It definitely has been a while - to say the very least. My last posting was in 2015 and now it is 2018. Indeed I have been away for a long while. Time and life goes on like always and I guess it's just time for me to pick up the pen and start writing again (metaphorically).
Our eldest is now away from home again to pursue her medical study, alhamdulillah. My 2nd one will experience her own rite of passage soon with SPM. After this very likely she will follow her sister footstep of moving away from home. May Allah SWT grant her what is best for her future. My other two unfortunately due to their underage status, did not participate in major school exams this year.
While my youngest one, the baby of my eye is growing up faster than my liking. I would have to have to accept the eventuality one day soon but for now, leave me in my ignorant bliss.
Now what has happened in 2018 so far ? For us Malaysian, wowww we have a 93 year old Prime Minister. Oldest one in the whole world as it goes on record. It feels great again for to have hope. Before I never thought that it could change, that we the people can make it happen but it did and it feels wonderful. We Malaysians do surprise ourselves sometime.
I have read "The Billion Dollar Whale" and it was an interesting read. Indeed given the right education, upbringing and environment one can have no limits to one's ambition. I definitely need to read the book again to understand the technicality of it; this first round I read it just to know more about RM part. Now I am ready to find another book to read, perhaps more fictional this time for some downtime.
I also had to give a speech during Afifah's recognition night last Friday. To say the least I was terrified was an understatement. But alhamdulillah I pulled through, with help from Hubby of course. But I am equally proud of myself as some mothers came up to me later and said they fully emphatise with the things I said during my heartfelt speech. I said what was in my heart and I wanted my daughter to know what her mother is like because I know that me and Afifah are not really like two peas in a pod. We are more like opposite's ends of the magnet. I love her anyway, with all my heart and proud of the young lady she has became today.
So this is for today. I shall try to be more punctual at this space of mine from now on. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Closing Doors
I am a a point again where a certain door seems to close on me and I am still staring at that door. I pray that Allah SWT gives me the courage and strength for this new uncertain period of my life. I had this same experience few years back while we were in Gabon and now it is De ja vu.
I think it is normal for some people to like to stay where they are at and fear unknown changes. I am one of those people. I don't actually have an exit plan of what I will do but I pray that I will have enough strength to follow through. I came across a reminder on how we should always remember that Allah is the best provider and all things come from Him. Only Allah SWT has the power to grant all your wishses and doas. Semoga Allah SWT Ar-Rahman dan Ar-Rahim mempermudahkan segala urusan kami. Amin ya-Rabaalamin.
I think it is normal for some people to like to stay where they are at and fear unknown changes. I am one of those people. I don't actually have an exit plan of what I will do but I pray that I will have enough strength to follow through. I came across a reminder on how we should always remember that Allah is the best provider and all things come from Him. Only Allah SWT has the power to grant all your wishses and doas. Semoga Allah SWT Ar-Rahman dan Ar-Rahim mempermudahkan segala urusan kami. Amin ya-Rabaalamin.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Time We Have Left
Tis true that time flies when you don't really feel like waiting. This is almost the end of February and I still have not pursued one of this year's commitment as intended. There are plenty of excuses I find along the way, conveniently presenting itself to block my mind from the task. I would say PROCRATIONATION is my own biggest enemy, the devil within and one that I have the most difficulty to overcome.
These past early months of 2015 have been quite eventful. We started the ended last year and began this new year with heavy flooding in the north eastern parts i.e. Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and also Johor. These states were hit by floods as tall as any building can be and served as reminder that with all our technology and modern development, we are still mere humans in the matter of nature. I cannot imagine those who have lost houses, cars, livelihood, all things that they own and have to start to re-build their lives once more. What was lost in weeks and months will take years to recover. May Allah s.w.t gives us mercy and his blessing to continue our lives in this world.
February this year is also when we celebrate Chinese New Year. I cannot think of this celebration without a heavy heart. It was on the second day of Chinese New Year in 2008 that my late father passed away. He was preparing to go to visit his bosses from work when he suddenly collapsed from a heart stroke. We had a planned earlier that he will join my mum who was taking care of Wajdi, who has a wee baby back then, in Miri for the upcoming school holiday and take a holiday trip to Brunei. So I still think of that plan till today and how much I regret not doing it any sooner. But I learnt that as a humans that we can make plans but nothing happens without the will of Allah.
