02 April 2007
18 March 2007
Uncle Fad is now Pak Busu
Pictures of Mariah's Wedding can be found here. My apologies for some of the blurrr pics, was using Azfar's camera and wasn't too familiar with its functions. For the full story of the wedding you'll have to wait for Sham's posts...so stay tuned.
05 March 2007
One very compressed post
This will be a very compressed post....... We haven't got the time to update our blog since we became overwhelmed with all the last minute errands for Mariah's wedding preparation. Nevertheless, here are some picture updates......
SENTOSA.........
______________________________________________________
Chinese New Year.......
Baby Xander - the youngest in the clan, for now.....
____________________________________________________________________
SINGAPORE ZOO .......
With Ayah Long, Aunty Sha, Danial, Mak Busu, Uncle Fad, Ayah Tok & Mak Tok.
The 3 heroes
Ayah Long & Family
______________________________________________________
Chilling out at Airport after school
At Swensen's with Danial
SENTOSA.........
______________________________________________________
Chinese New Year.......
Baby Xander - the youngest in the clan, for now.....
____________________________________________________________________
SINGAPORE ZOO .......
With Ayah Long, Aunty Sha, Danial, Mak Busu, Uncle Fad, Ayah Tok & Mak Tok.
The 3 heroes
Ayah Long & Family
______________________________________________________
Chilling out at Airport after school
At Swensen's with Danial
Juz posing for fun
______________________________________________________
And they are the reason why we are sooo busy........
The Bride & Groom-to-be
At Najihah's, discussing details of the wedding decor
05 February 2007
Wind of Change
When Hazrin and I decided to tie the knot 6 years ago, we were only 24.
In today's context, that was rather young an age to get married, so we had a lot of acquaintances quipping things like "Korang ni dah gatal sangat ke?!" or "You both REALLY REALLY ready to get TIED DOWN?" or " You don't want to enjoy yourselves and get rich first mah?" , to which we answered yes, yes and yes.
After all, I had only just gotten my license to practice, and Hazrin was still studying.
It was a weird process, I had to admit, cos Hazrin and I were from two very different worlds altogether, but things worked out between us and we found ourselves going down that road together.
I shall not dwell too much on our soul searching and His divine interventions, but suffice it to say, we were unusually prepared.
Our parents, though initially surprised, knew how sincere and determined we were. So they gave us their blessings.
But the surprise was revisited when we told them, two months after our wedding, that I had just conceived. And not just 1, but in fact 2 babies.
I still remember the look on Mummy's face. She had fear written all over it, and rightly so, cos I think she felt like we needed time to gain a stronger financial foothold before becoming parents to 2 babies.
Mak was excited when she learned of our twin preganncy, but I did catch a glimpse of fear too, soon after.
Last year, when I attended my annual congress, I was 'commended' for breaking the pharmacy procreation record. I'm not sure I was flattered cos although most of them meant well, some did say it in jest. Sham is probably a lunatic, headed for a career suicide. She didn't study soo hard to become a baby-making machine did she?
Well, for the record, I didn't study THAT hard. And what's so wrong about becoming a 'baby-making' machine'?
The safest way to go, nowadays, is typically a marriage that is at least a good few years after career establishment, afterwhich conception only begins at least a year later, followed by perhaps only one more perfectly spaced out conception. This is perfectly fine, workable and understandable, especially in Singapore. It's the more practical path, and Hazrin and I believed in that system too, until the wind of change changed us......
We learned that to be happy, we have to do what is right by us. Set our goals, move towards it together, and pray. Then when all is said and done, learn to appreciate His blessings.
We love having a big family, period. But Hazrin and I are adventure freaks. So naturally, we had to have all our children before we reach 30, while we still have our youth and energy. It may not be the norm, but 4 kids and 2 cats later, we have never regretted embarking on this journey. Our career was not compromised. In fact, the birth of every child has brought with it a unique string of 'rezeki' that culminated in more work promotions and progress.
We are not very rich, but we are not 'just getting by' either. We earnestly earn our keep, and we dont find ourselves having to compromise anyone's basic necessities, education, leisure or standard of living by having to 'spread' our income among more family members. Whatever it is, suffice it to say, we won't get richer having two kids and two cats less anyway.
