The Internet Line Was Down...Kaput...

For the last few days the internet line was a problem..and in fact it is still is..Today I just manage to get a connection to view messages etc...The IT team says they are working on it as we are using the company supplied facilities in the compound. So..wait lo....

Anyway.. i will try to be more organized and orderly with this blog. Hello to new contacts..love reading your blogs..but nak panggil nama apa ya...let me know. Hello to "newly contactable" friends..let's not loose contact ya...

Today it rains in Dhahran..this is unusual for the time of year...and the day is heating up and steaming soon. We are reaching the 50 C ++ already..and the company temperature recorder will stop recording after 50C since it involves more "humane"issues for those who works in the sun...

One thing to look forward to..today I'm having lunch at Tandoori House with friends while the family will feast on Nasi Goreng..he..he..As for dinner..hmm..still a few hours to think about it...

Have a good weekend for those Thurs&Friday areas...

Apam Tepung & Moist Rich Banana Cake

Food..food..and more food galore...since yesterday..the nite activity has been nothing but eating with friends. But all for a good cause...yesterday nite was after the religious talk by Ustaz Lah... we had Nasi Dagang & Ikan Tongkol by Linda Zamri of Khaloud Village..sure happy neh..to get the invitation. I was thinking from morning what shall I do to bring to the makan-makan time. Finally decided on a banana cake since I had some bananas ripening rapidly...either cokodok or banana cake. Found a recipe from mama.fifi recipes blog and try it out..sure is moist..!! Sampai takut nak makan thinking of the butter in it...

Tonite pulak..got a dinner invitation from Azizi&Shalita..promised to make Kuih Apam..been letting the mix rise since morning and now it is in the steamer..not sure how it is going to turn out..this is the terrible time of waiting...sometimes it turns out sticky and too soft but sometimes it turns out just nice..same recipe..same hands mixing it..but not sure of the focus...

Will put in the photos of these two delicacies later...

Yup..It Rains a Wee Bit in Dhahran Today and a Sandstorm is Happening

Look out my window just now and saw a few droplets of water on the cement slabs..but raging quite fiercely outside is a sandstorm....this syamals are normal as the north winds will blow usually will bring it weather of change...

You would not want to be caught up outside as the sand will get into everything....Oops..Just remembered ..could have knock my brains out...I got to raise up my car screens!!! A bit tooo... late..the sand has got in the car...!!!

Hannah Kamilah and The Suicidal Bird...

This is a photo of Hannah in 3rd Grade 2004/2005 for the Middle-East Festival at Dhahran Hills School.....she was about 9 that time...yesterday she was in the school talent show..teaming up with 3 other friends playing trumpet,sax and thrombone..I couldnt figure out the song but she sure is trying out to do many things..I keep on wondering if I was still in Msia..will the kids be this involved and I will have the time listening to their presentation and sit for more than 2 hours.. Anyway..I got a free Latte courtesy of Amy Mehta.. something about if its small change dont argue who will pay.. Huh..beats me what it means but I guess..I am lucky to get all these treats.. I offered to pay though but sometimes I am the receiver...also because I was not really well for 2 days.. had to miss my Tajweed class...and..got a bowl of soup from Ana also yesterday.. Jazakallah Khairan..Lucky me...

Anyway...this morning as I was sending Hannah to school again.... after missing the bus !!!... at the 4-junction of Al-Hasa and Arabian Gulf Road... as I was moving on after stopping at the STOP sign...a bird suddenly dive down and hit the car!! WOW..suicide and die lo..I guess as much from all the feathers that was blown away...I was..Oh! my god.. I am not the one who hit it but rather IT was the one who hit me....

We have this thing about all the animals on the road if it was killed..the small animals that is..cats..birds...who's to be blame..So we decided ehemm... if the animals were the one who come to us and in a suicidal mood no matter how we want to avoid it but it just came on collision than it was their fault...Fair huh?? But if we were the one who purposely go and chase IT to satisfy some killer instincts in us than we will be the one to answer.... Ayman use to say that all these animals that we have or may have not killed on the road will be waiting for us in the afterlife and Says...Hey..You....Remember what happen between us??? He..he..it's payback time....!!

Anyway....on the way back from school... I came along the same road and did not see any dead bird supposedly laying around on the road near the place.. probably it survived the crash...

