Jasmine's Halloween Party

There must be something about me being away that puts the kids into a party mood.

I just got back from Seattle on Wednesday and Jasmine was happily telling me about the Halloween party she's going to have on Saturday.

What???!!!

"Babah said ok!" While showing me all the handwritten invitation, which has my phone number for RSVP!

A phone call to Zaher, who was in KK at that time confirms this and asks me to check with McDonalds if they can host a Halloween party. 

After consulting with my party planner, we decided that it is better to have it at home as we don't know how many is going turn up. I guess it also gives a chance for Kamil & Dinah to decorated the house.

Honestly, I wasn't that confident that anyone would turn up since the last minute, handwritten invitation looks quite dodgy, but surprisingly, by Friday night, a few parents called me to RSVP!

So it was a mad scramble to get the party preparation in just 3 days amidst my work, the kids tuition & music classes!

But I must say my Party Planners were great and we managed to get the decor up and food ready on time.

It was just a smaill group, after devouring the Monster Meal, Zaher entertained them with Singing & Story telling competition.

Just Jasmine

25 August 2011

Jasmine   : Kak Dinah, can you please buff my nails
Dinah      : It will cost you RM50

Jasmine rushes downstairs to look for me.

Jasmine   : Mama, can I have RM50 please
Me          : No
Jasmine   : Please, please, I need RM50
Me          : No, you're only 5, you don't need RM50
Jasmine   : Please, please, I'll give you back
Me         : What do you need RM50 for
Jasmine   : I want my nails done, and Kak Dinah wants me to pay her RM50=
Me          : If you pay Kak Dinah, how can you pay me back

Jasmine ponders for a while, and then dissappear.
5 minutes later....
Jasmine   : Mama, can I borrow your RM50, just for a while
Me         : Why
Jasmine   : I want to see what it look like, so I can make my own to give to Kak Dinah

Kamil - the Party Planner

He  should be focusing on his UPSR Exam. Instead, all he talks about is how to raise RM1500 for the "after exam" party that he's going throw - in OUR house!!

He's even got the layout of the party, transforming the porch into a "Splash Zone", his bedroom into a "Fighting Arena", the girls' room into a "Chill Out Room" and the master bedroom into the Dancing Room!

This brings me back 6 years ago, when he was only 5.

Apparently, when I was away, one evening, he cleaned up the TV area and donned on his gloves and blazer on top of his pyjamas. When Zaher asked him why, he said that he was cleaning up as he was having a party. No one thought much about it, until the doorbell rang and a little girl, dressed to the nines appeared at our doorstep.

Apparently, Kamil had been giving out invitation letters (written on a recycled paper) to his friends inviting them to our house!

We managed to get a copy of this invitation, and despite the child handwriting and the recycled paper, the invitation had all the makings of a professional invitation. With the help of his elder sister Dinah, then 7 years old, the invitation they drew pictures of kids dancing,games, TV, food (pizza  & nugget) and with a promise of "fun time" at the party! And   yes, they did it 13 times over for all  the kids in his class!!

Needless to say, the party did not go on, as by this time, Kamil had already fallen asleep, and Zaher had to turn the little girl away! we had to send an apology letter to the little girls ' parents. Made Kamil write an apology note and gave the girl a present!

Unfortunately (or is it fortunate?)  I was away at that time. When Zaher told me what had happened, (during a skype call with him & the kids) I just couldn't stop laughing, (much to Zaher's annoyance as he wanted Kamil to be sorry for what he did).

I related the incident to some friends and it's amusing to note that Kamil got a few job offers in Event Management!!

Zaher, Permataku

"Find arms that will hold you at your weakest, eyes that will see you at your ugliest and heart that will love you at your worst."

I saw this posting on one of my friend's fb status, and i thought... "hey, that's Zaher!" Looking back, I realized that i have been truly lucky to have Zaher by my side through out all ups and downs, never letting me down. He's been my pillar of strength, my conscience, my critic, my mentor, my punching bag, my sparring partner, my inspiration, my guidance and many, many more.

Zaher, this is for you babe. Thank you for the arms that held me at my weakest, eyes that saw me at my ugliest and heart that love me at my worst. I love you.