It doesn't matter which road one takes -the main road, the expressway or the side road. As long as we get to our destination without having to compromise our dignity, honour, happiness, self-respect, safety and balance, that's a good road. In fact, there is no one road to take indefinitely. We choose our own speed and scenery......
When it comes to starting a family, Hazrin and I did not choose the main road not because we think it's the wrong road, but because it just doesn't suit us. We wish it would though, cos the more travelled road normally comes with more directions. : )
But our road gives us the balance we need. It is admittedly a more challenging road, one that comes with less instructions and more turns and bumps, but it gives us the time to wind down our windows and appreciate the scenery - the finer things in life.
There used to be a time when I endeavoured because I felt it was expected of me, and though I surpassed most expectations , I didn't feel complete.
I was put under a public microscope, and to keep up with expectations, I felt compelled to get in the race. Who's the smartest? Who's the most beautiful? Who's the richest? a.k.a the Kiasu race. Winner gets candy.
Then yet another race. Who's the smartest of the smartest? Who's the richest of the richest? Winner gets diabetes. ;O
Some people prefer staying on this expressway. And if it is right by them, they should stay on it.
But Hazrin and I decided to get off that road for now. We are finding our balance, and sometimes we get lost, but heck life is a journey. We have learned to laugh at ourselves.
We'll just keep on driving as best as we see fit. And we'll try to remember to let Him, and not our selfish ego lead the way.
In today's context, that was rather young an age to get married, so we had a lot of acquaintances quipping things like "Korang ni dah gatal sangat ke?!" or "You both REALLY REALLY ready to get TIED DOWN?" or " You don't want to enjoy yourselves and get rich first mah?" , to which we answered yes, yes and yes.
After all, I had only just gotten my license to practice, and Hazrin was still studying.
It was a weird process, I had to admit, cos Hazrin and I were from two very different worlds altogether, but things worked out between us and we found ourselves going down that road together.
I shall not dwell too much on our soul searching and His divine interventions, but suffice it to say, we were unusually prepared.
Our parents, though initially surprised, knew how sincere and determined we were. So they gave us their blessings.
But the surprise was revisited when we told them, two months after our wedding, that I had just conceived. And not just 1, but in fact 2 babies.
I still remember the look on Mummy's face. She had fear written all over it, and rightly so, cos I think she felt like we needed time to gain a stronger financial foothold before becoming parents to 2 babies.
Mak was excited when she learned of our twin preganncy, but I did catch a glimpse of fear too, soon after.
Last year, when I attended my annual congress, I was 'commended' for breaking the pharmacy procreation record. I'm not sure I was flattered cos although most of them meant well, some did say it in jest. Sham is probably a lunatic, headed for a career suicide. She didn't study soo hard to become a baby-making machine did she?
Well, for the record, I didn't study THAT hard. And what's so wrong about becoming a 'baby-making' machine'?
The safest way to go, nowadays, is typically a marriage that is at least a good few years after career establishment, afterwhich conception only begins at least a year later, followed by perhaps only one more perfectly spaced out conception. This is perfectly fine, workable and understandable, especially in Singapore. It's the more practical path, and Hazrin and I believed in that system too, until the wind of change changed us......
We learned that to be happy, we have to do what is right by us. Set our goals, move towards it together, and pray. Then when all is said and done, learn to appreciate His blessings.
We love having a big family, period. But Hazrin and I are adventure freaks. So naturally, we had to have all our children before we reach 30, while we still have our youth and energy. It may not be the norm, but 4 kids and 2 cats later, we have never regretted embarking on this journey. Our career was not compromised. In fact, the birth of every child has brought with it a unique string of 'rezeki' that culminated in more work promotions and progress.
We are not very rich, but we are not 'just getting by' either. We earnestly earn our keep, and we dont find ourselves having to compromise anyone's basic necessities, education, leisure or standard of living by having to 'spread' our income among more family members. Whatever it is, suffice it to say, we won't get richer having two kids and two cats less anyway.
It doesn't matter which road one takes -the main road, the expressway or the side road. As long as we get to our destination without having to compromise our dignity, honour, happiness, self-respect, safety and balance, that's a good road. In fact, there is no one road to take indefinitely. We choose our own speed and scenery......
