Paris!

17th May 1993

Noora, Ayu and I had always planned to go to Paris together for a short trip.  The Easter holidays were approaching, so one day after classes, we dropped by the Budget Travel in Nicholson Square and made our inquiries.  After informing the agent what we were after, the old queer man clumsily flipped over his directories and guide books.  He began picking up the telephone and scribbled what I believed was valuable information on scraps of paper.  I remember us speaking Malay under our breaths, giggling and joking as we waited for the old man.  Well, at that time, the internet basically did not exist.  I guess we could have bought some guide books and directories, but making phone calls in French was err... probably not possible!

Hence, by the end of the day, we managed to book 3 return tickets from Edinburgh airport to CDG, Paris and accommodation for 2 nights in a 2 star hotel right in the middle of the city.  We had a swell time exploring every single tourist point in Paris: in The Louvre, up the Eiffel Tower, in the Notre Dame,  a cruise along River Seine, along Champ Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, the Pompidou museum, the parks, and even to the Basilique du Sacre Cour.  Phew, it was indeed tiring!  Not to mention, we spent a day in Disneyland (previously known as EuroDisney).  I remember us returning to our budget hotel where the 14 inch TV was located at the very top corner of the wall, requiring us to only be able to watch it while lying horizontally on our beds.  

The trip was fun and I remember using up 4-5 rolls of film! 

***

11th June 2010

After a few years of dreaming, I finally made the trip to Paris with my four children a reality.  Unlike other Malaysian post-graduate students, my interest in exploring Europe has sparked off, with the exception of Spain, which I haven't been to (although there are a few other countries I secretly dream of). I had travelled quite a lot during my younger days and the thought of travelling with four children in tow was a little daunting.  What could possibly be the cheapest, easiest and least stressful?  

Finally, after some thoughts and prayers, I booked our accommodations and tickets online.  I had initially thought of taking the cheapest flight to Paris, but I never came across any good deals so the next best thing to do was to drive all the way there, as it would save us more than a couple hundred pounds.  

To minimize stress, I chose hotels that offered comfort and practicality, as well as providing us value for money.  I was not disappointed with my choice to book a 2 night accommodation at one of the Disney hotels, Davy Crockett Ranch because it was a self-catering unit which was brilliant.  The deal included breakfast and 3 days in the 2 Disney parks: Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios.  On weekends, as Disney hotel patrons, we had the privilege to enter the park at 8am (as opposed to 9.30am). 

The children (plus mother) enjoyed the rides tremendously!  The queues were longer during the weekend, which we sometimes avoided by getting the Fastpass.  We went on some good rides multiple times and mind you, nobody got tired of it.

On our third day, we only stayed in Disneyland for half a day because we wanted to venture Paris.  It was only half an hour's drive to the hotel but it took us a little longer as the traffic was manic.  It definitely reminded me of driving in KL, except that we were on the wrong side of the road. 

After checking-in the hotel, we quickly made our way to the nearest Metro station and headed towards the Louvre (main attraction: the Mona Lisa).  My princess had asked to go to a few museums but I feared that it would bore the older boys who weren't too keen in anything historical.  She had initially requested to go to the National Picasso Museum and the Marmottan Monet Museum.  However, the Louvre itself took us awhile to explore and was enough for everyone to digest. 

We then walked along River Seine, heading towards Notre-Dame.  There was quite a crowd at Notre-Dame, so we didn't go in to count the gargoyles (as planned), but counted the number of statues on the front of the cathedral.  We replayed the story of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and even began to see whether we could spot a hunchback!  Then, the plan was to get on a boat along the river but somehow, the children were beginning to get tired so they decided to skip the river cruise and head towards the Eiffel Tower instead. 

Once at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, Abang Z and my princess said that they wanted to take the stairs up the tower.  I looked at them doubtfully.  'Are you sure you'll be able to make it?'  We had, after all, walked quite a distance.  I wasn't keen to climb up the stairs and hence, everyone had to come with me up on the lift.  

