Families around the dinner table

@ HSBC Tree Top Bridge, Singapore

By: Dr James Dobson

Today, I want to share the findings of an interesting study that was conducted by Dr Blake Bowden of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center.

He and his colleagues studied 527 teenagers to learn what family and lifestyle characteristics were related to mental health and adjustment. What they found is that adolescents whose parents ate dinner with them five times per week or more were the least likely to be on drugs, to be depressed or to be in trouble with the law. They were more likely to be doing well in school and to be surrounded by a supportive circle of friends. And the benefit was seen even for families that didn't eat together at home. Those who met at fast-food restaurants had the same result. By contrast, the more poorly adjusted teens had parents who ate with them only three evenings per week or less. Now, what do these findings mean? Is there something magic about sitting down together over a meal? No. And those parents who believe that are in for a disappointment. What Bowden's study shows is that family relationships are critically important to the well-being of adolescents. When parents have time for their kids, when they get together almost every day for conversation and interaction - in this case, while eating - then their teens do much better at school and in life.

Study after study has emphasised the same message : Families are critically important to the well-being of children.

Baba's Bday

My beloved hubby's 52nd birthday...... again all times favourites Pulut Kuning...Yum yummmyyyy!!!!!!

Norzlan a.k.a. Ah Boy

This is the boy who used to write his name as : Norzlan Bin Awara. He is every mother's dream boy. Now, he is a father who will be proud to have his name appear in his junior's name : Harris Bin Norzlan

Oh Allah please guide him to be the best father a father can be and led a prosperous and healthy life with his loved ones. Amin

A Bunch of Lovely Kids

A Cure For Underachievement
By Dr James Dobson

One of the most troubling of all problems with children is underachievement in school, where a child refuses to use his or her potential. While there's no simple solution to this laid-back response, there are some approaches that may help.

It's true that some underachievement is linked to temperament, learning difficulties, or slow physical development. These are tough problems to resolve. In other cases, the difficulty could simply be a lack of incentive. We human beings are designed to respond to rewards - if there's no payoff for our efforts, we tend to become demoralised and lose interest. This is especially true of children. Underachievers often see no good reason to work and sweat over their books, and we have to give them one. A payoff doesn't have to be money or gifts. In fact, it's probably better if it isn't. A much more effective reward for motivating some children is social reinforcement - a fancy term for simple love and affirmation.

Children want to feel appreciated, and they want to hear compliments, especially if they're true. In fact, some kids will sustain any sort of grind, to hear a parent say, "I think you're the greatest." But when this sort of reinforcement is missing, an unmotivated young student may lack the drive to achieve his or her potential.

My Beloved Family

My Beloved Family!

Raffles Place MRT

11th November 2006, a day that bought smile and a sense of gratitude.

Lunch break from my Shiatsu massage course, I headed to Banquet for lunch but alone, as I prefer to be by myself during this hour. After burpp ....window shopping and ....oh! Charles & Keith! Walk in and out with a pair of shoe for my little mermaid. While in that shop, I strick-up a conversation with a customer lady when comtemplated to choose her pair colour.

Oh No! it is raining cats and dogs now! Have yet to conclude what action to be taken, a young lady asked me 'Kak, you want to go MRT?' I just nodded my head and she stretched out a long umbrella to me. She seemed to read my expression and said 'Never mind, I give you' and hurriedly walked off. Who ever she is, may she be well-liked by everybody and if you happened to read this, a big thank you for your umbrella.

In that split seconds, a man volunteered to show me the way to MRT without getting wet. He made sure that I got my way right that he rushed to me again when I decided to make a detour to the mosque. Whoever he is, I wish him all the best and may he too be well-liked by everybody and be a guidance to the lost.

Ever smiling

Raihanah's maths tutor Mr Gideon Oh, the ever smiling guy......

Birthday Yummy!

My Little Mermaid's birthday.....? what's that?

hahaha that's her favourite pulut kuning

This is my birthday cake....courtesy of my hubby and daughter.

Freshly baked from Mrs Field.

Slow and Sure

By Dr James Dobson.

