Congratulations to myself

When I walked into UKM for the first time in 5th Jan 2007, I don't really know what to expect... the ambiance, the people, the chair, the buildings are all different from how UNISA looks like... And then I realised that it is now a different ball game altogether...

MSc is not just a learning, it's a whole understanding + application + theories + best practices + breaking new grounds being integrated into what they call education....

8 semesters... a subject to do in each semester, is what recommended for people like me, who choose to study while working.... But what did I decided to do? How about taking two subjects in each sem, and complete the cycle in 2 years? Is that possible? Of course it is, but that means no holidays as all annual leaves will be used up to actually attend the lectures! Now can I make it?

I was having dinner when a friend sent me an SMS saying that the result is out... but of course, I am not able to access internet just yet... As I reached home, it was already past midnight, so technically the day is 31st of Dec 2008. I log on the UKM SMPWEB and my eyes were rolling faster and faster waiting to see what the system will generate.....

The system has generated a very lovely, and most awaited for OUTPUT... I was stunned as I saw the status -> "status - completed/convocation".... Alhamdulilah! And the next thing I knew was.... I am dancing to celebrate!

A question now is lingering in my mind.... not "when is the convocation" but rather .... "When should I start my PhD.... And should I do it?"

What do you guys think??

Since I last wrote

Kimi is now having a crisis in writing her blog... she is just to "consumed" with her life.. What to write? Where to begin? What to tell? Why? When? After toying with the ideas she has, this is the truth of what has happened:

In reverse order (as her memory is also another issue to manage nowadays)



We went to Kuwait to visit my dearest hubby, for Eid Adha.. Adlina is leaning on the pillar, as a protest for her "denied" popcorn, as hubby is busy with the camera... (ps: the UKM dissertation was submitted on 3rd Dec, and I left to Kuwait on 4th Dec... when I look back at the time, how did I do that??)

I had my last exam at UKM on 17th Nov, followed by the research project presentation as the finale on 26th Nov... I am now officially off from Uni life for the time being as I have now completed my MSc......

But PhD is always in my mind... sigh... can I make my dream comes true? Dr Kimi.... it does not sound so bad... insya Allah one day, if I can, I'll do it.... it's something I had promised myself.

My in-laws left to perform their Hajj for the first time on 9th Nov 2008..... can't wait to see them again next week! We all miss them very much.

A sister in law is now having a small bakery-like business, so her skill was put to test as we presented her art work as part of the hantaran i.e engagement gift. Do check out her blog to order at http://cutebites.blogspot.com/

A cousin got engaged to a cute decent and very humble Sabahan guy. I can't wait for the wedding in March 2009!

My sister Uji, and her hubby, both have just been discharged from Ampang Puteri after being there for 5-6 days... She had severe diarrhoea that lead to gastric and stomach cramp. Her hubby did "....gram" (err can't remember the medical term) to check the condition of his spine after his last operation, before his next operation on 9th Jan09 to remove the disc which they decided to put in a couple of months back... hmmm can the Dr please make up their mind?

As a result, I have to care for my niece and two nephews... until the parents are released. Today, to celebrate the occassion, I did some BBQ n spagetti for them.. tiring but it's worth it.... the smiles on their face after being separated from the kids for a week make me realised how fortunate I am.....eventhough Azhan is far far away, at least we are all blessed with our health. Alhamdulillah.

Anyway, I got to sleep no, as I am planning to have another long day tomorrow - the girls school shoes shopping! Venue - to be voted tomorrow!

I am thankful for all the journeys I have been through....

Dear Mother,

You may not read this entry but I still want to write this to you. I wish to thank you for all the journey that you have taken together with me....

1. for the first chicken I cut by myself
2. for the first fish I clean (when I nearly chop off my own finger)
3. for the first breakfast/lunch/dinner that I've prepared all by myself
4. for the ironing lesson you've thought me when I was just six
5. for the washing dishes lesson since I was five
6. for the laundry session I hate the most (we can't afford the washing machine back then in 1981)
7. for the first dessert I had prepared for tea... it's onde-onde!
8. for the mopping n sweeping n "gerak daun" chores you loaded on me since I was 10
9. for taking care of my siblings when I was barely 8 years old... two little brother n sister... toght mehhhh..
10. for sending me to a boarding school.... that's the most important 5 years of training you have ever provided me with...

I have learned a lot from all these journey...

1. to be independent
2. to not be worried when ever I don't see you
3. to not miss you even though I know I miss you terribly
4. to be a good wife, mother, daughter and sister all in one go!
5. to always have faith in ALLAH....

