Colours of My Life

Grateful for all the things which colours my life.

Soldiers

I may not always agree with the war but I am grateful to the soldiers who sacrifice their lives for their nation.

May Birthday Girls

Few of my closest friends were born in this month some "25"++ years ago...Happy Birthday Girls of May!...you are both really special and am thankful you are in my life. Thanks for sharing

My Sports Shoes

Grateful for my new sports shoes...hubby says for those morning walks and (hehehe) gym??!(What was he thinking? or not thinking!)

Circus Fun

We sort of ran out of places to take the children in KL...took them to Pavilion and this caught his fancy. Grateful we found something for the children on a weekend.

Monkeying Around

Grateful to spend the day outdoor...at the zoo!

Sleeping Kids

Came home and found the children fast asleep. Yippee!...opps... Grateful! This never happens, not in my life time, of course it made me happy they slept early for a change.

Mum's 75th Birthday

Thankful to be able to be with mum on her 75th Birthday.Alhamdulillah!...as my eldest boy was hugging my mum, he wished her "Happy Birthday Grandma. May Allah give you long life so you get to see me graduate from university!"

Cats

Cats! Grateful for Cats the broadway and cats the cute creatures. I had a pet cat before, as I wasn't good with names I just kept calling it Meow. And then I had to give it away, its new owner calls it Kitty. Oh! We had another cat earlier named Kid short for Kidnap...uh why Kidnap?? I will never tell.

My Masseur

My own personal masseur.

Taking Care Of Mum

Took my mum to visit an aunt and as I looked at my cousin who was taking care of her mum, bathing, dressing and feeding her, I can only hope that if one day I were in the same position, I would have the courage and strength to take care of my mum too. Grateful for a little "kesedaran."

My aunt is over 80 years old. Every five minutes she would ask me, "Anak siapa?" and five minutes later she would ask me again who I was. "Sam (the name she calls my late father, short for Samad) ada lagi?" and I would tell her no. Although she doesn't remember me anymore, she remembers my father "Sam tu kelakarlah. Baik hati dia." And the look on her face holds fond remembrance of my dad.

Looking at my aunt now, a far cry from how she was in her younger days. Always running somewhere or places to visit. We used to spend our school holidays in Ipoh with  her family. Her husband, my auncle, was a favourite uncle. We used to get paid to watch him, but of course it was the other way around.

As I sat on the couch, watching my cousin coaxing her mum to eat, like a child,singing her mum a nursery rhyme, patientlyfeeding her mum spoon by spoon, I can only make dua that God would reward her, for her sacrifices and that the task she's doing would be easier day by day. It is a little like what I do everyday, feeding and taking care of my own children. If there is a phase where I would be in my cousin's shoes, I pray Allah SWT will make me a good serving daughter that my beloved mum deserves. And should I grow old and be in my aunt's position, I pray too that my children have been raised well to take care of me, as I did them.

Shop And Drop

Shop and drop at One Utama...grateful! God sent! The kids can play while I go shop till I drop.

Erisha and Her Young Grandma

With my grand daughter Erisha. Imagine my horror when she called me out loud Nenek (Grandma in Malay) in public. Told her to call me Aunty, she gave me that "are you kidding" look and said "kan mama pun panggil aunty?!"Still grateful that my sister's grand daughter calls me her Wan.

My Sanctuary

Grateful for a cozy bedroom, my sanctuary. This is my to go to place, next to a library. Since I don't have my own private home library, this is the closest place to go to for some time out from the children.

Children having some fun while I do some grocery shopping.

Home Is Malaysia

I am so happy to be back in Kuala Lumpur. This is really home sweet home...The civil war more than 40 years ago in Vietnam has destroyed the country once known as the Paris of the Orient, and four  decades later its people are still struggling to get back on their feet. We should be grateful that our forefathers fought for our independence and thereafter, we had great leaders who kept the nation together and worked towards the country's growth and prosperity. Alhamdulillah!