Teaching Independence - Slow and Sure

How does a child learn to handle freedom and independecne? It takes a precise, calculated effort by his parents. Teaching your child to deal responsibly with independence and freedom is like letting him down from a high window with a rope. You do it little by little, slowly, deliberately, hand over hand. If you let the rope out all at once, he may plunge to the ground in a disastrous tumble.

I remember a test of my own independence when I was 17. My parents were going on a two-week trip and they left me behind with the family car and permission to have some school buddies over to stay at our house.

I behaved responsibly while my folk were gone, but I always wondered why my mother took that risk. When I asked her about it years later, she just smiled and said: "Because I knew in one year you would be leaving for university, where you would have complete freedom and no one watching over you. I wanted to expose you to that independence while you were still under my influence." My mother exemplified an important child-rearing principle. She prepared me for independence.

If you have children, let them test the waters of freedom as they're growing up, rather than thrusting them into total independence all at once. Then, when they're on their own and completely free, they'll know how to handle it responsibly and wisely.

Teaching failure to children

By: Dr James Dobson

One of the best ways to show your children how to succeed may just be to teach them how to fail.

It's not news to anyone that youngsters mimic the behaviour of their parents. And since parents are being watched, they obviously need to be careful about what their children see. This is especially true when it comes to handling failure and disappointment. Do we set ourselves up as models of perfection that never fall short of our goals? Or are we able to say to our kids: "I'm sorry - I really blew it this time."

If we miss out on something that we really wanted - say, a new job - do we mask our feelings by offering phony excuses, or do we simply say: "Apparently the bosses throught Mr. Lim would be better suited for the job."

Our children must see that Mum and Dad can admit their failure and their shortocmings, and that the world won't end because they did.

Some of the greatest times of growth between parents and children can occur when youngsters see Mum and Dad not get what they're going after, and still feel alright about themselves and each other. It tells them that winning isn't always normal or possible, and that even when you fail, life goes on. Teaching our kids to win and succeed is a noble thing. But teaching them to handle frustration and failure may be just as important.

Raihanah a.k.a. Little Mermaid

My Little Mermaid blooming ..........

I love what i am doing!

I am just doing what i think i like to do. I did not ask for credit or whatsoever from anybody. I just love doing it!! I did it without expecting to be acknowledged, as i take it as part of my work. So, why should i inform anybody of what i am doing in the class?

Why? why? why?

Today I am supposed to be on leave, but due to coming school's concert, and i as a 'runner' i felt that i have an obligation to perfom my duty which i had committed. Is that something wrong to do? Why must they felt that i am trying to 'sa ka'? I enjoyed what i am doing, am not trying to hurt anybody in any way or whatsoever. It is just me doing the job, not them! I just cant understand these people. To heck with them!!

National Day 2006

My first National Day Observance Ceremony since I left school....hahaha what a loyal citizen!

Moulana Mohamed Ali Mosque

As stated earlier, this is the mosque which I came across at Raffles Place's vicinity.

She is a lady....

How time flies....she is a lady now. May Allah shower her with all the love in this world and may happiness be her constant companion. Baba and Mummy will always love you

My Little Mermaid

My very first school.

Raihanah first school in Nursery till Kindergarten 2

Isn't she cute??

Eunos Primary

Eunos Primary, Eunos Primary, together we endeavour!

Cedar Girls'

Something to remember after making her identity card!!!

Meridian Junior College

My Little Mermaid in Meridian Junior College.

She's my girl!!

A Level

Today 2nd November 2006, my daughter's first paper for GCE 'A' Level General Paper.
Oh Allah, please help her to overcome any difficulties which she may face during the examination. As no other sources which is greater than you to grant my wishes. Amin!

No, No, No, YES!

By Dr James Dobson.

"No, you can't go out.
No, you can't have a cookie.
No, you can't use the telephone.
And no, you can't go to Susie's house!"
No, no, no, no.
How many times each day do we use that small, but powerful word with our children?
As parents we could say "yes" to most routine requests made by our kids. But we often choose, almost automatically, to respond in the negative.

Why?
1) Because we don't want to take the time to stop and think about the consequences;
2) because the activity could cause us more work or physical effort;
3) because there might be danger in the request; and
4) because we know our children ask a thousand favours every day and it's just
more convenient to refuse them all.

