As usual towards the end of the year, I put on my look back lense and have a recap of the year. 2013 is no different than any other years, living life as consciously as I can in this hustle and hurry world. I am grateful I made it so far and being blessed with what God has bestowed on me. A loving husband, healthy kids, comfortable life, a healthy body, a job that I like doing, a boss that I can look up to, and the list goes on.....
I can't possibly remember everything that has happened but as I write, I hope my memory will be triggered by the events of the year past.
My Kids
Munirah
Munirah started her first year post foundation in MMU in June. She finally decided to pursue the Cinematic Arts Program (CAP) a collaborative effort between MMU and USC, Los Angeles. This year she will study in Cyberjaya, after which she will continue at MMU Johor. She was hesitant about this program and begged me to send her to the UK to study fine arts or graphics. After checking a few programs in both the UK and the US and rough calculation of its costs, we persuaded her to stay in MMU. (We do have three other kids to think about insofar as tertiary education goes) We figured that it would be cheaper if we sent her for summer programs in design and art as part of her exposure than three or four years towards a degree!
Cheapskate parents. No, realistic parents. And I have not found the seeds of the money tree yet.
So far so good, although there are occasions when she texted me and start going "Maaaaaaa.....Maaaaa......people here are sooo negative. I don't want to continue!!" And just hours later when I called her and asked how she was "I am okay now Ma..". What the?
Fast forward to November. She had a stint filming a music video for a budding artist through ASTRO. Munirah's friend enrolled in the same program has a stepmother working in ASTRO. There apparently is another offer in the cards for her and her friend and this time in Paris. Hmmm.....we just have to see about that.
Zarif
Ahhhhh.....this son of mine.....does not say much, does not like to be told off. What is new? In fact truth be told the first three, when being lectured, have learnt the art of "defensive answering your parents". Famous lines "apa hal Mama ni?" Sigh. They are good kids, I tell myself. Just imagine them when they were babies and they really clung to you. Now it is just "I need money Ma..."
Back to Zarif.
I was happy that he chose to be part of the NS cycling team as what they call "pelapis". He became enthused with this new sport and we allowed him to cycle to a nearby housing estate where the cyclists and coach meet. I thought that cycling would be good discipline for Zarif, although I sensed that cycling became a priority than his studying. He joined the team for cycling training trips to PD and was part of the cycling race in Cheras, KL. All was well.....until....he told MrM that the F5 seniors were bullying him during cycling trips. Playing the fool showing prowess as they cycle by the roadside. Zarif wanted to quit. He did quit. MrM rationalized that fooling around by the roadside will be dangerous. Knowing how much Zarif had put his heart into cycling, I trust him. I was a tad worried that this was an excuse to give up. Boredom. Let's just leave it at that.
PMR came and went. Sufficient to say, by Malaysian standards, Zarif didn't fare too well. By Mama's standards? There is always looking forward to improving oneself, that includes you, my son!
Aliah
My rebellious daughter. I think Aliah is just competitive AND rebellious. What can I say to her without her mumbling and stomping into her room.
Now if only we can make her competitive when it comes to school. She is competitive with her siblings. When it comes to food. When it comes to winning an argument.
Aliah is in secondary school this year. A year of adjusting. Aliah does not have a lot of friends like Munirah or Zarif. I can count her really good friends. Two or three perhaps. There is Naili, Farhanah the girl down the street of RK3/30 and then there is Izabelle. So far I know only these three girls.
I know Aliah struggled with school this year. Finding her footing in a new environment. Being bullied by a bunch of boys whose aim is to scare and undermine her. She retaliated by drawing "devil" sketches on their photos on FB. I scolded her. Asked her to delete the photos one by one.