When we stepped out of the lift, little D exclaimed, 'I don't believe we're on top of Eiffel Tower!  Thank you, Mummy...' 

I had purchased tickets to the 2nd level of the tower as access to the top was closed.  Initially, I had mixed feelings about forking out some money to go up the tower, but as soon as I heard little D's shout of glee and looked at his brightly lit face, I knew that I had made the right decision.  Alhamdulillah... praise the Almighty!

On our way to the Metro station, we walked pass a halal kebab stall.  Our initial menu for dinner that night was cup noodles because we were in a hotel with just a kettle and fridge, but the aroma was so tantalizing that I halted to buy one for appetizer.  Well, the two boys had earlier seen a halal restaurant near the hotel so they had already requested THAT for dinner.  However, we reached the restaurant a little too late (11.05pm) and the only food they were willing to prepare were double cheese burgers with fries.  Surely, that was enough for my children and in front of the TV back in our hotel rooms, the food vanished ever so quickly.  For dessert, the children had cup noodles.  Talk about hungry!

The next day, everyone slept in a little before we packed up and bid au revoir to Paris.  It took us almost 3 hours driving to Calais, 35 minutes through Eurotunnel and then another 3 hours from Folkestone back to Coventry.  It was a smashing break indeed...

Nothing is certain except change.

I brought the children to the National History Museum last weekend as I had not been to any of the museums in London in my entire life. It is rather pathetic to think that I've not been to any of these interactive and interesting museums despite the fact that I've been to London so many times for so many years. Now, with four off-springs, I have no excuse to not visit them - especially when the entrance is free!

Initially, I had asked them which museum they'd prefer: the one with the dinosaurs or the one with the mummies. It wasn't a surprise that they chose the dinosaurs as we had already been to the museum in Egypt to see the real mummies - the tombs and a shrunken and wrinkled Pharoah himself. Princess didn't like the sight of the blackened corpse at all! Furthermore, she insisted that she had been on her school trip to the London museum with mummies last year.

So, on Saturday, when we walked into the front gate a long queue awaited us - mostly comprising of tourists from France and Spain. I gasped a little but was glad to find that the queue was moving very quickly. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Inside, we were welcomed by a huge skeleton of a plant eater, the Diplodocus. The children were already beginning to imagine the impossible - of being trapped in the museum and being able to find everything come to life!

I don't know how our National Museum in Kuala Lumpur looks like in the inside today as the last time I went in was perhaps approximately 25 years ago! That already hints that I am close to being an antique artefact. Oh, dear. Anyway, from what I gather, our 'ol museum is still very much the same as the way it was yonks ago: mostly of manequins donning clothes of the sultanates and historical objects exhibited in glass cabinets. Surely, for our museum to be more interesting, they'd have to increase the currently meagre fee of RM2 to something more outrageous. Well, unless some tycoon would be generous enough to give some to the community. Ha Ha! Wishful thinking.

Coming back to our trip to the museum, the children bombarded me with a million questions (which I'm sure they've already asked a zillion times now!) about the existence of the dinosaurs and the creation of the universe in the Islamic context. Among all, I came across the phrase Nothing is certain except change - which I found extremely interesting. It encapsulates the concept of the unknown future and the divine will, which even science cannot deny. With that, I reminded myself to welcome change and endure the trials that come with it.

The museum was enormous and we obviously did not manage to cover the entire building as I had to leave to meet an old friend I had not met for 15 years. The children wanted to go to the Science museum which was close by but I managed to convince them that we had to keep some places unvisited for our next trip although the children really had their eyes on the London Eye. If Allah permits, it'll be the next time around kids...

(I wanted to download more pictures but there were problems downloading pictures in the right order)

What we did last summer!!!

For me it was filled with meeting people while racing from one end to the other; for the kids it was a time to meet cousins and old friends, whilst enjoying the carefree Malaysian life...

