Another one fly out the nest ~ Part 3

Before continuing on my doter's life in Puncak Alam, let me show the place. This is a snap shot of the infamous steps.. all 294 of them. Spanning from the hostel (orange color building) to the Academic building in purple. It is a covered corridor and there is also a jejantas/bridge crossing over a four-lane road. 


Phew..am I glad I am not a student there!


After sending her to register in her hostel (minus her tudungs, which she conveniently left at home), we left KA to begin her life as a siswi. She managed to get some shut eye before the long dragging taklimats began. By the way, the hostel is aptly name Rafflesia for the siswi and Angsana for the siswa. Girls live in the orange colored buildings and are warned against entering the red colored buildings belonging to the boys.


1st day, I sms-ed at 11.15pm to wish her goodnite but she replied that they are still in the padang kawad listening to taklimats. Her backside was getting numb sitting on the tarmac and it looks like the nite is not going to end too soon.


2nd day, At 1.50am, she sent an sms saying she was about to hit the pillows. 6.15am, I wished her a good morning and hope she enjoys the cold bathe. To which she replied, "Tak mandi. Kan dah mandi before tidor tadi kul 2 pagi".  Hahaha.. savings betul budak ni. Now she really appreciates food provided at PL*KN, as the food provided here is tasteless but nevertheless she eats because she is hungry. After that there was more taklimats indoor and outdoor. In the evening they have aerobics. Today she had the 1st taste of marching up/down the 294steps. Quote: "memang dah rasa kurus dah and terasa nak tercabut lutut". 


3rd day, I wished her good nite at 1am. She replied half an hour later, saying that they have just completed ragging. She's taking a bath and going in to bed. They have to be up by 4.30am. They have to compete for the bathroom and to wash their clothes, before going in for the early morning ceramah. Her legs are aching but on the plus side, she is convinced that her thighs are leaner! Hahaha.. After breakfast, she ran upstairs to get her washing/laundry. Said she felt awkward standing in the elevator with a pail full of wet clothes but she prefers to hang her clothes out to dry on the lines downstairs. The sunny weather ensured she gets crispy clean clothes. She still have not found where the illusive washing machine! Throughout the day, endless ceramah. She is fast learning how to sleep while sitting down although she did topple over twice! Hahaha..  She wish the week will just sweep over and orientation is over. Until late at night, we were passing sms-es discussing about her plans to get home this weekend.


4th day, midnight, she said "pelik lah iron baju atas meja, hahaha..". 6am, she said she is coming home by commuter with her roomate. 8.30am, she asked, "How do I go back by commuter? I forgot". Actually, she only goes out with her brother/s, so she has never travelled anywhere by herself. The plan was for them to go back after making the student card on saturday.


5th day, said she slept at 3.30am. Supposed to be up by 5am but all of them (in the house) only woke up at 7am! They missed the kuliah subuh and went straight to the dining hall. Only message at 11.00am, to confirm that she was coming home the next day.


6th day, HAPPY DAY.. she's coming home. After making the student card (luckily they were early), they went back and packup and took the bus to Shah Alam, changed buses to get to KL Sentral before hopping on the commuter. 2pm she sms-ed to say she is at Serdang station. Time for me to go to the UKM commuter station. My baby's coming home.


There she was, in her baju kurung, sports shoes and dragging the luggage bag. Hahaha.. what a picture! She stinks sky high so we headed home first for her bath. She was smiling as she walked into the house and I know she is happy to be home again. She miss her kero, her small pillow, her favourite bathroom, her bed.. everything in the house.

Another one fly out the nest ~ Part 2

All too soon, monday came around. Registration Day for Een.

I left the packing to her. She is old enough to handle it and she had previous experience during her 3-months trip to PL*KN. The night before, the kids spend time with Fatin. I was anxiously waiting at home. I was afraid that if they came back too late, they might wake up late too.