Today..it is already hot about 33 deg C this morning but the sun/sky sure is downcast.. would there be rain?? If it happens than it is a first off thing I guess and will be the first ever to happen in the almost 4 years that I have been here...

Counting the days to Cuti-Cuti Malaysia...29th. June 2007...

2nd. Sunday in May...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY....

To all the mothers out there..you know who you are and what you are.. we can only try as best as we can... without requiring compensation..without ever giving up.. success rate sometimes not so good.. standards have to be changed often..methods have to be learned hands on..sometimes..all it takes for the rewards of the sheer hard work are just..a small wet kiss and mom I luv you...

Picnic at Ras Tanura

These are 2 photos out of many that was taken during the picnic. It was a fine day at the RT beach on Thursday...although it was quite hot when we left home at about 2:30pm..The turn-out was great..most who committed to come did come. in a way the picnic was for Bro Saleem who taught some of us Tajweed and Arabic..and this is just the Msian group plus the Dayaji,Hasani,Senawi and a few "bachelor"guys. In fact, a friend of Azlan from Jubail was there. He was actually invited by Harun of RT. The food was marvelous...mainly msian fare besides the BBQ..we do not want to make it a big ahssle for everyone to prepare..but I guess sometimes when we prepare food we always have the fear of "What if it's not enough?" and so we prepare extra for the just in case..imagine if 20 families in this pot-luck have this "Just In case " theory...we end up with more food that we can eat...But..it was FUN..FUN...although I wish..I could have circulate more among all the ladies and talk much..much...more. Get to know how they prepare their food and so on about kids and stuff...Insyaállah maybe next time...

As for me...this planning give me the opportunity to learn about the portions for catering...the left over food was quickly taken up as "ta-pau" stuffs and got re-heated up over the following days..which is a tremendous help...

Last but not least...Jazakallah ul-Khair....May there be a next time...

The Week that was....

What I could say was, this week has so many events that we were left flat out by Friday...even the thought of watching the new Spiderman 3 movie in bahrain does not get too many response from everyone.

Saturday was normally..housekeeping day after the weekend..so..the whole day was spend..almost doing that.

Sunday..is when kids have lunch in school because of their club activities. So..had lunch at Shalita's home at about 1:30pm...with Shakiroh, Ana, Aida & Kamisah. Next..about 3:30pm when for a discussion at Sis Fatimah Senawi home for the intended beach party &BBQ at RT on Thursday, Faridah and sis Zahida was already there. Well...again our discussion was on food and who to bring what and how much. We agree not to worry about the food too much..in the end we will end up with more food that what we can take..

Monday is again a full day...in the morning is the Tajweed class...makes many mistakes and it's getting tougher with how to say the words and mouthing them properly..aahhh... Rush home to make lunch...nasi goreng aje....

Tuesday we had breakfast at the Golf Club House..again with Ana, Linda, Shakiroh... only cook for Hannah's lunch...Ayman is at home too due to Bahrain having Labor Day Holiday..Went to Dhahran Mall after maghrib to buy some gifts for Amani..who's having a birthday party tomorrow and a sleep over. Well..I bought a pair of pajamas in light blue..so nice and comfortable to wear..Now thinking..maybe I should go get another one..he..he..price is quite steep..about SR200 for pants and shirt. The ones on sale were the one not in my size...if not easily 50% is off..

Wednesday...Ana call-up saying she needs to tell us something about the RT picnic...so we went over to her house for a yummylicious b-fast of nasi lemak ( microwave), roti canai etc...In the evening was Hannah's soccer tournament...she practised some penalty kicks at the backyard the day before...So we were at the soccer field from 7pm till about 9:30pm. Hannah's team won.. that's the best thing...Quickly get home after the match for her to shower and went over to Amani's home for the sleepover. At the same time..we proceed to Izan's Kimey home for late dinner as they were having a tadarus at that time...

Thursday..early breakfast at the Hobby Farm..pick-up Hannah from Amani's house. Cooked nasi lemak on the stove ~15cups for the afternoon picnic at RT..make also the squid sambal... make some cood drinks and fruit salad and we are set to go... left Dhahran at about 2:30pm and reach RT at 3:30pm..the weather was nice... It was a fun day although tiring..met again some new ladies...couldnt' circulate or go around and talk so much..I was in my own thoughts although I manage to speak to quite a number..but I wish I spend more time with the newer ladies...as for my friends.. I guess they have a fun time too..as Ana decided that she will come along even though Mat was at the rig..she & kids took a ride with Azizi...