This year in February too we lost one of the respected ulama of Malaysia, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz. I am sad to hear of his death as I think this means that we are inching closer to the end with the passing of knowledgeable scholars among us. I admit that I don't know TGNA as a person and what his thinkings are. But I know his humble and simple ways are loved by all as evidence by the thousands that came for his funeral. I have not read any of his many books till finished, due to my own ignorance and pure laziness. Thus I guess the least I can do in his memory to read and learn from the books that he has left behind for us. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat dan kasih ke atas roh beliau, Amin.
Another reminder of this month is also passing of my good friend from Bintulu time, Azlyn who left us last year when she was still in Eygpt. I met up with her a year before in Cairo and managed to spend a day (not enough) with her and kids. My last memory was the beautiful delicious Nona cupcake that she had lovingly bought for us to bring home. I only have limited memory with her; from my time in Bintulu and over the years, occasional meet-ups in KL. I had thought that once we returned to KL last year, we would have more time to spend with each other as we are living in the same condominium area and I will be on my career break. Again it showed me that plans are always just plan unless Allah wills it to be. We think we have the time as we want but truth is we never know.
To reflect, I pray and hope that we will still have the time to settle our affairs as intended. For this, we need to know what is important and what we need to let go. Focus also on mending and retaining the relationship we those we love. For in the end, when we die, it is not us who bears the difficulties but those we love that we leave behind. They pick up the pieces and whatever problems that we leave behind. So love your time and use it wisely to be the best good person you are. Amin.
These past early months of 2015 have been quite eventful. We started the ended last year and began this new year with heavy flooding in the north eastern parts i.e. Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and also Johor. These states were hit by floods as tall as any building can be and served as reminder that with all our technology and modern development, we are still mere humans in the matter of nature. I cannot imagine those who have lost houses, cars, livelihood, all things that they own and have to start to re-build their lives once more. What was lost in weeks and months will take years to recover. May Allah s.w.t gives us mercy and his blessing to continue our lives in this world.
February this year is also when we celebrate Chinese New Year. I cannot think of this celebration without a heavy heart. It was on the second day of Chinese New Year in 2008 that my late father passed away. He was preparing to go to visit his bosses from work when he suddenly collapsed from a heart stroke. We had a planned earlier that he will join my mum who was taking care of Wajdi, who has a wee baby back then, in Miri for the upcoming school holiday and take a holiday trip to Brunei. So I still think of that plan till today and how much I regret not doing it any sooner. But I learnt that as a humans that we can make plans but nothing happens without the will of Allah.
This year in February too we lost one of the respected ulama of Malaysia, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz. I am sad to hear of his death as I think this means that we are inching closer to the end with the passing of knowledgeable scholars among us. I admit that I don't know TGNA as a person and what his thinkings are. But I know his humble and simple ways are loved by all as evidence by the thousands that came for his funeral. I have not read any of his many books till finished, due to my own ignorance and pure laziness. Thus I guess the least I can do in his memory to read and learn from the books that he has left behind for us. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat dan kasih ke atas roh beliau, Amin.
Another reminder of this month is also passing of my good friend from Bintulu time, Azlyn who left us last year when she was still in Eygpt. I met up with her a year before in Cairo and managed to spend a day (not enough) with her and kids. My last memory was the beautiful delicious Nona cupcake that she had lovingly bought for us to bring home. I only have limited memory with her; from my time in Bintulu and over the years, occasional meet-ups in KL. I had thought that once we returned to KL last year, we would have more time to spend with each other as we are living in the same condominium area and I will be on my career break. Again it showed me that plans are always just plan unless Allah wills it to be. We think we have the time as we want but truth is we never know.
