14 February 2012

My 9 years old daughter has been having this on and off fever for almost 2 weeks now. We went to the clinic several times but the doctor just kept giving us fever, flu, cough medication and antibiotics for her. It was not until today that the doctor recommended that we refer her to the hospital. About time. If we had it our way we would have brought Hana to the hospital long time ago. But it doesn't work that way. For us to be able to bring her or any of our kids to the hospital, we must have a referral letter from the GP. We simply cannot crash to hospital and demand that our kid be treated. Unless of course we were planning to pay for it ourselves.

Like always, admitting anybody to the hospital took hours. In fact we spent almost the whole day today from morning to late in the afternoon before being given a bed. Starting from the clinic, to the admission and the screening and then wait for the GL and for a free bed. Not to mention we had to go home and pack our bags and then return to the hospital to be admitted finally. And that for a private hospital. A public hospital should take twice as long if there's any bed for you left that is.

From the doctor's diagnosis, Hana got some kind of infection in her lung. I remember Adam having the same illness many years ago. She did cough a lot this past week and no amount of cough meds seems to make her better. I knew this is something more serious than the common cough.

Lucky for us my wife's employee gives 3 days of compassionate leaves whenever any of our immediate family member got warded. So naturally my wife would be staying with Hana the next 3 days or so. Hopefully she would be okay by the weekend.

31 January 2012

Help, our child has been kidnapped!

Actually my parent in law came by this weekend and swiftly took away Mia back home to Tanah Merah. We didn't have the heart to say no despite the fact that we already paid her kindy fees. Perhaps when we are older we might just pull something like this on our future grandchild, who knows.

Thing is we're definitely going to miss that little rascal. In fact we miss her already now :(

Time to plot a plan to take her back immediately.

24 January 2012

What does my future brother in law and I have in common? We both don't talk much. Plus when we were about to get married we had crappy jobs that barely could make ends meet. Wait, let me rephrase that, actually I was jobless when I got married 8 years ago. I stopped working part time at McDonald's to concentrate on my studies but that didn't end well.

Anyway, one of the main reason my wife's sister had misgivings about him is because of that. He just doesn't talk much and not very friendly with people. Just like me. It's not that he's a snob or anti-social or anything. He's just shy perhaps. Just like me. But look how I turned out to be now. Look how our marriage went. 8 years is quite an achievement I must say.

My point is, it's perfectly okay if you're broke with a not very glamorous job that doesn't pay much. As long as you work hard and try your best with your job, sooner or later people, especially your boss or future employers will notice and you will climb that career ladder. That won't happen in a day but it will happen surely. Some parents will have sleepless nights if their daughter is about to marry someone like him or me back then. Will not all would work out alright, I'd say give him a chance. See how he carries himself at work. If he loves to hang around doing nothing then he's no good. Else he'd have the potential to get better in life and work and live happily ever after with your precious daughter and give you many lovely grandchildren (like me).

Don't judge a man by his career. People can change, usually for the better.

Anyway my company was so kind they gave me the whole week off. So I basically don't have to work until next Monday. So here I am doing pretty much nothing except sleeping, watching movies and playing games all day long. 8 years later I am still yet to hang outside the house chit chatting with the neighbours on our little wakaf. I am still that shy person you know 8 years ago. Plus I'd like to keep that Laziest Son in Law in Kampong Sat title that I won many years ago. It's a very prestigious award and not just anybody can win it.

23 January 2012

We're back in Tanah Merah again this time for my sister in law's engagement. Her previous two sisters didn't have any engagements before, they just get married right away so this one is kind of special.

Despite having second thoughts about the engagement and the whole wedding in general, my sister in law here finally decided to go along with it. You just don't play around with this sort of thing you know. Engagements, weddings and marriage is a sacred thing in our religion & culture and if you are not sure and have doubts about it you should just pull the plug from the start. If you do it later, after everybody have worked their ass off to make it happen it would be rude and unkind of you. Furthermore is a matter of honour and pride for both yours and theirs parent & family.

Thankfully everything is settled now. She's engaged and hopefully get married some time next year. Just remember, most marriage is for eternity. If you're having second thoughts, now is the time to do it. Not that I'm implying you do anything.

4 December 2011

It's school holiday again and time to bring my kids to Disneyland!

No? Not even to the beach or any theme park?

I wish.

Thing is it's not that I don't want to. It's just I can't afford such luxuries right now. Not yet at least. So we did the next best thing. Pack them off to stay with their grandparent for a month. At least our parent would be happy. So would the kids, I hope.