Friday..was a sore day..lepak all day...bought rice & grilled chicken from one of the Bukhari stores in Khobar for lunch & MacDonalds at nite...Azlan drop the container for rice...and luckily everyone has had their fair share but still Hannah was saying that she wants more...

It was a wonderful week..may this week and the next be better..

Super Cool Goalie...

Last Wednesday May 2nd., Hannah played in the last tournament for spring, in the girls' soccer. On normal match days, her team does not fare very well coz' although they have good individual players but getting the girls to play as a team requires more time. Anyway, Hannah was the team goalie that nite and it was a knock out game and each round winner proceed to the next round. Well..the girls won all their rounds and Hannah only let 4 balls to pass her, while her team scored 9 goals. The gals were screaming and jumping for having won the tournament after always being defeated in their weekly matches. The coach was smiling and so are we...as the coach says "Hannah was the best goalie for the tournament..yeah..". Good for you..sweetheart...

Doa2 Untuk Belajar...

As the title says...listed below are the doas' advised by Dr. Fadhilah Kamsah for just about anyone....especially for those who needs divine help in learning something... Frankly, I use it all the time and insyaállah..it helps you..sometimes without realising it...BUT..please!! Do not grumble if you think it is not doing anything for you COZ' actually something is going on..but sometimes we do not see it bcos it may not come in the way we want it or at the time we want it coz'Allah swt knows best...

Definitely..I need all the help I can whenever I sit down with Zayd for his studies..basically bcos lack of professional training I could not comprehend the best way to get him to learn best...just to get him to do better...as it is..he has come a long way...

I am practising it as I am facing quite a bit of difficulty when I am going for my Tajweed&Arabic classes..and getting to remember what is taught for that day..also for the other things I am struggling with...

Before starting the learning process, you can do this :-

DOA Utk Kuat Ingatan...

• Al-Fatehah
• Al-Insyirah
• Ayatul Qursi
• Ad-Duha
• Al-Kautsar
• Doa Nabi Musa..rabbish rahli,sodri,waya sirli.......

Selepas Belajar...

• Allahumma Inni Astaudi'Uka Maa'Allam Tanihi, Faar DudHu Ilaiya, In'dahaajati Ilaihi Walaa Tansanihi, Yaa rabbal 'Aa lamin
• Ya Allah..sesungguhnya Hamba mempertaruhkan pada engkau, apa yang engkau ajarkan kepada ku ini, Oleh itu engkau kembalikan padaku peringatan diwaktu hamba memerlukannya..dan janganlah engkau menjadikan ku terlupa padanya, Wahai Tuhan semesta alam...

After learning/studying..proceed with mind-maps, short notes, answering questions, remembering what you had studied with saying/revising it often..

The above after studying doa is still with mistakes on the Arabic version transliteration as I need to punctuate it properly for the "Alif&Hamzah" vs. "Ain"..I will update the corrections as I found it..as such please recheck also and advise me of the mistakes. Appreciate it very much...

Happy 24th Birthday..Adzrul Ariff Azlan !!

Time flies so fast....couldn't believe it that 24 years has just gone by....you were born just pass midnite on 11/4/1983..at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, Illinois. Attended by Dr. Janet Robinson. Papa was not able to see your birth..as he was on his way returning to Rolla from Carbondale that earlier on Sunday just at the end of his spring break. We were young then just turn 20 years of age but you are the one we have been waiting for that starts our life as a family.

Now..all the years thru' tears and sweats and happiness..we are where we are now. Our doa for you are just May Allah swt. always guide you, May success dunia akhirat be yours and our love forever wherever we may be. Not forgetting..may you become a great doctor and dapat jodoh dan zuriat yang diredhai Allah swt.

Happy Birthday..Anakanda...

p/s..cont... http://360.yahoo.com/rozieta_yusof

Pink Hollyhocks..

The Hollyhocks in pink lining my driveway... but the sandstorm yesterday almost flatten them but luckily the stem is not broken but they are slant a little bit.. it takes quite a few weeks since the 2nd. photo on Feb.17th. for it to bloom since they were planted.. I wish I could have gotten the other colors but you never know from the small plants. Thought i might get more to plan next winter... There's a beautiful rows of hollyhocks by Rolling Hill Blvd..will get a photo later..

Pacermaker #1 Bye..Bye...

