The Agro Bazaar Golden Experience

Last Weekend, on 24th and 25th February 2008, the children participated in competitions organized at Taman Warisan, Putrajaya, in conjunction with the Agro Bazaar dragon fruit promotion.On Saturday, Farah joined the colouring contest while Nadia joined the drawing competition.We arrived early and the children met many of their schoolmates there. We took pictures for remembrance.

Farah had a tough challenge - there were nearly 30 participants, and they were all working so hard throughout. It was a picture of a dragon standing tall next to a proud dragon fruit. I noticed that Farah actually coloured the dragon first, with a green back and colourful head. Perhaps that attracted the judges - her creativity and bold attempt on colour choice.

Actually, our heart nearly stopped pumping when Farah's name was not announced in the consolation prize list. At least we didn't expect her to achieve better that that - and we were proven wrong when her name was announced as the CHAMPION!!!.. Yes! Finally, her interest and talent bears fruits of success - congratulations darling:) Farah got a really heavy hamper worth RM 50.00. Lots of FAMA products and fat juicy dragon fruits.

What about Nadia and her drawing contest? It was really her first time taking part in such a competition and she just tried her best. She took 1 hour 45 minutes to complete her masterpiece. In the end, Nadia won a consolation prize - not bad at all. Congratulations.

On Sunday, we went to Taman Warisan again because the children participated in Fruit Puzzle competition. According to the announcer, best time recorded was 10 minutes - that's for adults. We were all saying to ourselves - Willl the children beat the adult champion?

Farah and Nadia concentrated on their puzzles. It was not easy putting together the puzzles, what's more without borders to provide a hint or clue, but the childred pulled through. Farah finished in 15 minutes, and Nadia won third place at 26 minutes. The runner-up completed her puzzle in 19 minutes. I think she is older than Farah, whatever...

During prize-giving ceremony, the announcer said that Farah also won the colouring contest on Saturday. The audience gave her a very big round of applause. What does it feel to win twice? and to win 2 hampers? Only Farah can tell the story...yah!

Actually, the children convinced me to join the fruit-eating competition. What? Two dragon fruits??? Isn't that just so crazy? Nevertheless, I accepted the challenge and won a consolation prize. Hmm..I was stuffed with rich-in-fibre dragon fruit. It was really my first time and I did it so well untill they had to give me a prize - I guess.

The children decided to share the dragon with their art instructor - Tok Ali. We called Tok Ali straightaway and he was so very proud of the children's achievement. As parents, of course we're thankful to God for granting us such talented and wonderful children. We always encourage them to participate in competitions for the competitive spirit - winning or losing is secondary. But when they actually win - guess that marks history in our family. Let's hope this victory continues...

Trip to PENANG

Hi. I'm Nadia. In AUGUST 2007,my youngest brother,my younger sister,my mom & I went to PULAU PINANG.We went there by AIR ASIA.The aeroplane was so comfortable and the stewardess were very buetiful and very sexy.In the aeroplane,I could see beautiful view.

When we arrived,we were hungry.My mom stopped at mamak restaurant.The food was marvellous.We stayed at BERJAYA GEORTOWN HOTEL.

The weather was sunny in PENANG.However,sometimes, it rained cats 'n' dogs. In the evening,we went to LITTLE INDIA to buy tradisional indian costume, bracelets, necklace,and earings.They were so beautiful and unique.

We also visited a SIAMESE TEMPLE,TRADISIONAL MOSQUE and PADANG KOTA.The food at PADANG KOTA were very delicous.

I attended my mom's paper presentation.She talked about GROUP DECISION MAKING.I saw many people in the conference ballroom. After that, I bought some SCHOLASTIC books. The junior novels were attractive and interesting


We returned home wearing lovely Indian costume. People looked at us along the way, as though we were in a concert..ha..ha..I felt so beautiful and famous. I chose a purple dress...well, it's my favourite colour. My mom will go to PENANG again in 2009.I plan to visit the ICE WORLD.

