What shall I pray mom?

One day, I read my e-mail with my daughter besides me. One of the email was about the cruelty of Israel against Palestine and the called to boycott the products that support Israel. Then slowly my daughter went to sit on bed and cried quietly. I stopped my reading and asked her what made her cry? Then she started to aked me about the pictures of war victims that I received, what was happening, where it happened, why and so on. I explained to her in simple language as I can. Then she asked me about the products pictures. Once again I explained to her, she did not stop crying, "Mama, we cannot eat Maggi, but we have eaten it". (We ate Myojo before that). I have to make her understand the different of Maggi and noodles, because for her any instant noodles is Maggi.

The story does not stop there. She then announced to her brothers (still crying) that they cannot eat Maggi anymore because it will make Israel richer and buy the weapons to kill Muslim. Again I have to explain to my sons what she meant by that. One evening while watching TV, suddenly my youngest son crying besides me. "Mom, I don't want to die". He really surprised me. The TV was not showing anything about death, why should he think about that? I asked him why, he asked me back about the bad people who killed muslim, where it happened, does it happen in Australia, will the bad guys come over to Australia to kill muslim if there's no Muslim anymore in Palestine? Masya Allah, this child think too much. He heard her sister told the story to their brothers and got scared. I calmed him and said to him, bad people is everywhere as well as good people, Hasif can help good people by praying to Allah. "I don't know how to pray, what shall I pray mom?".

See, the little children are very sensitive. They have their concern towards other people. They cannot think as an adult but they able to show their care. Until today they will remind me not to buy Maggi (because only that product they know) even though they like to eat that. If the children can do that, why not we as brilliant grown-up have that care and concern too? Let us pray to Allah SWT to give strength and reward success to Muslim. May Allah assist the Muslim against kaafirun as He helped Muslim in Badar. Allahuakbar!!

So Long.......

1 January 2009, all of us went to airport early in the morning at about 4.45am to send Nenek and Aqilah. Yes, they have to go back to Malaysia because the new school term will start soon. Deep inside I felt sad to let them go, I wish Ibu can stay here until we go back in June 2009, but I have to accept the fact that Ibu also has some other matters to settle. My children also felt sad that nenek been here only for a shortwhile. Thank you nenek and Aqilah for visiting us here and bring the joy, thank you for everything...we will see you again in June Insya Allah....

10th January 2009, a farewell party was organised for our friends, Kak Yus, Abang Solah and family who will go back to Malaysia on 13th January. We only get to know them for about 4 months but it seems we have known them for a long time. Insya Allah, we will visit you in Kedah Kak Yus!

Kak Yus and Mahira
















Enjoying the BBQ












Sharing the happiness









The gentlemen, (in white shirt - Abang Solah)

















The ladies












The children













Madihah, Mahira, Amin and Along













Adib and Yaya














So long friends....




Madihah, Amin, Adib and Mahira, friendship forever....we are glad to have you as our friends, hope to see you again...love from Afiq, Syarafi, Zarif, 'Iffah and Hasif.

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to my nieces who had done well in PMR. Congratulations too to Ariff & Nuramalina and Ayu & Nazarudin for your engagement and to Lokman & Suhana for your wedding. May Allah bless you all.

Picnic and sight seeing

It was very exciting to have nenek and cousin here in Perth. We wanted to spend as much time as possible with both of them during their staying here. On 28th December we went for a picnic at Kings Park. Came along was Syarifuddin, a friend from Terengganu. I cooked nasi lemak and made sandwiches.

On 30th December, we went to Abingdon Miniature Village in Mandurah, south of Perth. The name "Abingdon" was chosen from the town of Abingdon in Oxfordshire, located about 10 kilometres south of Oxford on the Thames River and is the oldest continually inhabited town in England. Abingdon Miniature Village was opened to the public for the first time on 1st March 2003. It displays many different styles and models of buildings and farmer's cottage throughout England. Following the theme of miniature, the picnic area, 12 hole mini golf course, maze and landscaped gardens -for those who loves flowers and rare plants- provide a relaxing and enjoyable experience. After that we went to the Halls Head beach and on the way back we prayed 'Asar at Masjid Ar-Rukun in Rockingham. We also stopped at Fremantle and Scarborough Beach near the Perth City.

On 31st December, we went to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery. Subhanallah, it is a unique and spectacular experience within Nambung National Park, near Cervantes, about 250 kilometres north of Perth. Rising mysteriously from the dune sands are thousands of limestone pillars, a landscape in eerie contrast to the surrounding heath. Nambung National Park is one of many protected areas in this world-renowned biodiversity hotspot, where an extraordinary range of wildlife and habitats lie within easy reach of each other. We also went to Margaret River Chocolate Company to taste the chocolate and ate ice creams. Unfortunately, we forgot to take picture here.....

Holiday!!

Wow! I've not updating this blog for quiet sometimes! So many things happened, and the school holiday has started, busy with children at home. One week before the school holiday, on 12 to 14 December we went to the southern part of WA i.e. Albany and Denmark. These places are well known to the tourists for their beautiful scenery, beaches and animals. We went there together with two other families. Its a long journey, about 5 hours driving from Perth (Albany Highway), but we enjoy it very much. The pictures below tell everything.

On 15th December, Hasif's class organised the end of term party at 11.00a.m. Everybody has signed up to bring their own dishes or snacks. Due to tiring journey from Albany, I only brought Twisties for the party. My husband and I also attended the party. Besides socializing with parents and teachers, we had to ensure that Hasif eats halal food brought by other Muslim parents.



