11 November 2011

Today is 11/11/11 which is a big deal to some people but totally means nothing to me. They're just numbers for God's sake! Nothing different from any other day of the year. Today also happens to be my 7 year old's Record Book Day. It's a day where parents of school children come to the school to meet the class teacher and find out how well (or not) their kids have done through the semester. So no more bringing home your record book so your parent can whack you good if you didn't do well. Today you can do that right in front of the class.

Anyhow, before the exam I promised Adam an iPod Touch if he gets 1st in class. It's not like I don't believe in his abilities, it's just that Adam didn't do any much studying before his exam. We had to pronounce all kind of threats before he attempts to do any revision. So I was indeed surprised that he managed to get 3rd in class today. The only subject that kept him off of the top spot was Arts which he got 75%. That is only because he didn't came to class the day before and he didn't know he had to bring his water color and manila card for the exam. Else, who knows he might be top in his class today.

3rd in class is definitely ain't that bad. Of course we would get you something. When I got number 1 in school during standard six, my Mom gave me 20 ringgit. Which I duly waste on a toy truck at Toys R Us. Our Adam is not that type of kid that demands this and that from his parent. Still it would be a befitting if we reward him with something nice. I know of parents who never gives anything to the children even if the consistently score top marks in school. To them, being excellent in school is their born duty and responsibility. Why should they be rewarded for that they say. I say WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? WHAT KIND OF SCREWED LOGIC US THAT? Do you want your kids to grow up bitter and resentful? Every kid deserve some reward sometimes even if they got last place in class. It's common courtesy.

22 August 2011

Adam Farihin. Skinny. Not very tough. Somebody give him some more food to eat.

Well, I won't worry too much about him. I was exactly like him when I was his age. And then eventually I discovered food. Glorious food. How good they tasted. As I grow up, eating, too much, my body started to expand exponentially with my age. By the time I'm 12, I turned into this chubby kid who had too much to eat.

So did my elder sister. In fact we the 2 eldest member of our sibling seemed to look bigger than our younger brother and sister. Maybe it's because we conquered the table every dinner time and gobbled up all the good food before anybody else. That's how we became fat. I'd like to change that now. My sister? Maybe there is still hope ha ha!

So I don't worry too much about Adam Farihin's skinny outlook. He has all the time in the world to grow bigger and stronger. Maybe he should start by pumping iron like his dear old Dad.

Today by some divine intervention we all woke up a little bit late for sahur. Hence the tart cookies in the picture. I bought that for RM11.90 from MyMydin. It tasted horrible. Not all cookies are created equal. Remind me not to buy any from them again.

Hmm, it took a template change to make me blog more. I love this new theme by the way.

28 June 2011

Today was supposed to be just another regular day at work where I started the day by sending my son to his school at Taman Desaminium. However Adam Farihin, 7 years old decided that today he would like to jam his thumb at the car's door. After that we spend half the day visiting clinics & the hospital to fix his finger.

At first I thought it was just a little thump at the car door but when Adam couldn't stop wailing, I quickly brought him to see a doctor at my panel clinic nearby. The doctor (who was fashionably late by the way) suggested that Adam probably broke his thumb and advised that we go to a hospital. However since I dont have any insurance coverage anymore, I had to rush home to pick up my wife and kids and go to her panel clinic in Serdang to get her doctor's letter of recommendation before finally going to a hospital in Kajang. Adam was still crying on top of his lung for most of that time.

To cut the story short, Adam had his finger scanned and the x-ray showed no bones were broken from the accident this morning. Lucky for us my wife's company had it all covered. I shudder to think should anything bad happens to me. Maybe I should consider buying my own personal insurance. Right.

21 March 2011

As you all know, school's off all last week. Since we were too broke/lazy to send the kids back home like everybody else, Adam and Mia spent much of the short break at the nursery. Yes we are terrible parents. Anyway, we asked Adam if he has any home works to do during the holidays to which he said no which is rather surprising/suspicious you might say.