Wednesday, 20th Feb 2008

It's co-curricular day for the children at school. Farah plays netball, and Nadia plays handball. Nadia was elected as chairman of the handball club. She feels happy about it. This sounds good, and hopefully, it will encourage her to give it her best shot. As it is, involvement in sports and co-curricular activities is now one of the determining factors to secure a place in a boarding school. Well, we have to plan for our kids' future, and we're very glad the school provides this kind of opportunities for the children


Back home, Emir has finally managed to COMPLETE his first full-size colouring page which is a picture of Mowgli & Baloo in the jungle. We're all so proud of his determination. Emir can now colour bigger pictures. This defintely requires talent, skills and a lot of patience. Here's the victory picture for remembrance.

Job well done, children.

Monday, 18th Feb 2008

Yeah! After school, we visited our family dentist at Section 15 Bandar Baru Bangi - Dr Lisa Alis. Another tooth gone, without much pain nor agony. The children love their dentist for her personality and patience. She's always so gentle, careful and caring throughout the process.


At night, the children started Maths home tuition with dad. We've got a whiteboard for the purpose, and they seem to be picking up quite fast. We shall make maths tuition a routine everyday.

Saturday, 16th Feb 2008

Family outing to Mid Valley, as promised. We started home early, but we had to go through a massive jam -police road blocks - and finally reached Mid Valley. Had breakfast at the children's favourite , Mac Donalds. Just nice to secure front row at Level One Centre Court to see the acrobatic lion dance spectacular. It's fabulous - I'm writing an entry on lion dance on my academic blog:)

We promised the children some fun, so we took them to Megakidz World. A lot of climbing and sliding, and they even climbed to the higest spiral slide. Spent two hours there until they were too tired to afford another climb. In the car, Farah and Emir slept almost immediately.On our way back, we stopped at ayah's favourite fruit stall before the UPM interchange - bought pineapple, water apples, mangoes and starfruit.

Nadia & Farah continued the day with their piano class at Yamaha Alamanda, but we all came home. How lovely. It's a Saturday, and it's a splendid time to just stay at home. Back from the 2-hour piano class, the children looked restless and hungry. We decided to have our dinner at our favourite soup stall at Presinct 16 Putrajaya. Later, Emir told us a very interesting story from his drawing - will capture his story-telling talent soon.

Thursday, 14th Feb 2008

Hari ini hari Khamis saya dan kakak saya ada sukan tahunan sekolah.Saya dan kakak saya memasuki acara perbarisan .Kawan saya Nabihah dan Munirah memasuki acara lompat tinggi , lompat jauh , lumba lari 100 mitir dan 4 X 100. Kita membuat sukanan itu di padang sekolah.

Pada waktu 8:00 pagi cikgu rumah memakaikan barang - barang kemas untuk murid yang menyertai perbarisan. Lepasitu semua murid berkumpul di padang. Pada pukul 8:05 pagi semua ibu bapa hadir ke sukanan itu tetapi ibu dan ayah saya tidak hadir kerana ayah saya sakit dan ibu saya kerja. Pada pukul 8:08 pagi majlis itu dimulakan. Setelah muzik dimainkan semua pasukan menghentakkan kaki dan berjalan macam askar. Selepas habis perbarisan Cikgu Azlan memanggil Ustaz Firdaus untuk membacakan doa. Selepas itu diminta murid yang membacakan IKRAR. Selepas itu pada pukul 8: 10 pagi acara sukaneka untuk pra sekolah , tahun 1 dan tahun 2. Pada pukul 8:30 pagi penyampaian hadiah untuk pra sekolah , tahun satu dan tahun dua.