On Wed. 3/21 Zayd was scheduled to have his 12 year old pacer removed. We were really.. really.. not sure about it coz' everything is new..but Dr.Shah seems very confident..he didn't push us to decide rather sort of tell us all the cons for delaying having the removal done. Well..it is almost 5 years now since Zayd has 2 pacer in his body although the first one has since discharge all it's energy. So only the 2nd. one installed in IJN by Dr.Hasri is functioning..it's a St. Jude's 2 limits max and min level. The 1st. by Tectonics is a single level setting. This is not a technical explainations.. At birth Zayd was diagnosed with a complete heartblock and just a few days after his 1st. birthday he had complications that requires the assistance of pacer on his heart for him to get going. Alhamdulilah with the pacer he is okey..tq for this chance ya..Allah

Since, the 1st pacer is no longer working, we were advised to have it removed but the time frame was not urgent but all the only if's....but than again the day was meant to be last Wed 3/21 at about 10:30 am the operation was done. we were at the hospital since 6:30am..Worse thing was Zayd had to fast from 12 midnite Tuesday till after the operation is over. This is actually the hardest part for him...who went you say, that he has to fast..his stomach starts to growl and signals for feeding...

I waited in the waiting room...Azlan went back to the office since there's no need for us to wait together in separate waiting rooms. The rule here in Saudi Arabia....male&female separate.. We put our trust in HIM and pray for the best and whatever is the outcome may we be strong to face it..The surgeon upon going in his chest found out that some adhesion occurs surrounding the pacemaker and he has to cut thru it to get to the pacer...well..to make it short..Alhamdulialh it was successful...our thanks to Allah..he is the ONE..the Decider... Totally it is about 2 hrs plus b$ I saw Zayd again...actually..I was doing Zohor when the nurse was calling for me, quickly i completed my solat and rush in..but got to get thru the auto double door first and when I saw him he was actually sobbing...I was scared..but then I think that sobbing is good..he was awake and feeling something...so I hushed him and asked why was he crying..was it pain? He said NO but it's just that he can't catch his breath or rather take in his breath..he was scared if he was dy***. So I told him that yes..we have to sometime but it's not yet...I guess the nurses and doctors around him was trying to figure out why he was crying...so I told them that he said he couldn't breath and they told me that actually everything is alright...I guess Zayd was scared as the last time when I was not there when he open his eyes..in IJN he was screaming when he came to..reason was I promised to be there when he open his eyes...this time I ask him not to cry but wait or ask for me if he came to and I was not there..but he was more scared what's going to happen to him when he feels that he couldn't inhale and exhale...Poor baby... but to me he is the brave one as he takes in the pain very bravely and going around as if it is nothing.. visitors were surprised that he is already moving around...I am always praying May Allah swt.. make it easy for him...We had the old pacemaker to take home as a souvenir?? Reminder that anything is possible only if Allah wills..

Decorative Painting ~ My First Project..

Finally..today I was braved enough to do the painting on an actual product. Before this I was practising on paper.. and the strokes were never good enough....I was impatient to wait until July so that I can go to one of Aniza's classes...So, as I was trying not to shake so much and let my hand tries to get the forms just right..I finally finished this file box. It's free hand drawing bcos I mess up on the pattern transfer and basecoat the surface again... The pattern is mine...the colours are muddy and maybe not the correct shade but I am still proud of what I had done..No matter that there are smudges everywhere but at least I have a completed product to look at and scrutinize it on how to improve further..I got to make more on wood surface as all the paints I have are just the acrylics for these surfaces and not the enamel type to paint on glasses or tiles...

Anyway..I learn the hard way by just following the instructions in books and looking at photos and watch a video...it can never replace a real life tutor but it's the next best thing if you can't find one near...

Well...I hope there'll be more stuffs that I can do..but I got to be patient..it's actually tiring as I have to force my hand to hold the brush a certain way and create all those strokes to make the flowers and leaves..and make a mistke in varnishing when one of the egdes started to melt..maybe I was spraying too close...but it's true..even without an artistic ability you can learn this fom of art and make something out of it....

Don't Be Sad...

A few days ago, I receive the passage below from UKS messages..it touches so many aspects of my life and feeling ashamed that I have bought the book for close to 2 years and yet haven't really past the first few pages..Yep..busy..busy... After reading the email that has part of the message on it, I have begun reading the book "Don't Be Sad " on Monday and now still on it..the beautiful words keep flowing from the pages and the messages tend to explain so many details of what my own life has been and how to contemplate and expect many issues and maybe how to resolve some.... This early in reading the book I can say that I have come to peace with many things and at the same time will try my very very best on many aspects of my life as if.....

