Aidilfitri 1430H 2009

(L to R): Adam, Nazahiya, Umar (on lap), Akmal Hizam, Marsya

Selamat Hari Raya from all of us.
Mohon maaf, zahir dan batin.

Ben 10 in Malay

Ben 10 was just starting on Cartoon Network over Astro that Raya morning. I was entertaining local kids coming over our house in Plentong. Without hesitation one of them said:

“Eh, tukar Bahasa Melayu lah”.

I did not know that it’s served bilingually. It did not matter to my children, and so we were not bothered with the technology. Five minutes later I heard Ben uttering Malay words.

Splendid. We learn something new every day.

Image copyright Turner Media Innovations

Evening Sky - 02.09.2009

I just had to stop at the roadside en route to Plentong when I saw the sky that evening.

It was fantastic.

Subhanallah.

Norzah the writer

He's an old hand when it comes to writing. Only this morning I discovered that he's been blogging since 2007.

He's my uncle, by way that his wife is Ibu's cousin. A retired government servant, I have high respect upon him. I still remember that morning while at the neighbourhood mamak shop buying things that Ibu asked me to buy. I caught a glimpse of his face on the front page of a newspaper (memory not so fantastic, can't recall which newspaper). I was only 9 at that time, and buying a newspaper was never in my shopping list. I bought that paper (instead of the usual Kiki chewing gums), for Uncle's face was on the front page giving his thoughts on something, as a somebody from MAMPU.

I guess he's one of my role models (also his wife, Aunty Bong) when I was growing up. You know, a kampung boy (and girl) who went to further their studies in universities overseas, hold high ranks in government, successful, makes folks at home proud. Drives a Volvo. That sort of thing.
Only very much later I found out that he's an avid writer. He gave me a thick novel as a gift when I visited him after I graduated. A Malay novel that he wrote - Saga.

As a tribute, I put his blog link in my blogroll. Love to read your thoughts, Uncle.

Eid Mubarak 1430H

Here’s wishing all of you:

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Mohon maaf, lahir dan batin

Have a blessed Eid Mubarak.

Enjoy your festive holiday wherever you are, and come back safely.

greeting graphics taken from Institut Memandu Bunga Raya pamphlet

Masjid Abu Bakar Johor Bahru

It’s been my favourite masjid in Johor Bahru since I first stepped into its courtyard. That was 19 years ago, when my cousin steered his van with us inside for our solat, en route to Singapore.

The architecture and finishing of the masjid is amazing, while being simple. The black small domes are distinctive, and I really like the brass fittings adorning its white doors and windows.

I would never miss the chance to go for solat Jumaat in this very place, and 3 weeks ago I did. The parking space is always crowded, so I went there quite early. Parked only at the sides of the entrance way, to ensure my easy way out after the solat. While it may seem that the masjid would be congested, it is actually not so. There’s ample space. Another thing I like about it is that there’s an array of water faucets for ablution along the covered pavement leading towards the side entrances. Seldom I have to queue for my turn.

These facts below I gathered from an information board erected on the masjid grounds:

• Located atop Bukit Kecil, overseeing Selat Tebrau. You can see Singapore from here, and the view is simply breathtaking.
• Construction took 8 years to finish, sice 1893, costing $400,000. I’m not sure whether the sum is based on current value, or the amount at the time of construction. If it is from 1893, that’s an awful lot of money.
• First opened in 2^nd February 1900, officiated with a solat Jumaat.
• The marbles are from Italy.
• The mimbar is from Turkey.

No info on the sparkling chandelier, though.

Photo by Pasha Razak Photography

Ikea raya ad

Fuhh... makin bertambah lawa rumah kampung kat Juasseh.
Mak Lang pun sekarang ni nampak makin berseri-seri.

Err... agak2 Ikea nak amik aku buat commercial utk hias rumah Ibu kat Senawang pulak tak?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n95qbcMaQIM

ehh... tapi macam bukan rumah arwah atuk je tu. rumah sapa eh? Uwan Acik ko?

kemaskini 14.09.2009:
Setolah berburak dongan Ibu, rumah yang dalam iklan tu sebona'eh rumah dokek Gombak yo... sobab eh, rumah kek Joseh tu tongah di renovate buat tompek mandi ngan tandeh.

Umar is a week old today

I guess I'm like any other young parents with their new babies.

What I observe is that when you ask these young parents (usually for their first and second child) 'How old is your baby now?', they would almost invariably give you the answer in term of days (some with hours).
2 weeks and 3 days.
4 months and 15 days.
9 days and 4 hours.

Perhaps I am still a young parent...

Anyway, I am recollecting my skills in handling Umar. I'm glad that I found myself able to handle his fragile body - change nappies, his (now) baggy clothings, and bottle feed him.

One thing I'm still struggling to keep up with: sleep deprivation.

Above all, we are truly grateful for he is a no-fuss baby. Alhamdulillah for this blessing, and numerous others, so far within this 6 days and 22 hours.