On 16th December, Syarafi was having his Year Seven Graduation Day. My husband, my mother in law, my niece and I went to the school to celebrate this event. It was held at 2.00 pm. At 6.00 pm, he went to the graduation dinner which was held at Cafe Ruchee, in Bentley Centre where he is allowed to eat salad only.

On 17th December, Bentley Primary School organized the End Year Concert (cum Christmas Concert). The children were participating in their class performance. Students also were given rewards for their achievements (just like Hari Kecemerlangan at Malaysia). Alhamdulillah Zarif was awarded for his achievement in English and Mathematics.



Hasif's class presentation



'Iffah's class presentation



Zarif's class presentation



Syarafi's class presentation

On 21st December, Curtin's Muslim Student Society organized the Aidiladha Festival at the University oval. There were food stalls and games for children such as merry-go-round, dragon train, jumping castle, camel ride, soccer and others. The children were enjoying themselves.

Welcome Nenek and cousin!

Masya-Allah.....it has been a long time I did not blog in...too many things to do and I neglected Lavendar Harum. Anyhow, we are very happy because nenek and Aqilah (my mother in law and my niece) are coming to Perth. They came on 2nd December 2008 landed at 4.50p.m (Perth time). My children have been counting the days for their nenek to come, and they were cheering her with stories and events at the moment nenek reached our home. Unfortunately, my children are still schooling. Their holiday will start on 18th December. Therefore, my niece Aqilah is quite boring at home while her cousins at school.

Last week end, we brought them to Fremantle for shopping and sightseeing. Only 'Iffah followed us, others wanted to stay at home and play their PS2. Boys....shopping is boring for them.
Going to Fremantle we hopped on a bus and two trains (macam jauh jer yek). Actually we can only go by bus, but just wanted Aqilah to enjoy the journey by train. I purchased family rider ticket. This ticket can be used to ride the bus and train for the whole day. This is one of the good things here, the facilities for public are excellent that make people like to travel using public transports.

After arriving, we decided to go for sightseeing first before doing the shopping.


This picture is taken in front of the bazaar near the Town Hall. Below, monument of John Curtin, the Prime Minister during the World War

Rest for a while before get on the tram. Beautiful bench and chess table.

At last, in the tram, while listening to the briefing by the driver, we enjoyed the scenery. Below, at the harbour.

Behind us were the trams waiting for the passengers.

The view of the harbour from the hill.

The monument of Galipoli war, in the memory of fallen sailors and soldiers during the war.


















My Hero! Very strong, held one of the missiles from the war.

Recent event...

First event I want to share here is pasar malam (night market)! I've been here in Perth for about 9 months, and I missed pasar malam. Luckily, on last October, International Students Association of CUT organized pasar malam. My husband and I with two of my youngest children went there after solat Maghrib. Many stalls were opened by the students as well as outsiders who were permanent residents and some of them the owner of restaurants. But majority of the hawkers were chinese. There were satay, nasi lemak, briyani, hot dog, ayam percik, cendol and many others. The most in demand food was satay, very long queue, 6 skew of satay for 5 dollars. Pasar malam in Malaysia we listen to the songs played by cd's seller, here we listen the songs played by live band, Malay songs in the middle of university's field, cool!!

This is the popular satay stall


The crowd


Live band

The children have started their last term of school. This term many activities were planned. Syarafi and 'Iffah joined the Author club, which they learned to create stories, poem to develop their writing and thinking skills. Zarif joined the After School which is more towards physical activities. Afiq and Hasif, no extra activities... In recent assembly 'Iffah was awarded the certificate for excellent work in writing stories on Power Point. (awarded by Author Club).

Yesterday, 20th November 2008, my husband and I went to BBQ party at Burswood Park to celebrate our friends that are going back to Malaysia. Some of them go back because they have finished their study and some of them go back for practical. It touched my heart.....I wanna go back toooo!!!! I miss my home, my family, my colleague and friends, and I miss my Boss!! Be strong heart, June next year we shall going back to Malaysia! These are the pictures that I managed to snap.

The good BBQ cooks...


Some of the foods...pot-luck


The beauty in the middle of the field.....


Pak Utih, Mak Utih, Mai, Kak Yus and the little Amirah


Farewell friends...Charles will going back to Mauritius, Lipton and Din departing to Malaysia.


Usrah...??


Enjoying the moments together......

Life is full of test and exam

Life.....what do we want our life to be? Always happy, everything is easy, no ups and downs, no stumbling blocks, everything goes as we want it to be.....yeahhh...perfecto! It do sounds good, but is it really interesting? Its not colourful though....

Ups and downs, stumbling block, thunder and lightnings are parts of our life....all those are the test and exam for us, to score and learn from. They make our life more exciting, adventurous and special.

People do make mistakes, nobody is perfect except our Prophet. But those mistakes are the lessons from Allah for us to learn from and improve ourselves. I always pray that Allah give me strength and courage in experiencing all the tests and exams in my life.

By the way, congratulation to my nephews and cousins who got excellent result in UPSR recently. Good luck for those who have taken PMR, surely looking forward to get the result, and good luck for those who currently sitting for SPM, do your best!

My husband also finished his final exam for semester two last Friday. Hopefully success will become yours sweetheart!