Today is all that you have...

When you wake up in the morning, do not expect to see the evening – live as though today is all that you have. Yesterday has passed with its good and evil, while tomorrow has not yet arrived. Your life span is but one day, as if you were born in it and will die at the end of it. With this attitude, you will not be caught between an obsession over the past, with all its anxieties, and the hopes of the future, with all its uncertainty. Live for today: During this day you should pray with a wakeful heart, recite the Qur’an with understanding, and remember Allah with sincerity. In this day you should be balanced in your affairs, satisfied with your allotted portion, concerned with your appearance and health.
Organize the hours of this day, so that you make years out of minutes and months out of seconds. Seek forgiveness from your Lord, remember Him, prepare for the final parting from this world, and live today happily and at peace. Be content with your sustenance, your wife, your children, your work, your house and your station in life.

So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful (Qur’an 7:144)

Live today free from sorrow, bother, anger, jealousy, and malice. You must engrave onto your heart one phrase: Today is my only day. If you have eaten warm, fresh bread today, then what do yesterday’s dry, rotten bread and tomorrow’s anticipated bread matter?
If you are truthful with yourself and have a firm, solid resolve, you will undoubtedly convince yourself of the following: Today is my last day to live. When you achieve this attitude, you will profit from every moment of your day, by developing your personality, expanding your abilities, and purifying your deeds. Then you say to yourself:

• Today I shall be refined in my speech and will utter neither evil speech nor obscenity. Also, I shall not backbite.
• Today I shall organize my house and office….
• Today I will strive to be obedient to my Lord, pray in the best manner possible, do more voluntary acts of righteousness, recite the Qur’an, and read beneficial books. I will plant goodness into my heart and extract from it the roots of evil – such as pride, jealousy, and hypocrisy.
• Today I will help others – to visit the sick, to attend a funeral, to guide the one who is lost, and to feed the hungry. I will stand side by side with the oppressed and the weak. I will pay respect to the scholar, be merciful to the young, and reverent to the old.

O’ past that has departed and is gone, I will not cry over you. You will not see me remembering you, not even for a moment, because you have traveled away from me never to return.
O’ future, you are in the realm of the unseen, so I will not be obsessed by your dreams. I will not be preoccupied about what is to come because tomorrow is nothing and has not yet been created.

‘Today is my only day’ is one of the most important statements in the dictionary of happiness, for those who desire to live life in its fullest splendor and brilliance.

Taken from the book, ‘Don’t be Sad’ by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni, International Islamic Publishing House pg 31-33.

Children..How You Love Them No Matter What...

When your kids are young you worry about them learning to move, toilet training, speak...when they start going to school you worry about them not learning enough or maybe learning too much and about not making the grades....you worry that they don't have friends..do they know how to socialize..they are not interested in sports..joining school clubs..are they popular among students and teachers..are they nerds....Worry..worry..worry....it gives wrinkles to your face and make you much older than you actually are....and gives you a lot of unnecessary stress...

But than..if you don't worry..will they get the proper support to make them able to survive and compete in the current stream...will you be doing enough to make sure that they grow up to be successfull...But what measures are our standards...what are the reference points..what will be our satisfaction level..Will we be doing our "part"as a parent...

One thing I do believe..and also worry...we need to educate our selves to become parents..it is not a natural born with thing...Yes..we may be equipped with the physical parts of parenting like physically taking care of them..physically ensuring their growth and well-being but beyond that are we capable of ensuring that they grow up to be happy, balanced, know their duty to Allah swt. their religion- their parents- their family- their community, resilient to whatever may come their way, confidence, responsibility as a provider etc..etc..etc...

My husband and I become parents at the age of 20 with our eldest son Adzrul, 12 years down the road we have 2 more boys and a girl..this complete the family..but we also keep thinking should we have more..and we left it as..if it happens ok..if not we are not going to work hard for it...and now our youngest will soon be 12 and we are in our mid-40's..I guess by now it's a bit too off the child bearing years...not really b'cos of the ability but rather the physical part of taking care of them..