Pada pukul 9:00 pagi cikgu memanggil murid yang menyertai acara untuk memakaikan nombor . Lepasitu cikgu suruh murid - murid beratur untuk mengambil botol air mineral dan roti. Pada pukul 9:30 pagi semua murid tahap 1 pergi rehat. Lepasitu mak Adreana belanja saya dan Nabihah makan kuih. Selepas habis rehat inilah masanya untuk Nabihah dan Munirah bermain acara mereka. Pada pukul 10:30 pagi tahap 2 pergi rehat. Pada pukul 11:00 pagi pra sekolah balik dan tahap 1 tahap 2main dan makan.

Pada pukul 12:30 pagi penyampaian hadiah untuk tahap 1 hanya untuk tahun tiga dan tahap 2. Penyampaian hadiah untuk orang yang mengambil bahagian sahaja. Selepas itu Cikgu Azlan memberitahu rumah manakah yang menangi perbarisan itu. Kumpulan merah dapat nombor 1, kumpulan hijau dapat nombor 2, kumpulan kuning dapat nombor 3 dan kumpulan biru dapat nombor 4. Selepas itu Cikgu Azlan memberitahu rumah yang mana mendapat markah yang paling tinggi .Rumah kuning nombor 4, rumah merah nombor 3, rumah hijau nombor 2 dan rumah biru nombor 1.

Saya rasa sungguh gembira dan sedih. Yang paling gembiranya saya dapat menyertai acara perbarisan.Yang sedih ialah rumah biru iaitu rumah sukan saya, dapat tempat terakhir dalam acara perbarisan.

Wednesday, 13th Feb 2008

Pada hari RABU(13.2.2008),saya dan kawan-kawan saya telah melawat ke PETRONAST SMART STREET(PRESINT9).Sebenarnya PETRONAST SMART STREET bukan PETROSAINS.Cikgu AZLINA tertaip PETROSAINS.Sebenarnya,kami sampai dalam pukul 2:15 petang,tapi bas datang lambat sangat.Apabila dah pukul 3:30ptg,bas nadiputra berwarna merah telah pun sampai.Nadia "n" Mimi(kawan saya) duduk di kerusi(third last).

Apabila kami telah sampai di PETRONAST SMART STREET,kami beratur dan bergerak di dewan. di dewan ada macam-macam game tentang jalan raya,memandu kereta dan macam-macam lagi..,tapi yang paling NADIA suka ialah baling bola sampai masuk lubang,tapi masalahnya ialah dia tak ada bola.Ada 1 game yang buat I nagis ialah game accident.Game accident ni dia macam orang bawa kereta laju-laju lepastu dia accident.Ada sorang akaktu cakap yang accidenttu 10 km,lepastu akaktu cakap "cuba bayangkan 100 km sejam mesti lebih terukkan???Llepastu Nadia pun bayangkan accident tersebut.

Sekarang Nadia nak ceritakan masa naik game accidentu,mula-mula Nadia kena isi borang ,yang ke 2 kena naik,yang ke 3 kena pakai tli pinggang keledar dan...WOOOOOOOOOO,accident selepas I habis naik,I gelak sambil nangis.Semua orang bila naiktu macam tak takutje.Masa Nadia naiktu Nadia partner dengan Mimi. Selepastu ,kita semua dapat hadiah(pembaris,boucher dan stiker).Kami sampai sekolah pada pukul 4:00ptg.


Yang akhirnya ialah saya dapat lesen memandu.Ye,ye nanti Nadia boleh drive kereta...

Monday, 11th Feb 2008

This will be a very busy week for us.

My Phd meeting with my 3 supervisors - Assoc. Prof. Dr Khairul Anwar Mastor, Assoc. Prof. Dr Imran Ho Abdulah, and Dr Jamilah Mustapha - is scheduled on Wednesday, 3 p.m. I will have to do a good job in describing my methodology, ensuring no hiccups in my data collection and analysis. Believe it - I'm too busy to even be nervous. And I take this as an opportunity to deliberate vague and grey areas - this intellectual discussion will help me in every way! Thursday will be my Phd seminar - I'll be presenting my progress to the PPU central committee. I will do my best to present my case, and I shall work hard to anticipate loopholes, before they even see a trace of the pothole! I'll make my supervisors proud of my effort and seriousness in this pursuit.