When it comes to starting a family, Hazrin and I did not choose the main road not because we think it's the wrong road, but because it just doesn't suit us. We wish it would though, cos the more travelled road normally comes with more directions. : )
But our road gives us the balance we need. It is admittedly a more challenging road, one that comes with less instructions and more turns and bumps, but it gives us the time to wind down our windows and appreciate the scenery - the finer things in life.
There used to be a time when I endeavoured because I felt it was expected of me, and though I surpassed most expectations , I didn't feel complete.
I was put under a public microscope, and to keep up with expectations, I felt compelled to get in the race. Who's the smartest? Who's the most beautiful? Who's the richest? a.k.a the Kiasu race. Winner gets candy.
Then yet another race. Who's the smartest of the smartest? Who's the richest of the richest? Winner gets diabetes. ;O
Some people prefer staying on this expressway. And if it is right by them, they should stay on it.
But Hazrin and I decided to get off that road for now. We are finding our balance, and sometimes we get lost, but heck life is a journey. We have learned to laugh at ourselves.
We'll just keep on driving as best as we see fit. And we'll try to remember to let Him, and not our selfish ego lead the way.
05 January 2007
Of Xmas and presents......
The kids love getting their Christmas presents as much as they love getting their Hari Raya collection and their Chinese New Year hongbao. So every year, they get triple whammies while the adults get broke three times over!
But oklah, broke-ness aside, I think I enjoy all these festivities as much as the kids do (I repeat, brokeness aside!). Because I love, as Hazrin puts it, the fuss.....(Men don't get it! *roll eyes*)
I love looking for new Raya clothes.........I love exchanging Chinese New Year oranges......... I love buying and wrapping Xmas presents............And I love all the family gatherings that come with each festive celebration.
This year, our family gathering was more meaningful cos Aunty Nan decided to come all the way from New Zealand, to join us for Christmas. This, coupled with the addition of 2 new members into the clan......One being Alex - who married Hazrin's lovely cousin, Janine, and one being a month old baby Xander - Erwin and Jaslyn's second hero.
And this year, the mood was definitely much merrier (and noisier) cos everybody was trying to catch up with one another, while the kids were trying to catch one another! Chaotic? No, that's an understatement, heheh. But I'm not complaining. I love it!
The elders had a great time eating, the young adults had a great time sharing experiences, the young parents had a 'great time' fussing over their juniors, and the kids had a great time being kids, especially since their Uncle Ming and Abang Achek were around.
Granted, our family gatherings are getting busier by the year. And if our procreating fervour is anything to go by, we'll need a hall next time we converge for gatherings.
But the highlight of our Xmas gathering was, as always, the 'Santa Clausing' part. Faris, Faiz and Sufi actually counted their presents! Fazli couldn't count, but he knew he had gotten plenty of presents. Every present he unwrapped was punctuated with a YAYE! NI LI MUNYE! YAAAAAYE!!! He simply loves presents! And if THAT is hereditary, he probably got my genes.......
More pics in our photoalbum.....
But oklah, broke-ness aside, I think I enjoy all these festivities as much as the kids do (I repeat, brokeness aside!). Because I love, as Hazrin puts it, the fuss.....(Men don't get it! *roll eyes*)
I love looking for new Raya clothes.........I love exchanging Chinese New Year oranges......... I love buying and wrapping Xmas presents............And I love all the family gatherings that come with each festive celebration.
This year, our family gathering was more meaningful cos Aunty Nan decided to come all the way from New Zealand, to join us for Christmas. This, coupled with the addition of 2 new members into the clan......One being Alex - who married Hazrin's lovely cousin, Janine, and one being a month old baby Xander - Erwin and Jaslyn's second hero.
And this year, the mood was definitely much merrier (and noisier) cos everybody was trying to catch up with one another, while the kids were trying to catch one another! Chaotic? No, that's an understatement, heheh. But I'm not complaining. I love it!
The elders had a great time eating, the young adults had a great time sharing experiences, the young parents had a 'great time' fussing over their juniors, and the kids had a great time being kids, especially since their Uncle Ming and Abang Achek were around.