True enough, we were finally ready to leave home at 7am ( I wanted to leave at 6am). Long, long jam from Batu 9, Cheras right up to the traffic light at Batu 14, Hulu Langat. No choice but to go with the slow-flow. Some inconsiderate people still overtake on the left. I was getting goose pimples on my arm, holding in my pee! Finally reached Azhar's house and practically pounded on his door, trying to get in. Hahaha.. left Azhar to park my car and for Een to unload her bags and transfer them to the Alza. (She managed to repack and cut down the amount of clothes she needs to bring to college). Two bags full of clothes, one pail full of toiletries and hangers, a pillow (just in case the one provided is full of "maps") and a big paper bag of other items. Her x-ray is tucked inside the pillow. Her documents placed in her back pack. Being the 'ayu' specie, she still have her handbag.

We quickly repack and drove off. Just as we left the house, Azhar asked if we are heading for Puncak Perdana (the other UiTM). Hahaha..luckily he asked for confirmation, else we would be heading to the wrong Puncak. Stopped by the roadside and redirected the GPS towards Puncak Alam. 

All too soon, we arrived at P/Alam. My-my.. the place looks so impressive. Buildings spread from the bottom of the hill right up to the top. Colour coded buildings - purple for academic, orange for siswi and red for siswa. Een said "tak rela kalau boys dapat purple building!" (Een is at the crazy for JB stage and JB likes the colour purple!). There was a long, staggered steps/corridor linking from the academic buildings to the residential buildings (ala-ala Batu caves). Yes, we were informed that there was a total of 284 steps and given a guarantee that the students will lose weight. Tak payah pergi gym atau Lon*don W/Mgmt.

We were directed to a common parking place and asked to unload our bags and get on the bus that is servicing the move from the parking place to the registration area. Got on the bus and Een said she wanted to share room with her friend (fellow school mate). So I asked encik senior, if that is possible. I was told to wait for the friend and just register together. Easy peasy! The bus parked at the padang kawad and we were asked to go to the cafe/surau area to register. That involves going down a steep flight of stairs. Oh my..this does reminds me of ITM in my days, only we had hills to climb sampai naik tong*gek bon*tot!

We waited for S who was on the next bus. So they registered together and managed to get the same room. Block 5, second floor, Unit #4, Room B. Luckily they have elevators!! I dont fancy climbing up more steps. Een got down to business and grabbed the broom and swept the floor. (I was impressed, since only my constant nagging makes her sweep the floor when at home). I put on the bedsheet and pillows. We came prepared with rags and antiseptic spray to clean the shelves and tables. As she was unpacking, I asked for the hanger full of tudungs that she has ironed, to hang in the cupboard. This was when Een suddenly turned pale and dropped the bombshell! She forgot to pack it in the car this morning. She only have the light green tudung on her. She was begging me to go back and get them! Hahaha..no way we are going back just for that. S wasnt too happy when her mom told her to share with Een. So instead we asked for directions on where to get new tudungs for her.

Azhar and his GPS took us to the not-so-near Econ*Save (20km). Azhar said it is some in Kpg Subang Baru. Bought her some tudungs (enough to last the week and not smell). Then we went back to P/Alam for mekdi. Oh yes, otw we passed UiTM Puncak Perdana. P/Alam is defintely a more beautiful place. While waiting at the traffic light, to do a U-turn to get to mekdi, we saw a sign that says Econ*Save (1.5km). Stupid GPS wasted time and petrol directing us to the farther Econ*Save! Sabar je haku!

Ate at mekdi. Ordered a big mac but was given double cheese (same price). I insisted on a change since it was their fault and I was tired and cranky. While eating, entertained myself looking at this little boy (3 yo, I think) who, while his friends were busy playing at the playroom, he was busy arranging and re-arranging the shoes at the shoe rack. The other thing that caught my eye was this kid was bedecked in jewellery. He had gold rings on his fingers and gold bracelets on both wrists. His bracelets was thicker than my janggut-udang-thickness bracelet too!!

After the meal, we sent Een back to the bus. Told her to get back to her room by herself. It was late and I am tired. Hugs and kisses.. I left my baby at P/Alam. Was so sleepy but I still have the drive back to Bangi. Luckily the roads are not busy.

Fatin And I ~ Frenemies

Fatin calls her aunt, "Uu-Een", very short for Mak Chik Bongsu Khairin...hahaha.. They are the best FRENEMIES, especially since Fatin starts talking back.