To reflect, I pray and hope that we will still have the time to settle our affairs as intended. For this, we need to know what is important and what we need to let go. Focus also on mending and retaining the relationship we those we love. For in the end, when we die, it is not us who bears the difficulties but those we love that we leave behind. They pick up the pieces and whatever problems that we leave behind. So love your time and use it wisely to be the best good person you are. Amin.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Conversation with my son
Shukri is my youngest son. He will turn 6 years old soon this coming Feb and pretty much looks forward to have his birthday party. Now that I have some time off from work, it's my duty to be the daily school chauffeur to my 5 schooling kids. Yep I love getting stuck in daily traffic jam during school rush hour along MRR2 and Jalan Jelatek. But the opportunity to spend more time with all my kids during this part of their life is precious to me and one that I will cherished forever. I hope it is the same for my kids too. But often it's the 10-15 mins drive back home, everyone would be so excited and clamouring among themselves to tell me of their day in school. I love that time! Sounds of their 4 voices on top of each other is musical heaven to my ears.
So my daily drive routine will be to send Afifah, Aliyah and Wajdi first to their school and them making U-turn to send Shukri to his school. Sometime if Kakak requires a ride, I will proceed to send her next after Shukri.
By mid day it will be time to pick Shukri from his preschool and I look forward to his cute cherubic cheeky face after missing him the whole day (hey I am not used to have the house that quite).
So last Monday, I picked him up as usual and we always have conversation about our days i.e. bare in mind conversation with your 5 year old tend to be one sided aka Mum's side. Our conversation topic in the car are sometime random. That day it went like this:
Shukri: Ibu, I know how to say hello in Chinese! (Excitedly)
Ibu: Oh yeah... that's good Shukri (I am genuinely excited for him too). What is it then?
Shukri: It's KONNICHIWA (With confidence!)
Ibu: Errrr Shukri, that's actually Japanese
Shukri: Oh really, the writing looks like Chinese to me (He said in a non plussed manner & went back to playing)
Ibu:.Errr hmmm.............................(flabbergasted!!)
You should know that Shukri has started reading few English and BM books in his school. Back in Gabon, he speaks a little French with Irene, our menagerie. Also he started learning Arabic letters since July last year. When did he found the time to learn Mandarin (which is only taught when your in Primary 1 at his school, Shukri is not in primary one yet), I haven't figured it out yet. Shukri, Shukri you're so funny!!
I signed him up for taekwondo and swimming co-curriculum in his school. He wanted to also do gymnastics; I hesitated not sure of why he would be so interested in that. His dad said Shukri probably wanted to check out the beautiful girls during the gymnastic class hahahahaha. Oh my Shukri!
Till next time, insya-Allah.
So my daily drive routine will be to send Afifah, Aliyah and Wajdi first to their school and them making U-turn to send Shukri to his school. Sometime if Kakak requires a ride, I will proceed to send her next after Shukri.
By mid day it will be time to pick Shukri from his preschool and I look forward to his cute cherubic cheeky face after missing him the whole day (hey I am not used to have the house that quite).
So last Monday, I picked him up as usual and we always have conversation about our days i.e. bare in mind conversation with your 5 year old tend to be one sided aka Mum's side. Our conversation topic in the car are sometime random. That day it went like this:
Shukri: Ibu, I know how to say hello in Chinese! (Excitedly)
Ibu: Oh yeah... that's good Shukri (I am genuinely excited for him too). What is it then?
Shukri: It's KONNICHIWA (With confidence!)
Ibu: Errrr Shukri, that's actually Japanese
Shukri: Oh really, the writing looks like Chinese to me (He said in a non plussed manner & went back to playing)
Ibu:.Errr hmmm.............................(flabbergasted!!)
You should know that Shukri has started reading few English and BM books in his school. Back in Gabon, he speaks a little French with Irene, our menagerie. Also he started learning Arabic letters since July last year. When did he found the time to learn Mandarin (which is only taught when your in Primary 1 at his school, Shukri is not in primary one yet), I haven't figured it out yet. Shukri, Shukri you're so funny!!
I signed him up for taekwondo and swimming co-curriculum in his school. He wanted to also do gymnastics; I hesitated not sure of why he would be so interested in that. His dad said Shukri probably wanted to check out the beautiful girls during the gymnastic class hahahahaha. Oh my Shukri!