And I want to let my girls grow up in the same manner.. to learn just like how I have been learning.. Can I do that Mom? Will you be there to help me?

Love always,
Imi

What's up with Kimi?

Sept 26... was my last entry... when I was caught in the midst of fasting month, assignments, home alone without hubby... wow, it has been two months!

What has happened really since then? (my latest daily update can be obtained, if you become a member of Facebook.. search for my name Norhakimi and add me as your friend!)
1. Hubby came back for raya only for a week and left again... Will see him again only next month.. hmmm??
2. Have been doing some CAR maintenance... can you actually believe that? It doesn't sound like Kimi I know (I mean, I don't change car tyres, I don't refill the car water, I never service a car, I don't refill car aircond)... the B4 Kimi only drive a car, refuel, put some air into the tyres and that's about all!
3. A cousin got engaged, a cousin had graduated, another cousin is graduating in NZ, and three cousins are getting married (Jan, Feb n Mar 2009)...
4. Done with my final paper examination.... and now is "cooking" her VIVA slides... 24th Nov2008 ... to mark the end of my MSc with UKM!
5. My in-law are now in Madinah, going to depart to Makkah soon... I am praying so hard for them to get Mabrur Haj..insya Allah
6. My kids.... Adriana was down with Chicken Pox just before my exam, and Adlina lost her voice...

Hmmmm... and above all, we miss Azhan... be safe "where" you are now...

Welcome to Facebook

FACEBOOK.....

It has been a long "peer pressure" for me to sign up to Facebook. 25th September 2008 has marked the day..... Today I am on Facebook.

So for those who I have invited you, can you recall who am I??
And for those who have invited me to be your friend, I am just so happy to stay connected...

Let's keep in touch everyone...

It's been a while...

It's been a while since I visit this space again... How is Kimi? Ok I guess... coping well alone, no mother, no father, no hubby, no gradma.. no one is with me at home now.. Yep.. just me n the girls n my wonderful maid (she is really really helpful since Azhan is away!)

Speaking of Azhan..... he's coming back for a week during raya. That's really is a good raya gift for me.. and the girls... counting the day to see Ayah again! 9 days starting from today!

Her, I would like to wish everyone, a blessful Ramadhan, enjoy the last 10 days in this mubarak month. Special thanks to:

1. my family who has been very supportive since hubby is away, especially the 03 power puff girls.... we have our up and downs... no one is perfect right!
2. my sis CikRugby for helping me out since Aug-Sept 08... yeah, this girl rock!
3. my office mates... you know who you are... for being good listener n good supporter

To my "teenage-so-she-thinks" Adilah, may Allah gives you strength to continue to fast in this Ramadhan... I love you always.

To my "cuddly-little-giant" Adlina, can you create "less problem" please?

To my "petite-yet-talkative-fight-starter" Adriana, when will you stop suckling your thumb?? You are going to school next year!!

Salam Aidilfitri from Kimi n Family

My day at Goodyear Service

How many of you ladies out there, who has been to a car tyre shop before? How many of you went to the car tyre shop alone? What did you do there? I don't know the answer to these questions I have posted. However, I definitely know what I did and why I went to a car tyre shop today!



Today at about 10 am, as I was busy playing with my nephews and and my kids, my sister's neighbour gave a wave. He was pointing at my car and I was wondering why? Guess what....?? My back tyre is out of air, totally flat! The fact that I went to try Linda Onn's 'Nasi Ayam' (Chicken Rice) for the first time last nite.........thank Allah, nothing happened last nite.



So me n my 'clueless' but confident style, walked into the nearest Goodyear shop, with my ever-more-than-willing brother-in-law, to change my car's two back tyres. It is not that difficult to choose a tyre (between Michelin and Goodyear), except that I have to call hubby (that's 9 hrs by flight in term of distance of travel) to get his consent.



I kind of enjoyed watching the guy doing balancing and alignment using computer, changing the tyres from front to back, and replace the new tyres to the front. I mean, I used to think it is a boring stuff, but now it becomes the necessity, since hubby is far far away..



You see, there are a lot of hikmah being here alone. It makes me appreciate time better and really manage the time well. It's not easy to be signle-handed, thus single mothers out there.... I understand youuuuuuu...



Oh, by the way, damage done today is slightly less than RM 1K.... now no more budget to buy kuih raya..... waaaaaaaa.... samperit, cornflakes biscuits, pineapple tarts.... arrrghhhh..

