HAPPY EARTH DAY ....2013

Happy Earth day everybody. In today's Form 1 class, I asked the students what they understood from celebrating "Earth Day". They were quite knowledgeable in the sense that they talked about switching off the lights for less carbon prints, reuse, reduce and recycle, be kind to nature.... Well, they talked as a thirteen year old level would. Full of enthusiasm, excitement, and innocence. They believed the earth was a good place and everything was alright in their own little, secure and protective world. 

So, today in lieu of the topic "Healthy Eating" they made sandwiches without the use of meat. They used boiled eggs and canned sardines (do we consider this meat?) with lots of tomatoes, salad and cucumbers. We used old newspapers, cloth as rags and metal spoons and paper plates. After they had completed their group work "project" they were asking if they could eat it now and then. It was only the second period and it was only about 8:45am. Class ended at 9:00am. So, what the heck! I gave these children a break. Yes, they ate with much gusto and appreciation as they had no breakfast yet.  :-DD))))  As they were eating I showed them a slide of the eagle and the choice it had to make to live. I had brought something for them to add to their "main course". It was a topic on healthy eating hence I gave them apples, oat biscuits and mineral water. It was an enjoyable and stomach fulfilling class. Well, it applied the topic "healthy" and kind to the earth. Next week's topic will be "Living Fit". Now, what shall I do during this lesson so that we get out of the mundane, claustrophobic classroom environment? Hmmm .... maybe we will go to the field and play a game or two????? :-)  

Pre - Elections ... 2013

20th April 2013. Nomination day for the chosen and "picked" candidates of each party which is competing in the 13th general elections for Malaysia. Well, actually it did not affect my life here much as I was not into politics or their respective parties.

I was brought up in a political environment. With an uncle who used to be a candidate and a father who helped in the campaigning .... Now my cousin, this one and only uncle's son, is actively involved in politics. No, he was not nominated this time around. I supposed because he was more laid back and  involved in running his many businesses. It was not really significant in my life then as by the time I was more aware of politics, my father's health started to decline and thus, we were not involved directly in any elections. Pak Cik was also not nominated in his later involvement years and with the death of Mak Cik, he concentrated on his business ventures and new family. Only Naim was getting more seriously involved.

Among my circle of friends of non-Malays, we adhered to an understanding of not discussing politics, religion and economy. They could be quite vocal on their dissatisfaction and what to them was inequality of the distribution of opportunities as it benefited the bumiputras and Malays. Now, it is a different story. They kept forwarding anything that was against the government. Even though they no longer live here and have become permanent residents of other countries, yet, they feel they have every say and right in this country. Hmmm ... I still keep my opinions to myself. I read whatever was sent to me via e-mail, of course. I did not raise to their provocation or dissatisfaction. I am really not politically inclined.

I had never been involved in the voting process. When I turned 21, the legal age to register as a voter, I was more interested in pulling myself together and helping my mother coped and accepted my father's death. Then, I was in Kelantan from 1984 to 1988. It was advisable not to be involved as politics could be quite volatile between the oppositions. Thus, I kept my counsel until I got married and moved to Kedah. By then I was already 30 years old. Noor insisted that I registered. I had changed my address so, I registered to keep him off from pestering me. The first time, which was 2 elections ago, I finally went to do my duty. No, we never discuss politics either to keep the peace in the family. Thus, this coming elections will be my third time voting.  ;=))  Anyway, I am seriously thinking of opting out this time around as I honestly have no conclusive opinion or whatever that can somehow, guide me to pick the most reasonable candidate for my constituency. The more I read the more confusing I become. What is truth is what they believe it to be. So, what is the truth?

I hated reading whenever both parties just spewed out what they thought was wrong or shameful or dishonourable or the dirt they had gathered on the other party. Why couldn't they become more gentleman or as in sports, with much sportsmanship and panache? Be honest, sincere and integrity. Just talk about oneself. There is no need to lay out the dirt of others. Open a closetful of skeletons which should just be left buried. Why can't they work together? Why must politics change people? Friends become foes. Siblings become sworn enemies. The good become the bad and ugly. I have seen personally how being in politics can transform people close to me.

My hopes and wishes are for a peaceful campaign. A clean campaign. I have yet to hear of a candidate who goes all out to campaign about himself without tarnishing the reputation of others. Well, we'll wait and see how this fortnight of campaigning and the 13th general elections go. To everybody, filter what you hear. May the best candidate be chosen based on merit, honesty, integrity and sincerity. Do they still exist?????  :-}}

The colourful flags which was seen along the Changlun-ALor Setar highway.

Oppositions and pro-Government flags flying side bys ide. Isn't that nice?????  ;-)

Decorative flags along the roadside to add to the scenery ... let the "war" begins.

Do people really change?