Till next time, insya-Allah.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Best Intentions
Yesterday I went with Hasanah to KL Convention Centre to check out the Star Education fair. There were plenty of booths on display from various learning institution and there were also talks from representatives from various learning discipline.
We arrived in the late afternoon after parting with Hubby who is off to Bangalore for 4 days; leaving me to handle four schooling children by my own hmmmm. Anyway Hasanah and I sat through the talks on Exploring Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy professions. The medicine talk was quite good and informative about preparations to be made to make it to the limited and highly coveted Medical course. While the Dentistry Professor from IMU was definitely not sugar coating her talk . It was a contrast to the lecturer who gave the same talk during IMU open day last week. That lady that give that talk came across as more caring and living up to the first and foremost reason why one would choose to pursue healthcare profession i.e. "Desire to serve other people and help make their lives better"
I am attending these talks, open days and searching up on scholarship and loans facilities available to try to help make some plans for Hasanah. At 15 years old, She doesn't really know what she would like to do yet. Her ambitions ranges from working with National Geographic to film animal movies, being a vet (eventhough she is asthmatic and extremely allergic to cats fur).
This is a contrast to myself because back then at 15 years old, I have already decided that I will try to be a doctor. Coming from a family who is not well off, I had already known then that education is my way out of the life difficulty that I was born into. I was also passionate about working with people especially children and old people, by being a doctor I would be able to help all these people. Seeing my old grandparents always being sick and getting mediocre medical care also burns my ambition. In addition, I wanted to contribute to increasing the numbers of Iban doctors in Sarawak. I had also imagined myself working with Doctors Without Borders- an organisation of Doctors that help to treat patients regardless of nationalities, countries. That would be just heaven!
But me doing a doctor was not meant to be. I didn't meet the requirement on grades for Biology and Add Maths SPM subjects. Later thanks to Allah, I was offered an full scholarship to study overseas but it was not for doing medicine. Coming from a poor family who had no means whatsoever to finance my university education, I realised my circumstances and accepted the good offer; thus did let go of my childhood dream. I was already independent during my secondary school years. At 17 years old, I learnt the lessons to arrange for my own further education and passport applications and went for my medical checks for myself.
I knew then that I want to improve myself and to live a better life in the future for myself. So despite the difficulties in my early life, alhamdulillah I did have the opportunity to go overseas, completed my degree education, met a wonderful boy who now is my dearest husband, make other lifelong friends and later provided financial support to my parents. I have come to terms with what I am capable of, I am willing to work towards achieving my dreams. If that was then interpreted as stubbornness to my parents just be cause of my go-getter attitude, I have learnt to accept their indifferences and try to not let it matter.
Digressing too far from my original intention of Hasanah's next major steps, it would be no secret here of my desire and hope that she would be interested in either medicine and dentistry. Especially dentistry because that can her the work-life balance that she needs and she can also help with the society. I can imagine the future Mercy Malaysia mission with doctors and dentist giving their services to victims wherever they are needed.
However that would be imposing my dream upon her dream. I know enough to, in my heart, to let her to be free to dream her own dream so that she does not live a life of regrets and what ifs and lookback. As her mum, I will continuously pray and continuously support her in whatever she finally chooses (let's hope that it will be dentistry...hehehe still hoping here as you can see). May Allah help to grant you all your wishes and hope Hasanah.
Ultimately, no normal parents ever wish for anything bad for their children, we all have the best intention for them in our hearts. What we can do better from our previous parents generation, is to share our intentions with them and show more of our love and support to our children. For we live our life today is so that their tomorrow will be much much better.
Till next time, insya Allah.
We arrived in the late afternoon after parting with Hubby who is off to Bangalore for 4 days; leaving me to handle four schooling children by my own hmmmm. Anyway Hasanah and I sat through the talks on Exploring Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy professions. The medicine talk was quite good and informative about preparations to be made to make it to the limited and highly coveted Medical course. While the Dentistry Professor from IMU was definitely not sugar coating her talk . It was a contrast to the lecturer who gave the same talk during IMU open day last week. That lady that give that talk came across as more caring and living up to the first and foremost reason why one would choose to pursue healthcare profession i.e. "Desire to serve other people and help make their lives better"
I am attending these talks, open days and searching up on scholarship and loans facilities available to try to help make some plans for Hasanah. At 15 years old, She doesn't really know what she would like to do yet. Her ambitions ranges from working with National Geographic to film animal movies, being a vet (eventhough she is asthmatic and extremely allergic to cats fur).
