Eid 2006 - Post Report

(Somehow or rather, at certain times, the blogspot people didn't allow me to upload pictures with several errors, stay tune dear visitors....)

Eve of Eid

Omar knocked off from work early that day, a privilege given by most companies to Muslims in Singapore to prepare for Eid the following day. We planned to have our final breaking-fast session at Al-Falah mosque in Orchard Road. Of course I have to go my separate way in the mosque as they separated the breaking-fast area between men and women. Aaqil decided to tag along with his Bapak at the mens' section. Lontong and fried chicken with fruits as appetizers/desserts were the menu, tempting but the chilli in it reminded me of the toilet so I practised moderation whilst enjoying the meal.

Aaqil after breaking-fast, while volunteers in background clearing leftover foods making way for maghrib prayers...

Like most countries, the mosques in Singapore will provide free meals for breaking-fast and its open to anybody, rich or poor, and some even extended the invitations to non-Muslims to share our religious cultures during that special month. Why we chose Al-Falah? No special reasons exactly, only that since we need to grab some last minute stuff in Orchard area and that was the closest mosque in vincinity and at the same time exposing Aaqil to such an environment where Muslims gather to break-fast and have their prayers together. It was an awesome sight to me as the ladies filled the cordoned section too, joining everybody that marked the final day of Ramadhan. The twice-yearly 'takbir' was heard after our dawn prayers and that marked the end of the soulful Ramdhan.

Eid

It's Morning of Eid and we were preparing ourselves to the airport to catch a late morning flight to Penang. Courtesy of our neighbours, Mr & Mrs Oh and their baby daughter, they joined us at the airport to have a roam around too since it was a public holiday for everybody as well. A 2-family breakfast an McDonalds started our day at the airport upon checking in our lugagges and we still had a little more time at the viewing gallery (where Aaqil enjoyed most) before we were on our way boarding. Perhaps it was a little too early for Aaqil as he dosed off again even before the plane took off waking up just in time when meals were served. He was behaving well until the plane descend, of course, the cabin pressure will affect everybody's ears including his little ones, but the suckling and swallowing action while he breastfed soothed him a lot, leaving the adults with blocked-nose-blowing actions to equalise the ear pressures.

Arriving in Penang 90mins later where dad and my younger siblings awaited and we headed straight for my paternal-grandmother's house visit followed by another one before heading back towards Kulim, my earlier home sweet home. All of us were busy enjoying our own things for most of that 5-day trip. Aaqil with his motor-cycle rides, me with my 'trying to visit as much friends as possible' project while Omar following through without jeopardising his cravings for local festive dishes with additional suppers and unnecessary add-on meals, I believe he brought himself back an additional 2 kgs as well.

Itinenaries weren't planned well this time and we did missed a lot to-do things and added to the KIV list instead. But the rest were well covered. The pictures below will proof the several bike-rides Aaqil had, the friends I got to visit (you know who they are) and the amount of food Omar consumed on every location with the best evening spent with siblings Farid & Najwa at Penang Island and again not forgetting the food.










































































































































picture paints a thousand words...
so less words...

do I miss anything?

point me out...

Eid Mubarak

I would like to wish friends and relatives whereever you are ... Eid Mubarak!!

If you happen to be in Kulim/Penang on the 24th - 28th October 2006, feel free to call me at 04-4844470 or 02-90030207 or SMS to +6590030207, who knows we can arrange something.

To my brother, Firdaus and the unforgettable friends abroad, I miss you guys..Elin,syaf, atah,chelat..etc etc

To my in laws in Singapore & ...

Last but not least to Ayah, Farid and Najwa, my only nephew and sis-in law, can't wait to see you guys!

Sincerely yours,

TheOmarFamily

Aminah Azirah

Omar A Bakar

Kadin Aaqil Omar

Southern-most tip Johor weekend getaway

Omar got some work errands to run in Sebana Cove while both Aaqil and me managed to hitch his ride for a short getaway. Driving a company sponsored vehicle, we left Singapore via the causeway at 1600hrs. Besides the Hong Leong ATM service nationwide breakdown, the rest of the journey was smooth despite the shortage of cash. It was a smooth and scenic drive passing Kota Tinggi and other small towns and villages. Since it was Ramadhan, we broke our fast whilst passing Desaru in the vehicle itself arriving in Sungai Rengit town around 1930hrs checking in a backpackers-like Tai Hoe Hotel. Aaqil was immediately busy making phone calls to his imaginary on'line' friends.