In the car, after shopping at Guard***, Khairin took out the M&M that she bought. She wanted to share with Fatin, but Fatin insist that it belongs to her.

Fatin:  Atin punya!
Khairin:  Uu-een nak sikit..
Fatin: Tak boleh!
Khairin:  Uu-een naaakk..
Fatin:  Uu-een tamak  (Fatin is a bit confuse using the word "tamak" here)
Khairin:  Fatin lah tamak

I had to step in as the fight was getting very loud and is disturbing my driving. (Driving is JB needs my full concentration in order to avoid getting hit or hitting someone or someone's vehicle!)

Mama:  Dah lah Khairin..
Fatin:  Dah lah Khairin  (she parrots)
Khairin:  Uu-een naaakk..
Fatin:  Tak nak kawan Fatin (??)  

Fatin was so exasperated with her aunt and got confused in the process and ends up not wanting to "friend" her own self. We had a good laugh!

Another one fly out the nest

All too soon, the last of MY kids is flying out of the nest. No..no.. not for good. Not yet.

~~~

After getting an impressive (in my family) results in her SPM, thus starts the wait for offers from the Unis. First to come in are various offerings from the private colleges/Uni. With mother, no longer working, and dad almost MIA, Een has to hope for offers from IPTA only.

After having a peek at Kolej Matriks Tangkak (send bro #3 there), she was banking on going there. I don't mind as the place is quite near and familiar. I once drove there, in record time of 45 minutes from home. And there is Tangkak, kain ela heaven.. hehe.. until I discover Nilai3. However, since Een is from a technical background (she did Engineering Techonology and Engineering Drawings in her SPM), she was assigned Kolej Mat*riks Teknikal in JENG*KA! Hahaha..first on Een's mind was..jadi peneroka(?) With a heavy heart, we started goggling the place. The place has been developed, so tak ada lah "peneroka sangat" atau "tinggal dalam hutan". Een started preparing half-heartedly.

The week after, she found out that she got a place to do her foundation (Engineering) in UiT*M,  Puncak Alam. Her friends started teasing her, singing.."menuju puncak.. ala-ala AF".. hahaha. With a happier skip in her steps, she started her preparation.

1.  Printing out the documents (wahhh..nowadays semua online, kena berusaha sendiri). In my day, we waited for the postman to deliver the thick envelopes with the necessary documents. Getting Een to fill up the documents. Hadoi..everyday must nag! Finally I took over to check and make a to-do list.

2.  Check completion of forms

3.  To find the balance of her photographs that I took when she registered for her PLK*N. Knowing that she was going into college, I took the liberty of printing a dozen of her photo. Checked. I found it in the zippered slot in my purse. I have no recollection of putting it there.

4.  Getting all the necessary IC and birth certificates photocopied. Here comes the part that I hate most because it is out of my control! Called up the dad and asked for the necessary documents. He said he was busy and will do it asap. 2 days later, reminded him. Said he was working in Taiping (so?). Next day reminded him again.. he asked for my email id, said he will send an email. I checked the mailbox every hour after that. Until today, I have still not received it. Finally asked him to just send via post laju.

5.  My sister's neighbour was of position to "sahkan" all the documents. So off we went knocking on Dr.M's door. 2-in-1, I also got her to sign Azri's documents too. 

6.  Headed to Az-zahra for her medical checkup. Drove around the block twice, to get parking. Saw a guy walking to his car, in front of Bang*i Kopi*tiam..waited for his parking space. Walked all the way to Az-zahra. SYT at the counter said it can be done, but it will be a 2-3 hours wait and cost RM61. I said OK and asked Een to go get it done, while I parked myself infront of the idiot box. After about 10 minutes, an sms came in.."Ma ada air tak, I can't pee". Inspite of reminding her to go with a full bladder..I still get this! So I had to go find a drink for her.. Tea in a can that cost RM2. Got back to her with the drink and settled myself at another settee in the waiting room. Between reading (I came prepared) and looking at sick babies, I was getting very sleepy. Finally she completed everything and we walked to the pharmacy to pay the bill. I don't know why, but we got a few RM discount. Alhamdulillah.

