Why I love Penang again?

By now, I could safely say that we have managed to keep this one tradition that I started off the moment I got married, which was to go for a holiday with my whole family at least once a year. Alhamdulillah, a very meaningful event for me. Ones that I look forward every year in my hectic schedule.

It was my mom's turn to choose a holiday spot this year and she has chosen to go to Penang. The last time we went there was when K turned 1. Read here.

We stayed with AirBnb at Tanjung Bungah. Arrived on Saturday and the traffic was clear. But boy, Penang was very wet in September. It has been raining heavily the past three days. So that Saturday when we arrived, it was pouring heavily 70% of the time.

Day 1

We first went to Penang Art Street. Nothing much to shout about. The queue for all the good food and snacks were crazy.

At night, we strolled along Batu Feringghi. Almost midnight as it kept on raining the whole evening.

Day 2

Started off our morning early to Bukit Bendera. Bought the VIP pass because man, the queue was crazy. It was really worth it guys. And guess what, it was raining again!

Then, we went to Kek Lok Si Temple.

And had a swim at Batu Feringghi.

At night, we had our dinner at Gurney Drive. Then, dropped by at Penang Avatar Secret Garden where my brother witnessed some scary encounter here. To be fair, it was almost midnight when we arrived.

Day 3 

At Komtar, shopped, played some games, eat!

Then, 7 hours journey back home ya'll. Traffic was crazy.

Overall, Penang was hectic, full of queuing for food, waiting for the rain to stop and then stuck in traffic jam. I used to really love Penang. Has it been different or have I been different?

Moral of the story, Penang is not for cranky parents guys. 

Nonetheless, anywhere with this bunch make me realize.. I live for this. I miss this moment already.

Birthday party for K and A

So, guess which outlet did the girls request for their birthday party this year?

Yuppp, KFC again (T_T). Third year here guys.. tak boring ke? I suggested A&W, Pizza Hut, all lah except McD, but it's their day. So, we obliged.

But, this year.. Khaira is a bit shy. She is no longer interested with the games and all.

Next year, tempat lain please?!

Thank you to all our families and friends!

Khaira turns 7!

Khaira is 7, guysssss!! 😭😭😭 It has been 7 years since I became a mom. Soon she’ll become a teenager, then to uni and have a family of her own.

As usual we celebrated her birthday at school. I love having a birthday cake resembling their interest at that time, and this year Khaira was obsessed with Powerpuff Girls. The irony, I used to be obsessed with them during my time.

2018 is another tough year for Khaira. Firstly, she had to stay at school from 750am to 4pm, or even 6pm when she had Tae Kwon Do. Her separation anxiety got worse, it took her 3 months to adjust. Then, her first time taking examination. She got so nervous and just about when she managed to control her emotions better, her diagnosis was confirmed. She has asthma and on inhaler after years of monitoring.

This year she struggled with being bullied, struggled with girls issue; kawan tak kawan. And I have always been there to protect her. Until today, my friend advised me and said, "they need to learn to feel sad and handle their own problem". She couldn't be more correct.

But all, in all.. I am very proud of you, Khaira Asyikin. You cope with everything well. She won multiple awards this year. Everytime I asked her on what she wants as a reward, her answer went from Buku Rampaian, to some stuff in kedai RM2. Very low maintenance this one!

I love you and I always will, K. Although you need to fight your own battle sometimes, I'm right behind you always ok. Always remember that k, my love. You're adaptable and strong!

Aisha turns 4!

Aisha turns 4, how time flies 😭

As usual, we had a birthday celebration for her at her school. Cake bought from #shaeryscake

At 4, Aisha's own personality started to shine. She's a fast learner, it surprises you again and again. Tough and moody, but deep inside she's super sweet. She is the type of person who would wait for you in front of the door to come in from work, ask if you are okay, massage you and always check on you. Before I go to bed, she makes it a habit to comb my hair. She's just like Kapal junior, not only physically. In fact, that is what I called her nowadays, Shaharil Jr.

It’s funny how these girls are way too opposite of each other. While K prefers to speak in Malay, A prefers English. K panics and think ahead, A calm and adaptable. Each have their pros and cons.

But both has the same traits, they’re a thinker.

