Reflections....As Hijrah 1430 and 2009 Flies In....

I am most thankful for good health....a functioning brain that enables me to think - decide & consider in making decisions, families and friends and the pleasures and rizki from Allah swt.

As I bade farewell to 2008.....my happiness are in...

• Adzrul graduated from Kursk and now working in Selayang Hospital.
• Azlan got his promotion
• Sg. Serai completed renovation and now partially ready for stay
• Ayah K'tan went for Hajj
• I got to get some lessons from Nora..yeah...
• Meeting CT both times I was in M'sia
• Taking care of Hajj kids..
• Ayman, Zayd & Hannah changes....
• Zayd & Hannah forthcoming trip to Zurich..
• Ayman overcoming his ups & downs and maintaining to be more consistent..
• Eidul Fitri and part Ramadhan with Adzrul in Dhahran...
• Tenant for Cahaya Height

My hopes...

• To get better with my word-to-word Quran translations class
• Ayman will fare better in IB and pursue his ambitions
• That our health can be better...
• Pick-up the skills in DP..for my own self satisfaction
• Be more consistent in my habits..
• Peace on Earth...Ms.Congeneality Sandra Bullock
• Many..many more...

Wanderings....

Most important is what you state at the end of your life...since we don't know when we will die we have to strive to live keeping our faith and away from sins....O'Allah make us die in the faith of Iman and make us to the ranks of the pious..

There are many stories with respect to this as guidance like the man who has killed 99 men and keep asking if he shall be forgiven until he died as to his killing of the men...he was on his way to get/find forgiveness when he died.......**this story can be found in Surah Al-Maidah..

An abid who was a pious person and due to the whispeing of syaitan he finally died as a disbeliever.... The abid was asked to take care of a lady by her brothers..although he followed strictly and keep his distance but by the wispering of syaitan he slowly began to get contact and rape the lady and killed her when she got pregnant and hide the truth from her brothers..he was finally caught and known what was done and was going to be killed when he ransomed his faith so that he will be saved from the punishment and set free..and he denounce his faith when syaitan said that the abid will be saved but that is what he must do first to get syaitan's help....the story can be found in Shaik Anwar Awlaki " The Hereafter "...

As I was trying to recall the many stories, to help me in my own wanderings...Yet again the news of the current attack by the Israelis on Gaza and killed many Muslims. What can we do....??

Awal Muharram..

Salaam Maal Hijrah / Awal Muharram to all....

As for me..many reflections the year that has passed...many hopes for the year in coming. Alhamdulilah for the graces of Allah swt. May we are kept firm in faith and on the straight path always insya'allah....

Week In Review

• Sunday 21/12/2008 was Hannah 13th. Birthday...looking at 5 years we are here couldn't believe the young lady has grown. We went for dinner at Applebees. Thus it was a dinner for Zayd too....since his b'day on 23/12 celebrating 15 years of life. I told them it should actually be for moms since they are the ones who has to endure pain for more than a day. babies just has to look cute...
• Telephone bill shocker SR2000....for this month!!
• Tuesday 23/12..today is Zayd's 15th. Birthday....and also the day I get my new counter top in the kitchen..looks nice now...
• OMG...the heater broke and leaks in the garage...by the time I realise it..the whole room was flooded. Got to remove many stuffs out and Aramco maintenance came to remove the carpet..now its bare and cold. Not sure if the wet carpet gonna dry and smell ok to be re-installed..if not carpet baru pulak..
• Over the week..sooo many people dok mengeluh exchange rate is tumbling down..we are facing abt 25% reduction now..but alhamdulilah....isteri, anak & harta adalah ujian Allah swt semata-mata...

How Do You Do What You Have To Do..??

I believe we always have choices like either YES or NO..This or That..Go or Stay...Accept or Decline...Sometimes there are more choices that you can go for....Anyway..how do you decide to get angry at something that has happen or not to get angry and yet reprimand the offender..how about when this got to do with your kids...

If tak take action..takut jadi..Anakku Sazali with Bapak tawu..nye... If you take the wrong action takut pulak lain akibat nye..So do you really have choices here??? Takut juga tak fair and dituduh unfair...adik tu takpe..bila abang tak boleh pulak...and so on...

