gloves lied on the ground again 
Then, she is reluctant to step her feet on the ground - she laughed and giggle but insist of us to carry her around - There are some photos showing her moody expression - It took us AGES to persuade her to come to the ground - and when she finally did - she doesnt want to be photographed and just turn her face away everytime the camera was on her Afia's probably not a snow fan like her parents
Her 'riang ria' mood emerged again after probably an hour of being there - well - Ja had difficult time of settling Aadiyat on camera too as he was running around -throwing snow at everybody Anyway, we've got some beautiful photographs - and had a good time - and aboout 12.30 in the afternoon, the sun came out, and melted away the snow. A friend of mine send photographs of her in Japan and called them 'Me on the White Carpet' - but i think - in our area - its probably too much to be addressed as a carpet . White 'tikar mengkuang' is probably more suitable coz it is so thinly covered . Cheers all!!
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