And now it starts again the band wagon of worries...what will Ayman need to take up in college? Our need will be something that he will be financially able with. His need somehow will be more of something he loves doing..like being an artist..he did mention illustrator..We worry again..can make money kah...can he support himself and than on his own family...One thing I know..he is sure good with his English writing...

Like Adzrul..we were very sure he wants to take up computer science...we was hoping more of medical science...than after matric he wants pulak to take up medical science but by than I was thinking alamak..it gonna be too long of a time...but now..5 years is almost done and he will be insyaállah going into his final 6th. year and into the working world...and than he says..I am not going to be a doctor for a very long time..I want to have a business like a cafe or something.. Hmm..do we need to worry again...So i say..why not find something that combines the two..health and diet food ke...make your own brand...advise and consult those who need special food diets... as we should know that many troubles come from our food...

Than come Zayd...the other day at lunch he says..Ma.. i wish I can learn the Quran and knows its meaning..? What do you say to this? I say..Amin..Amin...Amin...I told him..do whatever you want but make sure you focus and work hard...Coz'he's the one who always have some trouble with his reading comprehension and not understanding what it is..He has problems for essay type questions and word problems..but damn good with numbers addition...reciting and memorizing the Quran verses..he cannot control his temper..very fast up and very slow down.. we use to say that his voice has only and off and on button..no volume control...He feels he wants to be a chef because he feels he is not good at academics..as if it is going to be an easy field as I told him that he has to read recipes, do calculations and write his own recipes...

As for Hannah..she has become the wonder girl in our family...masyaállah..Why? she is into all sorts of sports and good in her academics...just yesterday she comes home to say..I can spell something that my teacher cannot spell...We ask again : are you sure? maybe he's just pretending...But come a time when there's minimum fuel in her..she will start to become the grumpy tigress or lioness..She hassle us if she takes a quiz or test and not sure of the results because she did not prepare for it...it stops once the result comes out..usually she will earn A's..If she gets a B..she will say that it was a tough one and nobody in the class score any higher since she either gets the highest or 2nd highest marks..i do not want her to be a snooty baby because of her achievement..so I got to learn to tone her down sometimes...

So..among all the worries..you know you try out many ways in bringing up your child..but you need to educate yourself in how to bring them up...get all the tips you can and read and join classes or seminars..listen to tapes..I strongly believe it will bring you a lot of good...and although we have to treat them all equally in their life...but no two are the same even if they came from the same father and mother...So..education is very important for all especially for mothers...

Hmm...my thoughts alone on this gloomy day....

Decorative Painting..I am trying really hard...

The first photo is from the guide book..while the other two are from my practices...Only the leaves just yet... but I am pushing on as one of the things that I want to do this year is learning how to paint.. decorative painting specifically. I am never good at art but they say decorative painting is a skill to learn rather than artistic ability...hmm..hmm..I wonder how this is so.I have serve various websites and I am amazed and awed how beautiful the paintings are...I wish if I could manage just a wee bit of it I am happy indeed. I have bought some books, plan to book a lesson with Aniza in Msia sometime this July, bought various paints and brushes...I am not too ambitious as i still have a dfficult time to hold the brush straight and get he right amount of colors on the brush. But the things that I do know by now are that..the quality of brush is important so as how you hold the brush..the movement should be fluid in moving the brush rather than forcing yourself to get the strokes just right...Anyway..I am happy to say that at least i can get the petals for the daisies right and the one stroke leaf...checking all the techniques....I am going with Donna Dewberry style first followed by Priscilla Hauser..insyaállah...the strokes for the roses has come right just yet but...it will I guess with more practise...I am targetting that by next week i should be brave enough to try and paint a design....

Today also is my "first" received duit tuition...I am trying it for Aisyah and Nadira..both kids have their strength in math already so half-way is cleared.Comparing with zayd..it is less of a hurdle with them but rather I still need to find their weakness so that I can help them in comig out of this hurdle...I need to control my tone so that I don't scare them..aisyah especially...Zayd was very sensitive whenever he couldnt figure out what a word problem wants..so I hope we can clear this hurdle again...we need to sort out the clues first and know what the problems want. but I am happy that they are good wit numbers once they know what it wants but still have to memorize formulas..If they still have me..I am sure insyaállah.. the word problems will become as simple as the number problems...in fact zayd is doing pretty well on his own now...