It's true that every child needs to be acquainted with denial of some of his more extravagant wishes, but we must not fall into the habit of turning down reasonable requests from our kids. There are just so many "no's" in life, that we should say "yes" whenever we can.

And it's good to ask ourselves every once in a while:
1) How do my children view me?
2) As an oppressive judge and jury?
3) As a demanding boss?
4) Or do they think of me as a loving parent, who is, above all else, fair and just in our daily
interaction?

One way to build a healthy relationship is to say "yes" unless there is a very good reason to do otherwise.

Tok Ayah's Bday

Hahaha i admit that i am meannnnn!!!!!! Sorry!!

Hari Raya Celebration.

Three generations, grandmother, mother and daughter during Hari Raya Puasa 24th October 2006.

Hari Raya Eidul Fitri

A pose to remember on Hari Raya Puasa.

Anna and her grandmother Nani Jan.

Three Things That Made Me Happy Today

1) Going for my shiatsu Massage at Raffles Place.
2) Found an underground mosque at Raffles Place, gonna take a pic one day!
3) Being interviewed by NTU students on 'Yellow Ribbon Project'

Canberra North Zone One Retreat

My very first retreat and enjoying it very much.

Anna & Her Kakis

Made me smile by looking at their cheery faces. Love all of them!!

Three Things Made Me Happy

1) My daughter said 'Thank you' when I helped her to read her
biology text.
2) Watched 'How to bake Cheese Cake' one of my family
favourites.
3) Having late dinner with my beloved hubby and daughter -
Berbuka Puasa

Those were the days

Those were the days my friend.
We thought they'd never end.
We'd sing and dance forever and a day.
We'd live the life we choose.
We'd fight and never lose.
For we were young and sure to have our way.La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days.

My Linked Name in Photoshop

Trying to show off... for my own satisfaction. A knowledge which I acquire via internet.....hemmmm pretty handy and it is FREE. I go crazy with all the sample works and gonna try more soon!

Cup of Tea

By Dr James Dobson

Have you noticed that children sometimes try to be helpful, but it only makes your life more complicated?

I heard a story about a mother who was sick in bed with the flu. Her darling daughter wanted so much to be the good nurse. She fluffed the pillows and she brought a magazine to read. Then she even showed up with a surprise cup of tea.

"Why, you're such a sweetheart," the mother said as she drank the tea. "I didn't know you even knew how to make tea."

"Oh, yes," the little girl replied. "I learnt by watching you. I put the tea leaves in the pan and then I put in the water and I boiled it, and then I strained it into a cup. But I couldn't find the strainers, so I used the fly swatter instead."

"You what?!" the mother screamed.

And the little girl said: "Oh, don't worry, Mum, I didn't use the new fly swatter, I used the old one."

When kids try their hardest and get it all wrong in spite of themselves, what's a parent to do? What mothers and fathers often do is prevent their children from carrying out any responsibility that could result in a mess or a mistake. It's just easier to do everything for them than to clean up afterwards. But I urge parents not to fall into that trap. Your child needs his mistakes because that's how he learns. So, go along with the game every now and then, even if the tea you drink tastes a little strange.

The Walleyed Pike

By Dr James Dobson

Let me tell you a story about a walleyed pike, which is a fish, for those of you who aren't fishermen or fisherwomen.

Some interesting experiments have been done in laboratories where the walleye is placed in a big tank of water, and minnows are then put in the tank, which the walleye very quickly consumes. At that point, a large piece of glass is slid down the center of the tank, with the walleye on one side and the minnows on the other. Now the fish swims after the minnows and inevitably hits the glass and bounces back. He makes a U-turn and he tries again, but crashes into the divider again, time after time. Very quickly, the walleye will get discouraged and even quit trying to get the minnows. At that point, the researchers slide the glass out of the tank and let the minnows swim in and around the pike, but he knew what he knew - the minnows couldn't be had. Believe it or not, a walleyed pike will starve to death in a tank filled with the kind of food that he loves best, simply because he's become discouraged in his efforts to feed.

So it is with children who fail in their early school experiences. If their efforts to read, write and compute only bring frustration, some of them just quit trying. And ten years later, they'll drop out of school. That's why early educational intervention is absolutely critical for the child with a learning disability. You have to reach him or her before the paralysis of discouragments sets in.

