On a cold and frosty morning

Freezing freezing cold! The weather forecast had warned us that temperatures would plunge to as low as -5C last night and that we'd wake up to a layer of frost. So that was what we got: a blanket of frost on the cars, rooftops and ground.

It was too cold to let the twins cycle to school. The weight of their bags and warm clothes worried me a little, so I drove them to school instead. That was the deal we cracked since the beginning.

The thermometer indicated zero degrees celcius. I had let the engine run for a good 5 minutes or so, while spraying the de-icer on the screens and turning on the heater. Even on our way back from sending the older two, it was still zero degrees. Yeah, you'd love to think the thermometer was fooling you, wouldn't you?

I walked the younger two to school, all wrapped up like big bundles of snowmen. The summer was such a wonderfully warm one that we had almost forgotten how bitingly cold winter could be. Winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves are essentials a mother's got to make sure their children have before leaving the house. Ironically, the more they put on, the more I worry because the likelihood of losing one of the clothing items is terribly high! And imagine the rummage we have to go through, looking for let's say, one glove?

Driving off to university, I glanced at the thermometer again. 2 degrees celcius. Looks like I'd better get used to it. So as usual, I tune in to Hearts radio station, and get transported to the past with Time Tunnel, where they play songs of yesteryears and ask you to name the year of the song and what you were doing at that time. What else could you do on a frosty morning, eh?

The heat

It's a really hot summer in the UK this year with temperatures soaring up to 30C and beyond. Come to think of it, we had an extremely cold winter hence it's only fair to get a summer that lives up to its name. In the mornings, it tickles me to discover that the children are sprawled apart from each other, often shirtless. Windows open and fans whirling, it seems just almost like back home.

The heat has probably dried up all my blogging desires - ergo the long silence. The twins went for their school trip to Marseille and had returned really tanned! While they were having fun, Little D was down with some sinusitis that caused him to have high fever for a few days. At the same time, Princess was feeling a tinge of jealousy over her brothers' trip, thus demanded a little bit of attention and fun. So when Little D was a little better, we spent some quality time together - indoors and outdoors; resulting in me getting my dose of the pollen attack.

All back on track now.

How time really flies.

As cold as ice!

Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon...

So you have it - the above are Vanessa Williams' opening lines in the song Save the Best for Last. It's not June but having snow in April in the UK, when it's supposed to be Spring, should now no longer be a surprise to anyone. You can either blame it on global warming, or call it a sign that the world is finally coming to an end, but I always see the weather as symbolic to life.

The weather is wonderful - it creates setting, it affects one's moods and emotions, and most of all, it determines one's daily plans for the day/week/month!! The wonders of such a creation by the Almighty should be enough for us to reflect on the majestic Lord, and work our way to be closer to Him.

Let's get back to the weather in the UK. Two weeks ago, there were rain, sleet, hail and snow. To the excitement of the kids, last night and today, the quantity has increased since the last downfall; i.e: more snowball fights! Despite the excitement, it is just cold, cold and cold! Correction - freezing, freezing and freezing cold!

About the same time last year, along with my off-springs, I recall enjoying the magnificent warmth of Spring with the person I loved most. But today, I cannot help thinking how things have drastically changed - the weather, circumstances, and life in general. Does the cold weather symbolise everything opposite to warmth, which represented love and life? Or does it simply symbolise how life is so unpredictable and mysterious that we've just got to be prepared to face the challenges ahead?

I'd like to believe that it is the later. Have faith in Him and everything proceeds. Wallahu'alam

SUMMER'S here!!!

(FEEL FREE TO CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEW)

The local Malaysian society had organised a barbeque on Saturday, 28th July (yeah, say goodbye to the environment and hello to the possibilities of cancer!). For the past week, the weather had been gloomy and wet, and the weather forecast for the weekend didn't look too good either. Hence, the whole past week was full of anticipation: to go ahead with the plan for barbeque or to not go ahead. We finally took the risk and left it all to the Almighty. So, come Saturday, the sun just beamed at us...He had answered our prayers: to have a sunny day so that we could all go out to play!

Apparently, having an event in the open certainly is different from the usual indoor activities we have. Usually when we have gatherings and functions, they are held indoors (in a hall), and we always have a full house (crowded, is more like it!). This time, there were approximately 22 families and a handful of undergraduates. Yup, it's summer so the undergrads are in Europe learning about culture, or back home enjoying a glass of teh tarik at the mamak stall.

So, while the men were in charge of the barbeque, the ladies were busy buzzing away with platefuls of food (to feed the children, mind you!!).

I was busy helping with the children's activity and enjoyed it dearly (hence, not many photos of the kids as I was busy coaching and cheering for the lil' ones). There were 6 events altogether: below 5s, below 10s, football for the boys (10-16), chipping for men and women (okay, I sucked) and giant steps for couples.

In short, I enjoyed the event which can be described as simple and small. Ever since that day, the sun has been smiling at us...

O summer where art thou?

It's the summer school holidays. Yippeee!!! Six weeks of basking in the sun. Hang on, what sun? A glance out the window seem to confuse my children.

Mommy, is it summer already?

Mommy, where's the sun?

Mommy, how come summer isn't warm?

Mommy, you told me summer's hot! It's not!

How do you explain the concept of unreliable British weather to children who have never experienced the four seasons other than what they watched on TV? What's the point of having four seasons if the weather's not like what it's supposed to be?

I take this as an opportunity to teach my children the idea of God's will. No matter what season it is, the weather can be any way He wants it to be. Sometimes it's not easy accepting such temperament yet the days go on.

To add on to the wet summer days, some places in England are even flooded. Kenilworth, Oxford, York, etc...

Praises to the Almighty - we're not affected but it also means that summer will mostly be spent indoors with a LOT of creativity from the devoted D!