How do you say or show that you love each of your kids the same..No doubt you love all of them without question..But indeed you actually love each of them differently..But fairly?? How do you choose or even decide this?? This is the matter of fact question for me...You can't even say that you love A more than B bcos that's not it..it's just that its different in a way with each child or person...

How can you say you still love soebody but do not want to have anything to do with them? Not even to make time to see them...? Most times people are judged by their actions in addition to what they say....

Anyway...to make mistakes and realising it... is to regret it happening..with regret than come actions of preventing it and learn from it..to rub salt into an open wound is by no means will make somebody learn from their mistakes. Will this be enough? Sometimes yes and sometimes no..so back to the dilemma....Poneng kepalo den...

Hannah is 13th yesterday ad Zayd will be 15th. tomorrow

Hannah was 13th yesterday....no party..only dinner at Applebees which she couldn't finish..Anyway it was nice...

The thoughts that goes on in my mind yang keeps me occupied most hours ....

Summaries....

Since my last entries....these are the things that happened. Will talk about them more later...

• Zayd also will be going t Zurich with Hannah...at the moment I do not have any plans to go with them due to other commitments plus it is only a 4 day trip for them.
• I was in Malaysia from 14/11 till 30/11...
• Attended Shaikh Yusuf Estes talk at USJ2 masjid on 24/11..
• Villa Subang Alam is ready after renovation still under inspection for further works..install AC, curtains, kitchen cabinets..bought a washer & dryer first..just in case..
• Adzrul start work at Selayang Hospital on 17/11..got sort of an efficiency quarters...bought some soft furnishing to make it comfortable n cosy...
• I attended a few classes with Norana and met Zahirah my blogger craft friend...learn some stroke works...hope to replicate them soon...
• Was driving in heavy rain ost times in Msia..
• Had to go to Munawarrah a couple of times to get the tudungs..couldn't believe it is usually sold out by afternoon...Grab about 20++ for Dhahranian's.. it was sold out too..only a few left to show...
• Took care of several kiddies & teenagers while their parents perform Hajj...sweet.. especially at chow time when everything goes beautifully...
• Had a BBQ for Hajj party....will post some pics soon...

This week is clean-up time plus trying to generate enough motivation to start my evening walk again and to paint some stuffs..plus make some floral crafts...there's demand but supplier ni still hybernating....

Hannah's News..Zurich here I come..

The day before on Nov.10th...Dhahran School had it's first concert for the year...During the concert it was announce the names of those who qualified for the Honor Band & Choir reps for the school. Hannah has been vying for a spot and way early in Sept'08 she has begun her practices of the music pieces until audition in end-October..she demanded to get extra help by getting tutoring from her music teacher after school..kene bayar...hu..hu..SR100 for half an hour. I tanya juga apa yg teacher tu ajar in the half hour..she said..listen to while she's playing and if a note is not hit than she will have to do it over again..I guess basically..it's hitting the notes and play the pieces fluently..if I can call it that...She was determined to go to Zurich, Switzerland.. partly nak tengok if ada snow..he..he..and I told her it's a beautiful country...So almost daily she practices...at the expense of some other grades dropping a notch..but hey..her effort pays off "She made it to Zurich, Switzerland...." She shall go in Feb '09...with 8 others from school...

But the surprise came later too...Zayd was asked to sit for audition again and next week to play his piece..while Hannah chose the French Horn..Zayd is playing the thrombone...Me..I dont know any bits of it..whether the sound is ok or not..only..that I bear all the noise coming out and I hope my neighbors do too..so far no complaints... back to Zayd...his band teacher talk to Hannah whether Zayd even try out the music pieces and decided to quit and not do audition. Hannah says yes... The teacher knows Zayd temperament... quit first don't try if it gets too hard... we always tell him..try first than quit...he..he... BUT if the teacher asked him directly he will have no choice not to do it...Well..his teacher knows this..and yesterday cornered him to practise and sit for audition.. as there's a place for 1 more thrombone player and he asked Zayd to try it out.. I believe this is a nice gesture bcos ramai lagi yang boleh main jugak... but I did get a comment from him few years back when we talk about Zayd...he is lazy no doubt to practise his pieces.. but he gets them easily when he put in the time to practise..Huh..??!! And according to the teacher..he seems to play with his heart not just doing the notes..Huh..??!!! But whatever it is.. we had to forked out nearly RM6k to buy him the thrombone in KL in 2007 and haul it back to Dhahran.. and all the time we bought the wrong type...not for the bass type with an extra turning but the normal type with straight turns..Urghh...I text his teacher asking..habis camno?? Dia jawab..no problem Mrs. Azlan.. it's okey...so okey lah jadinya... adalah BACH tu tersadai je if Zayd does not play it. Hannah changed from trumpet to French Horn so tak perlu beli since sooo expensive....save sikit....