When I was little, my parent did the same thing. Almost every school holiday my Dad would fetch us and pack us off to Penang to live with our grandma during the holidays. I guess that was the decent and economical thing to do other than let us waste our school break doing nothing. My grandma, she would be delighted to see us then. She would cook us all kinds of wonderful meals and food, like that authentic Penang fish curry. You can't find that kind of curry anywhere else in Malaysia. Only a real Penangnite can cook a fish curry like that. And I don't usually eat fish mind you. But for her, I'd make an exception. Let's not forget about her legendary 9 inch roti canai. Yes, my grandma makes her own roti canai. Don't need to go to no mamak to have roti canai whenever we were in Penang. Grandma would roll her own dough, spread them around, flip them in the air like a boss and cook them on the round pan thingy just like a real mamak. Where'd she learn to do that? You guess is as good as mine.

Apart from that she would also ask my uncles to bring us sightseeing around Penang. We would visit Bukit Bendera, Padang Kota Lama, Komtar and have a bath at Batu Feringghi among others. But the highlight of our visit must be Penang Fair. We can't wait to visit that fair. It's huge and we could watch concerts by the top artists of the day and play all kind of games. It was the good times.

However as the years go by, my uncles started to have a family of their own and then suddenly we have nobody to take us anywhere anymore. So most of the time we just chill at grandma's big house at Lengkok Pemancar, Gelugor. Since then, our annual visit to Penang was not that fun anymore. My Dad would be too busy working in KL, Selangor, Johore or God knows where and the only time he has was to pick us up from Pasir Mas and drop us in Penang. We'll only see him again about 4 weeks later. Around that time I wish he would stop sending us there to Penang in the first place. The fun and games was all gone and I especially felt like a prisoner in that big place. Don't know what my siblings felt though but I stopped looking forward to such visits soon after that. Worse I started to create all kind of mischief to get their attention. Once I sprayed aerosol all over the second floor and got a handful of scolding from my grandma. Not to mention get into a fight with my cousin Fendi. I was really bored. After my parent got divorced, we rarely go to Penang again, if ever. Maybe once in two years, something like that.

So you see, I'm worried if my kids would somehow feel or experience the same thing. I do hope that's not the case. Mia for example is very friendly and has no problems making new friends. Adam on the other hand is rather like me, shy and very reserved at first. But over time he'll warm up to others. Eventually. That said, I trust their grandparent has something fun and exciting in store for them back home. After all Linda's father just retired from the force earlier this year. He for once has all the time in the world.

If not, at least Adam has his new Playstation console to play with at home. When I was his age, I'm just happy playing with my cheap video game console all day long. That's how I became the champion Street Fighter player in the neighborhood. I hope that rubs off to him somehow.

Disneyland and similar theme parks will come. But not right now. The future maybe.

1 December 2011

Today my sister in law gave birth to a new baby boy named Muhammad Umar Khalif in Manjung, Perak. It's their first boy in the family after having 2 girls previously and they're mighty glad. The husband is going to slaughter 2 goats in gratitude. Welcome little Umar. As you will soon find out, I'm your coolest uncle ever.

23 October 2011

We have just returned from sending my mom at the Tabung Haji complex in Kelana Jaya tonight. After waiting for like 5 years it's finally her turn to perform the hajj in Mecca. Even then she had to make an appeal to fast-track her departure, else she would have to wait much-much longer.

Like any decent Muslim, it's her very wish that she would want to perform the ritual at least once in her life time. Today it costs her about 12K to do that. In the future it would cost much more because of inflation.

Despite my nonchalant appearance, deep inside I was somewhat sad to see my Mom go (who doesn't?). She won't be back for another 40-odd day or so and it's the longest we'll be without seeing her. I pray that she would be alright and return safely home in December. Take care now Mom.

30 August 2011

This year my brother Faiz and elder sister Lina didn't come home for Raya since they're spending the holidays with their respective in laws. That said, our Hari Raya this year is still happening and gay with all my uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces coming back home to Pasir Mas. After the customary get together at grandma's place, my siblings and I would have another Raya tradition to conform with - seeing my dad. Usually we would me at a restaurant somewhere between Pasir Mas or Kota Bharu since my dad are not exactly welcomed here in Pasir Mas and we also don't really feel like going to his place meeting our stepmother. It's a long and complicated story, you probably don't want to know.