Words of Kindness

By Dr James Dobson

I remember sitting in my car at a fast-food restaurant eating a hamburger and french fries. When I looked in the rearview mirror, I saw the most pitiful, scrawny, dirty little kitten on a ledge behind my car. I was so touched by how hungry he looked that I got out, tore off a piece of my hamburger and tossed it to him. But before this kitten could reach it, a huge grey tomcat sprang out of the bushes, grabbed the morsel and gobbled it down. I felt so sorry for the little guy who turned and ran back into the shadows, still hungry and frightened.

I was immediately reminded of my years as a secondary school teacher. I saw teenagers every day who were just as needy, just as deprived and just as lost as that little kitten. It wasn't food that they required; it was love, attention and respect and they were desperate for it. And just when they opened up and revealed the pain inside, one of the more popular kids would abuse and ridicule them, and send them scurrying back into the shadows, frightened and alone.

As adults, we must never forget the pain of trying to grow up and the competitive world in which many adolescents live today.

Taking a moment to listen to, care for or direct such a youngster may be the best investment of a lifetime.

What's a Grandmother?

By Dr James Dobson

Some years ago a nine year old girl wrote a wonderful essay called "What is a Grandmother?" and whenever I read it, it reminds me all over again just how perceptive children can be.

This is what the child said:

'A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own." That's an interesting definition.

"She likes other people's little girls and boys. Grandmothers don't have to do anything except to be there. They're old, so they shouldn't play hard or run. It is enough that they drive us to the market where the pretend horse is and they have lots of coins ready. Or if they take us for walks, they should slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars. And they should never say 'hurry up.' Grandmothers don't talk baby-talk like visitors do because it's hard to understand. When they read to us they don't skip or mind if it's the same old story over again. Everybody should try to have a grandmother; especially if you don't have television, because they are the only prownups who have time."

How's that for sheer wisdowm from the pen of a child? Not only has this young author given us a marvelous picture of a loving grqandmother, but she tells us in a few short words what children are really looking for...an adult who fully recognises the finer things of life.

Battleship and the Lighthouse

By Dr James Dobson

In the official magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch reported on a very unusual encounter at sea.

A battleship was coming in for maneuvers in heavy weather. Shortly after the sun went down, the lookout reported light in the distance, so the Captain had the signalman send a message,

"We're on the collision course. Advise you change your course 20 degrees."

Minutes later a signal came back, "Advisable for you to change your course."

Well, the Captain angrily ordered that another signal be sent, "I am a Captain. Change course 20 degrees."

Again came the reply, "I'm a Seaman Second Class. You'd better change your course."

Furious by this point, the Captain barked a final threat, "I'm a battleship! Change your course!"

The signal came back, "I'm a lighthouse."

The Captain changed his course.

I don't care how big and powerful a person may become, it's foolhardly to ignore the beacons that warn us of danger.

They take various forms: symptons of health problems, prolonged marital conflict, rebellious children, excessive debts, stress that ties us in knots. These are the warning signs of approaching danger.

It matters not that we're successful and influential and busy. A little Seaman Second Class sits in a lighthouse somewhere and signals, "Change your course," and the wise Captain does so with haste.

Kids Are Like Cockleburs

By Dr James Dobson:
Have you ever had the experience of walking through an open field in late summer and feeling the sting of small cockleburs in your shoes and around your ankles?
Those thin, brown weeds are armed with dozens of sharp spines that grab our socks and eventually work their way into the skin. They're terribly annoying.

But there is something interesting about cockleburs.

Inside those prickly seed pods are not just one, but several seeds, and they germinate in different years. If the first seed fails to sprout one year, due to a drought or other poor conditions, the second is still waiting in the ground. When the next season rolls around, it begins to open and grow. But if that one doesn't take roots, there is still a third seed waiting for the year after that. They are the original 'time release' capsules.

I was thinking the other day about these cockleburs as they relate to children.

We parents work so hard to teach certain concepts and civilities to our kids in the hopes that some of them are going to take root and grow. But many of those seeds fail to germinate and the effort seems in vain. The good news, however, is that this instruction can also be like a time release capsule. Or may lie dormant for a decade or more, and then suddenly break through the ground and sprout.

