Ramadhan & Bird Flu...?

Swans? Geese?

Today we had a major change of plan. Initially, we planned to clean the house and make it look neat for the coming Hari Raya though Omar and I believe, the house should look neat and clean everyday. But then we decided to go to Jurong Birdpark and ignoring the bird flu outbreak news.

Excited although at the back of my head I hate to leave my house in a mess, we took public transports to get there. The weather was not really friendly as the heat soared. Arrived at almost 3 pm, we managed to catch "Bird Show". It was amazing how they trained those birds to do things what we thought they couldn't do.

Aaqil seemed to enjoy the show very much. As a mother I am relieved that my son likes animals. I do encourage him to know animals because I remembered the first flash cards I bought for him are about animals.

Jurong Birdpark, also popular for its highest man-made waterfall in the world. For the fanatic bird watchers, this place could be heaven.

Aaqil naturally loves water just like other babies I suppose. So it is not difficult to make him walk on his own with the park surrounded with pools and ponds. Enough to tire him and easy night sleep for him later on.

Conclusion... I believe it is not a good idea for some Malays to do outings during Ramadhan, but to me... what is the difference shopping in the heat of Geylang Serai in one hot afternoon comparing to a serene walk engulfed with nature in its best outfit to soothe our busy souls. Bird flu? Well, we are more confident on the health status of the birds over there which are sterilised and taken care at their best.... comparing to birds roaming around our estates which are not sterilised at all? Anyway, bottomline, if bird flu strucks, you don't have to be in Jurong Bird Park to be infected by one.

Dedicated to my 'late' Mother whom I called 'Mak'...

Family pic taken on Eid '04,

Back row from left: Firdaus & wife Rodiah, husband Omar & me,

Front row from left: Najwa, Ayah (Dad), Mak (Mom), Farid

Since I got married almost 4 years ago, I was very curious abt the way I was brought up by my mother. It was because I already started 'trying' and I thought of learning from my mom first, then exploring myself through books and internet.

I remembered when I was in Primary 4, my second brother always went to school with my mom in a car, and the best part, my mom was my brother's class teacher. I never got a chance to be with her in school. I was sent away to Convent Primary School in Kulim and I remembered exactly how pissed I was when I felt like my mom spent less time with me as compared to my brothers. And what I hate most, taking 2 buses to reach my school every morning and my brother would have the comfort inside a car with my dearest mom.

Lesson 1: A child will be happy if mother is around for him/her, thus I will make myself as available as possible at home whenever I am needed...

Secondary School: Mak sent me to boarding school after I made her proud in my SRP exams. Why?...Why?....She said, "I want you to learn to be independent!" I remembered I asked her,"Will my younger brother goes to boarding school too?" She then nodded.
But he never went to boarding school after all. His school was 10 mins away from home and it was a better school than MRSM during that time.

Lesson 2: I will let my child decide his/her study path according to his/her level of interest...

As a result, my SPM was not as good as expected. The day I got my result, I saw my mom cried. Maybe her friends' kids got better results than mine. I was sad too though I knew i suck academically. But God is great, with those results, Mara offered me to study in Boston, a place I never had dreamt to go. I remembered I started to become rebellious when I was a teenager and always talk back when my mom advised me.

lesson3: Fully equip yourself when your kid turns teenager. They might give u heart attack! Bottomline, it is your upbringing that will affect most of his characters until he develops his own...

After a few bad relationships and series of datings, finally I found my partner. Mak was so sad when I first introduced my so called bf, She cried and asking me whether I was sure to stay in Singapore. Among things she said "too far, negeri kafir (secular country), how often can we see each other, will u get a job"..and so much questions and I tell u..I almost crack!...But I am sure, I am now married to him because God has given his permission to.

After 2 years, I finally got pregnant in Ramadhan 2003. I started to feel how difficult carrying a baby on my own...I felt love sick for my mom and pestered to Omar to go back to Kedah as much as we can...

A few secrets revealed when I went back to see my mom.

1. I was not a breastfed baby
2. I was taken care by my granny who told my mom that her breastmilk was no longer fresh so she should give me formula milk.
3. My mom felt bad and depressed after giving birth to me because of the strong traditional confinement method and that affected her milk supply too.

Lesson 4, GOD willing, no mater what, I will breastfeed my baby without any intervention from anyone.