Vietnam Traffic Woes?Nope, Just My Phobia...Motorcycles And Other Two Wheel Vehicles

This is a typical road scene in Vietnam...yes, motorcycles everywhere! Not cars, just motorcycles! It is the cheapest mode of transportation. There is a big gap between the income brackets in Vietnam similar to India and Indonesia, where you could be either really rich or really poor, and there is no in - between. Cars and petrol are expensive. It only cost USD300 for a motorbike. To buy a car you must also pay almost double of what we pay here for tax. But I guess I rather be back in Kuala Lumpur facing its traffic woes than face a whole bunch of motorcyclists on the road. There are cars and other four wheel vehicles, but not as much as motorcycles here. In fact I spotted a Cayyenne and new Lexus jeeps. So they must be damn rich to afford it in Vietnam or for that matter in Malaysia.

A friend pointed out to me that my post title perhaps might have given him the idea that I am talking about Vietnam traffic jam. Perhaps I should have been more clear. I am talking about the motorcycles everywhere! And I mean every nook, every corner, every parking spots. And just to satisfy my claim, I can make a whole album dedicated just to show a whole range of places where there are just motorcycles. They don't have a traffic jam problem, unlike us in Malaysia. And perhaps it is not even a problem for them...I meant their woes would be My problem because I just cannot get over the number of motorcycles on the roads. Or any other two wheel vehicles for that matter. To make it more interesting is that they drive on the opposite side of the road , so where I would normally look on my right before crossing the road, I should be mindful of vehicles coming from my left (but I forgot about this which is why i had a slight problem crossing the roads).

My aunt descibes it as very scary indeed with motorbikes everywhere...especially at intersections. While another friend says it "Freaked me out. Notice that they also walk around the roundabouts like they are so safe and won't get knocked down. If you drive on the fast lane and not speed like crazy, they would give high lights to you to speed more, honk or buzz off to the slower lane (panting...)." At first the whole motocycle thing just seems strange and funny, until I almost collided with one and then everything else seems scary and I too seem to be panting once I crossed the road to safety. An amusing experience for me. But "a little" motorbikes won't scare me enough not to come again.  

A BFF told me "the trick is to just close your eyes and cross the road." Hehehe easier said than done. I guess it is their way of life...in Malaysia if I see up to 4 persons on the bike, I would be fuming, but here when I saw a couple of times,two kids sandwiched between two adults, in a way it's funny. It kind of works for them...and don't get me started on parking the bikes in the houses!

Art Appreciation

Art, music, drama and dance are all good distractions. Grateful for some time away from my normal routine, just doing something I like for a change...like going to an art gallery or a museum. This picture was taken at a famous Vietnamese lacquer ware store and we were given a short tour of the production of lacquer ware. It takes skills and patience to produce such a work of art.

Halal Restaurant

Friends who have been to Vietnam told me that it will be difficult to find halal food here...so I am grateful that our tour group made all the arrangements for halal food throughout our stay here. Most of the time we had our lunch and dinner at the mosque. There are no halal restaurants and this is in away helps the Muslim community because it gives them income through Muslim tour groups and donations.

Mini Holiday With Mum On Mother's Day

Going on a mini holiday with beloved Mum, the first of few Asian tour that we planned to do together this year. First leg to Vietnam. Alhamdulillah my mum still has good health and need minimal assistance. Been looking forward to spend more time with Mum. The last trip we went together was in 2001 to New York, before I got married. So, have to say Thank you to hubby dearest for taking care of kids while I'm gone

Mother's Day

Grateful there are reminders everywhere to show Mum how much you appreciate her...A mom is God's love in action. A mum looks with her heart n feels with her eyes. A mum is the bank where her children deposits their worries n hurt. A mum is the cement that keeps her family together n her love lasts a lifetime. Thank you Mums!

My Brother's Cinta

My two year old niece Cinta...How can I not be grateful for such a beauty! Mashallah! Having three boys and being the only rose in the house, I guess sometimes it would be nice to have a Minie Me too...but then again....eerrr, on second thought, for the moment I am just happy having cute nieces!

A Gift For Grandma...Happy Mother's Day!

The kids couldn't contain their excitement, so they gave Grandma an early Mother's Day and going away gift...super excited because they chipped in to get her the present. Indeed grateful that they think of Grandma's gift first instead of  getting something for themselves.