Granted, our family gatherings are getting busier by the year. And if our procreating fervour is anything to go by, we'll need a hall next time we converge for gatherings.
But the highlight of our Xmas gathering was, as always, the 'Santa Clausing' part. Faris, Faiz and Sufi actually counted their presents! Fazli couldn't count, but he knew he had gotten plenty of presents. Every present he unwrapped was punctuated with a YAYE! NI LI MUNYE! YAAAAAYE!!! He simply loves presents! And if THAT is hereditary, he probably got my genes.......
More pics in our photoalbum.....
31 December 2006
OUCH my back!!!
I'm not a great fan of injections, so the thought of having needles pricked all over my body didn't go down too well with me. Unfortunately, with the state of my back, which left me motionless for a good 2 hours before I was wheeled into A&E, I had to give accupuncture a go......
So at the clinic, the physician first tried to determine the source of my pain. Then, satisfied that the problem was caused by strained back muscles as well as nerve supression caused by a slightly dislocated spine bone, he started inserting 4 needles onto the top of my hand. It wasn't as painful as anticipated, but I still hate needles..... And to reallign the dislocated bone, he started cracking my back and began sucking the 'bad air' from my battered body. I wasn't too convinced that the back cracking and the air sucking could work (and Sham would definitely freak out if she was there), but it did work! I felt a lot better immediately, and I walked out of the room much straighter and humanlike than when I first walked in.
I went back for another round of acupuncture a few days later cos my back was still sore. This time round, I had about 6 needles down my spine, 1 in my hip and another in my calf. This exuded a nice warm sensation on my back, and it felt really good. The needles were then pulled out, and the physician started 'scraping' the warm spot, turning it all red. The redness apparently, I was told, indicated poor blood circulation. So for that, and for my weak back muscles, I was prescribed some Traditional Chinese medicine.
Fortunate for me, this pharmacist wife of mine has no qualms about me taking safely prescribed TCM, but unfortunately, they tasted as bad as they smell.......
So for now, I'll stick to the needles and suction cups and give the TCM a miss....
So at the clinic, the physician first tried to determine the source of my pain. Then, satisfied that the problem was caused by strained back muscles as well as nerve supression caused by a slightly dislocated spine bone, he started inserting 4 needles onto the top of my hand. It wasn't as painful as anticipated, but I still hate needles..... And to reallign the dislocated bone, he started cracking my back and began sucking the 'bad air' from my battered body. I wasn't too convinced that the back cracking and the air sucking could work (and Sham would definitely freak out if she was there), but it did work! I felt a lot better immediately, and I walked out of the room much straighter and humanlike than when I first walked in.
I went back for another round of acupuncture a few days later cos my back was still sore. This time round, I had about 6 needles down my spine, 1 in my hip and another in my calf. This exuded a nice warm sensation on my back, and it felt really good. The needles were then pulled out, and the physician started 'scraping' the warm spot, turning it all red. The redness apparently, I was told, indicated poor blood circulation. So for that, and for my weak back muscles, I was prescribed some Traditional Chinese medicine.
Fortunate for me, this pharmacist wife of mine has no qualms about me taking safely prescribed TCM, but unfortunately, they tasted as bad as they smell.......
So for now, I'll stick to the needles and suction cups and give the TCM a miss....
24 December 2006
The Bangkok Trip
It's 1 week post Bangkok, and we're still reminiscing our trip there...Land of a thousand smiles indeed.....
It was a sponsored trip for just the two of us. No kidz on tow, heheh. And that, if you think was good for us, it wasn't.....at least not for the first few hours. We had the 'kids withdrawal syndrome'........
The sudden lack of 'noise' and 'chaos' threw us off guard, and as we slowly grappled with the sad reality (and guilt) of going on a holiday without our kids, we were also constantly reminded by our parents' pleas, so to speak, to enjoy ourselves and not worry about our poor 'left behind' offsprings. Afterall, they said we "deserve a break for our uncompromising perseverence and unrelentless effort in bringing up and nurturing our juniors". Ahhaha, paiseh.....Oklah that was very encouraging and sweet and all, but Hazrin and I have been parents longer than any of our friends and cousins have been, and we have also been the busiest cos we decided to have all our kids almost all at once (Why that is so, calls for another post altogether, heh). So this holiday, kids-free, naturally unleashed the skeptics in us, and the both of us couldn't help but feel lost. We had forgotten how not to be parents! And when OUR PARENTS insisted that 'the two of us enjoy this trip and have fun', I had to raise an eyebrow.