7.  We went to Bank Islam (I hate the service here) to pay her fees as well as to open an account for her allowance to be banked in. The bank was undergoing major renovation. The place was dusty and the floor was sandy (berpasir). Went to the CS counter and fella gave us some forms to complete. Taught Een to fill up the forms. We had to get Een's IC photocopied at tujuh-sebelas...cost us 40sens for 1 copy. Cekik darah betul! Got Een a calling number and asked her to find a wall to lean on since all the seats are taken up. Then I left Een at the bank.  I walked to the nearby PO to get setem hasil for all 5 contracts (een's and azri's). Then I walked to my bank, to get some "supplement". Went back to BnkIslam and saw Een busy playing games on her handphone. She was still some 20 numbers away from being called. I grabbed the seat next to her, that was vacated. I almost fell asleep waiting for her turn.

8.  Next on the agenda was to get the agreements stamped. Since I have done it before, I drove straight to LH*DN in the bus station Jalan Reko. Hehe.. the drive up the very steep ramp to the parking lot on the rooftop made me giddy. The guard there wasn't friendly and the samples on how to complete the form that they have on the notice boards wasn't helpful at all! Anyway, we got everything correct and the documents was stamped..BAM..BAM..BAM. The officer did not even glance at it!

9.  Last but not least..her packing. I will leave that to her but by the looks of it, she wished she can just move the whole house over to Puncak Alam!

Just waiting for Monday. Before dawn, I will be 'deporting' her over to her brother in Ampang. Then we will ride the Alza to Puncak Alam.

***singalong** menuju puncak...

Tipah takut tertipu..

Been getting alot of "funny" mail lately. Just to share..


From a Major J wanting to JV with me. Technical speak puts me off..


Dear xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
I am attached to United Nations (UN) and looking for a dependable individual that I can trust, someone who is willing and honest enough to carry out this transaction with diligent to the best of his ability. Basically, I have an order on my desk to purchase a Product called SILICATE OIL-xhg. The SILICATE OIL-xhg-xhg is a new scientific chemical fluid mainly used in the gemological laboratory for the Absorption of Aircraft clarity treatment. It penetrates deep into Aircraft tanks and vaporizes out black inclusion . I will like you to be our supplier from Asia because we are purchasing this product from Malaysia. I want you to be supplying this product to UN every month for the maintenance of our Aircraft. I am looking for somebody that i can trust so that i can make him the supplier and give him money to buy this product from the company in Malaysia and resell to United Nations (UN) with the price UN is buying, at the end of every supply we shear the profit accordingly because UN is purchasing this product at the rate of $5,500 dollars per carton while the company in Malaysia is selling this product at the rate of $3,3500 dollars per carton. If you are willing to be in a joint business with me, please get back to me as soon as possible.
Thanks,
Major Jxxxx.

AE, a surgery specialist doctor (trying so hard to impress) claims he is lovely(?) and caring and looking for a better friendship. Starts with Alhamdulillah and ends with cheers?..

Allhamdulillah.....Hello How are You doing today? is nice to meet you here...am lovely and caring and would like to know you more. I'm Axxxxx Exxxx, 39 years old, I'm single, i have a daughter her name is Fxxxxxx she 8 years old, i I'm surgery specialist Doctor working in Specialist Hospital London United Kingdom, Do you have yahoo messenger? so we could chat better and know each other Hope to hear from you for a better friendship..Cheers Axxxxx...

Straight to the point, no beating round the bush from this guy (VG)...

How are you doing,i wish to know you.

A doctor S who wants me to be his guide when he visits Malaysia. Go get a proper guide..

How are you doing? I'm Sxxxxxxx by name... i was looking around the site when i came across your profile. i will like to know more about you if you dont mind. i have the intention of coming to your country withing 3 weeks from now and i will like to meet you when am there, i hope to see your response.
Dr Sxxxxxxx

My picture caught GJ's attention..

How are you today? Hope you are doing great and enjoying your weekend? your picture really caught my attention.i would love to be your friend.Can we be friends.can we get to know each other. Hope to hear from you...
Gxxxxx