I was treated to lunch by ex-colleagues at Khadijah's Kitchen. Of course, we just had to snap a photo with the Khadijah Ibrahim!
A glimpse of some of the Kaypo Klub gals. We spent hours looking back at pictures of yesteryears and ended up with a great longing to turn back time. Yes, I would definitely like that!!
Port Dickson - just posing... (that's what Princess does well)

Belum Rainforest Resort, Pulau Banding, Perak - a great adventure we enjoyed with family members. Activities included going into the jungle to see/observe the biggest flower in the world (Rafflesia), tilapia breeding, Orang Asli settlement, and elephant tracks.

At an Orang Asli (aboriginal) settlement - listening attentively to the old man's story.
Heading towards the waterfall for a good spot for lunch.
Little D with his favourite cousin brother who spoilt him like mad! In the background is a kubang gajah, or elephant clinic (I'd say) - where the elephants would come as a retreat to heal themselves from any injury or ailment. They'd scrape off the walls, which are somehow of high nutritional value, and eat them.

Under the wooden house on stilts back in Rembau, grandad's hometown.
The boys had a bash while I had mine with the Edinburgh clan - 2 years of separation yet the friendship still blooms. It's touching to see how loyal these boys are. From Left: Ashraf, Yusuf, Imran Omar, Abang Z, Muzaffar, Azuar, Zikri, Abang H and Rashad (this fellow was just tagging along his uncle, who's my friend, and he had a big surprise to see all his friends together! Perfect coincidence, innit?).

Giving moral support to Baim at his school sports event- imagine 9 children (Little D snapping photo with my assistance), 1 big bro, 1 big sis + 1 Mak Su cheering for ONE beaming boy!

So it has been approximately 20 years... but who says we've grown apart? School chummies: Kak Nash, Ain, Asma', Dr Sham, Ayeen, Huda and Kak Shidah. Simply cool!
Yes, we won't get to celebrate Eidul Fitr back home but we can have some fireworks a little bit early, can't we??

Bloggers whom I met:

• mamasarah + Mynn (sorry, no photos taken)



Meeting these two (plus Sara and Amar) was definitely not the first time for us. We started out as blogger friends, turned out to be neighbours, later developed into extremely close friends. It was good meeting them again - probably met up with mamasarah 5 or 6 times altogether. They're both doing well in their chosen careers but I don't think they'll be back blogging like those days. Life is just too hectic for them!

Thank you guys! (if by chance you read this, though I really doubt it)

• Azzah8

  



I was quite nervous meeting the 'Flower Lady' (as I labelled her on my blog previously) because she was the first blogger I was to meet upon coming home - excluding mamasarah of course. However, the warmth of her personality was certainly very comforting, especially when served with delicious spaghetti (which Little D had several helpings of!).

Thank you Kak Azzah - for the friendship and also book you loaned to my sis. May our ukhuwwah bloom like the flowers in your garden!

• Raden Galoh (no pictures either - always too engrossed with tales to tell!
  We met several times, Alhamdulillah... The first time round, I went to her Sunday Market stall at Amcorp Mall where we chatted and got to know each other. I had brought her a souvenir from England (which other blogger friends similarly got too) and was surprised that she also had a little something for me! Definitely didn't expect that! Anyway, managed to later visit her twice while she was admitted in the hospital. The last time we met was a week before I left. She had gone back to work for half-day sessions, and thus I agreed to pick her up from work and bring her to the hospital where my sister was - Kak Long had just had her third chemo. Raden Galoh is definitely an example we should all look up to because she reminds me that Allah, our Lord, loves us to no end. Definitely, my sister appreciated meeting Raden Galoh because it gave her a sense of strength that only an experienced person with such strong faith like her could do.

Sis Raden Galoh, may Allah bless you and ease your path. You are always, and always in my prayers and thoughts! (I'll continue sending you text messages from time to time, okay?!)

• nana, daddy (Bimmer 553) and family
  
  
  

  
  Nana is a young, ambitious and strong-willed medical student (she follows after both parents) who is extremely friendly and easy-going. The first time I met her was some time in February when she came over from Russia to the UK with her friend for a real holiday.
  When I decided to go home for summer, I informed Nana and we agreed to meet up later in KL. So, not long after, we were invited for lunch with her family at their warm and beautiful house. We thought of doing tea before the summer was over but unfortunately, time was not on our side.