The Journey

Below is the itinerary:

Date depart: 27th July 2008
Date return: 30th Sep 2008
Date depart: 04th Oct 2008
Date return: Mid Jan 2009

Who ever has the calculator now, please tell me the time taken for the journey to complete. And I promise you, I'll drop a "thank you note" on your blog space, coz as of now.....

I just couldn't count the time... the number appears to be "million of years" in my personal calculator! And I can't figure out why....

Please oh please be safe......

Wishes.... and when it comes true?

Who does not have wishes?? All of us do wish for things to happen. More often than not, we wish for the good things to happen to us....

I always wish for my kids to have a happy and safe life, smiling all the time and worry-free.


I wish for Adriana to grow up faster ... and now she is a blooming 3.5 years old girl

I always want Adlina to learn the meaning of responsibility and she is picking up fairly well for her age (plus her "super duper active movement").

I wish for Adilah & Adlina to be close to each other, and not cat-fighting 24/7/365 and I think I did witness more "tolerance" happening now...

I wish for hubby to get what he wished for in his career and Alhamdulillah now he's moving forward.

But for that wish, what is the price the girls have to pay?? For every minutes he is away, I am fighting this guilt feeling I have in me... "What have I done"?

But my inner voice is also asking "What is the hikmah behind this"? Ya Allah, how do I explain this feeling??

Honesty in mankind

Honesty.... a sweet word to describe the best character a person can have. Yet if you are not careful, it will hit you so hard that you'll never be able to stand tall again..

Today I learn something about honesty... When people say they are honest, they are not. When people do not say they are honest, they are honest.. get what I am trying to say?

I guess all I am saying is... It is difficult to find honesty nowadays..... and if you found it, don't ever loose sight of it.....

Good night Malaysian where ever you are....

Welcome Seth!

I always wonder how really a baby was being made of... for the birth will always bring joy and happiness to the whole family who has been waiting for the newborn to join the family. And this little boy, was most awaited for by a colleague of mine. he was born on 31st Mar 08, around noon time. Welcome to this world Seth, may you bring that joy and happiness to you mom & dad..... be good to them and god bless you! Lots of love from Auntie Kimi.

Adriana's Daddy Day Out

My husband has this thing called "special daddy's girl day out" - a day out for his daughter when they celebrated their 3rd birthday. And this year it was Adriana's turn. Proudly, she is babling about her "day out alone with Ayah shopping for her birthday present"... and this was the gift!

Happy birthday Adik!

Happy 3rd Birthday Adriana!

Happy 3rd birthday Adriana on 4th mar 2008... My baby girl is no longer a baby!! She is witty, sweet n her dad's favourite of course at this point of time coz she is soooo obedient!

Her cake was chosen by herself - after being so confused for about 30 minutes looking at a book of "cakes design" at Auntie Rozie's house. She can even specify "I want Mickey and Mini to hold two ballons each...... pink writing.....", oh she grow up so fast!!






The cake cutting session... of course all her sisters "interframe" as well.... Adilah taking the lead of course!



This is her new "shopping trolley" from Che Jie... Nice or not? I end up become the "trolley collector" every night before she goes to bed - she insists on parking her trolley at the right place!

Once-In-Every-4-Years Event!

HAPPY 64th Birthday To My Dad!!

Today is a rare occasion. Not every yearI can wish my father HAPPY BIRTHDAY as he was born on 29th Feb 1944!

The last time I wish him was when I was in the year 2004.... can you imagine how long we have to wait to really wish him on the day of his birthdate??

To BAK, may Allah gives you the strength to always be happy and enjoy what you are doing. I am glad we had the talk this morning, it was so good to hear your voice.... you sounds sated and so looking forward to start the new job.. all the best and don't forget to take your medicine timely!!

Love always,

Imi

Life is about making choices

Since I know the real meaning of life, life is always about making choices.... Choices are not easy to be made, you have to weigh all the factors evenly and then you choose the best option available.

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, you still "skidded away" in taking the best choice of all available options. If this were to happen, what do you do? Learn from the mistake, stand up and walk tall again!

I know what I am talking about as I have just made the hardest choice ever..... What have I done? Let's just say that "some important priorities take precedent over what money can buy".

Happy 9th Birthday Adilah!

My eldest girl, Adilah has turn 9!! Can't believe she is actually 9 years old now. She was born on 3rd Feb 1999 or 17th Syawal.

