The selection process to SBP/MRSM (Form 1)

I intend to post about this soon.  We have such a ridiculous selection process that I think I should share with all you parents out there so that you take the right steps and avoid all the unnecessary hassles.  Remind me if you don’t see any posts on this.  =)

Just a one-liner

I think I want to teach.  =)

My kids… and I am so proud of them!

I don’t intend to brag about my kids but I am writing this post so that I can read it again maybe 5 months, 1 year.. 2 years… 5 years down the road, about the achievements of my children that have made me the happiest mom on earth.

2011 has been a roller-coaster, at least for me because in March I went back to work.  The kids had to readjust and of course, I had to adapt myself to the working environment after being a SAHM for 3 and 1/2 years.  It wasn’t easy and to top things off, it’s UPSR and UPSRA for my eldest.  But alhamdulillah, despite all the chaos, we all came out of it gracefully.

In the final exam, Syifa’ got no. 5 in her class (SKTTDI 1) and no. 1 in her class (SRA TTDI).  Syaima’ got no. 7 in her class (SKTTDI 1), Shumayl got no. 2 in his class (SKTTDI 1) and best student in Arabic language in both schools.  He was also selected as The Best Student (“Pelajar Sahsiah Terbaik”) in SKTTDI 1 and The Best Student (male) in SRATTDI.  I am so blessed.  Thank you, O Allah!

And this morning, we received yet another surprise.  Shumayl has been offered a place in MCKK.  We have never imagined that our son would be offered a place by an elite school like MCKK.  It was an honor indeed.  Unfortunately, we don’t think we will be accepting the offer.  Shumayl has a deep interest in Arabic.  And he has a good aptitude towards memorizing the verses of the holy Al-Quran.  And the best place that we could think of that meets his preference is MRSM Ulul Albab Kota Putra.  And the good thing about this MRSM is that, besides the tahfiz program, it is also offering the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).  So, he’ll be getting the best of both worlds!  We really really hope and pray that Allah will bless him with a place in this school.  Yup, I know it is far – an 8-hour drive from KL.  But I guess, that’s the sacrifice that we have to make for his future.

We do get comments like “can he cope with all the work?”, “if he’s going to be busy with memorizing the Quran, will he be able to cope with all the other subjects?”, etc.  But as my husband always say to us “if we settle our affairs with Allah, Allah will help to settle our worldly affairs”.  And I believe in that.  In fact, the Principal did mention during the briefing while waiting for the students to finish with their interview, that those students who excel in their memorization of the Quran, they also excel in their studies.  No students who excel in their memorization of the Quran, slacken in their studies.  And that makes sense because when a person spends his time memorizing the Quran which contains Allah’s words, the nur of the Quran will lighten up their heart.  And with this nur, one will not face any difficulties in comprehending other knowledges.  So, I am not worried one bit that he will fail in his studies just because he strives to memorize the Al-Quran.

But I know I will cry buckets.  And it could very well be for days.  But I also know that he’ll be in good hands.  So, yes.  I will continue to pray that he gets an offer from MRSM Kota Putra.  I will be the proudest mother when that time comes.  =)

My online store!

Oh wow!  Life has been hectic for the past 2 months.  But I kinda like the hectic-ness.  And school holiday seems to be very short this time around.  In about 2 weeks’ time, I’ll be chauffering my kids to and fro school again.  =)

Anyway, I’ll talk more about my kids in my other posts.  For now, I want to announce the opening of my online store.  YUP!  Been waiting for this moment for some time now.  I am in the midst of opening a physical outlet for my birthday-event-management business with my friends.  But while that is being finalized, I am launching my own online store for gubahan hantaran, gifts and the like.  I am very excited!  I have yet to officially launch the e-store.  In the meantime, why don’t you drop by and have a look?  Just click on the storefront banner below and it’ll take you to my e-store!  ;D

I finally forgot my password!