As a family, we have been practising breaking-fast with a light and easy meal for the tummy and having an actual dinner much later after the prayers. Thus, upon settling down at Tai Hoe, we proceeded to an authentic open-air seafood restaurant to fulfil our years of seafood cravings. Yes we did have a cute little lobster in butter just enough for 2 plus some other side dishes. That was a helluva seafood, though not much. Surprisingly, life in Sg Rengit was a little on the quiet side for most muslim food stalls during Ramadhan, and we did not have as much choices on food as compared to our previous visits to this town, which was accesible by boat then a 17km bicyle ride from the jetty, which we did 3 years ago. But that didn't dampen our spirits and we walked thru every possible roads in the small little but self sufficient town. There's even a Marrybrown now in town for those fast food lovers, but the sight of Burger Ramly always overwrites the former. Activity back in Tai Hoe was just a warming down, though the free wireless access did do some damage to the supposedly non-distracted night, ended with an early 'sahur'.

We needed to leave by 1200hrs the next day our Tai Hoe would forfeit our MYR10.00 deposit and we did adhere to their rules as we were checking in to Sebana Cove next, a well-developed integrated resort some 15km down the road. The 2km drive in from the main road was a serene drive through the golf course, wild monkeys encounters and nature and nature and nature to Omar's liking. The first room given to us was rejected by Omar as it was facing the swimming pool and the second was facing the marina and river and some distant mangroves and that was what he wanted. Swimming pool was next to fulfil Aaqil's request even though we never allow him to dip in longer than 30mins. Full of fun and laughter for him though and we retired back to our room, lazed around waiting for break-fast time. The view from our balcony was almost enough to soothe our eyes.

Sebana Cove, located at the southern-most tip of Johor, was designed to be a quiet stay, although there were some pricy activities like boating through the mangroves for MYR80.00 per person or fireflies tour for MYR30.00 per person. So we decided to head back to Sg Rengit town for dinner which was more favourable for budget constraints travellers like us. Luxurious travellers please stay away from reading our blog as you will find the informations here not useful ;-) A satisfying thai style cheap and delicious dinner and we headed back to Sebana where Aaqil and myself made new friends with families of Sebana staff and we were even invited for coffee to their resident lodgings, the gateway to a cheaper and discounted future stay at Sebana ... hehe ... while Omar did establish some future businesses with the technologically inclined Sebana staff.

From there on, then we learnt of several other nearby towns which were unknown to travellers like us like Sening town, which we managed to locate without getting lost on our way the next day. There, a heaven for food, food bazaars everywhere and we had such a wondeful time window shopping for breaking-fast later on, which led to packing back barbeque quail, malay kueh and specially made drinks you will never see other than during Ramadhan and Aaqil has his first unfair share of chicken rice before break-fast while we watched drooling...

Conclusion... for you reaching Sebana Cove from Singapore, and if you want to avoid the roads, there is a ferry service from Tanah Merah Terminal straight into the rivers of Sebana and someone will pick you up. The other alternative was history, they used to run a ferry service to carry vehicles from Changi Ferry Terminal to Tg Belungkor but that service are now meant for passengers with bicycles only. Maybe the cost of ferrying your vehicle across is too pricy as compared to driving through JB and Kota Tinggi though it will take about 2hours on the road.
Alternatively, you may take a cheap bumboat ride from Changi Point and it will ferry you to Tg Pengelih and you can find lots of taxis waiting to send you anywhere with the options to bargain before boarding.

That's all for now, more updates after Eid in Kedah, for more informations on Sebana Cove and Sg Rengit, just google them!!

other snapshots

Dine out with Anit and Wawa!!!

After almost 14 years, I met again with Anitt and Wawa. Wawa has the same fate with me..married to Singaporean...so we kinda close now. Always met for food indulgence hehe. Anitt came to Sing for work last week and 3 of us had a chinese food at City Hall Magic Wok. It was Anitt treat.. Timakasih!!!! Anyway masih terbayang "oats prawns yg sedap tuh"!!

Aaqil?? Where was he? I left him with his Bapak in the office for me to have a peaceful chat with my old friends. It was fun meeting, wish to be longer and juicier but Pak Hendra, wawa's husband was there too...so malulah!!!

Newly wed "Fahmi and Hadi and Wives"

Tahniah dan semoga berkekalan ke anak cucu!!

Fahmy and his doctor wife-Ain
Double Celebration for Mak Ela and family. Thanks for the superb hospitality!!