Ok before anyone thinks Hazrin and I are gonners in the 'romantics' department, let me reiterate that we are fine. We know how to enjoy ourselves, and we know when to have our retreats together. We can talk gibberish all day long and not bore each other, restassured. But we've never had sooooo much time to ourselves before. It's just that with our busy schedule and big but young family, we're so used to handling so many things all at once, and quickly too, that we suddenly didn't know how to slow down. Not good. Not good at all.
So going by our normal pace, we made our way to the departure gate only to be greeted by a certain Phil "You are the first team to arrive!" O.k lah Phil was a figment of my imagination, but we were really the first ones to arrive, hokay. Moral of story is, without the kidz, our 'normal pace' was probably too fast for the 'non-parenting' world. So slow down we did........Hazrin got himself a National Geographic magazine, and I got myself a less nerdy version of a mag.
We took Thai Air Asia and Hazrin indulged in a bowl of instant noodle......He enjoyed it very much. Nothing beats eating instant noodle in an airplane, he said. And that was to be the beginning of our many cherished moments in Bangkok.
We sort of consoled our guilt-ridden selves with plenty of shopping for the kidz.......and ourselves.
Then, as soon as we got used to slowing down, we pampered ourselves to massages and plenty of unrushed dining.
It was a sponsored trip for just the two of us. No kidz on tow, heheh. And that, if you think was good for us, it wasn't.....at least not for the first few hours. We had the 'kids withdrawal syndrome'........
The sudden lack of 'noise' and 'chaos' threw us off guard, and as we slowly grappled with the sad reality (and guilt) of going on a holiday without our kids, we were also constantly reminded by our parents' pleas, so to speak, to enjoy ourselves and not worry about our poor 'left behind' offsprings. Afterall, they said we "deserve a break for our uncompromising perseverence and unrelentless effort in bringing up and nurturing our juniors". Ahhaha, paiseh.....Oklah that was very encouraging and sweet and all, but Hazrin and I have been parents longer than any of our friends and cousins have been, and we have also been the busiest cos we decided to have all our kids almost all at once (Why that is so, calls for another post altogether, heh). So this holiday, kids-free, naturally unleashed the skeptics in us, and the both of us couldn't help but feel lost. We had forgotten how not to be parents! And when OUR PARENTS insisted that 'the two of us enjoy this trip and have fun', I had to raise an eyebrow.
Ok before anyone thinks Hazrin and I are gonners in the 'romantics' department, let me reiterate that we are fine. We know how to enjoy ourselves, and we know when to have our retreats together. We can talk gibberish all day long and not bore each other, restassured. But we've never had sooooo much time to ourselves before. It's just that with our busy schedule and big but young family, we're so used to handling so many things all at once, and quickly too, that we suddenly didn't know how to slow down. Not good. Not good at all.
So going by our normal pace, we made our way to the departure gate only to be greeted by a certain Phil "You are the first team to arrive!" O.k lah Phil was a figment of my imagination, but we were really the first ones to arrive, hokay. Moral of story is, without the kidz, our 'normal pace' was probably too fast for the 'non-parenting' world. So slow down we did........Hazrin got himself a National Geographic magazine, and I got myself a less nerdy version of a mag.
We took Thai Air Asia and Hazrin indulged in a bowl of instant noodle......He enjoyed it very much. Nothing beats eating instant noodle in an airplane, he said. And that was to be the beginning of our many cherished moments in Bangkok.
We sort of consoled our guilt-ridden selves with plenty of shopping for the kidz.......and ourselves.
Then, as soon as we got used to slowing down, we pampered ourselves to massages and plenty of unrushed dining.
The service and warm hospitality of most of the Thais we met there were superb. And that livened up our moods and helped us unwind. You don't want to unwind in a country where service is very frustrating and people are very cold. Jams and hot weather, for which Thailand is notorious for, were not so bothersome either.....I think they more than make up for it with their smiles.