Thank you to the Muin family for such warmth in the friendship! (Received our first Eidul Fitri card this year - via snail mail of course - and it's from the Muins!)

• myheartbleeds (no photos - talked and talked non-stop!)

This woman and I have a few things in common - we're the same age and we have both lost our husbands. It's wonderful to talk to someone who's in a similar situation as I am. With her two beautiful children, she had came over for lunch one Sunday afternoon bringing goodies for each of us. Ever since the meeting, we have unofficially appointed each other as confidantes to share our emotional roller-coaster rides. *wink *wink. Amazing what ONE meeting can do to build on a friendship so pure, eh? Subhanallah...

Thank you myheartbleeds. Hopefully soon the bleeding will stop and you will change your name to something more lively too!

• Simah



Meeting this particular woman who had come all the way from Istanbul with her charming children was a little tricky as she did not stay in the Klang Valley. Nonetheless, we were meant to meet after communication via blog, text messages, emails and one phonecall. Her devotion and commitment to her family is evident through her sacrifice to live away from home, in a different culture altogether. Isn't she such an admirable person? Simah, will start saving up to visit you there, eh? (if not, just in our dreams, maybe?)

• Ruby Ahmad



Sylish, confident and composed. Ruby Ahmad is filled with life and energy that 2 hours with her was definitely NOT ENOUGH! She had wonderful tales to tell - all insightful, with each leading to an underlying moral or value. We shared our experiences and at the end of the meet, I felt more confident and inspired to charge on with life. Anyone in need of a boost of confidence (and good company) should definitely spare some time with dear Ruby.

Excellent! Parfait! Thanks Ruby!


• Darling (no picture)

We had planned to meet since the very beginning but my weekends were always booked and packed. So, 3 days prior to my departure, I was rushing around from one side of the Klang Valley to the other: Shah Alam - Midvalley (lunch with ex-colleagues) - Setiawangsa (farewell to the boss) - PJ. That was when one of the twins made an annoyingly pathetic request to stop by KLCC 'one last time before we leave.' My body was already exhausted but the traffic report indicated that it wasn't a good idea to head home. Hence, I decided to kill two birds with a stone, so to speak. Darling and I met over coffee, but couldn't take our own sweet time as my Fantastic Four were demanding my attention. Still, Alhamdulillah, I managed to meet the mysterious young lady whose voice I had heard through the phone a few times already.

Thanks for making it on short notice, Darl!

******

Then of course there were those I only managed to speak to or text via mobile:

1. Mak Lang - hope you got the English souvenirs you never seem to tire from!


2. Anggerik Merah - maybe we can set a date in 'ol Edinburgh one day, eh? *wink


3. mama22beas - so close yet so far! Although you live just a holler away, it just wasn't possible, was it? Another trip to the UK soon perhaps? Put Coventry on the list, eh?!
   
4. mki - a very distinguished and respectable person whom I owe gratitudes to: jazakallah Prof!



5. Silversarina - sorry I couldn't make it to your daughter's wedding. It was too far for us. Make sure you claim your gifts from Mak Lang, or she might just keep them. LOL! (next time kita jumpa ya kak!)
   
   

   (not forgetting, I also met friends who have come a loooooong way but are kept connected via the blogging world: Bluewonder, restless, faszt, zabrina, jooli and aida)
   
   I am glad we went home because it created a sense of closure for me. I managed to do things which I knew I wouldn't be able to do from afar. It was apt. Now, He has opened new doors for us and we venture into the future with a little light from Him - I can see our path, I can!

*****
Optimism - by Jane Hirshfield

More and more I have come to admire resilience.

Not the simple resistance of a pillow, whose foam returns over and over to the same shape, but the sinuous tenacity of a tree:

finding the light newly blocked on one side,

it turns in another. A blind intelligence, true.

But out of such persistence arose turtles, rivers, mitochondria, figs--all this resinous, unretractable earth.