The other day, A asked me about the no photo sign outside Daiso. Why is it ticked not crossed. And kept on asking me to tell the cashier to correct it (T_T)

Recently, Love told her that he would be outstation to Kuching, Sarawak and she asked why would Abi go to Sarawak to buy cat.

She's adorable like that when she's not cranky.

My baby is all grown up. I still come home and smell her all over, hoping the toddler's masam smell won't go away and kiss her all over without her complaining. I love you, Aisha Asyikin. May you grow up and be caring always k, Sweetheart?

Cinta Dunia Takut Mati by Ustaz Pahrol Juoi

My scribbles from a talk I attended earlier:

Al Wahan = cinta dunia

Lima musuh orang mukmin:
1. Orang mukmin yang hasad dengki
2. Orang kafir yang memeranginya
3. Munafik yang memarahinya
4. Syaitan yang menyesatkannya
5. Nafsu yang mengajak kejahatan

"And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, so will you not reason?" - Surah Al An'am verse 32

Minta 'afiat --> Maksudnya kalau sihat, sihat dan taat.

Dunia tempat berpenat, akhirat tempat berehat.

Orang yang paling ingat mati, kualiti kerjanya paling baik. Tingkat produktiviti untuk Allah swt.

One way ticket, macam nak pergi oversea. What food to bring, baju, rumah di syurga. Excited nak pergi syurga.

Hati bila nak solat = hati nak jumpa Allah swt.

Allah swt suka pakaian kemas, asal niat kerana Allah, bukan untuk riak.

Bukan seimbang, tapi integrated. Bukan 50 dunia, 50 akhirat. Tapi, kerja dapat gaji, dapat pahala --> integrated. Every action; mesti relate to  akhirat.

Contoh:
1. menguap --> tabii untuk masuk oksigen dalam badan bila mengantuk --> wajib menguap kalau tak menguap boleh pengsan sebab tak cukup oksigen.
2. Tapi kalau menguap sebab nak sakitkan hati --> haram
3. Menguap baca Astaghfirullah --> sunat
4. Menguap besar sampai anak tekak --> makhruh
5. Menguap bersahaja --> harus

PEng route 3

The very last night after Ramadhan, I remember I was feeling very down after Tarawikh prayer with my two girls. I didn't fully utilize my Ramadhan this year, that was for sure. Was checking my Whatsapp when I received the good news.

Alhamdulillah :)

A few days after, BEM called me to convey the news and letter came a few weeks afterwards. Ramadhan gift, thank you ya Allah. Alhamdulillah.

Anyhow, I applied my PEng via Route 3 BEM (Route for a Professional Engineer from an overseas Regulatory Body). I have obtained my Chartered Engineer, CEng. which is a Professional Engineer from IET UK in 2016, hence after consulted with Ir. Shamil, a PEng consultant in our department, he suggested me to go through Route 3.

My Chartered Engineer journey was Alhamdulillah a smooth one. After registering with IET, filled in the Chartered Engineer form online here https://www.theiet.org/membership/profreg/ceng/. Waited for a year for the interview and managed to get my CEng a couple of weeks after. The interview was not as technical as I thought, but more on leadership, management, ethics and risk which were quite scary for me. But I learned a lotttt throughout the process especially on risk management.

I knew I should have gone for my PEng right after that, but I was lacking of knowledge and confidence. Ir. Shamil and my then HoD were very supportive and guided me all the way. Basically, the conversion process was very simple.

I extracted this from BEM's website: http://www.bem.org.my/documents/20181/43352/PEnotes.pdf

(i) The applicant need not sit and passed the Professional Assessment Examination or be corporate member of IEM.
(ii) Applicant shall submit to BEM a certified latest Professional Engineer Certificate issued by a Regulatory Body of other country.
(iii) The professional engineers status shall be check that it is equivalent to BEM’s professional engineer qualifications eligibility.
(iv) The applicant is not entitle to be registered as a Professional Engineer if at any time prior to his
registration there exist any facts or circumstances which would have entitled the Disciplinary Committee to cancel his registration pursuant to section 15 of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2015).
(v) Summary of practical experience not less than 3 years using company letterhead certified by a PE in same branch of engineering at which the applicant did his practical experience
and;
(vi) has complied with the requirements as determined by the Board.