Short trip to PD and Rembau(Wedding)

It was one of my best and unforgetable weekend. Both my bro and sis came all the way to Sing and all of us went for a short trip to PD. But our main objective to N9 was to attend our cousins wedding and "eat lah". Kampung food is very delicious. My auntie whom I called Mak Lela was so surprised to see al of us. We were given VIP treatment and the food..walla...I thought I ate almost a quarter of that buffalo...I lost count how many plates I had...Ha..ha..Omar did have fun also...He always wanted to try local delicacies..Unfortunately Aaqil was overwhelmed with his new surrounding and refused to eat. I had to breastfeed him almost every hour.

we booked 3 room apt at Golden Villas Beach Reasort. Quite spacious and cozy

All of them was excited the moment they arrived

My "twin cousin"- Aida Akmal

We were very close when I was still single. We share almost everything. After almost 2 years, I met her again at her brother's wedding last weekend in Rembau. The food was awesome. Masak kampung la katakan!! Sampai pening kepala makan byk sangat kerbau. Oh ya..masak lemak cili padi tuh sampai I mimpi2.
I felt bad I did not attend her wedding last year as Omar was outstation at that time and Aaqil was still tiny and fragile. I hope she forgive me.
She is now happily married with her old schoolmates. Will miss u and hope to see u again SOON!!

How long more?

Aaqil with Cheeky Thomas...

While roaming around Suntec area with Yang that day, I found that Thomas was in town. So I called up the father and son who was already in Marina Square to join the fun. At this moment Aaqil does not understand much about Thomas and his friends all about. He loves the songs as well as some of its catchy musical cartoons. Anyway he did have fun with all the kids and Omar had been watching him.

Mingling with other kids? Naahh!! He was bulliying all the girls....sgh!!
Posing before other kids joined in the big thomas
"I had fun Mommy"!!

"Battery powered figure 8 set"

Aaqil has the toy above at home courtesy from Pakngah who is still in England. He bought it in uk for only 19 pounds. Here it costs 149 sgd. Mommy display it on her favourite Japanese chess. The thomas play table here costs 595 dollars so Mommy uses whatever she has. He he!!!

A Few Good Friends...

It was a special day for me as I finally met again with Yang after 2 years. She is having 2 days conference at swissotel and she had steal some time to have dinner with me at Siam Kitchen in Suntec City. We had some soft shell crab for appetizers, Omar and I had thai noodless,. Aaqil with his beancurd soup and Yang ordered some kailan and the famous green curry for herself. It was really fulfilling. Unfortunately she could not be long with us as she had to do some homework back in her hotel. I somehow promise her that I will go to BG on second Eid, God willing.

Back in MRSM Perlis, she was one of my closest.

"Frienship doubles your joys and divides your sorrow"

Introduction to Marine Life..

Wife and husband messaging each other on YM:

Wife: I think Aaqil has interest in Marine Life?
H : So, you have any plans?
Wife: Let's go to Underwater World this Sunday! Can catch dolphins also after that!
H : Give me an itinerary
Wife: Huh, ok! ( dalam hati :this is a lifestyle of a busy man, everything must be pre-planned)

It was a sweet momentos and unforgettable experice as I was looking at Aaqi's facial expression as we entered the spectacular 83-metre long tonnel, filled with fiercest predators and an array of incredible marine animals. I heard that Langkawi and KLCC have better "underwater world tunnel level" by a friend who visited all.

That big stingray in the tunnel system appears 30% smaller than what they actually are!!

The weather unfortunately not friendly at all yesterday and Aaqil was without clothes most of the time. In fact, he was a little bit cranky after we exited underwater world due to hot sun. Bapak was also cranky and sour-faced for not getting enough rest this week due to his demanding jobs. We took a break at Merlion walkway so that Aaqil could play with small fountains and Bapak could light a cigaretts.

At Dolphin Lagoon waiting

Although it was crowded, crampy and sunny, we had a good time be together with charming pink dolphins.The trainers together with this special mammals have demonstrated their natural ability like spy-hopping, wail-walking and vocalisation. Some lucky spectators got their chance to meet-the dophine sessions and touched the dolphins. If not for the jeans I was wearing, I would love to volunteer and get wet so long I can touch this playful creature.

Friendly, tame and playful pink dolphin

Unfortunately, I did not really follow my itinerary so we both end up came back 4 hours late. In fact, to avoid Sunday crowd at Sentosa we walked 500 metres to get to the mainland under a 40 degrees weather. As a result for not having enough rest Omar had a slight fever and he took a day off today. He still sleeping to recover. Hmm..maybe itinerary is very important in everything we plan, I guess. He has a point!!