Roses Are Red...

My other half saw this on our way home and bought it to brighten up my day. Thank you! It certainly did

My Sister's Daughter

So grateful today my first born niece (from a pair of twins), also my mum's first grandchild spent the day with mum and I. Although their mother is no longer with us, my niece and her siblings always take the time to call or visit us. Their presence evokes memories of my late sister and their thoughtfulness proves how well she had raised them.

I took this picture late last year, a week after I returned to Malaysia, I could see it in my mum's eyes how much she missed my sister  (my sister was an affectionate person) and having her children around at least makes it less painful for her. I was not around in Malaysia much and my sister Lind was working and was hardly in Malaysia too. Mum used to spent her time with my sister on weekends either in Kuala Lumpur or Raub.

I love my nieces and nephews but there is a special bond between me and my twin nieces. It was in the middle of my sixth birthday, on September 2nd, 1979 when we received a call around Maghrib time, that my sister had given birth to a pair of twins.  As far a I can remember, from that year onwards, when Mum organised a birthday for me (right up to this day without fail), we would always include the twins. There was a  year we celebrated with my cousin (my uncle's daughter) who also shared the same birthdate. We practically grew up together, what with the small age difference and that my sister and her husband would never missed spending her weekends or school holidays with us.

Now, that the twins are both grown up and have their own family, of course time with us is limited but what makes it really special is that they usually take the time to call my mum or their Aunts just to ask about our well-being. For me it means that despite their busy life, we are in their thoughts. Indeed thankful!

Mirror, Mirror

This week my little one has shown so many signs of independence...I told him to get his brother to help him to wash his hands but I found this instead!

Fun With Knowledge

Today we took the children to the Petrosains Discovery Centre...my little Sherlock Holmes sure had fun exploring and learning about science. Grateful that we managed to show the boys that there is fun in learning.

My Tin/Aluminium Year Anniversary

Last year's Wedding Anniversary...I was with my girlfriends for a brainstorming session at a hotel cafe and hubby with his group of friends at one corner of the same cafe. Our eyes met briefly across the cafe & he winked. That was our Anniversary celebration. This year he was in Saudi Arabia & me in Malaysia...he returned a day later & fell asleep waiting for me to get ready for our romantic dinner celebration. Tonight we finally get to go out...with the whole clan. Nevertheless, I am still grateful to be celebrating our 10 years of togetherness. Happy Anniversary Dear!

Nayati Moodliar Returns Home Safely

I may not know who this boy is but I have been following the story the minute it broke out. So, the news that his captors have released him early this morning is something I am grateful to hear! Praises to God. Grateful for his safe return to his family.

Last Friday, April 27th, Nayati Moodliar, a 7th Grade student was abducted by unknown perpetrators whilst on his way to Mont Kiara International School. The abduction occurred at approximately 7:35 am. Like most boys his age, they all walk to school which is just a short distance from home.

Today when I got news of his released, I got a little misty eyed. It is good to hear of a good ending right?...At least this one leave us feeling relieved. I hope Nayati and his family will have some semblance of normalcy soon after a six day ordeal.

Unlike a month ago when news of little five-year-old Nurul Nadirah Abdullah whose charred body was found buried in an oil palm estate in Nusa Damai, Masai, on March 8. Nurul Nadirah, went missing on March 1 after going to the shop near her flat alone to buy some instant noodles. She was kidnapped and murdered and apparently the motive was revenge. The incident also occured near her home. Such a sad ending.

When TV3 showed clips of the burial of the little girl, it brought tears to my eyes, because of such a senseless killing of an innocent child. These are cold-blooded murderers and even saying they are animals doesn't quite cut it. Even animals seems to have more compassion.

Breakfast With My Little Man

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And what a sight it was to see my three year old enjoying his Arabian breakfast of zait zaitun wa za'tar (olive oil and thyme) on his own. Grateful! Now if only he can bring all the dishes to the kitchen...

Fellow CBNers

Grateful to have former CBNers I haven't seen since leaving high school over, took their time off for a get together on Labour Day. Thanks for coming on your off day ladies! ~ Masrina, Faridah and Rafizah. Arfah you too.