This is a contrast to myself because back then at 15 years old, I have already decided that I will try to be a doctor. Coming from a family who is not well off, I had already known then that education is my way out of the life difficulty that I was born into. I was also passionate about working with people especially children and old people, by being a doctor I would be able to help all these people. Seeing my old grandparents always being sick and getting mediocre medical care also burns my ambition. In addition, I wanted to contribute to increasing the numbers of Iban doctors in Sarawak. I had also imagined myself working with Doctors Without Borders- an organisation of Doctors that help to treat patients regardless of nationalities, countries. That would be just heaven!
But me doing a doctor was not meant to be. I didn't meet the requirement on grades for Biology and Add Maths SPM subjects. Later thanks to Allah, I was offered an full scholarship to study overseas but it was not for doing medicine. Coming from a poor family who had no means whatsoever to finance my university education, I realised my circumstances and accepted the good offer; thus did let go of my childhood dream. I was already independent during my secondary school years. At 17 years old, I learnt the lessons to arrange for my own further education and passport applications and went for my medical checks for myself.
I knew then that I want to improve myself and to live a better life in the future for myself. So despite the difficulties in my early life, alhamdulillah I did have the opportunity to go overseas, completed my degree education, met a wonderful boy who now is my dearest husband, make other lifelong friends and later provided financial support to my parents. I have come to terms with what I am capable of, I am willing to work towards achieving my dreams. If that was then interpreted as stubbornness to my parents just be cause of my go-getter attitude, I have learnt to accept their indifferences and try to not let it matter.
Digressing too far from my original intention of Hasanah's next major steps, it would be no secret here of my desire and hope that she would be interested in either medicine and dentistry. Especially dentistry because that can her the work-life balance that she needs and she can also help with the society. I can imagine the future Mercy Malaysia mission with doctors and dentist giving their services to victims wherever they are needed.
However that would be imposing my dream upon her dream. I know enough to, in my heart, to let her to be free to dream her own dream so that she does not live a life of regrets and what ifs and lookback. As her mum, I will continuously pray and continuously support her in whatever she finally chooses (let's hope that it will be dentistry...hehehe still hoping here as you can see). May Allah help to grant you all your wishes and hope Hasanah.
Ultimately, no normal parents ever wish for anything bad for their children, we all have the best intention for them in our hearts. What we can do better from our previous parents generation, is to share our intentions with them and show more of our love and support to our children. For we live our life today is so that their tomorrow will be much much better.
Till next time, insya Allah.
Year 2015 in View
Normally we tend to start a new year with Resolutions and this is what I will attempt to do here to capture and hopefully look back at this year end, insya-Allah.
For myself, my hopes and planning for year 2015 would be:
1. To be a good and loving mother for my 3 daughters and 2 sons - to yell less, to understand more, to laugh and be with them at any important event which they require my presents
2. To be a good and loving wife to my husband - to reduce my temper, to communicate and increase tolerance. Thanks Dearest for loving me unconditionally all these 16 years without ever giving up that one day I will change for the better.
3. To be a better daughter to my mum - to call, visit and bring her over more often. This would be my challenge as I am not close to mum since small. We always had our differences in thoughts and views and I still feel today that sometimes my mum do not truly see me for the woman I have become. Then again it could be just my imagination as we are often more critical of ourselves than others really are.
4. To start my own business - this is my biggest challenge and worry this year as I would like to make a start towards financial independence. I do love what I do; after 16 years in my profession I have grown to love my job and the work I do. However in the long run, with the children growing up and requiring more of my attention and attendance, my work will not enable me to spend as much time as I want with them. So I have to think of a change; indeed a change is a scary thing and even more scarier for a girl like me who likes to have control over every single thing.
Update to this list:
5. To learn to manage my stress better aka to yell less to my beloved children even if they do test the limit sometimes. Target is to limit to 1 yell incident per month (take a deep breath on this pledge)
So I will start with this 4 resolutions first and see whether I can meet my own expectation by year end. Wish me luck and pray for me too.