Come 17th. Nov..He's off to Selayang Hospital

Adzrul phoned from Pangkor this afternoon saying that he has got the offer letter. Yep..he got posted to one of his three choices...he's going to do housemanship at Selayang Hospital.

Moga dipermudahkan segala urusan......

Dr. Adzrul's Off To Induction...Nilai & Pangkor

Today Adzrul's off for his tatabina negara 5 days induction than on 1st. Nov off again to Pangkor for a 2 week further induction into serving for the government. Than probably on the last day he will get his posting. Although he went to Nilai today slightly down for yet again not passing his driving test due to the now "round-about blues"..Insyaállah..he will get thru soon enough.. certain things need patience..eh..he..he...

For the sending off to induction, I believe many families will send their love one there full with pride for what has been accomplished. Same joy we felt here by everyone but I just couldn't make it due to the distance and time frame..I believe deep in his heart he will know just how much I would like to trade things and to proudly send him off..just like when he got his degree on his graduation day..we had to miss it too due to repat to Msia..I would think due to our living conditions plus with what Allah swt has set forth..we can make plans but only HE will make whats best come true...and for those not as we wanted come true..we just have to endure and believe its for the best..Mama doakan..you will be kept safe and healthy and successful in whatever you do...May all obstacles be broken down and you get thru with ease...may your faith be steadfast to HIS way...May you be strong and fair in your dealings and may your wishes come true...

Many words may have not been said but Syukur to Allah swt..we get to taste the fruits of our labor..All your hardwork has been rewarded but there still remain many long and winding road that you have to get true..Stay true to your heart and firm in your believe..May you not be tainted by the colors of this world but emerge strong and clear..You are what you are..we are so proud that our hearts might burst if you were to know..you have made it this far may you make it further..We have no regrets coz' if we do we might not be what we are today..although we wish that we could have done better in certain areas but we are forever grateful...the regrets as we told you are that we are always apart..but if not for sacrifices certain things may not be as it is today..some people maybe lucky to have it all but to some we do have to make choices...May our choices be the right one we take....

Though it pained my heart to just let you go on your own with only your uncle to see you off on this another mark of an important day in your life journey...while others have their family around them..believe me we do wish that we are there...and I hope in spirit we are there with you..May someday we get to all be together again just like the last Eid but while we are not may the pleasures remains in our heart.

All the best ya..Dr. Nik Adzrul...May you be the best that you can be...

Happy 18th. Birthday..Nik Ayman Haniff Azlan

My 2nd. son..Ayman...who was long awaited for after about 8years of abg.Adzrul being an only child. Seems just like yesterday..now today he's 18 and soon will be going of to college.

May he have the strength to endure whatever the world dished out to him..May he has the perseverance to go on..the patience to wait and continue..May he be strong and realise all that he has to offer..Moga teguh iman and jadi anak yang soleh..amin...

We will always love you...no matter what...

#22 Jln.Sg. Serai, Subang Alam

Basically we did external works by putting extra roofing on the terrace and porch-front. The left photo shows the before and the right shows the after half-way thru the renovation...On the terrace we put the side roofing..initially the idea was for a pergola but it evolves into the now roofing with Malay style and wooden panels as ceiling... On the front porch..originally the double-door opens to the garden...but now it opens to a resak floor decking with fencing...the other renovation was for the wet-kitchen and closing of the space meant for parking and shift the front door..I hope to get more photos soon...it's now in the final stages of painting and cleaning... We went thru many ideas of how it should be..choosing the contractor and the budget available was the main concerns but I believe we are now in a win-win situation. The budget is increased by about 20% due to the sudden surge in material costs and also due to exchange rates..we lost some $$ when we transfer $ to the bank from saudi in USD...but it's no choice of ours and we can't do much. But En. Zul the contractor was/is very obliging thru'out the stages and Sani monitors and feedback wonderfully..eventhough we are not there but thru' his constant emailing we manage to "see"how things developed...Syukur..