Can a leopard changes its spots? Do people really change? Is change consistent? Or is it just a passing phase? After umpteen years, numerous reprimands, talks and discussions .... is change so temporary? Or is it one changes when it suits them and is advantageous to them? Well, we always say that water never stays calm for long. It was too good to be true. The storm will pass. Yet, it still hurts. A blunt pain yet testing the patience. At the end of the day, take a deep breath, istighfar, grind your teeth, keep your peace and silence, smile and life goes on .....   ;-} 

The "Completion of Studies" Day

Kedah Matriculation College celebrated its decade anniversary this year. To commemorate this special occasion, it decided to have a mock convocation aka "Hari Tamat Pengajian" or "Completion of Studies" day. It even had special robes for the "graduates" to wear to receive their scroll. What was amusing to Ikram's brothers was that the fact that exams had not even started. Well, Ikram was just lucky I guess, since he had his "convo" earlier than his two older brothers.

"Graduates" walking into the hall resplendent in their robes. I was thinking how young, serious and innocent they were before they stepped into varsity's life where they would change and mould into hardened, wiser, older and perhaps more mature young men. I recalled their "first" graduation with robes back in their kindergarten days. How time flew ... looking at them. Innocence being replaced by adolescence to adulthood ....

Ikram walking away with his "scroll". How solemn and serious he looked. I hoped and prayed that one day it would be a "real scroll" on a "real convocation" for his degree.

Ikram, nineteen years old and will be completing his one year matriculation studies on 30th April 2013. Then, to a university of his choice to further his degree studies in the field of his choice, insyaAllah. So young but so grown up. Matured but childish. I was laughing to myself that however serious they tried to portray they were all grown up, in an instant,when some guys decided to fool around, they broke out into fits of laughter and antics that made you realised that there were still that part of them which would always remain a child. I hoped and prayed that bit of childishness would always remain for them to remember that safe sanctuary when everything was so safe, secured and loved.

It's time to fly and soar ....

Ikram's convocation from matrix college. A year has passed. This year is all about the 3 boys convocation ceremonies. Ikram completed his matriculation course on 30th April 2013. Syafiq has already completed his diploma course from UTM, Kuala Lumpur. His convocation is slated to be sometime in June 2013. Akmal will be completing his degree course in June 2013 with his convo tentative date is in November 2013.

They have grown up. They are going in their own different directions. They are spreading their wings and soar. Different places, different fields from each other and definitely away from us. I have always let them go as I hang on to this adage - let them be free of obligations of you as being free is what ties them to you in the end. Let them go and never make the return journey an obligation. This will make them yearn to come home as they realise that they are always free to leave. Go if you want, but you are always welcome and accepted. 

The invitation card ...

I guess I follow Mak's principles. She let her children went off after Bapak's death  ... Adik to US, Hanah to Japan, Sue to Australia ... she never imposed the obligations of her children towards her. It was up to us to be filial about it. We did it not out of obligation or filial piety but the more she let us go, the more we returned to her. I have done my best for the boys. May they give their best to themselves, us and Allah. Our love, prayers and thoughts are always with them no matter where they are.

Apa Yang diharap Dari Teman, Sahabat, Keluarga ...

Munir's Engagement ... 30th March 2013

Kak Zizah had been estranged from the family since years ago ... more than 20 years I think. Not due to any arguments or dissatisfaction or anything specific in particular ... She just preferred to be left alone with her family and became reclusive in most family events or gathering. We are such a family that respects and accepts however you wish to lead your life. Yet, we always welcome you back with open arms. Justification or reasons are not necessary. For what it is worth, we are still family. Whatever happens, we are still siblings. However far one has wandered off or become reclusive, we are still of one father. The Aziz clan. Noor met her a couple of times when we first got married and Munir was still a child. They have only one son.

Allah swt works in strange ways. He knew better what were to become of us. Out of the blue, Abang Long called Noor (he never called me) and told him that Kak Zizah would be coming up north next week (30th March) for Munir's engagement. Imagine my surprise when Noor told me. He became the middle man between us. Maybe after more than 20 years, Kak Zizah was not sure of my response. Well, I am a very accepting person. For better or for worse, she is my eldest sister of the same mother. Thus, we told her we would be honoured to be part of the engagement entourage and for the first time, Munir met me again after a long hiatus. He is already working with Petronas now. He is 27 years old.  :-))) A nice pleasant young man.

His fiancee was from Jitra and we were happy to oblige them. We went to visit her the night before the engagement at their homestay. Kak Zizah and I talked the night away catching up the missing years. The total acceptance on my part and the warmth of our siblinghood, melted whatever apprehensiveness she had about my welcoming her. We finally left them at almost 1:00 am with the promise that we would come tomorrow and be part of the entourage.

The future mother in-law

The simple hantaran - 5 trays

The two rings as requested - one for" merisik " and one for the engagement

The girl's side return hantaran

It was a simple, happy and close ceremony. Zuhanis, the fiancee, was very friendly and her family very simple and welcoming. The wedding is set in November this year, insyaAllah.

I told Kak Zizah I would be honoured to be the host for the wedding in November. We may be far apart ...we may not have met since Mak's death .... we may be busy with our lives ... but we will always totally accept one another again wholly. Whatever our parents had done, they had done it right by instilling the strong bond of family, love, respect and honour among siblings. Thank you Allah swt for allowing us to get back together again.

Maka nikmat Allah manakah yang kamu dustakan ?   :-)