Important milestones this year too for us as family:
1. Hasanah will be taking her iGCSE this year in May/Jun. I pray that she will be healthy and do well in her exams. I will try to support her as much as I can.
2. Aliyah will be taking her JLSA and UPSR exams this year. Good luck my baby girl! You can do it and I will pray for your success.
3. Husband and I have made appeal to request for places to perform our Hajj this year. We have registered for Hajj pilgrimage since year 2002 and have missed few window of opportunities since then. I pray with Allah's Rahim and Rahman that may we have the chance to go for Hajj this year. Please pray for us too. My heart yearns to go to Mekah and see the Kaabah in person again; truly a magical peaceful feeling. It's is as if the sky above the Kaabah can see directly to the heavens, subhanallah.
Here to 2015 resolution. May Allah grant us the knowledge and patience to succeed. Ameen.
Till next time, insya-Allah
For myself, my hopes and planning for year 2015 would be:
1. To be a good and loving mother for my 3 daughters and 2 sons - to yell less, to understand more, to laugh and be with them at any important event which they require my presents
2. To be a good and loving wife to my husband - to reduce my temper, to communicate and increase tolerance. Thanks Dearest for loving me unconditionally all these 16 years without ever giving up that one day I will change for the better.
3. To be a better daughter to my mum - to call, visit and bring her over more often. This would be my challenge as I am not close to mum since small. We always had our differences in thoughts and views and I still feel today that sometimes my mum do not truly see me for the woman I have become. Then again it could be just my imagination as we are often more critical of ourselves than others really are.
4. To start my own business - this is my biggest challenge and worry this year as I would like to make a start towards financial independence. I do love what I do; after 16 years in my profession I have grown to love my job and the work I do. However in the long run, with the children growing up and requiring more of my attention and attendance, my work will not enable me to spend as much time as I want with them. So I have to think of a change; indeed a change is a scary thing and even more scarier for a girl like me who likes to have control over every single thing.
Update to this list:
5. To learn to manage my stress better aka to yell less to my beloved children even if they do test the limit sometimes. Target is to limit to 1 yell incident per month (take a deep breath on this pledge)
So I will start with this 4 resolutions first and see whether I can meet my own expectation by year end. Wish me luck and pray for me too.
Important milestones this year too for us as family:
1. Hasanah will be taking her iGCSE this year in May/Jun. I pray that she will be healthy and do well in her exams. I will try to support her as much as I can.
2. Aliyah will be taking her JLSA and UPSR exams this year. Good luck my baby girl! You can do it and I will pray for your success.
3. Husband and I have made appeal to request for places to perform our Hajj this year. We have registered for Hajj pilgrimage since year 2002 and have missed few window of opportunities since then. I pray with Allah's Rahim and Rahman that may we have the chance to go for Hajj this year. Please pray for us too. My heart yearns to go to Mekah and see the Kaabah in person again; truly a magical peaceful feeling. It's is as if the sky above the Kaabah can see directly to the heavens, subhanallah.
Here to 2015 resolution. May Allah grant us the knowledge and patience to succeed. Ameen.
Till next time, insya-Allah
Run for a new beginnining
Last Saturday on the 17th we had a school cross country run for the girls at FRIM Kepong Botanical Garden. It was fro Primary 4 up to Sec 5 Classes. So Wajdi is spared this time round - next year handsome boy! Parents are invited to run with their children; mostly for moral support I guessed. The purpose of the run is for the school to start the new academic year with a healthy activity aka running which is not the norm for Malaysians. We'll gladly do a makan-makan (community eating) session any time of the year!