The key is to remain faithful to the cause - to continue planting seeds and to not get discouraged. The harvest may be in years to come, but it's worth the wait.

Changi Airport

Hahaha.....we were at Changi Airport today with our self made passports and it got stamped by the check-in counter. Nice experience for them. They went crazy once they saw the aeroplanes....and that is sweet and something to smile.

Bapaku Yang Tersayang Dunia & Akhirat

“Roti kawin satu” itu lah satu ayat yang paling aku sukai apabila bapa ku bawa ku keluar menonton pelawanan rugby di PTS (Police Training School) sekarang lebih di kenali PA (Police Academy). Setiap kali aku dibawa nya ke sana, aku pasti akan dijamu sekeping roti kawin dan secawan teh susu. Itu lah makanan yang paling sedap di dunia. Bukan senang dan kerap dapat minum makanan yang sedap, rasa rasa nya saperti makanan di raja2 gitu.

Raihanah My Little Princess a.k.a. Little Mermaid

Isn't she cute? The apple of my eyes and the colours of my life. A bundle of joys and a wealth of loves.

My Daughter

7th May 1988 a date to be remembered for the rest of my life. A date that is most significant than my date of birth or my solemnization date or whatever dates that come to my mind.
“Abang! Awara dah nak bersalin, dah kuar darah”
That was about 2.00am 28th April 1988.
“Boleh naik motor tak?’ my hubby suggested.
‘Eh..! maner boleh, kalau bersalin macam maner?’ I resented.
I called for taxi, and I was asked to wait at void deck, and to take whichever taxi that arrived Block 103 #10-436 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 460103.
‘To KK hospital, uncle’
We reached KK within minutes, as the roads were deserted.
I was whisked to a registration counter, as I was not in the emergency state. Hahaha got to fill in form first, ok.

I was whisked to the labour ward and bid farewell to my hubby with mixed feeling which I am unable to describe, whether it is sad or happy. Only God knows that feeling and I am sure all mothers will go through such a state as I am. Will I be able to see him (my hubby) or my baby or the world? I patrah to Allah for He who knows the future of his followers.

A doctor; I think a Houseman, did a check up and told me that my cervix is not open yet.
“Good morning! You seemed relax’ Dr Mariama George came in the morning with her cheerful smile. Oh oh, once again, she did a checkup and confirmed my cervix is not open yet.
‘Well, you have to be transferred to the normal ward, as your cervix is yet to open, and we will monitor you’
Zooomm…. I was sent to the normal ward to wait.
Subhan came everyday after work and went home after breaking fast as it was the end of Ramadhan. Nobody visited me, not even my mother. Does not she care for me? Don’t she felt the same mixed feeling when she was about to give birth? Whatever it is, she is still my mother. My waiting days are over when finally my mother father came to visit me. I was already in pain due to contraction every ten minutes and bleeding. According to the nurse, it will take a long time to give birth as this is my first birth.
6th May 1988, the day Dr Mariama George decided to induce my birth due to bleeding and I am already overdue. My estimated due date was on 1st May 1988. Dr Mariama insereted a pill into my vagina to force open the cervix. It was inserted after afternoon tea at 4.00pm. After that time no food was allowed as I need to be prepared to deliver the next morning. I was wheeled to the labour ward and to wait for my delivery that very day. Waiting, waiting and continue to wait. I lost touch of time, as the clock in my ward was on the other side of bed and my view was blocked.

I kept having contractions which is bearable when I heard a mother-to-be was wheeled into the ward on the outer side of the bed.
‘Push, push, push’ that was what I heard and suddenly…. Silence….followed by cracking sound of baby’s cries.
‘Wow….that easy to give birth’ that was what I told myself and made me prepared and looked forward for the moment.