Anyway, this year my dad cordially invited us siblings to his place in Pasir Pekan regardless of how we and our mother felt towards the person living there. He and the missus were holding an open house or something and they would like us to come there for a change. Actually I have no problem going there, meeting her for the first time. My mom, grandma and sister however didn't feel the same. So in the end we met somewhere by the roadside in Wakaf Bharu since we couldn't find any open restaurant this first Hari Raya and all. It was awkward and I felt sorry it has to go on like this. I wish we could move on and let bygones be bygones. But for some people, the cut runs deep, very-very deep.

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 July 2011

Today my wife resumes her work again after 3 whole months of maternity leave. Like our 2 previous maternity leaves, we need to send the kids to a nursery who will look after them while we go earn a living. And with each new children we had to pay extra to the nursery. So if any one of us doesn't get a pay increase, a new children would mean a little less money to take home every month. Yes I know, every child comes with his or her own rezeki but if you're going to leave all that to fate and don't work harder, that's irresponsible and dumb.

Actually one of our neighbor offered to take care of litte Hana & Mia, for a fee of course. We were excited of the idea of leaving them to someone nearer but when she quoted a monthly fee of 500 bucks plus a month deposit in advance, we said thanks but no, thanks. We didn't mind paying a little bit extra for the convenience but whatever you need the deposit for? It's not like we're gonna run away in the middle of the night or something. We bought this house and we're your neighbor for God's sake. I think she got the wrong advice for her other neighbors. Oh well, your loss.

First day back at the nursery, Mia was rather moody and touchy. Maybe because most of her old friends has left. I'm sure she'll get better over time.

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.

26 June 2011

This weekend we decided to take a short trip up north to Seri Manjung to visit our in laws. Linda's parent was also visiting there so we thought we'd joined them for a little family get together. Apart from that, this also happens to be that time in my life that you just cannot say no to your wife.

Okay I'm just kidding with that last sentence :)

Anyway, as always we took the chance to visit Teluk Batik beach nearby. This was Mia's first encounter with the sea I think. So far I think she likes it a lot. The beach near Teluk Batik can be very steep at some point so you better be careful just in case, especially with children. Never leave them unattended. I had fun. Been wanting to come to the beach for some time now. Today only I got the chance.

Being so close to the sea and surrounded by hills, Manjung is one very hot town. I mean literally. Here air conditioners are more of a necessity than a luxury. That probably explain why I spent most of my time here sleeping in their air-conditioned rooms all day. Well, when you get older, most of your precious little free time is filled with this one favorite past time - sleeping. Or maybe I'm just tired from all the driving.

12 June 2011

Last Friday I took the day off to go back to Tanah Merah to pick up my family. It just occurred to me that I don't actually have that many day offs to take so I'll have to make the most of every single one of them. Cannot simply take a day off to go vacation, shopping or job interviews or something unimportant like that. Anyway, I started off rather late in the morning meaning to avoid the morning rush. The funny thing was, morning rush decided to wait for me. 9:30 AM and I am still stuck in traffic for most of Ampang.

That said I survived the utterly boring 7 hours drive without any untoward incidents. Saw a lot of Red Warriors supporters making their way to Bukit Jalil. Made me proud for a while to see their spirit. Well we know that didn't end so good for them. Maybe next year. Of course I'm glad to see my 3 precious ones and their mother again after like 45 days apart. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Being apart from your loved ones for so long almost made me a wreck. Although I look like a tough guy from the outside, inside... well, you know what they say.

Saturday I went back to my real home town in Pasir Mas to see my sister and her newborn which is only one week apart from Hana Alisha. Glad to see them both alright. Early Sunday morning we left Tanah Merah to come back home to Seri Kembangan. Arrived safe and sound early in the afternoon. New member in the family. New chapter in our lives.

13 May 2011

My little sister Izni safely gave birth to a beautiful baby girl today at Kubang Kerian Hospital in Kota Bharu. That's my Mom's 6th grandchildren in a row now. There's Adam, Zuhairi, Mia, Delina, Hana and now Wan Nur Izzah.

Yes you heard me right, Wan Nur Izzah as in Nurul Izzah, Dato' Seri Anwar's daughter. You see Izzat is a strong opposition supporter just like me. So it's no surprise that they chose that name for her first child. Actually they wanted to name her Wan Nurul Izzah but my Mom didn't really like it. She being the only BN supporter in my family and all. Anyway congrats to you Izni and Izzat. Now let us all go on a diet hor hor.