My children are as busy :<) whole Monday to Wednesday afternoons. Busy preparing for the school sports day. But they say that they're only participating in the march pass. They come back quite upset because they're not selected for the track and field events. I can't believe this!!! Schools are supposed to groom talents - even budding ones! Schools should develop children's abilities and skills! Even if my children can't run as fast, they are very interested. Why assign the athletes with two or three events when that opportunity can be spread out evenly with the rest who want so much to be a part of the sports carnival? Children do participate for the experience and thrill - and they don' mind losing to the athletes.

Strangely enough - the school sports day will be held on Thursday. I am so very disappointed. Everybody knows that I never miss an opportunity to attend any event that involves my children - when parents are invited, of course. I even take annual leave to support the school in any way possible. So, why does the school do it on Thursday? A working day? A very busy Phd-seminar day? Now - i can only pray for my children's success, from far. I also hope that next year, this awkward planning won't happen again. There are so many concerned and supportive parents out here - you know!

Talking about chance - my children will be given the opportunity to write their experience in this family blog. I shall not edit in any way...hmmm...cheers :)

Sunday, 10th Feb 2008

I did my grocery this morning - and check this out!
Can't imagine how prices have increased tremendously over the years. I used to allocate RM 50 for grocery per week. Now, the total expenditure can easily reach RM 80. The prices of items for a decent family meal have nearly doubled! Let's take fish which we take everyday, as an example.

Selar (my simple favourite) used to be only RM 6 is now RM 11 per kilo. I very seldom buy Bawal, and it is now RM 18 per kilo. At this price, I might as well buy prawns, crabs or squids, which used to be 'the' luxurious tems on the dinner table. Hah! Even eggs are expensive. Are we heading for inflation, or what?

My family will eat merely to fulfill the food pyramid. YES! Other than that, we've decided that we may feel the pinch so much if we depend excessively on our staple food - rice. So, it's about time to appreciate bread and butter...ha.ha. Good way to go watch our diet, too.

Saturday, 9th Feb 2008

MMMmmmmmm...Started the weekend with homemade English breakfast. No more mamak food today.

Later in the afternoon, Nadia and Farah had their drawing class with Pak Ali, the resident artist at UNITEN. Their regular Saturday piano class was cancelled due to Chinese New Year hols. We're so thankful that Pak Ali could find time to train these 'future artists' at weekends. The girls love drawing, colouring and painting - a passion that runs in the family, really. But we've never had a proper class to further develop the skill and talent.

As for myself, I had drawing and colouring class with my art teacher in standard 3 (at her house). Did I win any competition? Frankly, I can't remember, but Mr Yusri, my art teacher in Form Four complimented on my painting, and that made me feel so good.

We had thought of going to the nearby night market ...but, on second thoughts, may be not. It's more tiring than getting anything done, seriously. Perhaps, we should all spend time together in our heavenly home at the university. The students have all left home for semester break, and there's really nobody around. It's pretty lonely now.

Nur Aliya Hanissa - 7th Dancing Princess

2nd February
Beautiful Saturday afternoon, sunny and dreamy...we went back home to Melaka to see baby Aliya Hanissa who was born on Friday, 25th January 2008. Heard that she's a very friendly and understanding baby. Imagine this -Achik managed to complete all her tasks at school, including meetings and preparation for her website competition, and she visited the hospital at the right time - just to see Aliya delivered safe and sound into this world.

Aliya is Achik's fourth princess, 7th cousin sister to my children, and most importantly, the family's 7th dancing princess....hmmmm...Her birthday marks another memorable event in our family calendar, and suddenly, the boys now become 'abang'...he..he..abang Emir (very proud of it) and abang Shami...Emir posed with baby Aliya so many times, and he's so happy about it.

