Batang Benar Follies

Two weeks ago, we bade a tearful farewell to one of our relatives. While pursuing her studies in medicine, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Family, relatives and friends prayed vigilantly for her recovery, but alas, Allah swt loved her more... Her downward spiral was fast, furious and inevitable and she succumbed to the disease. Friends and members of her faculty came by car and bus loads to perform the solatul-jenazah and soon after we formed a convoy and headed towards the cemetery in a little town next to Nilai called Batang Benar. Imagine our disbelief when we found out that the jenazah convoy had to cross the train tracks to get to the cemetery. Apparently this is the only way one can access the cemetery. The complete disregard to the safety of the public who has to defy death to send a loved one off is really appalling. Moreover, the irony of it all is alongside her house lies a miniture toy train track, similar to the one at the cemetery...so although the lack of infrastructure irked us, Allah swt is certainly the best of planners as nobody is probably more at home with the rail tracks than her...May Allah have mercy on her soul and place her among the righteous.

If you've read the story of Billy Goat Gruff, then this bridge in Batang Benar bears resemblance to the one in the story. Every Friday, I have to cross this bridg to fetch one of my wards from school. The bridge in the picture overlooks the same railway tracks alongside the cemetery in Batang Benar but to cross the bridge, you'd have to be a troll or rather behave like one. It seems that whoever is more menacing gets to cross over leaving the poor soul on the other side (me for example....) backing up all the way to China to make way for the 8 and 16 wheelers which frequents the bridge and couldn't give a damn about who gets there first!!

Happy 72nd Birthday Pak!!

Happy 72nd birthday!! Many happy returns to a man who is not only a wonderful dad to Am and I but who has also assumed fatherhood for the sake of my aunts and uncles since the departure of our beloved grandfather.

As Pak Ajie would often quip, consistent doses of his gases has severely affected Am, Ajie and my chances of becoming lawyers or doctors but nevertheless, we won't be where we are today without his love and guidance. And that certainly supersedes and neutralizes the effects of the many, many doses of harzadous gases...Thankfully, the third generation has been spared and in Wani (Insha Allah) we see the first doctor in the family, alongside many others who, with your help, are successful in their chosen careers.

No words can fully appreciate everything that you have done for us and perhaps the lyrics to Kenny Rogers "Through The Years" will help us wish you a very, very happy birthday and May Allah grant you the best that the rest of your life has to offer.

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the year, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad Ive stayed, right here with you
Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted whom, I listened to before
I swear you've taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... through the years
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away
As long as its okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belonged
Right here with you ... through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what loves about, by loving you
Through the years

Through the years, you've never let me down
Youve turned my life around, the sweetest days Ive found
Ive found with you ... through the years
Its better everyday, youve kissed my tears away
As long as its okay, Ill stay with you
Through the years!

A Storm In A Tea Cup

On our last visit to Genting Highlands, the young warriors of the clan couldn't wait to paint the town red and demonstrate their prowess.... With that in mind, they bulldozed and elbowed their way in line and since the teacup ride was not that crowded, they got on it and taught the little unsuspecting teacup a thing or two about swirling...Half an hour later, the clan heroes were seen cupping their heads and holding their stomachs, much to the chagrin of the rest of the elderly members of the clan who were definitely much wiser and opted to sit the ride outs. However, much later in the evening, elderly clan members decided it was high time to show who's boss--by riding on the choo-choo train around the theme park...Hmmph... Try beating that!

Rain Dance

On his second birthday (10/12/08), Syajie decided to celebrate by singing and frolicking in the rain. He had the time of his life and neither shivers nor reprimands would dampen his spirits but alas, the next day when we headed to PD Tiara Resort with the clan, he had to sit it out and nurse a fever, poor baby...

Syaji-onnnnnnnnnn

Last night, while engrossed watching Hindi film 'Vivah' starring Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao, little Syajie helped himself to a newly-opened bottle of talcum powder and went to town with half the bottle's contents!! For the uninitiated, this is a must-see movie, at any cost, even at the risk of your entire living-room looking like a talc-typhoon aftermath...!

Watched the movie half a dozen times but just when a fire puts the love between a well-educated young son of one of New Delhi's most prominent business families and an upper-middle class orphan on trial, I turned around and almost jumped out of my skin at the sight of him smothered in talcum powder. Don't know whether to laugh or get mad while I had to clean the mess up but nevertheless, this must be one of the most magical and romantic hindi movie ever...

The Sunshine of my Life

After 18 long arduous years of waiting, plotting, planning, crying, sighing...Allah SWT finally answered my prayers and along came Syahril. Given only a week's notice to prepare for motherhood, with the internet and little else as my guide, I took a deep breath and dove head first. Made a lot of mistakes, some days are easier than others but nothing can take away the joy of having Syajie around!!! Photo taken in July of 2007