9 May 2011

This weekend I took my family back home to Tanah Merah because my wife will spend the next month or so for her confinement period there. On Monday we had a little ceremony in the morning.

So now it's just my boy Adam Farihin and me at home. As always I am terribly missing my family especially this little girl here. June can't come soon enough.

28 April 2011

Today was supposed to be the day goes to our fortnightly check-up at Pantai Cheras Medical Centre. However God had other plans for us. During today's check-up, the doctor said Linda had a little bit too much glucose in her blood and she would have gave her insulin shots if not for the fact Linda is in her final week of her pregnancy. Instead the doctor advised that Linda had her delivery today, this afternoon to be exact since she's afraid that Linda's diabetic condition might be harmful the baby. So we got like 5 minutes to make up our mind, 2 hours to prepare ourselves and get back to the hospital for the induced labour in the afternoon.

We expected it to be a normal delivery but somehow the baby's hand gut stuck in the cervix at the last minute. So they had to do an emergency caesarian instead to get the baby out. That's fine by me but for pregnant mothers, caesarian is they last thing that would want because they pain would be much worse afterwards. Nevertheless, the operation went on smoothly and around 3:30 PM the nurse came out pushing my little baby girl in a trolley. Linda came out half an hour later and Alhamdulillah, everybody was fine and safe.

Say hello to baby H, welcome to the family!

23 April 2011

Linda is now officially in her final weeks of pregnancy. Any time now, we will be having our third child. Adam and Mia will have a new sister to bully and fight with. Honestly, I can't hardly wait. Let's get this over with. On average it took us 45 minutes to get to Pantai Medical Cheras during rush hour. I hope the baby choose to come out at night.

Linda's blood glucose level is a little bit on the high side. We've been visiting Poliklinik Penawar in Serdang twice already this month, 4 times a day to check her glucose level which was confirmed high. Need to really cut on sugar intake, everyone. The worst-case scenario is she'll have to do a c-section. Let's hope it won't come to that. See you soon baby H!

2 April 2011

Today we went to another one of our fortnightly check up at Pantai Medical Center in Cheras. The doctor found Linda gained some extra weight and the baby's head looked a little bit big for his age. She had to come again on Thursday for further testing. Hopefully it's not diabetes.

At 33 weeks and the final month of her pregnancy, sometimes I wish the baby would just come out already. I mean I felt sorry seeing Linda walking around with that huge lump on her tummy. Must be really tiring and uncomfortable. If I could take her place, I would but you know I can't. We've got one name in mind for the baby but it's not final yet. It's not an easy business finding a name for someone especially since she's going to live with it for the rest of her life. More pictures here.

My 5 times class a semester with UiTM was over last week. Now I only need to finish my assignments and do a little bit of studying. Needless to say, after dividing my time between work, study and family, I have no time left for other things like this blog. Blogging will resume normally after the finals that is on the 24th of this month.

28 February 2011

Today we had an appointment at Pantai Cheras Hospital near Kuala Lumpur for Linda's maternity check. After having both our previous children born at Putrajaya Hospital, we decided to try someplace new. Don't get me wrong, Putrajaya was excellent for a government hospital. It's just Pantai Hospital is better. Last time Adam was admitted at Pantai Hospital Bangsar, we received preferential treatment from the doctors, nurses and staff there. The place was great and the food was outstanding. We thought we wanted to have that same hospitality nearer to home in Cheras.

After waiting for over an hour for the Guarantee Letter to be ready, we finally get to see the obstetrician for Linda. He did a very thorough check on my wife and set the dates for our fortnightly appointment. If everything goes well, we shall welcome our second daughter on the 17th of May this year. What's more, she will be born in the same city as I am. Can't hardly wait.

1 January 2011

Today like any other public holiday throughout the year, I decided to do the most productive thing I can that is stay at home and clean the house. I don't usually go to shopping malls or public places unless it is absolutely necessary.

There's some get together and potluck dinner at my apartment tonight but Mia is not feeling well so we decided to skip this one. She threw up three times this evening, once in the car. The doctor said she had a temperature and a fever. Poor girl. She didn't even play her favorite game Fruit Ninja today.

By the way, from today onwards I won't be using my 017 3487709 number anymore. You guys can contact me at my other 019 number. I kept getting my calls barred using that number because I can't seem to pay my bills on time. My payment schedule had been erratic these past few months. Anyway, you should get a text from me with the new number by now.