Oh oh…my contractions has becomes unbearable and I asked to see Dr Mariama. She came and I told her that I prefer to go for caesarian. ‘No no’ she said and ordered oxygen tank to be in my ward. I was asked to inhale the oxygen and deep as possible and I will not feel the contractions which put me to sleep with the oxygen mask. Suddenly I was awake that I felt I urinated while sleeping. Dr Mariama was there and she told me it is ok, as it was my water bag burst. Suddenly I felt like shiting and she told me go ahead. But nothing came out!
I pushed and pushed………..’You are a lousy pusher, Awara’ said Dr Mariama.
‘I did push!’ I retaliated.
‘You are not pushing the right way; you are pushing on the top where your face turned red and not pushing the bottom’
‘Come on, push as if you are about to shit’
‘I did!’
“Push! Awara you have to push very hard, as your baby is already berak, and it will be dangerous for you” hahaha that is what my gynecologist Dr Mariama George. I knew she is only threatening me to push harder. I do not blamed her, as that was the tactic to motivate you to push. I came to know about such tactic was when I such ‘Your baby already berak”. Anyway, it if is dangerous for me, she would be hell of panic instead of continuing to coax me to push harder.

I was quite sometime I still unable to deliver. I was asked to sign an agreement form for caesarian and I was wheeled to the operation theater. On my way there, I really felt something is about to come out of me, I pushed and pushed but nothing.

In the operation theater, I dared not look around it, as I was terribly scared to look and I just shut my eyes only looking upward to the thousand lights in the theater.
‘ok, let give a last chance, you must push very very hard’
A nurse was standing on my head and trying to console me to relax.
Two nurses on my side, trying to push my baby downward. They were trying to help me while I pushed and pushed and pushed.
Dr Mariama did a forcep (like a thong like instrument inserted to my vagina, to grab the baby’s head and assist in the pushing by pulling the baby down.
I thanked God for His miracle that He gave me, by sending someone to help me in giving birth. Nurses and doctor who had assisted in my delivery. The feeling was the best feeling every mother felt, a feeling that I was unable to describe and a feeling that only mothers can feel. 7.24am 7th May 1988 /20hb Ramadhan 1408 I was declared a MOTHER!!!
My daughter was born on the last week of Ramadhan and may she bring happiness to the family, to her religion, country and herself.
Thank you Allah for the gift that you gave me, and I promised to be the best mother a mother can be and to look after your amanah here and after, Insyallah, Amin.
‘It is a girl’ a nurse told me showing my baby’s private part. But I was not able to see or focus as I was dreadfully exhausted and my whole body was shaking uncontrollably. At the same time, I was alarmed as I have yet to hear my baby’s cries.
‘Oh Allah, I prayed to you that no harm befall on my baby’
Suddenly a very weak soft baby’s cries came…. ‘Alhamdullillah’
After stitching, I was wheeled to the labour ward again, as they need to observe me for any complications.
It was around 1.00pm that I managed to see my new born daughter. A sad thing to happen when the whole family got to see her first where I was the last person to see her.

13th July 2006

Today is a day that will never ever going to be out of my memory.............. i made a drastic mistake for not understanding my daughter's plight. I jumped into conclusion without finding out the situation or dilemma she is in. What kind of a mother am i? Shameful of me to acknowledged a title given by my daughter 'The Best Mom'. Oh God! please guide me to be one of the best mom here and after to my most beloved daughter, Amin.

Sorry, not my job!

What a day today…. Sometimes I wonder why someone who is happy to have a job and to receive salary by the end each month, BUT when they have to carry out the assigned work, hell of grumbles will be tumbling out from their mouth till saliva ran dry, no joke, believe me! When they are jobless, I am very definite that they will be very very grateful to have a job but when they have the job…..sorry, that is not my job, I am here just to do this ONLY!! What a person!

What 'Blue Monday'??

Okayyyy…. a new week is born, another five working days to go. To my surprise, the day passed without me noticing it. You know what? I enjoyed the day, and who says Blue Monday? Everyday will be a Blue Day even on your happiest day if you look negatively in life. Why must you let whatever happened affect our precious life? Isn’t it a waste of a space in our already congested mind? To be worried and cared for but never to let it influence our daily routine.

Anna's Design

25th June, 2006

Cuti sekolah! Hari yang bebas dari segala macam buku! Aku masih ingat ketika tu umur aku baru 10 tahun. Kami tiga beradik berjalan kaki menuju ke rumah Pak Ngah Apit di Canberra Road. Hari ketika itu panas perit tetapi aku berjalan dengan bangga nya bersama abang-abang ku dengan baju baru ku yang dijahit oleh Emak. Masih terbayang keadaan ketika itu, sehingga kini aku abadikan di dalam ingatan. Boleh tahan, abang Manaf pandai membawa adik-adik nya berjalan jauh, dari Onreat Road ke Canberra Road naik bas pulak tu.