Basically, what I needed was:
1. My CEng certificate
2. BEM application form Route 3
3. A letter from my University on my teaching experience
4. A letter from industry (in my case TNB) on the consultation work I have done with them (accumulative of 3 years).

It's that simple.

Try it guys!

Aidilfitri 2018

Tad bit too late to wish all of you Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir batin!

Raya has been good for us. Of course, with the passing of both my grandparents, at both sides now, things have been different. But I guess this year we managed to cope with it better.

Sigh, so guys.. if you still have your grandparents with you this Raya, please do cherish them as I miss my grandmom so much 😭

Anyway, forgive me for all the wrongdoings guys!

Japan 2018!

I had to fly to Japan due to work the day after election, which to be honest, was the most nervous travelling I’ve had to bear.

Not only I left my whole family behind, but also I left them in a state where everything was uncertain.

But Alhamdulillah everything went well. Well done, Malaysia!! Couldn’t be prouder of us. We changed our government the Malaysian way *cries* I boarded the flight an hour after the sworn in of our beloved Tun M. I didn’t leave my girls government less. I didn’t leave them in chaos. Alhamdulillah, all praise to the Almighty. I was full of emotion on that day, I guess all Malaysians were.

I first arrived at Narita Airport 5am on Friday and went straight to Tsukuba, 2 hours journey by bus. We stayed in Okubura Frontier Hotel, dropped our luggage and started work straight away. Arrived to the hotel at about 9pm (lebih 24 jam tak mandi, so uncomfortable). Had a shower and did a bit of walking near our hotel. Wrapped my Day 1.

Day 2, we went to Tokyo University for a training. After training, we headed to Disneylandd!!! It was a happy place, I missed the girls too much there. I knew at that instant that I just have to bring them at least once, while they are still small.

Had our dinner at Ameyoko street famous kebab stall. Was greeted by the seller who asked me where I was from. The moment I said Malaysia, he beamed and genuinely shouted, “Congratulations Malaysia!!” In reference of our GE 3 days back. Couldn’t be prouder!! For a while, it seems like the whole world is with us.

Day 3, no training. I started the day early with a free market next to the hotel. And it was precious you guyssss!! Look how easy to please these kids. Just ropes and boxes.

And how they taught their kids to be an entrepeneur. I bought one "Japanese story book" from this one little girl at 20 yen and had my friend translated them for me. This is the highlight of my trip. To see their togetherness, I just melt peeps. I felt warm inside, I don't need my jacket.

Then, we went to Asakusa. Loved the temple and the street with lots of souvenirs. Bought myself a kimono, I have zero idea when to use it. But it made me happy and at the rate where I have been working and travelling for work this year (since February, I traveled every other week), I deserve this.

Then, we went to Shibuya crossing but it was raining heavily.

My friends continued to Odaiba and Akihabara, which both places I have been to during my last visit. So, I enjoyed my solo travelling back to Kenkyu Gakuen (the place I stayed during my last visit), specifically to shop for Uniqlo and Daiso since I need to do a bit of shopping for my beloved as I would go back earlier than them.

Day 4, back to training. Shopped a bit after training.

Day 5, headed home and got ready for Ramadhan the next day. But I am so blessed to have the experience of their free market. To witness just a piece of an experience on how they spent time with their kids on weekend. Next time, I'm gonna visit you Mount Fuji, in shaa Allah.

Cambodia with my two toddlers!

I have always wanted to go to Cambodia. But lots of people told me to wait until the kids get older as a lot of walking needs to be done over there. 2018 come, and I'm done with waiting. I have always wanted to go to Cambodia since Tomb Raider game was a big hit back when I was 13.

This trip to Cambodia, particularly Siem Reap was a little special for both Love and I because it is our 10th country together. Our dream is always to travel the world. Also, my parents in law came along and I have always loved travelling with my family. It makes it more meaningful.

Siem Reap's main currency is USD and the plug is the same as us, so don't need a converter.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, I booked a chauffeur to drive us around for the whole journey. The rate differs day by day according to where you planned to go. But on average, a van would cost us around 35 USD a day.