But the boys continued. Waits for her in corners where she has to pass by. Threw stones at her while she is in the schoolbus. What kind of kids are these?!!! The ultimate was when she had to hide to avoid these boys. I went to see Cikgu Hasnan that very night. Reprimanded if the school is not doing anything, I will not hesitate to report these boys to the police. I told Aliah to name all these boys. Cikgu Hasnan told me not to worry, he knew how to handle these boys. I waited for the next week for Cikgu Hasnan to update me.
He did. He rounded up all these boys together with Cikgu HEM and threatened to involve their parents if they didn't stop.
I asked Aliah if these boys still did what they did. She said that has stopped. Alhamdulillah. I feared if there would be a backlash outside school. There hasn't.
Aliah is the most helpful child amongst all, Din Din not included. She is the only one that wants to go to the monthly dry groceries with me and MrM. She will arrange stuff in the grocery cart and help with packing groceries at the cashier. Especially since most of the time we will use reusable bags. She knows how to organize the groceries we bought. She helps me at the wet market, too. Takes the basket, carries them while waiting for me to choose veggies, potatoes, onions, etc. Carries the groceries back into the car. All of them. I get to carry the light ones.
Fast forward December. We decided to send Aliah to SuperCamp. This year SuperCamp Malaysia was held at Nexus International School, Putrajaya. Both MrM and I thought SuperCamp would do Aliah a lot of good in raising her self-esteem, confidence and knowing that she can do anything. Plus the learning program during SuperCamp focuses on making learning easier. I can see (through SuperCamp Malaysia FB) that she enjoyed herself immensely.
Coming back, she is pretty much the same. Except I noticed that she argues less with Zarif and Munirah. A lot less! And she listens to me more. She sent us a postcard when she was at SuperCamp. SuperCamp plays with your emotions, Aliah....so Munirah said. But emotions appreciating your parents, I thought, are good emotions to trigger and have. Well....SuperCamp alone will not change Aliah. I certainly hope at the very least, at the very, very least.....she is more assured of her capabilities and what she can achieve in life.
Din Din (Harith Danish, of course)
Din Din (my pet name for him) entered kindergarten this year. We enrolled him into Genius Aulad, an Islamic based kindy. I took leave for his first day of kindy. Sent him to school. Sent him to his class. Met his teacher. Aaahhhh.....how it breaks my heart to see him so confident and happy going to school. My pregger-at-42 son looked so grown up and mature. I was the immature one bawling my eyes out. He didn't need me at all. He reminded me of myself, just going along with Pak Husin to send me to Nora's Kindy at Jalan Kilat moons ago. No need for Mak or Abah at all.
He said "bye Ma" and that was that. So much for taking leave. (By the way, I sensed I was the "older" parent amongst other parents. Most we're sending their first borns or perhaps second and looked much younger....*feel old*)
Three months into school Din Din could recite Al Fatihah, doa makan, doa tidur, doa masuk kenderaan. Six months he could recite doa bangun pagi and a few more. A year of Genius Aulad, he would reprimand you for not finishing your food else Allah will be angry.
Din Din is so sure of himself. It may be due to most times interacting with older brother and sisters. And also the maids. Of course, as a mother, I would like to think that this is an innate part of him. One of the 23 chromosomes he inherited from either me of MrM. (Is that right, 23 chromosomes?*passedBioforSPMonly*)
I only wish that he would not grow up so fast. 2013 is the year of "Addin sayaaang Mama" "I love you Mama" and the only one to happily greet us when we return from office. He is four only once. And then five in 2014. I should look forward to him turning 5. Instead I want him to stay four forever *melancholicmoods".
I am proud of what my kids have achieved, this year or in their lives. They are growing, learning and thriving. My prayer for them is that they turn out all right, become good Muslims and good citizens.
Here are some photos of this year :
Addin in front of his class
Addin given Legos to play while his classmates cry ( I should be relieved)
Aliah at SuperCamp
Practicing for final day
What on earth are they doing?
Having tea with Zarif post one of his PMR papers
Aliah turns 13
Zarif turns 15!
Kakak Munirah's selfie with Din Din