My Brother

Waktu rehat di sekolah (Whitley Primary School) pada hari itu, aku terserempak abg Yusof lagi sibuk makan mee rebus. Di dalam hati ku berkata, ‘wah! terror sey abg Yusof ada duit nak beli mee rebus’ Untuk ku ketika tu, sesiapa yang makan mee rebus ada lah dari golongan orang2 kaya. Setiap hari aku akan mendapat 10 sen utk ke sekolah yang di mana 5 sen akan ku simpan dalam tabung without fail everyday. Pada hari itu aku bertuah kerana dapat merasa mee rebus tersebut. Abg Yusof menghulur pingan yang berisi mee rebus yang sedang di makan nya pada ku. Apa lagi, aku bedal!! Hehehe sekarang baru aku tahu dari mana abg Yusof mampu membeli mee rebus, rupa rupanya dia kebas duit tabung aku!! Patut lah bapa ku hairan kenapa tabung aku tak penuh2 walaupun aku isi setiap hari without fail. Setelah di soal siasat oleh bapa ku, abg yusof berjanji akan membayar nya balik. Tetapi aku dah halalkan semua nya, kerana yang ambil ada lah abg kandung ku juga, tidak pernah terlintas di hati ku ketika itu utk menuntut kembali duit aku.

Ten cents

Didalam perjalanan pulang, bersama teman sedarjah ku (dah lupa lah nama beliau) beliau membeli gula ala lollipop yang dimana dalam ya kalau yang bernasib baik ada duit 5 sen atau 10 sen. Gula2 tersebut berharga 5 sen. Setelah dibuka sampul gula tersebut, didapati di dalam gula2 tersebut ada 10 sen. (gula2 tersebut berwarna coklat cerah). Aku berkata pada beliau, ‘can give me the money ok?’ beliau tidak menjawab tapi aku betul2 mengharapkan agar beliau memberi duit tersebut. Aku ikut dia berjalan sehingga sampai kerumah nya (kampong Nekad). Beliau tidak mengeluarkan gula2 tersebut dari mulut nya. Aku pulang dengan hati yang hampa.

223rd June, 2006
Hooray!! today is the end of the week... have tonnes of work to do. Look forward for next week, a new term!

22nd June, 2006

Saperti biasa, pulang ajer dari sekolah, aku tak duduk diam di rumah. Pada hari itu saperti biasa aku akan membontot abang-abang ku menyerantau keliling PTS (Police Training School a.k.a. Depo yang selalu mak aku sebut) Aku bersama abg Yusof berjalan tanpa arah tujuan sehingga kami terjumpa sawdust. Sangking gembira terjumpa sawdust, macam terjumpa harta karun! Apa lagi, aku dan abg Yusof bawa pulang sawdust macam Ali Baba bawa pulang harta. Dah bawa balik, habis cerita lah, tak tahu apa kegunaan nya, kecuali kena hamput dengan mak aku ada lah, badan kotor bolor macam ayam masuk longkang.....hehehe tapi aku gembira, esok kami buat lagi sehingga hari terakhir cuti sekolah.....baru kelam kabut cari beg yang tidak disentoh selama percutian. BEST!!

Awara Mohd Taib

This is me.....hahaha wonder what was i thinking
about at that moment... ;-)