I need to write about Zayd's adventure in learning sometime. If he can do it..anybody can insyaállah...but then again my expectations may be different..Hannah is getting all A's although she has a tendency to slip if she is rushing her work. Zayd's result is more colorful...but the best part is that he is getting them more on his own effort nowdays..although I keep reminding him that he needs to read more in order to have better vocabulary etc..

Insyaállah..patience and doa..all will be well....

Spring Flowers...

This year the nice cool weather brings more rain than usual...we infact had several downpours here in Dhahran. But it results in all streaky cars and windows due to the sand in the air....Wonderful thing is..the plants are practically growing on their own...

This year I am not into major gardening..like making sure all the flower beds are full..this time more of spot gardening...mainly to test the soil...As you can see..thanks to the rain and fertilizer plus more frequent watering to the soil instead of spraying over with the hard water..things are looking quite green...

I have some geraniums and hollyhock planted in between the those colorful "lupa pulak namanya !! "..plants. Anyway...I have a hanging geranium bag over my door, and two pots of pink roses to be planted..in is starting to buds and yet it is still in the pots..got to do it before it gets too warm/hot...Denise from the garde shop called me this morning asking if I will be stopping by to get some more roses...last year was madness..between us we had about 20 pots of roses..the colors and the smell was sweet....but last summer was just too hot that it kills all of them...But..I am trying again this year but not as many pots...

I have started to hold the brush for the doing some decor painting..i am doing just the leaves now, and the comma, U & C stroke, S-stroke....my hand is getting real tired..will show the samples next..Insyaállah..in July planning to get some formal classes if i can squeeze the time..but for the time being..will try to get the hang of it..but i think..it's still a long way ahead..

Friendship & Obligations...

Today I was confronted with a situation that can be messy if i were to let it bugged me deeply. But than again..this is a common occurances among family, friends,collegues etc...What is the problem?Wondering why certain things happen the way it is without us being involved or kept up to date....The feeling that we may be slighted if we are not told of the happenings in somebody's life ( friend or family etc..), not invited to a party that we know somebody is having who is also our friend, not informed of a certain plans or extend an invitation to join something...not returning a call or messages within the expected stipulated time that a friend or family should...Not sure what the record standard time for this!!Somebody keeps asking if you are offended by certain things that he/she do...or predicting that we may not be happy with something that they may have done or said...Talking to someone else about all this suspicions or unhappy feelings instead of the intended person....Urghh...the list can go on and on...

Honestly..I think we should appreciate friendship or relationship just as it is...do not be overcontrolling in a way that whatever our friend or family are doing we must be included.. sometimes things happen unintentionally but even if they are done purposely, only the person who do it knows the real reason...sometimes we assume to much by how somebody is reacting.. but honestly we can be way off the mark....the best thing is to ask matter of factly...do not assume as...you will make an ass out of u and me...and you may be embarassed if you are wrong and might in turn offend the person with whom you are offended with due to mis-judgement...

Do not be judgemental over some reactions our friend or family is showing or the absence of commitments from them...Just accept the way things are....Being too frank can sometimes get you into hot soup too..so is being superly assuming on something...

Sometimes when these things happen..matter of the heart that is...you cannot help but feel a twinge of sorts..but you need to decide how to go on from that twinges...this will either make you or break you...Do not be too demanding or even obliging and too much wondering if a person does not include you in a certain things....most probably it is a simple mistake of having too much to do or to think that makes your brain works sheepishly or stupidly or even not working like the path that has been drawn up by that particular someone....

Sometimes..when these occurances happen..we tend to be secretive of something... hoping it might not hurt the feelings of someone else..but sometimes this can backfire also...

In a way...we cannot win always in these situations...you might have a lot of explaining to do but sometimes this will make the matter worse so...sometimes I choose not to explain but just let it pass....just pray that something else bigger will cross the path of whoever that make them forget about what have happen with you....

Count Your Blessings...

Sometimes we tend to overlook small minute things that happen in our life..and for all we know sometimes these things have more meanings to it than we realise...like a baby small staggering steps will lead to running and leaping as the steps are mastered... Being homemakers we will get caught up with the daily task of running the household etc..plus if we used to be career ladies before..but bear in mind that these will be my thoughts and opinion alone..it may not be right but it is something that I know...

What are these small minute things that we may let them pass if we do not try to catch it??