The reason to putting the roofing mainly bcos the wind blows rain and dust etc..into the house. The double doors and windows got damaged to and has been replaced by the developer. Eventhough we are not staying there yet..my heart strings are now being pulled for wanting to live there.

No:22 Jalan Serai....Subang Alam

Today..received latest news that the interior works will be starting..thus marks the end of the renovation for the side roofing and kitchen of the above address. What we see is only vi photos that are send to us by our friend Sani. But...fening to select the paint colors..to decide all the other trimmings..to decide the kitchen cabinets design..Honestly...we went thru same process for the kitchen renovation and side roofing..but now its almost complete and it looks good... will upload the photos soon...

Calling for Candidates...& the 10th. day of Eid...

This was taken at RT Eid day yesterday....Adzrul's is going back to Malaysia today...Alas...the togetherness here in Dhahran is on pause till the next available time...He's going back to complete his driving test and maybe plus other things required while waiting to be called for induction...and from then on the application for candidates is kept open..so that the selection process can meet the dateline..ha..ha.. Time flies so fast..the kids are growing...

Bye Adzrul..see you in a bit..take care..stay safe...be the best that you can for the sake of Allah swt..Insyaállah see you in Malaysia in December if all goes well ya..

Hannah having her scuba lessons yesterday..she's all red for being in the sun too long...

Eid Day 3..Open House 316 Hofuf Drive...

Menu of the Day...

1. Raya Cookies & Cake & Desserts..cakes by Zahrah, Chocolate cake by yours truly..lupa pulak nak letak choc chips...Baskin Robbins to eat withTapai..Agar2 by Za..


2. Nasi Putih with Gulai Ayam Cili Padi, Goreng Kicap Daging, Sambal Udang @ cooked by Aida Ritz and Sayur Campur.


3. Pulut Kuning with Rendang Ayam..courtesy of Ana Mat Shah


4. Mee Rebus ala..ala..CW


5. Laksa Johor


6. Spagetti Bolonaise ala..ala..AuntyRozie


7. Satey ayam,daging,perut with Nasi Impit & Kuah Kacang catered from MK..added mini hot-dogs a hit with the kids..he..he..non healthy..


8. Tapai courtesy of Shalita..


9. Desserts and such from friends..thanks..thanks...


10. Drinks..Orange Sunquick, Tea tarik by Shalita, Nescafe by Zahrah, Pepsi & Al-Rabie Orange..

The table looks full of food but the gimmick was the two spagetti dishes requires many side dishes so more containers...he..he..

I had prepared for the homecooked item from the nite before after a raya visit to Su Harun's in Ras Tanura...It went on till 4am in the morning..Hannah was awake printing and counting the HR envelopes..tahun nie rezeki nak bagi duit raya...he..he..

The bakar satay geng from MK..Yazid and Haniff came about 2:30pm..Elsa came abt 2pm to help with clean-up...First group of guests from Ras Tanura came abt 3:20pm..'families of Zul, Ghazali,Azman,Shamsudin,Ruzailan..okey..if I can recall the wives name righ..Iza,Su,Ila,Jue & Yasmin....Hah..the food is not served yet..so they got to wait awhile till satay is ready and the gravies are put in serving dishes...

Table layout..head of line was the cookies & cake counter, side counter for drinks...the line continues with the nasi putih&dishes, Mee Rebus, Laksa Johor, Pulut Kuning & Rendang, Tapai, Nasi Impit & Satay ends it...I need to borrow a folded 6foot table from Shalita since my table is only a 6-seater...

As for food..the spagetti Bolognaise was the first to go..although I did make it using a 5 quart size pot..We had to make a refill on the 18-litre Sunquick dispenser..

Later will continue with the story..nak siap pergi raya rumah Azizah Nawawi pulak...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidul Fitri..from Dhahran

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri....Maaf Zahir & Batin...