The moment I stepped in, I have this unfamiliar feeling, ones that I didn't expect. I have been to lots of countries in South East Asia, hence I expected Cambodia to be just like its neighboring countries, Thailand and Vietnam. But no. I feel safe here and the people is so sincere. The moment I arrived at the airport, the toilet is clean with water and all, I know it's gonna be a good trip.

The first day, we went straight to ticket counter of Angkor complex. Price per adult for one day pass in Angkor Park is USD 37, free for children below 12. If you purchase the ticket at 5pm onwards, ticket will be valid for the next day. Which means you can watch the sunset for free on the same evening!! Be careful with your ticket though, not to fold it and make sure you bring it the whole time in Angkor Park, as you will be charged USD 100 if you lose it.

Angkor Archaeological Park is listed in UNESCO World Heritage list and it includes multiple temples inside, among them are the Angkor Wat itself, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple and other magnificent remains from the 9th to 15th century.

Right after we purchased our ticket for the next day, we went to Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise. It was breathtaking, I feel like in a different world, I almost cried.

We started the day early the next day as we planned to see the sunrise at 5am but it was raining, hence we arrived in Angkor Park slightly later at 7am. The weather was Alhamdulillah perfect, cloudy, windy throughout with no rain.

We first went to Ta Prohm aka Tomb Raider’s temple. It was a long serene walk to the temple, the sounds of bird chirping and some faint sound of music, the smell of woods and the greenery around me, one of the beautiful relaxing walks I've walked and I will forever treasure.

We went to Bayon temple, named after Banyan tree where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

Dropped by at Phnom Bakheng temple and later to Elephant Terrace. Terrace of the Elephants is part of the walled city of Angkor Thom, carved with garudas, lions and of course lots of elephants.

Left the kids with my in laws in the van and both Love and I spent an hour just the two of us enjoying the beauty of Angkor Wat.

That night, we went to Art Centre Night Market and Pub Street which was next to our hotel for souvenirs hunting.

Then the next day, we strolled along Siem Reap, dropped by at the market and Hard Rock Cafe. But nothing could come close to our experience in Angkor Park.

My kids had fun, running around happily, safely. Enjoying the beauty and learned the art of photography. Long walks didn't affect them as they enjoyed it too much, they didn't even bother with the stroller after a while.

To sum it up, for me.. Siem Reap/Cambodia is the best SEA country I've been and easily made it to my top 3 favourite country list. Tak puas, I wanna go there again.

Aisha in kindy

2018 is a big milestone for Love and I not only because K is in Standard 1, but our youngest baby is in Kindy already!!!! How time flies.

Deciding which kindy to go was another difficult tasks and I have planned for years as well.

Undoubtedly, I love Little Caliph's syllabus but K had the worst history with that kindy.

On the other hand, we have always loved Genius Aulad, but the syllabus didn’t challenge K mentally. I always believe in the old saying, “if you’re the best in the room, you’re in the wrong  room.” Hence.

After years of thinking, we decided to give LC another chance. As the principle has changed, we hoped for a better management.

First day was ok for Aisha, she didn’t magically participate, but she wasn’t crying either. Only thing, she slept half way of the class (and this continued throughout her LC life).

However after a week, she kept complaining about a boy who kept on hitting her. Every day and it finally got to a point that she refused to go to school on the third week. We complained to the teacher and teacher said that the boy had a delay in development as he couldn’t understand instructions and behaved like 7mo still.

But the school principal was so kind to stay with Aisha the next day to make sure she wouldn’t be hit again. But guess what? My baby girl went home half naked, no pants or panties.

Aisha’s side of story, she peed in her class because the teacher wouldn’t let her go to the toilet. And since her backup pants that I provided her was wet earlier as they had water activity, teacher just let her go.

Teacher’s side of story, the principal left the class about half an hour before they released the student home. Teacher was busy releasing the kid when Aisha requested to go to toilet. She accidentally peed which was unusual as she hadn’t  peed on herself for years. No backup pants as there was water activity earlier and lots of parents didn’t bring extra pants in the bag so they need to used the ones in the kindy.

Me? I didn’t send my girl to an islamic kindy just so a teacher would release my daughter home half naked.