*****

(PS: HOORAH - although this entry is not exactly what I had initially put together, I managed to F.I.N.A.L.L.Y get something here! Alhamdulillah...)

Photo updates!

Here are photos taken on our trip to Dublin recently. Went to visit the darling doctors who went all out to ensure we had a wonderful time - thank you, thank you, thank you!!! May Allah bless your family always!

They took us to check out Dublin city centre (notice the street performer: mud man!), to Belfast to W5 - a Discovery Centre for the kids, to Fort Lucan where the kids used up all their energy, to the deer park - where the kids tried to get close to those creatures, and flew a kite just like the good 'ol days with their dad, to the canal to feed the swans, and to the movies on a rainy day (no picture).

It's nice to develop friendship through the blogosphere and especially when you meet wonderful people on the other end. We miss them already - especially the little one!

That was certainly a trip much appreciated by us all. Alhamdulillah, we have been extended the rezki to take such a vacation.

when it rains...

It's May and the weather is supposed to be sunny. Somehow, I always forget that we're in England - where the weather is very unpredictable. It has been gloomy, gloomy, gloomy these few days.

It's not too bad staying indoors with the gloomy weather. I get the excuse to snug up and catch up with work, something that's long due. Nonetheless, I have to think of some activities for the kids to do and it can even be something as simple as a drawing competition.

Some people are amazed at how handy my twin boys are in the kitchen. They love it when I'm fixing something they can have a go at. So, I can let them mash the potatoes or bananas, grate the carrots or cheese, and even turn the blender on or off. I am happy that they love helping me because it is rather nice having little helpers in the kitchen (except that our kitchen is one the wee side).

I hope that the weekend will be brighter so that we can go outdoors. I've been meaning to bring them for a walk along the canal. And then perhaps we could also sing R.E.M's "Shiny Happy People" together...

Come on, let's sing to the beat:


Shiny happy people laughing

Meet me in the crowd
People, people
Throw your love around
Love me, love me
Take it into town
Happy, happy
Put it in the ground
Where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine

(chorus)
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing

Everyone around
Love them, love them
Put it in your hands
Take it, take it
There's no time to cry
Happy, happy
Put it in your heart
Where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine

(repeat chorus)

Hey, here we go!

Let the sun shine!!

D's back!!!

The kids are back in school and I have finally got back my space here. HURRAH!!! It only took 2 weeks but it seemed longer to me. The wonderful warm weather made things more bearable because the kids could play in the backyard, instead of being confined to the house all day. Days were mostly spent in parks and running around to enjoy the freedom under the sun!

It's been so long that I don't actually know where to start. Let's see, okay, maybe some Easter photos. My princess and Little D had an Easter bonnet parade prior to the holidays. We don't celebrate Easter but we participated in the 'design your own bonnet/hat' for sheer fun with craft. Little D was the champion in his class !

Then, once the break started, we went to mamasarah's house for Amar's birthday bash.

Then, there were the regular visits to the City Farm (yeah, the goats were soooo friendly that I almost felt as if they were ours!). We went to numerous parks: Longford Park just down the road, Green Park & St. James Park in London. There were a few other local parks I have not listed here because I don't remember which ones they were and didn't bother snapping photos because I was mostly the porter holding the jacket, bottle, ball or bag - grrrr... We also walked along the canal that ran across the city.

LONGFORD PARK

We took two short trips southbound: to Oxford and London.

These were taken in Oxford:

along the Oxford canal

street show: the bubble man!

LONDON:

down Petticoat Lane...

at Trafalgar Square

Green Park (I don't know, what is Princess doing here??)
the guards changing shifts

To end the children's Easter break, last weekend we went to a picnic site down in Rugby to pitch up the 6-man-tent Mr.D managed to bargain for. That was where the kids chased after rabbits, fed Horsie (the horse) and Little D got sting by nettles - ooooh, very prickly indeed!

Welcome to our humble set-up!

This is Mr Horsie..

Hmmm.. I wonder who's suppose to put on a shirt here...??!!

All in all, the holiday was exciting and tiring. So, now for some serious work...