My Brother

21st June, 2006
Hari itu ada lah hari perayaan di sekolah. Sehingga kini tak aku tahu apa kah tujuan perayaan tersebut. Yang pasti aku tahu, pada hari itu, kesemua kanak-kanak murid di sekolah akan dijamu dengan sepotong kek dan secawan air milo “Wow sedap nya!” Seperti tahun-tahun lepas, aku akan minum air milo tetapi kek akan ku simpan bawa pulang. Akan aku bawa pulang buat emak ku yang tersayang. Rasa nya tak tertelan akan benda yang sedap-sedap jika emak aku tidak dapat merasai nya bersama. Aku simpan kek tersebut dengan hati2 agar tidak terpeyek terkena buku. Biar buku ku comot, asalkan kek aku tidak peyek. Sesampai di rumah, emak aku tak ada, jadi aku simpan kek tu di dalam peti sejuk. Aku tunggu emak ku sehingga petang, masih juga belum pulang. Aku buka peti sejuk utk melihat kek yang aku bawa pulang tadi.
“Arrgghh!! kek dah takde?” “Saper makan awa nya kek?” teriak ku sambil bercucuran air mata.
Abg manaf tersenyum “Kek tu adik awa punya eh? Abg manaf dah makan” Aku apa lagi…..meraung dan merenggek kesedihan, kek kesayangan aku dah kena makan! Aku minta balik kek tu.
“Awa nak kek tu balik!” teriak ku. Aku menangis kesedihan yang mak aku tak dapat merasa kek itu.
“Ok nanti abg manaf beli lah” pujuk abg ku.
“Tak nak! Awa nak yang sama jugak!”
Abg ku menghilang kan diri utk beberapa ketika.
“Nah! Abg manaf dah ganti” abg ku memberi aku kek yang serupa saperti yang telah dimakan nya. Aku tersenyum puas dapat balik kek kesayangan ku. Aku simpan di dalam peti sejuk sambil menunggu kepulangan emak ku.
Setiba nya emak pulang, aku pun dengan rasa bangga dan penuh kegembiraan memberi kek tersebut buat emak.
‘Mak, kek’ sambil memberi kek tersebut pada emak aku.
“Kek awa bawa dari sekolah, abg manaf dah makan” aku mengadu pada emak ku.
“Habis kek ni dari mana?” Tanya emak ku.
‘Abg manaf gi beli baru’
‘lah… kalau dah makan tu dah lah, kenapa nak buang duit beli lagi?” marah emak ku.
“Habis mak belum makan” aku membela diri ku.
Sehingga kini tidak ku tau dari mana abg manaf mendapat duit membeli kek tu lagi, atau dari mana dia membeli nya. Itu lah abg ku yang ku sayangi sehingga akhir hayat ku.

"Arrghhh…!! Sakit sakit…!!" Tersentak aku mendengar tangisan suara yang agak aku kenal. Aku toleh ke belakang, untuk mendapatkan kepastian, tetapi tidak kelihatan.
"Duduk bawah meja!” teriak ustaz Daud. Masih kedengaran isakkan, dan di dalam hati kecil ku…..
"Adik Awa!" tersentak aku dari lamunan.
"Mari balik!" teriak abang Yusof. Aku yang bagai di pukau, dengan segera menyimpan buku arab dan bahan tulisan ku . Aku ikut saja abg Yusof dan di ikuti abg Manaf ku yang menangis terisak-isak. Sah! Sangkaan ku yang meneriak kesakitan tadi ada lah abg Long ku, abg Manaf. Kami tiga beradik tidak berkata di sepanjang perjalanan pulang. Sampai saja di kawasan rumah ku, aku dapati bapa ku lagi sibuk membetulkan tayer basikal nya. Itu lah basikal yang membawa bapa ku ulang alik kerja dengan tidak menhiraukan keadaan cuaca hujan atau panas. Itu lah basikal sumber pencermatan belanja bapa ku.
Dengan bangga nya kami tiga beradik menuju ke arah bapa ku.
"Kenapa balik siang?"
"Ustaz tekan2 kepala abg Manaf masuk bawah meja” jelas abg Yusof.
"Habis tu kenapa balik?"
Kami terdiam…… tetapi di dalam hati ku berkata, mana boleh ustaz Daud menyakitkan abg Manaf, ustaz Daud tak tahu ke yang kepala abg Manaf ada bisol… kami tak rela jika ada org yang menyakitkan salah seorang dari kami.
Begitu lah semangat kami tiga beradik, saling membela satu sama lain. Sehingga kini, aku bangga mempunyai abg Manaf dan abg Yusof sebagai abang abang ku.

threejellyfish

20th June, 2006 (Tuesday)
Hooray!! i managed to create my own blog, hahaha what's the big deal? Yes!! it is a big deal to me, cos i, Awara, treasured however small is my achievement and be optimistic in life.