Yes.  I finally forgot my password to WordPress.  It shows how frequent I log in to blog.  And I guess it also shows my progress in terms of age!  Hahaha… Anyway, I’ve reset it and here I am again to blog away about my life, my family and whatever that matters to me.

So, where should I start?  I finished my Masters.  FINALLY!  And here’s a photo of me receiving the scroll on the 8th of October 2011.

Receiving my scroll from the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Haji Hassan who is also the President of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

It was indeed an achievement for me considering I’ve taken up the challenge to do a thesis instead of completing several courses.  My thesis has been presented in several conferences and alhamdulillah, it’s well received.  My aim now is to publish this thesis before year end.  In the meantime, I am assisting the University in several related projects with external parties.  When I approached my supervisor in the early stages of identifying the topic of my research, I told him that I wanted to conduct a research and write on something that can contribute to the betterment of the society.  I want to do something that can be applied.  So, he suggested waqf to be my area of study and alhamdulillah, I hope my research can be used by the respective waqf authorities in improving the management and enhance the development of waqf properties.

Watching the kids grow…

I was so relieved when the kids sitting for UPSR rushed out from the hall shouting with joy.  Felt like joining them myself!  I was stressed up for the past 1 week, worried sick about my eldest’s preparation for the exam.  Now it’s over.  I can freely enjoy attending the Raya open houses!

Anyway, the kids are truly growing up.  I can see them slowly becoming independent and slowly developing their skills.  I noticed that my eldest is very good in Maths, a subject which he hated very much when he was 7 – 10 years old.  Now Maths has become his favourite subject.  My second, who is 10 years old, has developed interests in crafting and writing, both require creative thinking.  =)  And both are my favourites too!  I always thought that my second is different from me.  Fortunately, I was totally wrong.  She mirrors me in every single sense.  She loves to eat (I do too), she is grouchy (and I shall admit that I too am grouchy.. ouch!), she loves handbags and nice clothes (well… I love them but my pocket doesn’t), she loves animals, loves paper crafting and her latest interest – writing.  My third… hmm…so far, the only thing that I noticed about her is that she’s becoming addicted to Habbo.  I guess she’s still too young but I shall monitor her closely on this Habbo thingy!  >:|

Well, back to my second.  She’s been getting good grades in school for the Bahasa Melayu Penulisan papers.  But I didn’t expect that she’ll be so interested to write a piece of story of her own.  She even wrote to PTS on Facebook asking if they’ll accept her as one of their Novelis Kecil.  Now, we are getting serious!  I love to write too.  I’ve been writing diaries and personal journals since I was a teenager.  Then, there were blogs.  I’ve been writing blogs since they were introduced.  If I’m not mistaken, this is my third blog after the first two blog providers stopped their services.  But my writings were never serious writings.  Thus, I am impressed with my daughter.  And if she’s into serious writing, I will do my very best to see that her writings are acknowledged.

This is an excerpt from her first chapter of a story titled “Ani, Duyung dan Dongeng”, which she is currently writing:

“Oh ya, baru aku ingat yang kunci pendua yang diberi oleh ibu boleh membuka semua pintu dalam kawasan sekolah ini.  Sepatutnya, kunci pendua ini boleh membuka pintu ini.  Tak apalah.  Biar aku cuba dulu.” kata hati Ani.  Apa yang difikirkannya tepat bin betul!  Kunci pendua itu membolehkan Ani masuk ke dalamnya.  Di dalam bilik itu terdapat pelbagai buku dongeng dan komik lama.  Ani berminat untuk membaca buku yang dipilihnya iaitu ‘Duyung vs Pari Pari’.  Ani  membaca buku cerita itu sehingga terlelap.  ”Eh, aku ada di mana ini?”  getus hati Ani.  Ani melihat sekelilingnya yang baginya amat aneh.”

With an apple in her hand. The faster she eats her apple, the faster she writes... or is it the other way around?