• The morning goodbyes and with hugs and kisses before the kids left for school. With bonuses of I love you Ma...& says..I have recite Fatehah & Qursi..
• The breakfasts that you dont have to prepare hot and the kids will just look at the empty table and proceed to the refrigerator and take out the milk and eat it with cereal..
• The high pitch scream of excitement as they get home for lunch and say..Yes!..Yes!...that they smell their favorite food..when it is just Eggs with Sweet&Sour Sauce..
• Your other half going to work with just a shout of goodbye from you and not really walking him to the door bcos you are busy brushing your teeth..
• Coming out of the bathroom and see that the bed is all made up b4 the love of your life leave for work..
• He try to indulge you but at the same time do press your buttons..like..do you think you can still fit in that dress??
• After eating..everyone brings their plates and glasses to the sink..
• They try their best to take care of their rooms...
• They try to recite the Quran ahead of class...
• Leave them at home and I call them asking if they have perform solat..and they will do it and tell on each other if they dont..he..he..
• Zayd falling more than half asleep everytime I have to make him repeat his reading of Social Studies and Science esp for tests..when he was fully awake at the computer..coming home saying ma..I pass..be it C or B it's just an overnite work..sometimes he gets an F so he will try better next time..
• Hannah is meticulous in her work..Busy baby...she wants to do 1001 things in a day and still will complete her homework b4 bedtime...
• Ayman is now very independent in his schoolwork regardless of the grades although I told him that I would love more A's sometimes..sure miss him helping out with washing the dishes...although some broke at least give me a chance to buy something new..
• Adzrul is now in his 5th. year and insyaállah will complete his final year in 2008.. he was and infact all my babies do not give much trouble at a younger age.. like waking up too much at nite..getting sick except for zayd due to his heart condition..May Allah swt bless your life for the things you bring to us..love you anakanda..
• May not have a whole lot of money like I want to but at least..no more heavy debts.. scaring off the credit cards issuer by paying and closing the account and they wanting to offer more credits and loans just over the phone..bought a new home to be ready this year..
• Send parents to hajj...we went to hajj...kids and us went for umrah a couple of times..
• Kids are actually the blessings for our life...
• 1001 other things actually...

And so..why should I get mad about when ..

• Their rooms are in a mess..and they are always in their room..
• The house is in a mess with books, jackets, cushions out of place, trumpets&thrombones..
• Socks & shoes are everywhere in the hallway..
• They are noisy...they fight sometimes..only sometimes..
• They ignore me when I nag or push them to start doing something when I say it's time to do it and not when they feel they should do it..
• They usually dont take a shower in the evening unless they have been out playing...
• They play too much game on the computer..and not stopping unless I tell them too..
• The older kids did not get in touch as often as you want them to be to know how they are.. Ayman's excuse..Everything is Okey...Adzrul has a blog so catch up there or chat via YM..
• When my other half is snoring on the sofa after a tiring day at work..he said..brain drain is more tiring than physical drain..uhuh...

You see..sometimes the things we want to be mad at is really nothing as compared to those we should be thankful to..

Just coming out of feeling blue...

Feeling Low...Feeling Blue...

Hmm..what can I say of this uneasiness..bloating..leaking feeling? I guess you might know what I am talking about..it's that time of the month!! I am having quite an unpredictable time of it lately...maybe it's the age factor now starting to factoring in...shucks..Anyway..the first time I realised that a change was coming was when after planning for so long to go for Ramadhan umrah..I had to get it cancelled the very morning we were supposed to leave. It just came with a big significant blob..as if saying..hello..it's not meant to be again this time. Luckily..the love of my life take it in his stride..went to cancel the ticket and say bcos of woman problem..the airline will keep open the ticket without charge for a year..that's the beauty of it here if we come to think of it..Back to the issue at hand..I realise I cannot predict it coming anymore and so it come back to plotting the graph..yep..ladies..we have to do this sometimes..found out that now the cycle will be about 28days plus minus 1 or 2 days and the last 2x has been quite stable so..now will be watching for the next few months bcos I am planning for the Ramadhan umrah again..Insyaállah it will happen this time with the grace of Allah swt.

Today not planning to go to the ladies halaqah as I am feeling sluggish..still haven't taken my shower yet but have made up the bed and the cushions in the living room..roam a few websites.. Sometimes I feel..if I start the day by not making the bed first b4 going downstairs it's gonna dampen my mood..it's still okey not to have the shower yet as you can brush your teeth first and clean your face and if somebody say there's a funny smell..you can blame it on the hazards of cooking...

Will tell you more about my plans later....