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Friday, September 26, 2008

...she has departed...

There was a call at 3 o'clock last Wednesday morning the 24th (which was also the 24th of Ramadhan). Usually, I wouldn't be easily awaken by the ringing phones, but that morning, I could hear my wife's conversation.

The thing that we feared the most, had happened. A close relative, who had been hospitalised for the past 2 weeks had passed away.

Just about three weeks ago, she came to our house (she and her husband followed my father in law who wanted to pick up my mother in law after attending to Ikhwan). Who would have thought that would be the last time I met her, who was still all healthy and well at that time. Indeed, Allah had it planned for her (and for us). She got to see for one last time, how her niece and nephew had settled down (the first time she came over, it was pretty much vacant with no proper furniture). Too bad wife was working that day to see her.

I owed her for suggesting to my dad to introduce me to the woman who is now my wife.

She was a nice, kind-hearted and generous person. I'm not just saying it - that's the truth.

She was a good cook too. Her husband would always prefer eating in, than out, so that he could saviour her delicious meals every time.

Whenever we visited her, her hospitality was 1st class and top notch! There was always something in her kitchen, waiting to be cooked and served to her guests. Not just drinks and biscuits mind you. Sometimes, it was like there was a feast...., and it was not even meal times. Even in the case of regular visits from my parents (yes, they were close), or if we saw her at her mother's house (instead of her own), she would still show the same generous hospitality to us (in fact, to anybody).

Despite feeling sad with her departure, I haven't shed a tear. To be honest, I could feel that the sadness is brewing inside me. Usually, in cases like this where I felt like crying but couldn't, it'd be just a matter of time before something pokes me, which would then ignite me to break down!

Yes, her death was devastating and rather untimely due to coming Aidilfitri. Allah loves her more to take her during this holy Ramadhan, and this year's (and future) Ramadhan and Aidilfitri will not be the same.

"Tok Zal (how I used to call her) / Mak Pot (how my wife used to call her) - YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED! May you be blessed by the Rahmatullah, Insha' Allah...."

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Friday, September 19, 2008

Let's talk about.... holes

- A certain black hole is feared at because of its powerful sucking power.
- A certain other black hole may cause a ship to sink.
- Some people find pleasure hitting a ball into a hole, only to pick it up later.
- A 'couple' of holes were very much talked about during a recent election.
- A certain hole in the heart may be amended through surgeries.
- A certain other hole in the heart may not be easily amended and healed.- Some people are willing to do just about anything to get themselves out of (hell) holes.
- Having holes in the pocket may mean it's time to pay a trip to meet a financial advisor, if not a tailor.
- Some people dig up more holes to cover other holes.
- Some people stuff their hands into holes in the ground in the name of science.
- Some people make tons of cash (if not lose them) by naming their albums "..holes" or making movies about people trapped in holes.


P/S: Speaking about a movie on people trapped in holes, I saw Apocalypto recently and I should say, what an awesome movie! Totally original! Not a chick flick though... errr..I guess...

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The Hours, The Days, The Week

The followings were the events that unfolded during week 23 August to 29 August 2008:

23 August
It was not an ordinary day but a much awaited Saturday. I was feeling all excited and pumped up to start the day. I would be attending a workshop. That day was planned many weeks ago and after telling my parents of my plan, they had agreed to come over to look after Ikhwan (since wife would be working that day). Ikhwan was rather feverish the night before but seemed ok that morning. I informed my parents of his fever should his fever came back.

In the workshop, I learn and re-learn a lot of things that day. Throughout the day, I kept my motivational level at optimum by being an active 'student'.

The course ended slightly later than anticipated. Upon reaching home, I was still in high spirit, wanting to share my excitement with my wife, and probably, parents too (why not right?).