I didn’t think twice. I know the principal had done her best, but if her best is not even half of what I expected, I guess the answer was clear. I took a time off. So did my husband. Both of us cancelled our meeting, under heavy pouring rain, I went to A's kindy and decided to pull her out immediately.

And it has been 5 months now, she is more than happy in GA. It's like deja vu all over again. Fully awake throughout her class. And Alhamdulillah shine more than we expected.

Since school, she catch up on her studies very fast, Alhamdulillah. She’s finishing Iqra’ 2, she memorized 8 surahs already, finishing Cepat Membaca 1 and already in Adam Dina 3. She spoke English everyday.

I let her go to her first school trip when she was not even 4. Well, I was reluctant but Love followed her all the way and she only joined half of the time, so, compromise lah kan.

Recently she had a Sport’s Day. And boy, look how happy and energetic she was.

During the sport’s day, one parents talked to me and told me she admired Khaira and remembered her from last year's concert. Too sweet ok! Dah keluar GA pon ada peminat Kakak K!

Khaira in Standard 1

Finding school for Khaira was not an easy task for us. I started looking for one since she was 4.

First, we discussed whether to send her to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) or private school. International school was not an option for us. Too expensive, might as well save for her university later on.

Both Love and I are very pro of SK as both of us were from there. I have faith in the system, the teachers, the facilities. I believe no private school can beat that. But, our priority is for her to be in an islamic environment. Having said that, we need to send her to KAFA. And thinking about her transportation and transit, we decided to send her to private school instead.

After thorough consideration, we filtered out to two options: SRITI Bangi or SRI ABIM. SRITI is a tahfiz school. We extremely love the syllabus, but not the facilities. It is a shop lot. Khaira took the exam and she loved the school a lot.

Still on mask as her lung was still recovering

SRI ABIM on the other hand was initially just a backup for us, it is an islamic school, not tahfiz. But, the moment Khaira did her exam there, we fell in love immediately. It was systematic and well organized, we loved the environment and it just felt right. It has the feel of SK there, though K preferred SRITI and she said ABIM's entry exam was too easy, she felt SRITI can challenge her intellectual better.

We reached to our final decision when K's paed was telling us that K should avoid air cond as her lung was still recovering at that time. That made our life easier. Convincing K was an easy task, she is still at the age where she pretty much still know that we only wanted the best for her.

Her first couple of months, as expected has not been easy at all. She hated to be away from home for such long hours (7.50 am - 4 pm).

On Mondays and Thursdays, she had her Tae Kwon Do class, after school until 6pm which got her separation anxiety really badly. Plus, no Std 1 girl was enrolled to the class other than her. So, recently, we skipped her class on Thursdays, make it just once a week. So, all is well.

She recently got a Yellow belt. I pray so she had the perseverance to achieve black belt, unlike me. (I stopped at Blue belt).

She did extremely well at school. She is the class assistant monitor. She aimed to be a prefect (so unlike me, I hated prefect. But I was one in primary, I don't know why).

Her academic, Alhamdulillah was well. She recently became the top in her darjah.

And when I asked what present would she like, her answer was Buku Rampaian. A one ringgit buku rampaian. (T_T)

But most of all, I am very happy that since she is in SRI ABIM, she would not go out without her tudung anymore. Though, we need to revamp her wardrobe, it's a good problem. I hope soon, she would take care of her solat, in shaa Allah. Baby steps.

Leaving 2017

Tad bit too late, but I'm gonna post anyway. And slowly but surely gonna catch up with my blog, in shaa Allah.

2017 has its fair share of ups and downs. I was under a little depression when my first born was warded for the first time, it gave me the scare of my life. Alhamdulillah all is well now.

No more kay?

Was blessed to have been given the chance to visit Brunei for the first time.

I was also upgraded to Senior Member IEEE, was beyond happy.

I've finally finally submitted my PEng application, doa banyak2 all is ok. Went through Route 3 BEM, where I applied to convert my CEng to PEng.

I have one graduated Master student in 2017, alhamdulillah. That feeling in viva room is scarier than your own.

I have also been upgraded to Senior Lecturer A, aiming for Associate Professor next.

And the happiest is that we have got the chance to visit the holy mosques one more time.

Am so blessed.

2018 is gonna be a better year, in shaa Allah. Bismillah..