So yesterday was Monday, and school started again. By the time we dropped him off at his school that morning, Adam seemed reluctant to leave the car. As you can see in the picture above he was stuck to the door and ready to cry. When we asked what's wrong he said he was afraid that his teacher would scold him again. So I walked him to the school meaning to ask his teacher personally but then his teacher is absent today. By then Adam was already crying and when I wanted to approach him he started running away. In the end Adam skipped school altogether yesterday. So we sent him to the nursery instead where once again he started to run away again. Apparently he was mortified of Cikgu Bab, one of the staff at the nursery. This time I had to literally run to catch him and carry him kicking and screaming to the nursery. In the end, we didn't have the heart to leave him crying and howling there so Linda decided to take the day off and stay with the kids at home.

I always thought parenthood was never easy but I never thought it would be this hard. Upon further inspection we found out that Adam just didn't finish his home work, that's why he was afraid to go to school yesterday. Come on man. I also didn't finish my home work some times but I went to school anyway despite the fact that my teacher will cane my butt merciless in front of the class or at least stand on my chair/outside the class for the entire period. If you did something wrong, be a man and face the consequences. Just how long you think you can run away or avoid it anyway?

This morning I was preparing for the worst. Thankfully Adam walked casually to class today without much drama. Adam Farihin, you are full of surprises.

26 February 2011

This morning Adam followed his grandma to her school to witness a chess competition. He didn't actually took part in the competition, just attending as a spectator. A couple of school in the Petaling district took part in the competition including his own school. When one of the contestant didn't make it, my Mom decided to enter Adam into the competition.

Now Adam did played chess before, a couple of time with me at home but he loses every time. His lifetime playing experience was like 12 times with all losses. So when my Mom talked Adam into playing chess there it was like throwing him into a lion's den. First game he lost. Still okay. But when he the second time, he got so frustrated and sad, he cried there and then. I had to rush to the school and drag him into the car crying and wailing. I know my Mom meant well but Adam is absolutely not ready for any competition, at least not right now. Who knows he might be future world champion but at the moment, he needs practice, lots of it.

30 December 2010

Early this morning we went out and stoped by My Mydin to buy a school shoe for Adam. Believe it or not, we couldn't find a shoe his size in the whole of Tesco Puchong last week. Lucky for us My Mydin opens as early 7:00 AM. After dropping off Mia and a quick breakfast at Thoiba we went straight to SK Taman Universiti. Before today we had no idea where Adam will be going to school next year. You see we submitted the transfer application form to that school last week. Somehow the teachers or the clerk at the school took their own sweet time to submit the application to the district education office. By the time they sent the application last Monday, we found out the 200 students quota for the new school has already been filled.

Lucky for me my Mom happens to be a deputy headmistress (Penolong Kanan) in a school in Serdang. She pulled some strings and called her buddies (and former colleagues) at SK Desaminium to get Adam admitted there. I can't thank her enough for her favor. Still we didn't find out until this morning that Adam had already been accepted there at the new school. So this morning instead of sending Adam through an orientation, we only had to pick up his text books from SK Taman Universiti. The queue was at least a hundred meters long but we're just glad that Adam get to go to a school very near to our place. After Taman Universiti we head on straight to SK Desaminium to check out the school and confirm Adam's name there. Sure enough Adam had been accepted to the school and his real orientation starts tomorrow. I'm just happy that this is all sorted out finally.

23 December 2010

Yesterday evening I found of from Adam's nursery owner that today will be the last day for standard 1 registration at the SK Taman Desaminium school which is like around the corner from our place. Previously we have registered Adam at SK Taman Universiti because we heard the former school won't be open till later next year. So this morning we rushed to the school before going to work to work out the registration details. The clerk in charge told us to write down Adam's name and our home address and that's it. She told us to check back in a couple of days.

Later today my Mom called saying that I had to submit Adam's birth certificate, our IC copies, marriage certs, utilities bill, Puspakom inspection form, EA form and whatnot to the school because apparently our transfer request was rejected by the education dept because of the incomplete documents. WTH? Lucky for me my Mom knows this things. I spent the entire lunch time plus 30 more minutes waiting for the school office to open and submit the documents. Even then I don't know for sure whether Adam will be accepted to the new school.

Parenthood is though.

28 November 2010

This school holiday we've decided to let the kids spend some quality time with their grandparent back home in Tanah Merah. Although my home town is actually in Pasir Mas but we send them back just to Tanah Merah because there's nobody to look after them in Pasir Mas. My little sister has very little experience with children and my grandma would not have the energy left to tend to those kids.

