A short getaway

Based on the feedback from my friends, Langkawi Island, Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands (to name a few) are not the places to go during school holidays. They will be crowded with people and knowing myself  I would not be able to enjoy it. However, we did promise the kids that we would take them somewhere. So last weekend, off we went to Penang Island. Both my husband and I took Monday off . We planned to spend the night there on Sunday and leave on Monday. We went to Flamingo Hotel first to book a room. The receptionist said there were no rooms available. Then we tried Tanjung Bungah and Copthorne. Still disappointed! Finally around 1 p.m. we managed to get a room at Hydro Hotel (formerly known as Feringghi Beach Hotel). The kids were ecstatic because the pool was big and just splendid. The rest of of the day was spent frolicking in the pool and watching Dragon Boat Race at Teluk Bahang. At night, we combed Feringghi area to window shop at Feringghi Walk. The next day, again, the kids insisted that the pool was the best place to hang out. As usual, whenever we spend our time around places with water, I will be the keeper of clothes, bags and etc..Check out the photos I have captured.

The view from our room

Watching Dragon Boat Race

Teluk Kumbar

The kids cant wait to dive in the pool

Snake and Reptile Farm-Perlis

When it comes to creepy crawly and slithery animals, I just stay away from them. I dont know why I am squeamish but I am... So, after spending half of our day at Wang Kelian, my husband wanted to make a stop at Snake and Reptile Farm. At that time, I thought ohhh... okay, I would just sit in the car and wait for them. However, my husband managed to persuade me to come along too.After 10 minutes being surrounded by all types of snakes I took the nearest exit because I wanted to throw up!! These are some photos that were taken before my queasiness started, he..he..he..

Wang Prachan and Wang Kelian-Border Weekend Bazaar

 Can you imagine how hot it is?

Padang Besar signboard

some of the things sold there

my little muffin

Panca Sitara

Sweet young things

I couldnt stand the heat

Finally Wafi got his angry bird soft toy

Wang Prachan and Wang Kelian are popular border weekend Bazaar. As we have never been there, my husband and I decided to bring the kids and in-laws there. A few days before going, I googled Wang Kelian. All of the information mentioned have one similar factor, the heat!! The temperature there could reach 40 degree Celcius. Wow! So on that day, I made sure that the kids wear their caps. Wafi made a fuss but I stood my ground. So, he had to wear his cap even though he didnt want to. He..he..he..
My advice to those who want to go to Padang Besar, make a stop to Wang Kelian first because the goods there are relatively cheaper. I didnt spend much but I made a mental note that should I ever come again,  I am going to buy comforter/soft mattress. We left the place around 1.30 pm. Then we stopped at Taman Reptilia. I will tell my experience with the much dreaded reptiles in my next entry.

We won!!!

my group members

Today our group represented by Jaseemah presented our action research paper in Bengkel Pelaporan Hasil Kajian R&D in Emerald Puteri Hotel in SP. There were 14 groups altogether and almost all of them are experts in their own field. Compared to them we are novices. So, when the result was announced, we were surprised but delighted to know that we came in second place! Before the result was announced, I told myself that I'm not going to do this research thingy anymore. Clash of wills and time constraint are few of the factors that made me think twice to do it again. So when the MC announced the winners, the word surprise is really an understatement. We thought we would only get the complimentary certs. I could still recall my group members' faces. He..he..he..

Yay!

Posing with the hamper

Again but sitting position, he..he..he

Hari Penyampaian Hadiah dan Majlis Graduasi

Ahad lepas Tadika Perintis Kecil, tadika di mana Wafi bersekolah mengadakan Hari Penyampaian Hadiah dan Majlis Graduasi 2011. Majlis ini diadakan di Dewan Orang Ramai, Teluk Air Tawar, Pulau Pinang. Ini adalah foto-foto Wafi yang begitu ceria pada hari itu.

Sayang betul hari tu, katerer datang lambat. Ramai ibu bapa yang balik dulu sebelum menikmati jamuan makan tengahari. Kami pun selepas menunggu selama sejam , mengambil keputusan untuk beredar. Walaupun terbit rasa kasihan pada Kak Hajar (Pengetua Tadika) tapi kerana komitmen lain terpaksa langkah kaki. Apa apa pun, Wafi seronok sekali dapat nyanyi lagu Balik Kampung atas pentas dengan kawan kawan 5 tahunnya..

Your Name

I wrote your name in the sky

but the wind blew it away.

I wrote your name in the sand,

but the waves washed it away.

I wrote your name in my heart,

and forever it will stay.

      -Jessica Blade-

Thank You Harimau Muda~26th Sea Games Jakarta Palembang

 This entry is a tribute to Harimau Muda Football Team. Thank you for the gold medal. Despite the malicious attacks by the Indonesian media, the raucous and fanatic Indonesian fans you guys managed to overcome it all and beat the unsporting and ungracious hosts. You roared like true tigers! Bravo!