I noticed she already reached home before me. As I stepped inside the house, I was greeted with some rather shocking news. Ikhwan's fever had gotten worse, to the extent that he threw a fit (my mum was holding him at that time). Apparently, my dad tried to contact me over the phone, to ask if I could come home impromptu, but I missed the call since the ringtone was off. My dad's fingers were hurt and bled a bit after he put them inside Ikhwan's mouth, fearing that the fit would cause Ikhwan to accidentally bite his tongue. The fit lasted for a few minutes, and just as it ended, wife came home.

My sweet little Ikhwan. Poor him, he had to go through it without his parents around. Luckily, my parents were more experienced when dealing with such incidents. Obviously, Allah had a different plan for all of us that day. Sure, with regard to attending the workshop, the day went as planned. But should I had cancelled it before, which lead to my parents cancelling their trip up to KL, I would have been with Ikhwan alone that day. I wouldn't know for sure, what to do when Ikhwan had a fit, or what if I was in a different room at that time, not realising what had happened to Ikhwan.

Since Ikhwan now had a history of fit, my folks advised us that in the future, we should never leave him alone for more than a few minutes whenever he has fever. We should also always check up on him, especially at night.

Actually, this was the 2nd time Ikhwan had a fit. Speaking of the first time, it was not so much because of fever. It was more due to a 'disturbance'.

Yes, I do believe those things exist. Things that cannot be seen through our naked eyes (unless they choose to manifest themselves in some forms), having the sole purpose of trying to deviate the sons of Adam from the path of truth.

I reached home quite late on the night it happened. One of those nasty and evil things must have had followed me home, then disturbing Ikhwan, to the extent that he had a fit. Even after the fit was over, Ikhwan was crying weirdly and kept wanting to look at one particular spot despite our attempt to prevent him from doing so (since he looked really scared everytime his eyes managed to gaze upon that spot). Me and wife got anxious and worried by the situation. We recited Al Qur'an verses and also called my dad to ask his help in getting rid of 'it'.

At one point, I was so scared, I switched on all the lights in the hall and dining area. But somehow I did not have the guts to step into the kitchen and did the same. The dark kitchen crept me up!

Back to the events that unfolded during THE week. I met, or rather, my car met with two accidents in a span of 5 days. The first accident was a clear-cut case that it was not my fault. I was minding my own business, driving in my lane, in a straight line, when all of a sudden, a driver reversed his car from the parking lot and hit the left side of my car. It happened rather unexpectedly, that I didn't even get the chance to honk him. Seconds before his car hit mine, I could see how he and his mate were talking to each other (instead of the driver looking through his mirrors). I guess, the road was clear at the time when they got into the car, and the driver must have not expected me to be behind him when he was reversing. Sigh...

I hate confrontation - and luckily that was avoided since the driver immediately admitted it was his fault, and agreed to pay for the damage (he already did).


The car was not yet fixed when again, a different car bang it. On one of those very rare nights where I stayed back at work, on my way home, the second accident happened. This time around was not so much of a clear cut case...and did involve some confrontations in settling the matter. Just like in any other similar case or scenario, logically, neither one would admit their fault right? In the end, we paid for our own damages. Actually, even when I explained the chronology of the accident to some of the people I know, they too had mixed opinions on who was at fault.

29 August 2008
The 2nd accident occurred on the night of 29 August 2008. I was really surprised by it, considering the short period for both accidents to happen. On top of that, till that day, Ikhwan had still not yet recovered from his sickness.

I was too shock I guess, that I kinda' lost my confidence to continue driving home. Praise to Allah, I managed to. Upon reaching home, my wife and mother-in-law (who was around to look after Ikhwan) tried to comfort me and said I should be thankful that both accidents only affected cars.

When everybody else had already gone to bed, I was still in front of the t.v. Not really paying attention to what was shown on the screen, I contemplated on the intensity of that week. What started off as something I really looked forward to (the Saturday workshop), escalated to unwanted things (Ikhwan's fit and the accidents). Quite a week....

Then a movie was about to begin. It was Bridge to Terabithia. I had always wanted to catch this movie, and so, since the night was still quite early, I decided to stay up.

The movie is based on a book published in 1977 which garnered an award (Newbery Medal) the following year. The book is studied in English studies classes in many countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States.