All the best, Adik!  Ibu will support you all the way!  =)

A new chapter in life is about to begin

I am at a juncture again.  I have to decide which road to take.  You see, I have tendered my resignation 2 months ago and I am currently serving my resignation notice.  My last day will be at the end of this month.  Reason for resignation?  Well, I find life is more meaningful if I focus all my energy on my family.  Life is just too short to spend on worrying about customers’ endless demands.  I wouldn’t mind if the customers are polite but if they (almost all of them) are bossy and treat you like you are their subordinates, well then, I’d rather say “goodbye!”.

Anyway, back to the juncture that I mentioned earlier.  I wanted to pursue my own interest, i.e. in event planning, crafting, baking, etc.  But that won’t bring in the amount of $$$ that I’m getting now, at least not yet.  I have also been offered to run a newly set up company.  Also in the IT industry.  So, which should I choose.  Or can I choose both?

I have a few more days to think about it.  Most likely it’ll be the latter, for $$$ reasons, obviously!  *sigh*

Where have all the good values gone to?

I’ve not been in the corporate world for about 3 1/2 years. It saddens me that the good values in human interaction have somehow disappeared. People can just scream, give sarcastic remarks and what-not to each other. Respect seems to be very scarce nowadays.

After slightly over 2 months working, I already thought of resigning. I don’t feel like being around or dealing with rude people on daily basis. I get depressed and it bothers me a lot.

Every week, I will have this same feelings and thoughts. How much longer should I wait? Life is too short. I don’t want to live my life being miserable all the time.

=(

Temporarily closed for orders…

Dear all,

I would like to inform that I’ll not be able to take in any more orders for cupcakes or gubahan hantaran for now until 15 June 2011.  I will resume to entertain your requests after that date.  =)

Thank you!

Anak oh anak…

Sebenarnya dah lama dah nak tulis pasal perkara ni.  Tapi disebabkan sibuk dengan macam2 urusan, asyik terlupa jer.  Kalau ingat pun, rasa tak larat nak ngadap komputer.  So, asyik postpone dan postpone dan postpone lagi…

 

Saje je lah nak share cerita ni dengan sapa2 yang baca blog ni… and kalau sudi, silalah tinggalkan komen.  Mana la tau, boleh disampaikan nasihat ataupun komen tersebut pada empunya diri yang menghadapi masalah ini.

 

Gini storynya.. ada kawan saya ni cerita kat saya tentang anak kepada sepupunya (kiranya anak buah kawan saya tu lah) yang telah pun bekerja tetapi masih belum berkahwin.  Dipendekkan cerita, sepupu kawan saya tu dah berkecil hati dengan anaknya kerana sejak anaknya tu bekerja, satu sen pun dia tak merasa duit anaknya tu.  Dia bukanlah nak sangat duit anak dia tu sebab dia sendiri pun masih bekerja dan ada duit sendiri, cuma katanya teringin gak la nak merasa anak dia tu belanja dia makan ke, belanja beli barang dapur ke, tolong chip in bayar bil letrik ke, bil air ke, bil tepon ke… memandangkan duduk satu rumah dan mungkin guna letrik/air/tepon lagi banyak daripada orang lain dalam rumah tu.  Tapi haram satu sen pun anaknya tu nak huluq kat mak ayah dia.  Buat dek je bila gaji masuk.

 

Bila saya dengar cerita kawan saya ni, terdetik kat hati saya ni “ada jugak anak yang macam ni ye?”  Seingat saya dulu, masa saya mula2 dapat keje, gaji pertama saya tu bukan setakat mak ayah saya yang saya bawak keluar makan.  Saya jemput bapak saudara saya sekeluarga join sekali.  Seronok rasa hati dapat belanja keluarga saya guna duit saya sendiri, yang saya dapat hasil daripada titik peluh saya sendiri.  Yang lebih menggembirakan saya, di akhir dinner yang tak seberapa tu.. semua pakat doakan semoga rezeki saya dimurahkan lagi oleh Allah.  Sungguh terharu dan best sangat rasanya dah dapat menggembirakan hati orang lain.

