BelangZ

Date: 20 June 2015 Kimi, Kimi, Kimi...  What can I say. I love 3 year-olds. They are absolutely funny. They talk gibberish and they are full of energy. However, there are times when you just can't find the humour. Kimi, specifically, refuses to share his food and toys and only pees at the very last minute. I am not proud of it, but I sometimes imagine pinching him very very hard. Like for instance, when baking these cupcakes, he got super excited. He had his whole face in the bowl, while I mixed the batter. "Swirly, Swirly!" he said... And then he sneezed! The full blasted one, "Haaachooooom.....!" Directly into the bowl. Hmm... I was initially planning on bringing these cupcakes for iftar at Kak Milin's house. But after what happened, I just couldn't imagine serving them to fasting people, with the special secret ingrdient. So, how was I feeling at this particular moment? Shall I throw the batter? Shall I give Kimi a smack? Can I blame him for...

Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan, we meet again! Hasben has a new little masjid companion. I was very proud to say goodbye to Hasben and Kimi as they left for Tarawih. My baby boy, all grown up now. As I try to put Afi to sleep, I heard Hasben pulling up the driveway. It hasn't been more than 30 minutes since they left. "Ju, help me! Kimi shishi in the masjid! At the last tahiyat, he was wiggling wiggling, and the carpet was wet!" Hasben left for the masjid again, with Kimi standing in front of the door, soaking wet down to his socks. So no sleeping for Afi as I clean up the little Khalifa. I wasn't very cool to be honest, I was nagging the whole time. Ramadhan, the month of patience - I failed my first test, huhu. Washing up the pee-full clothes with my $10 washing machine. I am going to miss you LG,  with your annoying 'Error' beeping and all... After taking his shower, I asked him to clean up his toys while I was busy cooking for sahur: Me: Kimi, clean...

Fasting for pregnant or breastfeeding mommies is very subjective. It all depends on how the individual mommy cope with the situation. For me, alhamdulillah, it is manageable, as long as I wake up for sahur. Otherwise, my low blood pressure will not allow me to make it through the day. I will be sweating, breathing rapidly and experience sudden loss in energy.  Anyway, since 2010, it was fulfilling to actually fast throughout Ramadhan. But last year, Afi planned to arrive before Raya. I was like *yikes*! To cut the story short, I only fasted for about 5 days. And because it was practically a month to qadak, I decided to wait until autumn/winter, when the day is shorter and cooler, ahaks. And then it totally slipped my mind...  In the middle of Rejab, I suddenly realised that I didn't have much time. Hasben promised to become my fasting-buddy but didn't even make it 1 day... Pftt.. Anyway, I have been fasting nearly every day now (minus the times I missed sahur, huhu). To...

Date: 17 April 2015 Alhamdulillah... I have finally graduated for the third time. With the Chancellor...  My prayers were answered by Allah. I had endured some really tough experiences during my undergraduate and masters programs. I was initially a bit phobia of even thinking about doing research and lab works. So, I prayed really hard for a smooth journey with helpful and kind supervisors and friends. And yes, every single person around me had been so supportive and miraculously, I managed to complete my studies in 2 years 10 months. Although I had to take care of my baby boy, suffered a miscarriage, and delivered another baby boy, the journey was actually not so bad. And I know this is all a gift from Allah, and I am truly thankful to Him. My entourage :)   I have been so lucky for having the best supervisors in the world: Dr. Belal, Dr. Allan, and Professor Karu. They are AWESOME! And of course, my ever supporting Hasben... My personal manpower and spiritu...

I am not sure if this is a universal problem faced by all parents, but I  have been having this... Mmm... 'Challenge' for nearly every single night since this little boy turned 3... HE JUST WON'T SLEEP! It takes a minimum of an hour for him to settle down, MINIMUM! Sometimes, Hasben or I (whoever is on bedtime duty) will sleep before he does. And that is when he will creep out of bed, and run around in the dark. Super energetic even at midnight! We have done all the usual routine: arrange 5 toy cars by his side, tell a bedtime story, pat his back... Only for him to start talking/jumping/kicking etc... I mean, seriously, how do kids in the movies fall asleep before their daddy even finished reading them the book - lies I tell you! Wait... I think he is actually drifting of to sleep this very moment. Yes yes! *Bliss* Crazy ranting from a distress mother is over. Now to look at his peaceful face and sigh "Auwww... What an angel..." [^×^]

Date: 14 March 2015 So Lake Cressbrook is just a few KMs away from Lake Perseverance. As we drove downhill, we could see the beautiful lake, tucked in between the green hills. The visitors' area was divided into two parts: campers and picnickers. The picnic area has a children's playground, toilet and several picnic shades and BBQs. We erected our sunshade right by the lake and had hot lunch of butter chicken with rice and nuggets. Setting up our sunshade...  Afi in the Brica travel bassinet - love it!  Chef Hasben...   Loving the calm water and friendly birds flying over in the hopes of sharing our food (not really lucky though). After a round of football, we packed up and headed home. And on the same day, my BIL Azlan got engaged, just a week apart from my brother's engagement day. Too bad we couldn't be there with them.

Date: 14 March 2015 Visited Lake Perseverance while on our way to Lake Cressbrook. Got excited at the first sight of the blue lake, so we stopped by the road to take some pictures. Not a brilliant idea though, kind of dangerous! But awesome snap, right? :- Just a few metres ahead was the picnic area with a much safer photo opportunities... *Feeling duhhh...* Anyways, another dam checked in!