My School Friends

Once I thought that my friendship with my school friends will last forever but alas time has shown me that for me it is not possible. Friends has now become mere acquaintances limited by factors such as where we live, what we do for a living and pretty much where we went to university. If not for Facebook, I would have definitely lost all contacts with all of my friends, from university and especially from school. I even came to a point where I thought "It's ok, I don't need friends." Of course, once I said that the universe decided to show me that having friends around is so much better than having none.

However, it saddens me when I think about my school friends like Mariam, Hanee, Alina and gosh, I can't even name any other girls because I guess I was never really close to any other friends. I was quite close to Mariam since we sat next to each other from Form 1 to Form 5 but she went to UK for her tertiary studies and I went to Australia. I think I was the only one from the circle I used to call my friends that went to Australia. The majority of them went to UK. As such, I have no common ground with them any longer. We don't live near enough to each other to visit. Even if I invited them to my house for Arwen's birthday, they won't come. To add some more distance, I think I'm the only one that I know of from my BBGS batch that has decided to completely go off the career track and opt for full time mommy track.

Truth of the matter is if we are not in the same locality let alone the same country, it's pretty hard to keep in touch. Furthermore, I always felt like I was the odd one out from my circle of friends when I was in school. I some what belonged in a group but yet I really don't feel like I belong. Mariam and Hanee was like the glue between me and the other girls. Hanee is a kind soul and would always try to include me in and Mariam just clicks with everybody and I just kinda tagged along with her.

Arwen goes to the Driving Range

This is your first time going to the driving range and using your real set of irons (I think this is what its called) or otherwise your very own real golf clubs but it was too heavy for you to lift it! When Bak was guiding you to hit the ball, you closed your eyes and didn't even look at the ball! So funny. This was at the Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam driving range on 24 November 2009. We went here just before we went to the dentist.

Having a life of your own...

I read in this book - Rules on Parenting by Richard Templar, that parents should let their child have a life of their own except for maybe the first 3 months of their life because it will be easier for them and for their parents when they grow up and be independent. I was like ?????. 3 months only?

I know that the following is me. I know that I'm holding on too tight to you and that it's hard for me to let you "have your own life" at 4 years old ok? But I've been leaving you with Aunty Linda & Shireen for short periods whenever the opportunity arises and I felt like I needed to get some work done in peace :). I remember the first time was the recent Ramadhan when Bak & I left you with Aunty Linda & Shireen at our house while we went out to get some food for buka puasa. Then later, when Uncle Sam & Shireen moved to our neighbourhood, I left you with Aunty Linda & Shireen for 45 minutes- the first time and then 2 and half hours couple of days prior to your birthday party and today for 2 hours. I still get anxious when you're not with me but I'm learning. I see that you are Ok and I will be Ok too.

You also did finger painting today! For the first time ever and you had fun with Aunty Linda & Shireen. I was happy for you but deep down I wished that I could have been with you but I really needed to catch up on the housework so that I can get some work done on the translation job I got tonight. So I took a deep breath and I let it go. It's ok. It's ok.

Bak is away....and Bak's 34th Birthday.

Bak is away to Brunei for 2 days and 2 nights. Just now when it was time to get ready for bed you said " I miss Bak." Yeah, it really is sad when he has to go away on business but of course he has too. It's work. Previously, when he had to travel, you & I would sleep over at Tok Bak's house but it's getting harder now because you really do want your own bed when going to sleep. You would ask for your bed and your home. You would be fine during the day but night time is terrible. You would toss & turn because there is no air-conditioner at Tok Bak's guest room! So this is the 2nd time that we are sleeping at home - just the 2 of us without Bak. I pray that all goes well for Bak & for us. Mama ni kadang-2 takut jugak but I have to be brave for your sake eh? :)

It was Bak's birthday on 8 Nov 2009. He turned 34 years old. We made a framed birthday card for him. We gave it to him after his birthday and Mama did not bake a cake for him either..kesian Bak. It's just that we had too much cake on your birthday. I thought we don't need cake so soon! Below is the picture of the framed birthday card.

Bak's colleague, Aunty Izlynn gave him a slice of cake. Guess who blew out the candle on the cake? See the below picture for answer.

..and this is the play doh birthday cake that you made for Bak. Pandai Arwen!

Super Duper Wen is Four Years Old!

My baby girl is 4! I don't want to get all mushy but you are after all my baby girl always and forever. I love you so much. This year we had another birthday bash for you. Smaller guest list than last year as we tried to keep it as small as possible. Itu pun sampai 84 people are invited. We had 4 birthday cakes this year. A record so far.

Cake number 1

This was on your actual birthday 21.10.2009. When you woke up, I told you that it was your birthday and you immediately replied "Let's make a birthday party!" So you went downstairs and asked me to put up the birthday flags and balloons and you asked for a cake! Alamak, mama didn't expect you'd be asking for a cake this early. So I started baking a cake at 9 o'clock in the morning while you started arranging your table and your stuffed toys. So the cake I baked was yummy but it sunk in the middle (probably opened the oven too often). But you got to decorate it and put in the candles all by yourself. Then I continued to make muffins out of the cake batter and I accidentally turned the half-cooked muffins upside down in the oven! What a mess! In the middle of this chaos, you rushed into the kitchen and said "Oh no, mama's muffins are 'ruyyern'!" Ruyyern means ruined, of course. Then after the candle blowing you asked me "But where is everybody?" Oh dear, you thought that your birthday party was on that day itself.

Cake number 2

Your birthday party was held on 31.10.2009. 10 days after the 21st. The balloons has even shrunk! But we had a great time, tiring but great. You love this Mickey cake. We blew out the candles on this cake with your friends as I wasn't sure exactly what time your cousins will be arriving.

Cake number 3

You blew out the candles on this cake with your cousins and Shireen because she had another birthday party to go to earlier on.

Cake number 4

This was a surprise cake from Aunty Melati & Uncle Shaman. So we get to blow out candles on yet another lovely & yummy cake. I know it seems as a bit much but no cake got wasted in the production of your birthday. Anyway, you are quite 'obsessed' with the whole birthday procedure. So cute. I call it birthday-sessed. So it really was fun. Your cousins love the birthday procedure too. At least you don't need to sing and blow out the candles 14x in a row anymore. 2-3 times is the max these days. Oh, and this year you have perfected the art of blowing out the candles. Last birthday, you got the pout going but no wind came out.

Mama & Bak love you so much. Mama prays everyday that you are safe, healthy, happy and may you have a blessed life, panjang umur dan murah rezeki. May you grow up to be a great person - loving, caring, clever, berakhlak mulia, soleh, charitable, polite, generous, successful and many more wonderful qualities. May you love, honour & cherish us in our golden years.

Always remember, you are loved and you are special.