 

Pastu kawan saya tu sambung lagi storynya.  Katanya sepupunya tu pernah hidup susah.  Pernah makan nasi lemak sebungkus share laki-bini.  Pernah makan roti canai sekeping share laki-bini.  Tapi anak2 diorang tak pernah tahu tentang hal ini.  Katanya biarlah anak2nya tak tau yang diorang tu tak ada duit.  Ada la sekali dua kala, dia pernah pinjam duit dengan anak dia tu.  Itupun bukannya untuk berjoli shopping ataupun pi melancong tapi untuk keperluan rumah.  Dan bukannya sampai beribu-ribu.  Dalam dua-tiga ratus je.  Itupun, si anak claim balik dengan dia.  Dalam erti kata lain, setiap sen yang si anak tu keluarkan untuk mak ayahnya, si anak tu take note.  Seolah2 si anak tu ada simpan buku 555 atas nama mak ayah dia.  Adoiii.. sedih sungguh saya mendengarnya.  Tidakkah anak itu sedar siapakah yang telah melahirkannya?  Siapakah yang telah membesarkannya?  Siapakah yang telah mengeluarkan ribuan wang ringgit untuk menyekolahkannya sehingga dia berjaya ke menara gading dan seterusnya menjawat jawatan yang selesa sekarang ini?  Kenapakah si anak itu sanggup berkira sangat dengan dua-tiga ratus yang dikeluarkan untuk mak ayahnya itu?

 

Menurut kawan saya lagi, anak buahnya tu pernah cakap kat mak ayah dia yang dia nak simpan duit untuk buat belanja kawin.  Nanti bila dah kawin, bolehlah dia mula bagi duit kat mak ayah dia.  Saya pun terpikir, “dia takkan dapat bagi duit pada mak ayah dia bila dah kawin nanti”.  Sebabnya, bila dah kawin nanti, banyak perbelanjaan lain yang perlu ditanggungnya (yang mungkin belum tersenarai dalam senarai perbelanjaannya sekarang) –  loan kereta, loan rumah, perbelanjaan dapur dan rumah sendiri.  Bila dah ada anak pulak, nak beli susu anak, diapers, etc etc.  Bila anak2 dah sekolah, nak kena bayar yuran sekolah, beli buku sekolah, duit belanja sekolah.  So, kalau nak tunggu lepas kawin baru nak start bagi mak ayah merasa duit kita, that’s just a wishful thinking la pada pendapat saya.

 

Tah lah.  Sedih jugak bila saya kenangkan anak2 muda zaman sekarang.  Sungguh berkira dengan duit masing2.  Mungkin kehidupan sekarang ni amat competitive kot jadi mereka rasa mereka perlu berjimat cermat, bak kata omputih – survival of the fittest (?) maka pada mereka “lantak situ lah apa nak jadi dengan mak ayah.  As long as saya selamat, apa nak jadi dengan mak ayah, itu masalah mak ayah.  Bukan masalah saya”.  Mungkin cegitu la kot cara pemikiran anak-anak muda di zaman moden dan berteknologi tinggi sekarang ni.

 

Tak tahu lah.  Cuma yang saya tahu, hidup ini bukan untuk selamanya.  Jangan sampai mak ayah kita berkecil hati dengan kita sehingga mereka menemui ajal mereka.  Ingatlah, jutaan wang ringgit tidak akan dapat membalas balik segala pengorbanan, perit jerih ibubapa kita melahirkan dan membesarkan kita.  Ingatlah juga pada hadis Nabi s.a.w. yang bermaksud “Berbuat baiklah kamu kepada kedua ibubapa kamu, nescaya anak-anak kamu akan berbuat baik kepada kamu”.