All in all, the trip had served its purpose. We both had plenty of rest, fun and laughter, and we came back home with a year's supply of clothes..................
PS - More pics in our 'Bangkok Trip' Photo Album
PS - More pics in our 'Bangkok Trip' Photo Album
15 December 2006
Land of a Thousand Smiles
Here we are (just the 2 of us) blogging from the departure gate of T1, on our way to Bangkok. Unfortunately we only have 15 mins at the terminal. So stay tuned and watch this space.
24 November 2006
Special guests this Eid
This year, Eid started pretty early for us........
It started with Kak Linda's homecoming. The twinz welcomed her at the airport with their homemade birthday cards - which they proudly displayed, much to everyone's muse. I thought the both of them looked like professional travel agents, fetching an important client by the name of 'Aunty Mas'.
As always, the kidz were all bashful when Aunty Mas finally came out of the arrival hall. And as always, they would insist on following Aunty Mas (a.k.a Aunty Santa Claus) back to Mama's place to check out their presents.
We also had another special guest - Syazana. Mak used to babysit her when she was just a baby, but when she made a surprise visit on the eve of Eid, she was a full 16 years older. Mak was so happily surprised, thanks to Mariah. It was a simple reunion, and we spent the night reminiscing her childhood antics and rummaging through Mariah's box for some old photos. It was like opening a pandora's box cos my old photos were really almost ghastly! But it was a good night nonetheless, and a very good start to a good Eid.......
It started with Kak Linda's homecoming. The twinz welcomed her at the airport with their homemade birthday cards - which they proudly displayed, much to everyone's muse. I thought the both of them looked like professional travel agents, fetching an important client by the name of 'Aunty Mas'.
As always, the kidz were all bashful when Aunty Mas finally came out of the arrival hall. And as always, they would insist on following Aunty Mas (a.k.a Aunty Santa Claus) back to Mama's place to check out their presents.
Unfortunately, this time round, she couldn't stay long. Probably because she had a lot of patients waiting for her back in London, or maybe it was because she had to rush off for a holiday in San Francisco (how cool is that ?!). Whichever the reason was, we were still glad she came back. And before she left, the kidz managed to show off their messy room to her, and gave her some farewell hugs to last her till her next visit here....
We also had another special guest - Syazana. Mak used to babysit her when she was just a baby, but when she made a surprise visit on the eve of Eid, she was a full 16 years older. Mak was so happily surprised, thanks to Mariah. It was a simple reunion, and we spent the night reminiscing her childhood antics and rummaging through Mariah's box for some old photos. It was like opening a pandora's box cos my old photos were really almost ghastly! But it was a good night nonetheless, and a very good start to a good Eid.......
And last but not least, we had our much anticipated reunion with Lin, my long lost cousin, when we invited her over for steamboat two Sundays ago. I had expected the reunion to be rather awkward, but the contrary was to be. Everything was, much to my relief, so casual and natural, almost as if we had never separated. And the best thing was that we could still 'connect', although she's got too good a head on her shoulders now for me to bully around anymore. She's all grown up now, and though she came across as a strong and independent person, like all the girls in our family, she's still full of dreams.....
And the kidz......they actually warmed up to her almost immediately. Lin even got herself a fan in Faiz. He followed her around like a paparazzi and took plenty of shots of his newly found Aunty Lin.
The reunion, as intended, renewed our long lost 'cousinship', and more than ever, our relationship is set to grow stronger and better, as we once wished it to be, Insya Allah
And oh yes.....the kidz also had a special guest. They had their own Eid gathering with Danial in their room........They had a great time, baby talking and eating the night away!
13 November 2006
Our White castle
To our friends and relatives who couldn't make it to our house this raya, here's our white castle. Step right in.......
Our Dining Room
Our T.V and Computer Room
Our Living Room
Our Dining Room
Our T.V and Computer Room
Part of our Dining Room
Our Reading Corner
Our Dining Table
Sufi's Room
Kitty in Sufi's Room
Our Dining Room
Our T.V and Computer Room
Our Living Room
Our Dining Room
Our T.V and Computer Room
Part of our Dining Room
Our Reading Corner
Our Dining Table
Sufi's Room
Kitty in Sufi's Room
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