In Tanah Merah however, they've got their aunts and other grandparent whose more than willing to look after them for the next few weeks or so. We took the train to Tanah Merah on Friday and return home by bus yesterday. My wife was already teary eyed and crying at the bus station, on the bus and also when she returns home to find our empty apartment. Duh, whose idea is it in the first place? I have the feelings the kids would be home really soon.

1 November 2010

Dear @adamfarihin. Do you remember the time when you was six years old and you complained why we never celebrate your birthday at school like everybody else? Well, your birthday falls on the 12th of December when the school is closed so that's why we didn't celebrate your birthday at school before.

But since this year is the last time you go to school at Tadika Cahayaku Seri Nilam, your mother decided to do something special for you. Although your birthday is still a month away, we've decided to have it early so that you can celebrate it with your friends. That's why yesterday she spent close to a hundred ringgit on cakes, crackers, sweets and goody bags for your little birthday party today. Bear in mind that a hundred ringgit in 2010 is a lot of money. She'd do almost anything to make you happy. Remember that.

11 August 2010

Yesterday Muslims all over the world started to observe fasting in the holy month of Ramadan, my family not excluded. Maybe he's a little bit excited but Adam said he wanted to fast too, just like his Mom and Pop. So we said, "then you'll have to wake up for sahur early in the morning". And so he did. Woke up around 5:00 AM yesterday to eat with us. Mia who happens to wake up as well, joined us.

So later in the evening I asked, "Did you eat or drink anything today, Adam?". And he said "No I didn't eat at all! Except for a drink when I was so thirsty". Later when pressed on by his mother he finally said "okay la maybe I ate a couple of biscuits in the afternoon, but that's all!". Well, we didn't expect you to succeed fasting on the first day anyway. We'd be surprised if you did. You willingness to begin fasting is good enough. You're only 6 years old by the way. It's a good start.

1 August 2010

There is a time in a young Muslim's life where one started to learn to recite the Qur'an. We feel that time is now for Adam Farihin. Fortunately for us, there happens to be one Qur'an reading teacher at our surau downstairs. So we just bring Adam for his learning sessions every Monday and Wednesday.

The Ustaz or teacher is actually a real school teacher who does this after school. Apart from teaching the young ones, he earns some extra income as well. There are about 10 students in his class for now. So far Adam did quite well. Thanks to his kindergarten who taught him some basic Qur'an reading in the past 2 years or so.

2 July 2010

What you are seeing here is no ordinary sword. This is Adam's very special magical sword. It is made from a discarded Yu Yee Medicated Oil Can, part of formula bottle top, electric wire casing and some tapes.

He uses this magical sword to slay big bad dragons, those monsters from Ultraman and poke his sister and father. When the energy dries out, he will need to charge his sword through the USB port of his computer. And oh yeah, this sword doubles as a violin too.

Don't ever tease him about this imaginary very real sword because he's very sensitive about it.

1 May 2010

Today I brought Adam for his first visit to the movies. I booked everything online at the TGV website 2 days in advance. It's cheaper and more convenient that way. 1 adult plus 1 children early bird ticket for only RM14.00 at TGV The Mines. Other cinemas like 1Utama and MidValley sold those Iron Man 2 ticket for 14 ringgit a piece.

I remembered my first visit to the movies was 21 years ago. My Dad brought me and my siblings to Komtar in his home town in Penang. He brought us to eat at Pizza Hut for the first time ever and I still remembered how good they were and how my brother Faiz spilled drink onto them in the end. Then we went to watch a Malay flick, Driving School. It was horrible. I don't remember who the actors were but the point is, it sucks big time. Still the experience was unforgettable until this very day.

Adam was very excited of course prior to today's visit. He woke up bright and early this morning and for the past few days, he even behaved himself and actually listened to our orders. I can say Iron Man 2 is a good movie. Adam obviously was awed by all the special effects. He said the 'TV' is way bigger than ours at home.

After that we had some donuts and had lunch at Old Town White Coffee. Don't be mislead by his lack of enthusiasm showed in the picture. He is really excited inside.