Atty in New Zealand - by Mum & Dad

It was 1986 when we decided we would like to have an AFS student come and share our lives for a year. Our daughter, Julie had been to Boston on an AFS experience and we were well immersed in AFS activities having, between us, served as counsellor, President, on the selection panel as well as hosting activities etc. 

With Mum & Michelle In Shantytown - 1986

We had spent 4 years living in Malaysia in the sixties and thought it would give us an advantage in hosting a Malay student. Having three daughters we decided that a girl would fit in best with our family. It was with great excitement that we received the papers for Atty Sulaiman and read about the young woman we were about to share our lives with.

With Dad & Michelle at Pancake Rocks - 1986

My visit to NZL - April 1996

Atty arrived and was very quiet and shy – for a little while. We knew it was difficult for her getting used to our climate, family, the school and last but not least: food. Not only did she have to get used to life in Palmerston North but we moved to Wanganui half way through her stay so she had another school to contend with and had to make new friends again.

We didn't realise just how much we were to learn from Atty. Even though we had spent 4 years living in her country she was able to give us really personal knowledge on the customs and people of Malaysia. 

We admired Atty's spirit and courage to try out new things. She said that she was not going to pass up on any experience as it may not be given to her again. So, she tried out all sorts of things, even canoeing the Wanganui River. Experiencing 104 rapids, getting caught in a whirlpool and camping out on the side of the river was all new for her. 

Mum & Dad's Visit to Malaysia - April 2000

Having had the experience of having students live in her house and share her family life, she had advice for other students. I think the most important piece of advice she gave was: do not compare. That is, don't compare your family with someone else's; don't compare the food you get with home food; don't compare the home you are living in with your own home or another students home. It is all a new experience so make the most of it.
 Of course with an attitude like that the year was the best for us and for her. We really enjoyed Atty.

In 1988 we saw Atty in Singapore as we passed through on our way to Europe. The next year we visited Atty's family. We met all the extended family and enjoyed life in their home. What a great experience that was and certainly added to our knowledge of Malaysia.

Atty came back to visited us in 1996, not long after her marriage. That was so delightful to have her to ourselves again. In 2000 we once again went to KL and spent some time with Atty, Zaher, and the children, further adding to our experience. In  2006  we were fortunate to have Atty come and visit us again and she was able to catch up with her growing NZ family.

Until the next time we meet, we keep in touch with MSN, having little chats and keeping up to date with what is happening in each other's lives.

The presence of Atty in our lives has meant that we gained a lovely daughter and a life-long relationship.  

                                                Tony and Valerie Cowan

                                                Wanganui

                                                                New Zealand

Bibik - Sumini

It was a beautiful morning. We've just moved into our home a week ago, a day after Dinah's birthday. Our baby's due in a couple of weeks. We're just getting use to the bigger house. Now we have to get used to having another person living with us. I'm not talking about the new baby.

Our new maid, Sumini, or as we fondly call her, Bibik came into our lives in the midst of many changes in our lifes, adding another dimension to our topsy turvy lifestyle.

We picked her up from Gombak. On the way home, we passed IKEA and decided to stop by to get some items for the new house. Bibik awkwardly followed us around, a step behind, insisting on carrying our purchases.

We were going up to the Parking Lot, Zaher, in front of me, and Bibik, of course, behind us; when suddenly I heard something rolling behind me. I looked back, and to my horror I saw Bibik tumbling down the escalator! I keep going down the upward escalator, which was not easy as I was full term and feeling very clumsy; and she keeps missing my outstreatch arms. This went on for a while, until a good samaritan stopped her and helped her up.Fortunately, she's none the worse for it. The embarrassment hit her more than the pain. Nevertheless, we immediately took her to a clinic for a check up.

After the earlier drama, we told her to keep it easy and not do anything, but to familiarise herself with her surroundings. Mak, who was around to help us unpack, gave her a short "orientation" of the house.

The next day, we went to the kitchen to find her in tears and profusely apologising! In her eagerness to impress us, she accidently put our electric kettle (metal) on the stove to boil some water and got scared and the rubber socket started melting and giving out a whiff of rancid smell!


 And that marks the beginning of our lives together. Kamil arrived a week after, and became the center of her attention. She became our family. Bibik stayed with us for 8 years. Age crept up on her and she is no longer healthy. All her children back home have grown up and wants her home. She stayed on long enough to take care of me when Jasmine was born.