Since I already ran last year for Hasanah's 6.2 km near UIA area; I signed up mostly caused I felt challenged when Hasanah said last year most of the Indonesian students mum signed up and one even won the race. Needless to say the "kiasuism" spirit is very much still in me, I prefer to term it as positive competition hehehe. I signed up for that run without much exercise prior to that except for running around the apartment compound and swimming on Tuesday; to end up with a massive headache next day Wednesday and run the actual road run itself on Thursday. Hasanah was so sceptical about me running that she made subtle hints (more than subtle I think) for me to cancel my run intention. I think she had this vision that I'd be carried away in a ambulance during the run :)
But no worry, happy to report that I did finished the run in good health; no ambulance drama and even managed to come up on the 4th place in the parents/mum category; although I couldn't be sure whether there were only 4 mums running that day (?) I am sure it looked like 10-15 mums at that starting line or at least that is what I imagined.
Now sorry for the throwback to Hasanah's road run, returning to Afifah's and Aliyah's cross country run at Kepong Botanical Garden. Aliyah and myself was doing the 4km run for primary girls category (thanks to Allah that the school thought that we mum would be more suitable for this category) while Afifah ran the 5km for lower secondary girls. The run was done in the botanical garden around the lake; it was a nice area to run with tall trees, green grass and surrounding a nice lake. I was too worried about having enough energy to finish the race so didn't really had time to enjoy the surrounding then.
I finished the run in 25mins and managed to finish in the top 10 places ( I think as the school only counted up to first 5 runners; what a pity as I am sure we mums would have wanted to know where we stood). Aliyah finished on the 9th place and Afifah on the 3rd place for their respective categories. Good job girls.. we will do better next year insya-Allah now that we know what to expect for this place. That is if the school decides to do the run at the same place next year.
So that's our running story to start this year. As much as I HATE DETEST running, I do know that it's probably the easiest exercise for me to do apart from swimming. I hate going to gyms even more.
Thus this year, we would probably end up doing more of these types of runs especially aiming for those that involves the whole family like the Tropicana Golf Run we did last year. That was fun and a nice way to explore KL surrounding areas. The girls we would probably sign up for more competitive running to enrich their learning especially Hasanah as she loves to run.
So let's run whole heartedly ahead to new adventures!
Till next time, insya-Allah
Since I already ran last year for Hasanah's 6.2 km near UIA area; I signed up mostly caused I felt challenged when Hasanah said last year most of the Indonesian students mum signed up and one even won the race. Needless to say the "kiasuism" spirit is very much still in me, I prefer to term it as positive competition hehehe. I signed up for that run without much exercise prior to that except for running around the apartment compound and swimming on Tuesday; to end up with a massive headache next day Wednesday and run the actual road run itself on Thursday. Hasanah was so sceptical about me running that she made subtle hints (more than subtle I think) for me to cancel my run intention. I think she had this vision that I'd be carried away in a ambulance during the run :)
But no worry, happy to report that I did finished the run in good health; no ambulance drama and even managed to come up on the 4th place in the parents/mum category; although I couldn't be sure whether there were only 4 mums running that day (?) I am sure it looked like 10-15 mums at that starting line or at least that is what I imagined.
Now sorry for the throwback to Hasanah's road run, returning to Afifah's and Aliyah's cross country run at Kepong Botanical Garden. Aliyah and myself was doing the 4km run for primary girls category (thanks to Allah that the school thought that we mum would be more suitable for this category) while Afifah ran the 5km for lower secondary girls. The run was done in the botanical garden around the lake; it was a nice area to run with tall trees, green grass and surrounding a nice lake. I was too worried about having enough energy to finish the race so didn't really had time to enjoy the surrounding then.
I finished the run in 25mins and managed to finish in the top 10 places ( I think as the school only counted up to first 5 runners; what a pity as I am sure we mums would have wanted to know where we stood). Aliyah finished on the 9th place and Afifah on the 3rd place for their respective categories. Good job girls.. we will do better next year insya-Allah now that we know what to expect for this place. That is if the school decides to do the run at the same place next year.
So that's our running story to start this year. As much as I HATE DETEST running, I do know that it's probably the easiest exercise for me to do apart from swimming. I hate going to gyms even more.
Thus this year, we would probably end up doing more of these types of runs especially aiming for those that involves the whole family like the Tropicana Golf Run we did last year. That was fun and a nice way to explore KL surrounding areas. The girls we would probably sign up for more competitive running to enrich their learning especially Hasanah as she loves to run.
So let's run whole heartedly ahead to new adventures!
Till next time, insya-Allah
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