The story revolves around a fifth grader Jesse Aarons, a middle child and the only boy in a family of five children. He befriends his new neighbor, a single child Leslie Burke, when he loses a footrace to her at school. Jesse, who is artistic but also fearful, angry, and depressed thinks highly of Leslie, a girl who is smart, talented and outgoing.

The two soon become close friends. Together, they imagine a kingdom in the woods near their homes, accessible only by a rope swing over a creek. The kingdom is filled with giants, trolls and other magical beings and they name it Terabithia.

Jesse has a crush on his music teacher, Miss Edmunds. When one day, Miss Edmunds invites Jesse to accompany her to the Art Gallery, initially Jesse wants to ask Leslie along but changes his mind since he'd rather spend time alone with his teacher. Without Jesse around, Leslie goes to Terabithia by herself. While swinging over the rain-swollen creek, the rope breaks. Leslie falls into the creek and drowns.

Jesse is overwhelmed by grief and guilt. He misses Leslie and is becoming so depressed, he decides to be an outcast and still goes to Terabithia alone. He even ignores and scolds May Belle, the second youngest sister who adores and admires Jesse.

Leslie's grief-stricken parents decide to move. Jesse asks them if he can take some of their wooden planks by their shed. Jesse attempts to deal with his grief by making amends with those around him, especially with May Belle. Using the wooden planks, he goes down to Terabithia to build a bridge. A bridge he builds especially for May Belle, so as she crosses it, he is to make her the Princess of Terabithia.

It was a splendid movie, and I'm sure the book is even more amazing. I agree with the critics - praise to the young actors for such credible performances.

A few scenes made me feel sad and a bit teary. I could relate to them somehow... But when it came to one scene, a teardrop finally ran down on my cheek. Then........ another. I don't know whether it was the events over the week that overwhelmed me or the movie had hit and touched me in so many ways, I didn't expect them coming.

I doubt it was the former...




Although a pure coincidence, the number 2, popped up again that week... and no, I didn't make it up when I said about a couple of teardrops.

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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Ikhwan's Gadgets - Part 3



For you who may have read it before, you may know the history behind why Ikhwan has three strollers.

The other day, I managed to find this plastic cover for strollers, good for protecting Ikhwan from rain (see 2nd pic). Now, when it rains heavily, I no longer need to bend my body while pushing the stroller with one hand, while the other hand is holding an umbrella.


I remember one day, while queuing up at the counter, the man in front me was paying for a feeding seat (presumably it was for his own baby, otherwise he must be a very generous person). It was a fancy seat - with sturdy frames, (very) padded cushions, buttons to play songs, and other removable accessories.

When the cashier scanned the product codes, appeared the price of the seat - it was RM 599!!! Wow, how freaking expensive!!! Now THAT would be over-pampering your baby... errr.. I think :). Guess he really could afford paying that much, huh.

The one that we got for Ikhwan, On-The-Go Booster Seat, was less than 1/6 of that seat's price. Other than its affordable price, when we decided to buy it, we liked the fact that it was portable. When in folded/unopened state, the seat looks very much like a bag. Due to its compactness and lightweightness, it is easy to carry it around by its handle. When ready to use, we just need to pull out one valve and it will self-inflate into a sturdy (yes, it's sturdy too) booster seat. Just look at how comfortable and secured Ikhwan is (there are safety belt and restraint of course).

When it comes to meal times, yeah, Ikhwan knows he has to sit there. But there has been a few occasions where he would just simply refuse to do so, especially when his Ibu just gets back from work. He would prefer to sit on his Ibu's lap instead. Now, the seat has some unremovable stain marks already (from his dropped foods and spilled drinks).

Kids with meals and messes, they all come together!
The seat's still usable of course, but come to think of it, luckily we didn't get him a RM 600 seat! Haha..

P/S: A lot of things can happen in a day, let alone in a week. Whatever they may be, just hope that your week doesn't end with tears in your eyes. Visit this blog again to find out about my encounters during THE WEEK.

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