Even after she left, we kept in touch. And she came back. When our new maid ran away, we sent an SOS to her, and without hesitation, went through a lot of hardship to come back and help us for a few months. We are her family too.


Bibik, thank you for being a part of our lives. We wish you and your family all the best!

15th Wedding Anniversary

13th May 2010

For our 15th wedding anniversary, Zaher surprised me with a cake and flowers at my office. He managed to get all my colleagues to celebrate with us!

Everyone joined in the dance!

Thanks babe, for the lovely surprise! And here's my gift to you!

Zaher, thank you for the wonderful 15 years. You have changed my life and I could not imagine life without you. You have stood by me through thick and thin.

If only I could change history
I'd gladly go back to do so
But one thing I'll never do differently
Is the vow I took 15 years ago

Happy Anniversary, Babe, I love you.

Zaher's 42nd Birthday Present

Do you find it difficult to get the right Birthday Present for that someone special? Instead of buying Zaher a present, I decided to "make" him one. This is originally done as a powerpoint presentation, but have since learn how to convert them into a movie.

Mama's Cataract Operation

18th June 2010

6.30am. Mama’s cataract operation is due today at 2.30pm. Zaher was in Singapore 2 days ago to be with her since he has to travel to Batu Gajah today to conduct a training there. He got home on the last flight yesterday and now I’m back at the airport to take the 1st flight out to Singapore.

9.10am. Got to Chak’s house. The flight was too short for me to take a nap, and I spent the morning looking for a sim card where I can get on the net without the hefty maxis roaming bill! Kak Gai came around 11am and by 12.15pm we made our way to Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). There are a lot of people due for cataract operation that day and the place is full of patience and families waiting for their turn. Mama registered for her turn and we join in the waiting crowd. Kak Fauziah came by around 1.30pm and the 4 us sat and chat while we wait for Mama’s name to be called up.

2.00pm. Mama’s name was called up – they too her blood pressure and put some eye drop into her eyes and gave her a “sticker” on the forehead above the eye that will be operated on! They told us that the op as at 2.30pm as per scheduled. So we continued to wait… anxiously!

3.15pm. Finally! Mama is called in to be “prepared” for the operation! Don’t know who is more nervous… me or her, but she seems okay. All the best, Mama!
The nurse said it takes about 45minutes for the operation to complete, so Kak Gai and I went down for some food. Kak Fauziah left to go home as Abang Roslan was not well.
After a quick bite, Kak Gai left to do some errands while I go back up to wait for Mama.

4.30pm. Mama was wheeled out of the OT! Wow that was fast! She is taken to the recuperating room; basically just a row of easy chairs for her to rest until she is ready to leave! She seems fine, her only complaint is that her eyes are smarting quite badly. Went down and got her some painkillers and by the time I came up, Kak Gai was already there.
They gave Mama some biscuits and Milo… she’s been fasting the whole day for the op!

5.30pm. Mama’s ready to leave. The nurse came and taught me how to clean Mama’s eyes and go through the dos and don’ts for the next few days. Hmmm.. the challenge is to make sure that Mama follows these instructions!!

6.10pm. We are all back at Chak’s house! Boy, that’s the fastest cataract procedure I have seen! When Mak had her cataract done a few years ago, she had to spend 2 nights in the hospital!

Mama, pretty much slept the whole night! I guess the Local Anesthetic they gave earlier made her groggy and somewhat dizzy. We only woke her up every 3 hours to put the eye drops in!

19th June 2010

This morning, I taught Seri how to clean Mama’s eyes. We got ready to go back to SNEC for a follow up check up. Kak Gai dropped us there for the 9.00am appointment. Everything went smoothly; Mama’s eyes are okay… in fact, now she can see better that me with my glasses on! All done, we got back around 12.00noon. Mama’s next appointment is on Tuesday, 22nd July. As I’ll be back in KL by then, Kak Gai will be taking her.
Mama is lucky to have so many nieces and nephews in Singapore who are very supportive of her decision to have the op in Singapore.
Thank you Kak Gai, Kak Fauziah, Kak Manah and everyone in Singapore for taking care of Mama! God bless you all!