As a result of not consuming breastmilk, my IQ is not as good as my siblings, just kidding?. She only realised the importance of breastfeeding only after she had her 2nd child onwards, I was the eldest.

When I was 6 months into pregnancy, I went back again to kedah to see my mom..I always missed her and talking over the phone was not good enough. She gave me some "oil and barut" for my usage and she apologised to me for not being there with me. She had phobia of high rise apartment and I totally understand. Firdaus got a kid earlier than me and my mom looked after my nephew. Well maybe I have grown up and got real. I actually did not feel jealous of the fact that my own mother will not be with me during my labor. In fact, I told myself, lets be proud for not 'susahkan mak'. And I did it, just the 2 of us for labour and post pregnancy, no interventions...

There were times during my confinement days when I felt panicked and I would quickly called my mom and my mom would scold me..." brocoli angin, sawi putih angin, mee sua angin..everything you choose angin and u cooking it!!! " Adehhhh....Nasib baik I did not get postpartum blues....

She is gone now...

I managed to fly back when she was diagnosed with stroke but her brain got already clogged. I was so sad inside for not being there with her all these years, to listen to her, to drive her around....She was 63 then. 1st Dec 2004, she passed away with a smile on her face. I have to accept that God said its time for her to go.... God is merciful.

Now she is gone and I do really miss her. The fact that she has never been to my home in Singapore made me more sad...

To my beloved mom...May your soul be with GOD....!

Aameen...

Aaqil in Bangkok

View from Baiyoke Sky, the tallest hotel in Thailand

Although the trip to Bangkok was in March '05, I feel like writing it as the journey was the most memorable one, bringing our baby who was 7 months at that time, tagging along Omar for his work trip.

The 2 hours journey inside the flight was pretty smooth as little Aaqil had fun mingling with pretty stewardess and other passengers. At some time he would feel cranky especially when he could not bear the ear preassure on flight and I just have to lift up my nursing top and breastfeed him..So much easier and convenient while travelling.

We arrived in Bangkok at noon and the arranged transport brought us to Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Yeayy..We had a pretty big room and Aaqil seemed so excited. First thing, Chatuchak Market...I was thinking to get my country kitchen stuffs....and some clothing. But upon reaching there by toog-toog (my cap flew off my head on the way here, strong wind, strong speed generated by the toog-toog) I was so tired to browse through thousands of shops there...So ended up with nothing...

2nd day, headed to MBK and Siam Square. I did some window shopping there and we had dessert in HRC Bangkok..

Luncheon at HRC Bangkok

3rd day, swimming time for Aaqil at the hotel pool. We were amazed by the fact that he was not afraid of water and could float by himself. It showed how true that baby started swimming in mommy's belly and that skill will last. After freshening up, we took the train to Sukhumvit and Patpong Market. Had dinner at a restaurant totally opposite the strip club...

Look mommy, I'm swimming..!

I have been to several countries, but I love Thailand...A friend told me that her family will never travel to places like Thailand or Jakarta (tak main negeri2 panas)...But what I am looking forward now is Jakarta and of course to revisit Thailand with little Aaqil. To me Asean countries are exotic in terms of food and treatment.

Hello...It's me!!!

Greetings from Singapore!!!

Peace to you..!

I finally decided to start blogging to be in par with my 'bloggerholic' friends. You will find out who they are on my link list.

Friends and family called me by many different names such as Minah, Ani, Azirah, Mink, Min....but I actually prefer my first name Aminah....I feel wonderful when people call me that...I was awarded a kid-son and we named him Kadin Aaqil Omar. We nicked him Aaqil and he is such my dear and I thank God for letting me explore this beautiful journey of motherhood.

So basically my journal will be mainly on Aaqil's development, and my experiences as a breastfeeding mother to a 15 month old son to date and parenting issues.
I hope I can share with you wannabe mothers the beauty of becoming a parent and a wife.

Aaqil and me at Boat Quay

Last but not least, I would like to thank my better half for being there for me, for endlessly doing his research on breastfeeding and its benefits (yes, he is more into breastfeeding than me only that he has no mammary glands) and took care of me and Aaqil during my confinement days (no moms and in laws in my case), and also for sacrificing his 2 months income to be with us and everything you have done is greatly appreciated. With all that, I managed to cook my own post-pregnancy internet recipe meals a week after giving birth...

Aaqil practicing his first few steps on the grass