J is very gushy and my guard is up instantly. Btw how does one "purse" a while? And he must have spend time looking up all the idioms. What makes he thinks I want to be a gift...

Hi!
Compliment of the year!
May I start to say that nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. The journey of a mile begins with a step. I came across your profile and purse a while. I sometimes discovered that good and rare personalities are always hidden. It's my pleasure to come across your profile, believe me everything happens for a reason. Our meeting here is not by accident neither it's coincidental. I recalled that we all stumble, every one of us that’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand and I believe that no road is long with good company.
I'll appreciate your friendship and see if we're compatible. For "Of all facilities, the most charming is that of firm and gentle friendship"
Unfortunate that I never been lucky meeting honest people online except my late wife many years back but I hope you might be my new year gift from above.
Hope to hear from you. Happy new year! you can email me (jxxxxxxxxyy@ymail.com)or give me your email so i can write you.
have a nice day.
Jxxxxx

SE is very short. I am fine, thank you....

HOW RE YOU?

BC wrote to me, saying he is in need of soul mate BUT asked what my intensions(sic) are, and if I have the same as his (Haaa?? what is the same.. I not the same lahhhh) and then..please get back to him (ehhh you write to me and I am supposed to get back to you?) and start from there (where???)....

HELLO,
HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY NAME IS BXXXX AND I AM FROM LUTTON UK, I AM NOW 45 YRS OLD AND HAVE A SON WHO IS 14 YRS OLD.
I COME ACROSS YOUR PIC HERE AND DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU AND SEE HOW IT GOES, BECAUSE I AM IN NEED OF SOUL MATE.
I DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR INTENSIONS ARE, BUT IF YOU HAVE THE SAME AS MINE, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME SO THAT WE CAN START FROM THERE.
THANKS.
BXXXX

A mounty, RM thinks I can make him feel happy....

Hello Dear…..i know this email will meet you by surprise, my name is Rxxxxxx Mxxx I’m a Canadian but presently working in United Kingdom as a contractor, am here seeking for a woman who will make me feel happy I mean A friend. I contacted you today because when I came across your profile my mind tells me that you are what am looking for please you can write me true my email address or you can send me your email address for easy communications xxxxxxxyy(@)live.com waiting for your urgent responds soonest. Yours Rxxxxxx

And just a moment ago, yet another one came in from Dr. HA but sentence tunggang langgang. Said he was passing by (how is that possible, I have no idea, since it is FB) when he was cut(?) by a glimpse of my pix.....

Hi, am Dr. my Hxxxxx Axx from U.K & I’m Working as my own practitioner at All saints specialist Clinic London. I'm a single father with a son. I was just passing by when I’m cut by a glimpse of your picture here and cannot go without telling you how good you look. Can we be friends if you don’t mind? Expecting to read from you soon here is my e-mail address xxxxxxxxxyyyy@yahoo.com

At least its there for a good laugh and an ego booster. 

Check your FONTS

I was driving around Bangi with my daughter, when I saw a banner with the wordings "PENING SALES". I almost braked in shock! Hehe.. wonder what they are selling...

I asked my daughter if she saw the banner. I wanted to stop and take a photo but traffic is rather heavy on that road.

After looking at a similar banner third time, I finally got it.

There is an "O" in front of the wordings "PENING SALES" It was disjointed and using a different font and bigger size.

Hahaha.. not selling headaches after all..

Maid Story - #3 Embah

When Maid #2 was sent back, I was without a maid for awhile. Mom came up and stayed in KL. Dad was at that time working in KL. We bought a house in Hulu Langat, not very far from my rented house. We passed the rented house to Mom and Dad. It all falls in like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. 

Every morning we send Azhar (on motorbike) to Granny. Every evening, after work, we will stay until dinner and then go home to sleep. It was a new housing area - - read: no electricity and no water piped into home. It was quite a miserable life but it is something we have to go through in order to own our very own house.