Maaf..was caught up in the moment to get things done before and during Eid that updating took a back seat....furthermore..the internet and also phone line was really..really bad...

This is the family together after 6 years of missing a member. We use the camera timer to get this photo done..what a funny time..even Zayd who was grumpy finally put in a smile and put on the top of hi aju Melayu.....mostly the other photos were with either half of me in or gone..well..this is the best there is...But..no matter what all were smiling photos.. It was eventful Eid..ha..ha..

Lailatul Qadar

The best of nites...more than a 1000 nites...keep on reciting...

Allahumma Innaka Áffuwun Tuhibbul Karimun Äfwafáfu'anni..

The letter with ' is an ع ..so pronounce it as such...

Nite of 27th. Ramadhan

Subhanallah..we have reach the 27th.nite of Ramadhan..although it was said that Lailatul-Qadar will fall on any days within the last 10 nites of Ramadhan more inclined to the odd nite...Many belief that it is on the 27th. nite...Insyaállah..if it's our luck the best of nites more than 1000 nites will be ours...Doa..doa..as much as you can...do good deeds...read Quran...etc..etc...

With this 3 more days of fasting..and I havent even start with Eid preparation or even buying the required groceries..maybe tomorrow as for now trying to grab as much as possible the possibilities of the nite.

Unfortunately..I am not in a very good mood today..probably I was annoyed and feeling angry with what annoyed me. Keep reminding myself that its Ramadhan..What is it that I am annoyed with? Well..for some people to think that they can show whatever emotions they want..be it angry or sulking or defensiveness or even outright disobedient....If you are angry fine..but why over such small matter a voice can be raise..why cant you just keep your cool and ask properly.. as if the matter cannot be resolved by talking/asking nicely..and as if its not enough you got to throw things around albeit just a piece of paper just to make sure to show that you are angry...or piss off with the matter....and for me to just absorb it and let it pass..Hmm..enough is enough.. how long can a person stand..so now I am the one annoyed and angry that I got to swallow all that is being dished...I ahve to always keep my cool while all the Tom,Dick & Harry around can just show their emotions...Maybe one day while its too late it will sink in..but for the time being.. I have a more important thing at hand..to ask Allah swt forgiveness for all my sins and may the blessings of Lailatul Qadar blanket us on this nite...

Night of 23rd. Ramadhan..

Tonite will be the 23rd. nite of Ramadhan..it's the odd nite in the last 10 days and seeking Lailatul Qadar.... Azlan and Adzrul off to Madinah this morning and they have arrive well... Been telling Adzrul to take this opportunity being in Masjid Nabi during part of last 10 days of Ramadhan to seek divine help...Doa..doa..doa...Who knows if we can get the holiest of all nite dawn upon us...Subhanallah....

Allahumma Innaka Áffuwun Tuhibbul Áfwafa' Fu'anni...ÖÁllah you certainly Pardons, Love to Pardon, So pardon me...

Day after 46th. B-Day...Part. 2

The family together for Iftaar since 2002 at Tony Roma's.

Since today is Thursday...and we have the Quran class..it's my excuse not to cook for Iftaar.. he..he..again..banyak excuse kadang tu... Anyway..since Ayman pun balik from Bahrain to meet up with abg. Adzrul.. We decided to buka puasa at home with drinks and dates first and solat Maghrib and than go out to eat... We were planning to go either Applebees or TGIF..but Zahrah said that there's a new place in town of similar type..Tony Roma's at the corniche in Al-Khobar. So there we head after solat.. Although upon entering it's not that extremely inticing and certain foods on the menu was not available...we thought that TGIF would have been better.. Anyway...we did order some appetizers..Buffalo Wings and Shrimp K#$^%$.. it taste good..than the main menu arrive..whoa..size orang putih..pengsan nak ngabieh kan.. But the taste is good..we had become disappointed with Applebees actually bcos on the last 2 dinners we had there..first the food was over grilled and the next time the taste wasn't there...Mahal jelah dapat...and MK pulak dah ada..most of our dinner out was at MK's... But than again...kids like to try out new places..mak ikut je..anything if tak yah masak...