Baju Raya

I was amazed by the fact that my good friend Aida will have "10 pasang baju" for this upcoming Raya. I am sure she will look spectacular and I wish I can meet her so I can "pow" some hangbao hahaha. It has been a long time I have more than two pieces of baju kurung, be it "kurung Johor or kebaya". Anyway, I think I am comfortable with baju johor as it is elegant and not so sexy lah. So, yesterday, I smsed my Mom-in law, asking her if she knew anybody that can tailor my baju. Then she replied short and sweet "pass to me". Yabeda badooo!!! I actually totally forgotten that my mom in law is a certified designer and tailor and she teaches tailoring class in some of the community centre all over Singapore. But does she have the time? She is also at the moment a warden in of the girls correctional facilities.

Well, since I will be going back to north this Hari Raya, I thought why not I spend a little bit more for baju. So here I am with some chiffon materials and silks. I will be visiting relatives and friends so kenalah presentable a bit. Being SAHM tak leh sloppy-sloppy haha well if you guys know what I mean. *evil gins*
Back to my MIL, today lunch time, I took a cab to her house with my raya materials. We discussed some design and cutting and she sounded so professional in designing my baju. Bottom line Mak, try to make me look slim and still I can eat a lot lah. So she designed 2 dresses for me and I have to buy some beads in Arab Street later. Thanks Mak!!

As for Aaqil, he had a great time with my MIL's maid. Today for the first time, he said the word "kakak. kakak".
He even followed her to groceries shopping without crying and throwing his temper tantrums at me...Willingly he went!
After that he ate the chicken soup rice kakak made for him. It was a great break for me as me myself relax in the room and after that I had some haircut without have to worry about Aaqil.

Nursing Aaqil beyond 2 years...

A lot have been asking me how long more will I be breastfeeding Aaqil. And trust me, it is not easy for me to respond without causing offense.

I have found out handling that situation with humor works best for me. When someone asks me, "How long are you going to nurse him?" I'll often respond, "Oh, about fifteen more minutes!" That usually lightens the mood and everyone relaxes a bit. If someone really seems interested, I usually talk about the amazing immunities breastfeeding provides, and the fact that toddlers need those immunities even more. Since they are more mobile, toddlers often touch-and taste-everything in reach and so are exposed to more germs. There is usually a toddler around and when the person contrasts the busy toddler with the infant in arms, I often see a light go on in their minds.

My FIL's wife, as far as I can recall has been hinting me to stop breastfeeding Aaqil months ago. Reason being, she wants Aaqil to be with her without our presence. For the past 2 years, I never gone out with Omar without Aaqil, not sure how the feeling will be like if I ever get the chance again but one thing for sure I know it will be a restless date for both of us thinking what will Aaqil be eating, what is he doing and so forth. Most older generations tend to feed our youngs with unnecessary food, and if we prevent them, they will do it secretly without our knowledge. It might sound that we are being overly strict on Aaqil's diet, but that is the path we have chosen as we know when he grows up, he will have the chance to taste all those junkies. Bottomline, we know he is not under-nutritioned without having those unnecessary food. Like the experts say, we don't have to expose our children with food, they will automatically decide what is delicious and what is not for their taste bud when they can decide. My MIL, on the other hand, feels a little bit uneasy looking at me and Aaqil in his 'monkey position' whenever he is breastfeeding. I never blame her though as she has no experiences at all breastfeeding her 2 children. Anyway she is more concern about the shape of my boobs (yes, disappointingly, for some, the shape is more important than having the best for their child). It's ok Mak, they are already pointing south because I didn't exercise them. Maybe there are creams in the market that can fix them back heh... was told Clarins has one. It costs SGD75 and it will point back to the desired position.

Anyway, maybe most of my readers would think that nursing toddlers is only possible if you are a stay at home mom (SAHM), or have enough milk/big boobs or some would say fanatic about breastfeeding. These perceptions are all wrong in fact. I have friends who are teachers, executives, managers just to name a few who are still nursing their toddlers and some are doing great even tandem nursing their kids. It is amazing thing how this people come forward to motivate and tell us their life stories, on how they managed to maintain their professions while making sure their toddlers at home have sufficient expressed breastmilk (EBM) and nursing directly when they are at home.

On my next posting, I shall touch on the myth of breastfeeding which I now believe it's a myth being passed down by our older generation to 'scare' us on breastfeeding. Stay tune, if I didn't get to your nerves yet!