Not many people stayed in the housing area of less than 200 houses. My neighbor send her son to an old lady staying a few doors away. So one day, we asked the old lady if she would mind taking care of our son too. At that time she was only taking care of one child (my neighbor's) and had ample time on her hands since her own son has just got married. 

Embah (granny in javanese) is like any other grandmother. She dotes on the kids. If she needs to go to the lorry selling vegetable/fish, she would carry both boys in two slings (javanese style) crossed over the shoulders. She asked the kids to call her Embah. By this time, Azhar was almost two years old (same age as Firdaus, the other child). Dia tak ada bezakan anak2 yang dia jaga. She would feed both kids at the same time, by mixing the rice with fried fish and vege and kicap all in one plate. If we let her have her way, she would not allow us to take our kids back in the evening! She really took great care of our boys. 

By this time, I was expecting my second child. Four months into my pregnancy, Embah's son asked if we mind taking in their mother. The son got a promotion and had to move to another town. Embah chose not to follow them. We welcomed her with open arms. Talk about 'bulan jatuh ke riba'! By that time, Firdaus too was taken care of, by his own granfather.

Having Embah live with us means a much2 pampered life for me..especially since I was pregnant. We never had to worry about Azhar..if fact Embah had started to 'kidnap' my son as early as eight every nite. And when I delivered my second son, I 'berpantang' at home. Huhu..it wasn't much of a pantang since after 3 weeks, I was already out in town getting baby items for Embah's daughter who was giving birth soon after.

Embah stayed with us for more than two years. When Faizal was two, Azhar went to stay with his grandmother in JB. Dad has retired and moved back to JB, so to keep them occupied, they asked to take care of Azhar (who was more than delighted to be the apple of grandma's eye!) So Embah had only Faizal to take care of. Every time she goes back to her home town, she would also take Faizal along. So I never had to worry about who takes care of my kid when the maid/babysitter takes leave. Embah cooks all the lovely javanese food. There is always some kueh on the table. So Faizal grew up plump and chubby. My nephews too enjoys coming over to stay. Each time she comes back from Sabak Bernam, my kitchen will be full of bananas which she will make into banana chips, pucuk2 ulam and all the kampong food.

Meanwhile Azhar lives the jetsetting life. He started his kindy and then his primary schooling in JB. He gave his grandma joy and pain. I remembered (hearing from his grandma) him having "accidents" in school and grandma/pa have to drive to school with his clean pants. I also heard about him judo-kicked another kid in kindy and that kid's grandpa showed his fist at Azhar whenever they crossed paths. I was told that Azhar paid the RM1 insurance and promptly fell at the canteen, that required stitches in his upper lip (talk about making full use of the facilities). Every school holidays, his aunt will send him to Senai airport and the stewardesses takes care of CTA (child travelling alone) until he reaches Subang Airport. At the end of the holidays, we will send him off at Subang back into the arms of his aunt in Senai. If the timing is right, he even gets to spend his holidays in Sabak Bernam with Embah. That went on until he was 12 years old. 

Living with Embah also means my children gets to pickup a smattering of a third language - Javanese. Although my dad is 100% javanese, he doesn't teach us the language. In fact, that is the language he speaks to mom when they have secrets to share! So I get to hear my kids go.. manok (bird), ewak (ikan), oooo toman (chiding) and many more. This was when I understood a little bit of javanese (passable to scare my future Indon maids, it seems).

But all good things came to an end. One day, Embah's son in London, invited her to come over and stay with them. They also dangled the carrot in the form of Haj. Initially Embah did not want to go to London because she could not stand the cold. Her knees ached even in the Malaysian cold weather. But the call of Haj was stronger this time. So she left for London.

Next: Maid story - #4 Sweet Sarah

Fatin And I ~ Badhak

Came home after a wedding. Changed Fatin into a tee shirt with a cute picture of a Hippo.


Oma:  Gambar apa ni Fatin?
Fatin:  Badhak


Oma:  Hippopotamus
Fatin:  Hippo-tamus (jimat sebutan.. no repetitions of "po")


Oma:  Hippo-PO-tamus
Fatin:  Hippo-enormous


Betul jugak tu! Kadang2 she amaze me.