Nadia and Farah played with their cousins, Ain, Mimin and Nurin, and formed a Secret Five...actually, they're into Barbie dolls and girls' stuff-cosmetic jewelries (made in China), makeup, stickers, etc. Achik was already healthy, after 7 days in confinement, and we're all so happy for her. The firls had their long awaited sleepover at Achik's house that night.

Visited Along and slept over. Didn't get the chance to meet Yoyo and Ijai...they're at the hostel. Perhaps, if Yoyo studies hard and get excellent results, and that there's no double-standard entry processing, may be she can study in any nearby residential schools...then we can all visit her more often.

Visited Busu Din..can't believe that his garage costs 20K..very nice one though. We particularly like the pebbles...Nowadays, everything is just so exhorbitant, even a decent meal can cost RM 10.00. So, let's start preparing home-cooked meals yeah...Abah's house still looks sturdy. Now, when I transfer to my new house, I shall take his limau purut and curry plant. Good memories to cherish, together with delicious recipes...of course.

So, that's the trip we've all been waiting for all this while. Glad to spend such lovely weekend back home, where life is always a rejuvenating experience. Welcome to the big, happy family, baby Aliya...

p.s. I had thought of the name baby Nur Alia Anissa at home - the children liked it so. When we told Achik of the coincidence, she found it miraculous...well...see the leg laaa..he.he.

Friday, 8th Feb 2008

Had breakfast at Mamak Precinct9 - I love capati, and it goes well with their chicken curry...i took two halves of potatoes and that cost 50 cents each. okay laaa...Nadia had fried maggie, Farah had roti telor, and dad was satisfied with roti kosong and his teh tarik kurang manis...tapau 2 roti canai for Emir, in our noble effort to help him put on more weight...


Farah practised "Bells are Ringing" and she couldn't get it. The fingers kept 'jumping' and the music wasn't smooth. Believe it - Farah cried! And I promised to buy her ice-cream if she could get through the tough piano challenge...she accomplished it in less than an hour..ha..ha..ice-cream power.

Nadia has finished reading 'Totally Spies'. She wanted to tell me about it but stopped midway...felt guilty...why? because I was trying to continue reading my book "Qualitative Educational Research in Action." Waa..waa...this author is writing about grounded theory and I'm using case study methodology. Where's the magic match? opposites attract? I use theory, he creates one - whatever!!!

i am still struggling with my readings and transcribing data for my Phd. can this pursuit be any easier??? only God has the say. Studying makes me hungry - and out of the blue, we ran out of gas. So lunch will have to wait...

Evening - as usual- sports and recreation time. Children played soccer and ran around at ILSAS. Emir insists that we go there again tomorrow to play at the yellow spiral stairs? hmm...had it not been yellow, will it be as attractive?

Thursday, 7th Feb 2008

A day at MidValley Megamall is just the kinda break we need. The drive was smooth and easy as shoppers were still celebrating Chinese New Year - at home, holiday destinations, or wherever...had breakfast at MacDonalds, browsing books at MPH and spent RM 600.00, mmm...this better be worth it! I got my Qualitative Research books -cost a bomb! and the children bought some lovely junior novels - The Tiara Club, Magic Kitten, and Totally Spies. Impressive - Farah bought 3 revision books so that she can score in her exams - way to go there;)

The main attraction was definitely the Chinese acrobatic show at centre stage Mid Valley. Fantastic stunts and applause. The bodies were 'boneless' and so elastic??? not to mention high degree of precision in the execution of their chreographic moves. Actually, we had come for the well-known lion dance show - but that will only be on Saturdays. So, watch out for 16th February!!! Lion dance show is really Emir's favourite, so we plan to bring Emir along.

Shopping at Jusco was another funtastic activity...Farah got her new swimsuit, with a nice combination of pink and grey suit, and a matching pink goggles. I tried a black and pink - ohhh! may be later...never to be missed, an ultraman maxx for Emir specially brought from Planet XXX to fight his evil monsters!!!

There seems to be a new exit to Cheras which makes leaving the area so much easier. Hmm..does this mean we can spend more time there??? Yezaaaaaa:)