17 April 2010

For a few weeks now, Adam have been complaining of his wriggling front teeth. So today we brought him to see a dentist in Equine Park to get his teeth sorted out.

We had to wait for about an hour for our turn at Klinik Alam Permai. Adam showed no emotion whatsoever on his first visit to the dentist. I remembered I was scared stiff whenever I visited the dentist when I was small. I can still recall the countless horror stories I've heard about dentists.

It took the nice doctor about 3 minutes to pull Adam's tooth out. First she applied some purple cream to his gum and the pluck goes the bad tooth. That's it. No scream, no tears. We are so proud of you kid. 20 ringgit to pull out a tooth.

8 January 2010

Who needs PSP when you've got creativity?

18 December 2009

今日のアダムの5歳の誕生日です。数日前、彼は幼稚園でここに来る彼の誕生日を祝うためにいくつかの彼の友達と語った。それらはもちろんないのを知っていたアダムの生命又は実際には彼の親の誕生日パーティーを計画していなかった。ない、彼の親に望んでいない、それだけでは、手段やそれをする時間がないのだ。

ですから、アダム最終的に誰も来ていたが出て、彼は少し悲しくなりました。彼はいかなる高価なプレゼントをしたり、新しいおもちゃを取得していない気にしませんでした、彼はここにいる彼の友達と考えている。私たちはそうして申し訳ありませんアダム。我々は適切に来年のお誕生日を祝うために最善の努力をします。アーメン。

1 December 2009

Last night we called Adam back home in Tanah Merah. We called just to say hi and find out how's he's doing. Suddenly Adam started to miss his parent and little sister very-very much and threw a huge tantrum, wanting to go back here. No amount of persuading and appeasing could change his mind about staying for another 4 days as planned.

Luckily for him, one of the neighbours were planning to return back to KL last evening and gave him and his grandma a lift here.

The good news is, Adam is back here safely in our arms. The not so good news is, they had start fighting again, Mia and his brother and the house is a total mess.

22 November 2009

After Adam is done with his little concert and performance, now is the time to send him back home to Kelantan to the loving arms of his grandparent. We think it’s about time that Adam spend some time with his grandparent, uncles and aunts. And there couldn’t be a better time than this school holiday season.

Actually we wanted to buy him a train ticket but they were all sold out in like in an hour when they went up for sale last week. So we bought him a bus ticket instead and asked his uncle Pak Tam to accompany him for the trip.

You know sometimes Adam can be so naughty that I wished he could disappear from my life for a day. But now that he’d left, I felt the total opposite instead. Although he’s been gone for only 12 hours we missed him so terribly already. Her Mom actually cried last night when we got home. Well I didn’t cry (yet).

You know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. We won't be seeing him for at least a week. At least we know that he has arrived safe and sound in Tanah Merah today. You behave yourself now son.

27 October 2009

Today Adam came home with his School Report Card. We Linda promised him that if he gets number one in class, she will buy him one Sony PlayStation Portable game console for him. It's not that we don't have faith in him, it's just that we'd like to give him a big motivation to do well in his studies.

So the results is out and unfortunately Adam didn't get first place in class. But he did get number 3 which is an improvement from his last position which was number four (fuh!). Still looking at his Report Card, I must say I'm very proud of my son's achievement. Yeah he still has room for improvement in Creative (drawing & craft) but for other subject he's quite good actually.

And as a reward for your good result, your Mom will now buy you that special edition Barbie doll. Enjoy!

p.s: I took the liberty to add a little comment of my own.

12 October 2009

All last weekend Adam have been studying with her Mom in preparation for his final exam today. This morning though Adam suddenly had a change of mind and decided to stay at home with his grandparent instead. So we literally had to drag him to the toilet to shower, carry him into the car we only his underwear on and promise him with all kind of treats and gift so that he will go to school. We managed to drag his butt to the class' door in the end although he was still crying, pleading to go home as we left.

Sometimes I just don't understand my 5 years old. He was okay with his studying and revision yesterday. Maybe he just had a nervous breakdown. But then again, all his classmates came to school without any problem today. It did crossed my mind just to leave him at home today but I choose not to be lenient with him today. He's going to start schooling soon and I worry that this trend will continue then also. Sigh.