And this is her birthday cake, STAR in shape, specially designed by Auntie Rozie again, at the same price, to be shared with other 'Febuary-born' bithday girls & boy:
1. Baby Irfan - 1 year old
2. Baby Amirah - 1 year old
3. Ahmad Idzham - 5 years old (name not on cake, as the cake is sponsored by Mak Tok & Ayah Wan). Idzham was invited but cannot make it due to mummy's operational requirement.
4. Mak Cik Ain - sweet 19!
5. Mak Tok - sweet xx! (errr... the exact number is a secret)

And these lovely cupcakes are Irfan & Amirah's 1st birthday cake!!All the Elmo & Cookie Monster cupcakes are also made by Auntie Rozie... Don't they look yummy?

Happy birthday my dearest Adilah, may Allah bless you always, to be a good daughter, a good wife + mother one day, and a good muslimah!

Love always,

Ibu

Rich, you rock!! (AJL 2008 winner)

I am not a singer, nor do I think I can sing. But I do follow music industry fairly well, simply becasue I enjoy music... that's about all.

I am also a fan of Anugerah Juara Lagu... and just finished watching the final Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) 2008 - Rich, an ex-student of Academi Fantasia 4 (a reality program by ASTRO), first time coming to AJL, and he WONNNNNN!!

Not that I am very much fanatic of music, but I am talking about development. In any field, we have to pay attention and invest in development. These kids from Entranged are new in the show business, but very daring to come up with new evolution in music. This is part of the future of music in Malaysia.

As for me, I think Akademi Fantasia does proves its theory of "developing the future of music in Malaysia".... tonight, this vas verified by Mawi (best showmanship), Sahri (winner for Balada category, eventhough he was singing the song "izinkan ku pergi" by Kaer - who was "labeled" as no-vocal-quality before, but I think made a great comeback with his first album) and of course Rich (winner for pop-rock category and also overall winner).

TV3 is doing a good job, of continuing the AJL years after years... well done TV3 and keep up the good work! Cheryl, Ally, Faizal & Fafau - I always adore you guys!

Pros & Cons of Driving - A wife cum working mother insight

DRIVING - something that can be a profession to some, taboo to others and dangerous hobby to many. What ever driving is to you, let me share my insight of the pros and cons of driving to me.....

Driving is a must when........

1. someone is sick, especially the loved ones (to go to hospital, to visit them etc)

2. hubby is not home and the gas is out!

3. we run out of supply at home (from rice right to diapers)!

4. to fetch someone (can be sister from university, or hubby at work, or friend at the bus stop, or mum at the airport) in need of transportation

5. attending to work obligation (like travel away from base, attending meetings etc)



Driving is not a skill you wish to have when........

1. "Oh, I don't know the way. You've been there, why don't you drive?".... this can typically come from friends, family, even hubby!

2. " You can go by yourself right?".... you know who always say this!

3. "Mom, can we get this ....., please? Please?".... the "sweet & driving me mad" angels


4. "I got something on. Can you replace me?".. from a superior most of the time

But what I like about driving is - it gives me the priviledge to be flexible with time and creates opportunity for me to excel in life and contributes to family & friends, work and the society.

So think about it - Do you want to DRIVE??

Adlina's 2nd 6th birthday celebration

It's Adlina's birthday celebration again!! And I seriously think this is becoming a pattern - to have her birthday celebrated twice (the same thing happended in 2007)!

Adlina's cake, made by Auntie Rozie one more time, priced at RM 45 again! Can you all believe that? I am a very delighted customer......!!

Adlina, proud owner of the lovely no. 6 cake! Happy birthday my dear!

Happy 6th Birthday Adlina!

Allah selamatkan kamu,
Allah selamatkan kamu,
Allah selamatkan Nur Adlina,
Allah selamatkan kamu.

The most awaited for birthday cake - with barbie princess! Locally made by Auntie Rozie at only RM 45!!



And this is the birthday girl in action!

Happy birthday my red-juicy-apple Adlina, may Allah bless you always!

With lots of love, Ibu.

Note: Adlina was born on Wednesday in Kelana Jaya on 9th Jan 2002 or 25th Syawal 1422H.

Happy 40th Anniversary

This is my first entry for 2008.

Today, on 2nd Jan, in the year 1969, my parents were married! So

Happy 39th Anniversary to Cek & Bak,

May Allah bless you guys always,

And do remember that no matter what,

We all love you both always.......

Lots of love,

Fauzi & Uji (and Ika, Idzham & Imran)

Azhan & Imi (Adilah, Adlina & Adriana)

Che Aa

Pak Teh & Cik La

Cik N