I am still breastfeeding Aaqil as we both enjoy it. Actually breastmilk tastes like cantelope juice, it is sweet and creamy-like. The reasons why your young ones find it so delicious about. Breastfeeding often calms Aaqil down and helps him to go to bed. If he is sick, I will not have to run here and there, looking for the best pediatrician as I know my milk is the best fluid rather that giving him artificial fluid. It helps him to be better with its rich nutrients and antibodies from me. Best of all it gives him a sense of comfort and closeness with me. Oh, perhaps the best of all my milk is FREE.

This write-up is based solely on my experiences and my personal findings and has no relations to any persons in particular, so the victim is still me.

GOD says,
"The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do. (The Noble Quran, 2:233)"

Why, Zidane?

World Cup Football has ended. My favourite team, France was defeated by Italy and that was why Aaqil had England jersey on hehe....

Trademarks vs Generic Terms vs Brand Names

My hands were itching to write something today but my creative part of the brain is slowing me down. Perhaps my menses or just something else. So Omar gave me the idea to this article instead and he charges me $20, although he says it is insultingly cheap. Anyway it is going to be off my usual family topics...

Here it goes...

Have you ever wondered how a popular brand name can replace the actually correct term in our daily conversations or sentences but still being understood by our listeners. Didn't get the picture? Here is one good conversational example, "Don't forget to bring along your colgate and toothbrush to camp." In that conversation, the word colgate refers to toothpaste, no matter what brand of toothpaste you are using, and it is understood in Malaysia and Singapore I guess. Kudos to Colgate for being THE toothpaste, hmmm, they must be smiling, and Darlie please don't frown..... and for Colgate, you won't loose your trademark, so don't worry.

Trademarks? Yes, There are many companies which have lost their trademarks due to this. Let's talk legal just for a moment. As a matter of fact, brands like Aspirin, Escalator and Thermos have lost their trademarks and have become generic terms! Thats worst than being a Colgate, they still have their trademark although we have labelled them as toothpaste. Take for example, thermos, originally a brand name for a new kind of vacuum-insulated bottle for keeping liquids hot or cold, have already became the generic word for vacuum bottle! However trademark rights are generally country-specific, a mark that has become generic in one country might still function and be recognized as a trademark in another. Haha, thats why I'm not a lawyer.

I have compiled a list of brand names which are widely used either in Malaysia or Singapore and have 'officially' replaced the actual nouns in conversations; and widely accepted too, but still maintained their trademarks.

1. Colgate vs toothpaste
Eg: Read above....

2. Cutex vs nail polish
Eg: She puts on red cutex on her fingers.

3. Kiwi vs shoe polish
Eg: Can you please kiwi my black shoes.
I have heard some older generation Malays in SIngapore used the word blackin'
Eg: Kenapa tak belakin boot sampai kilat?

4. Clorox vs bleach
Eg: You need to soak overnight with clorox to remove these stains.

5. Corn Flakes vs cereals / breakfast cereals
This example will sound better in Malay.
Eg: Esok pagi2 semua akan bersarapan corn flakes.

6. Pampers vs diapers
Eg: Please bring along spare pampers for your baby. (Omar is against this one, he hates that brand I think)

7. Xerox vs photostat vs zap vs duplicate
This lingo was more heard in the office.
Eg: Can you please Xerox this document for me? hahaha!

8. Liquid Paper vs Blanco vs correction fluid
Eg: May I borrow your Liquid Paper please / Can you please Blanco your writing mistakes

9. Kotex vs sanitary pad / pad
Eg: Some brands of Kotex really makes me comfortable but some really don't.

10. Sony Walkman vs portable/personal stereos
Funny? Yes, only Sony trademarked them Walkman but if I am using a portable mini Aiwa, they will call it a Walkman too.

Just to name a few...

Try to add more... hmmm ... Palm handheld organisers, Cellophane tapes, etc etc...
So the next time if someone sneezes in front of you, do pass him/her some kleenex!

Project Title: Toilet Training Aaqil

Disclaimer: This article is written based on my unfinished project experiences. Any constructive remarks or suggestions from positive attitude homo-sapiens are most welcome to enhance my fluctuating motivational level.

Project Title: Toilet Training Aaqil
Subject's Age: 23 months old
Project Completion Date: Subjected to Aaqil's approval
Equipment: A toilet
Confidence Level: Minimal (Almost Zero)
Success rate: 100% in 6 years time

Liquid Waste Progress: Slow
Solid Waste Progress: Very slow
Overall Progress: Extremely slow

Other Issues: Subject becomes highly active when comes in contact with water resulting in time extension requests by subject.

to be continued in the future...............