Birthday and mortality

9th of November 2011, yep, it's my birthday today. Everyone who's very close to me has relayed their well wishes. How do I feel? I am happy. I truly am. However, when you hit the big four oh you start to think about your mortality. You see, 2 days before Eid Mubarak my next door neighbour passed away. She had her gallstones removed. However, the gallstones turned septic. After battling the infection for three weeks, she passed away peacefully. I was deeply affected by this. We were quite close. In fact, if we had more time, I think we could be the best of friends  . She was only 36. So today, I am feeling a mixture of happiness and anxiety. What if my days are numbered? What will happen to the ones I am going to leave behind? Will they be okay without me? I am never going to know the answers for those questions because I am not God. Thus today, on my birthday I am taking this opportunity to pray that God Almighty will give me the chance to grow old and grey beside my husband, to be able to hold my grandchildren someday and the most important thing is to be there for my beloved, children, mother, siblings and all who matters to me. Amin. Happy birthday Yati!

Ulu Legong Hot Spring

On our way!

The need to relax and unwind have prompted my husband and I to take a trip to the countryside namely Baling specifically Ulu Legong Hot Spring. I managed to persuade my mother to come along too. We departed after Asar and we stopped at Kupang to try the local delicacy there. The laksa beras was yummy but the sate was nothing to shout about.

Isn't it cheap?

Waiting for the food

Hazim is doing his "The Rock " thing again!

My hand shook when capturing this photo

We reached Ulu Legong around 8 pm after stopping again for Maghrib prayer at a local mosque. Upon reaching there, I felt a little apprehensive because it was drizzling and the road was dark. The thing is, Wafi, my youngest child has this special radar for the unknown presence. Ever since he was a baby, he would cry this eerie cry if he sensed something. I was worried if this place would be filled with you know what. The big trees, the dark road and the weather intensified my fear. Alhamdulillah when we reached the Hot Spring, the place was well lit and the facilities were well managed. There were a lot of people there. Admission for adults is RM4 and RM2 for children. Not bad! The temperature of the pools is between 30 degree to 6o degree Celcius. Seriously hot stuff! There are 5 pools including 1 for children. What makes the pool hot is the high content of sulphur. Dipping or soaking in the pool can help those who have ailments and skin problems. My mother and children stayed in the pool for hours!

We'll definitely come again

The children were running here and there. Couldn't take their photo

Wafi slept soundly that night . Thank God!

3 things in my life

I need 3 things in in my life!

The moon, the sun and you!

The moon for the night,

the sun for the day,

and you for the rest of my life.

Macaroni chicken and sausage gratin

Got this recipe from yatiememories.blogspot.com. Fabulous recipe. Hazim loved it! We can never go wrong with Mozarella cheese! He, he,he!

Car wash and monsoon season

I have been making trips to car wash quite regularly these days. Rainy days and newly washed cars do not get along fine. Sigh!

Mr Bean, Rowan Atkinson and Johnny English (in that particular order)

 I have never fancied Mr Bean. Even though these series have huge followers , I don't really like this fictional character. Personally, I think that Mr Bean is a self centered, mean, stingy, socially inept and pathetic man. It boggles my mind when all of my children love Mr. Bean. The physical comedy doesn't really attract me to watch his shows. Being a woman who sometimes ruled by emotions, somehow it makes me dislike the actor himself, Rowan Atkinson. However, I was surprised to discover that this actor is actually a very intelligent guy. He is an engineer by qualification and surprise, surprise, he is an Oxford University alumni. My impression of this actor took a 180 degree turn when I watched a few of his movies, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Lion King and Mr Bean's holiday. So, last weekend my family and I went to watch his latest movie, Johnny English. I have read some reviews and all of them were positive. As my husband and I really need a break, we thought that this movie is our answer. We were not disappointed, I  think I laughed from the beginning until the end. I'm sure this movie will not win any Oscar awards but if you are in need of a good laugh then Johnny English will be able to provide some.

Cute poem

Total Office Madness

For the past two weeks my colleagues and I are experiencing total office madness. Datelines, quizzes, unmarked scripts, keying in students' marks and ISO auditing. If that are not driving you insane, I don't know what else can. Plus, I have to give extra coaching to students who I feel are not ready for the Speaking Quiz. Tomorrow is the dateline for keying in Ongoing Evaluation marks. After that, my friends and I plan to hold a pot luck session next week to relax and unwind. Can't wait for that day!

Beloved's Big Day

My husband celebrated his 40th birthday a few days ago. It was a quiet but meaningful affair. We celebrated it at home with our little family. I do not want to express how I feel about him here. I know he knows and that's all that really matters. Happy Birthday , bang!

Majlis Silang Budaya Dan Sambutan Aidil Fitri

Minggu lepas, kolej di tempat saya bekerja mengadakan Majlis Silang Budaya dan Sambutan Aidil Fitri. Semua pelajar dan staf digalakkan memakai baju Raya. Saya mengambil peluang ini mengunjung "rumah terbuka" pelajar-pelajar saya.Ini adalah foto-foto yang sempat saya rakamkan:

Bersama Nina and Ina-my fav. girls

Majlis sebeginilah selalunya saya "let my hair down".