Where's the karate?

We brought the kids to watch The Karate Kid movie - along with the Bhutias who came to visit us. All five kids were dying to watch Jaden Smith and the husband and Mr Bhutia are a long-time fans of Jackie Chan. Mrs Bhutia and I were outnumbered and we simply followed the crowd.

So considering it was Sat night and the movie was apparently popular, most of the cineplexes were sold out but the kids were in luck and we ended up in a nearby cineplex where we could get decent seats for all nine of us. So while I was watching the movie (way past my bedtime) I couldn't help but think if Jackie would make a good Mr Miyagi.

Then it occured to me. While the "earlier" Karate Kid movies were on karate, this movie is all about KUNG-FU set in China. Talk about a deceiving title. Buyers beware!

The kids thought the movie was hugely entertaining. The two daddies were quite pleased with the kung-fu action. I was being a cranky old lady and was mildly entertained. The popcorn was good though.

I am blessed...

(so altogether now, say alhamdulillah). We just hosted two terrific families at our Melaka house over the weekend. They were just the most fun people to be with and we loved the fact that they wanted to come visit our house there.

The best part of the entire thing is the solat jemaah. I love the azan and when it melodiously rings live in my house, it brings tears to my eyes. It is both humbling and liberating at the same time. And Danial got his chance reciting his iqamah at one of the solahs and we were so proud he did it so well and with much confidence.

And as we always do when we're there, we ate lots, laughed plenty and shopped too much.

So as I was struggling to start my Monday I began reflecting on my weekend that has just passed, and I realised I have lots to be thankful for. I am thankful for being blessed with great friends and family members who lift me spiritually and make me want to improve myself as a person, mother and wife.

Picture from here.

The long weekend that was

So this weekend, Farah turned 14. As with our family tradition, there was no big party. We planned for a nice and quiet dinner together and she asked if her father could be included. If you are a new reader, just to clarify, her father and I were not married. Oops, that wasn't a good clarification. Let's try this one more time. Her father was married to the husband's late sister. They were divorced before the husband's sister passed away and custody was given to the husband. We keep in touch with him because of Farah as we didn't want her to severe ties with her dad. That would be wrong on many levels.

Anyways, we went house hunting over the long weekend. We went to see a house that the husband is absolutely crazy about. He knows I wanted somewhere near a school the younger kids could go to and a place near the train station. The place he wants is by the beach and a nature park. And yes, the area is tranquil and nice but there is no school nearby and no train station in sight. We need to take a bus to get to civilisation. I am not thrilled but the kids and him are. He's still trying to talk me round the idea. And I am letting him do that provided he tells me exactly how we're going to manage day-to-day living in that area. He thinks I'm a tough sell. I think I'm just being pragmatic.

And the rest of the long weekend was spent revising. The exams. They are just around the corner. The two older kids are coping well. Sara, well, I've been telling her to study hard, to do her best and make plenty of du'as. We've had much to study and worksheets to do from her school. She's been making great progress but I'm not sure if it's enough to stay afloat at school. The irony is she is such a personable and an incredibly inquisitive and observant child. But I guess these things don't count for much in an education system that we have here.

Reunion

We are expecting special guests for dinner tomorrow.

The husband has recently been reunited with a long lost "brother"; one whom he hasn't seen for at least 10 years. They recently reconnected via Facebook (is that cool, or is that cool?!) and met for a private reunion last week. This weekend, the long lost brother is coming with his wife to have dinner with us. My bro-in-law is also coming with his fiance to join in the festivities. I am quite psyched up.

This will be the first time my kids will be meeting with their "uncle" and I will be seeing him after a long while and will be meeting his wife for the first time.

And so, this weekend chef (yes, that would be *me*, people) will be getting busy in the kitchen. I have a menu planned out and timing worked out to squeeze this feast-cooking time in between my Saturday routine. In short, I will be beezee but I will be happeee (I had to add three "e"s in that spelling because I wanted it to alliterate but putting in two "e"s might conjure another unintentional meaning).

Yippeee (notice, there are also three "e"s to avoid the same unintentional meaning) and TGIF.

Pfffftt!

So on Earth Hour on Saturday, we turned out the lights and huddled over the small TV in my room. We had a candle burning in the room, and the helper had her own candle in her room and had the small battery-powered transistor radio turned on for her own entertainment.

Whoever who had to go to the loo had the option of bringing the candle into the loo or had to do it in the dark. And because the fan was turned off, whoever had to do number two, had to do it at the toilet outside of the room we were in, thankyou. In the end, everyone held off and there was a queue by the time 9.30pm was upon us.

At the 30 minute mark, Farah started to wonder if our neighbours and neighbourhood were taking part in Earth Hour. We all walked gingerly to the kitchen, looked out and up our window kitchen (we are on the second floor) and much to our disappointment, lights galore in the other apartments. So we speculated as to why people were not observing the hour as we were. Sara thinks it's probably because their teachers didn't remind them about Earth Hour before school ended on Friday evening. The rest of us adults and near-adults dismissed it as apathy. And decided apathy was bad.

We were at Bollywood

Bollywood Veggies, that is. We were there, thanks to Mr Malique's suggestion. Farah didn't want to join us. Something about it's too hot to be outdoors and wanting to curl up in bed with the third instalment of that book about a certain teenage vampire. So it was the three of us. A city mum and two city kids who think live chickens are a sight to watch, going to an organic farm. We had a ball, going through the farm. And then rewarded ourselves with some iced aloe vera juice and cold lemongrass tea. And oh yes, there were also banana cake with vanila ice cream and chocolate sauce. Yummms.

Losing the fight

I had a fantastic weekend, alhamdulillah.

The concert was the BEST. The husband didn't fall asleep and even admitted that Anuar Zain is really talented. I am amazed though at how some people are fanatical in their love for him... won't go into details but interesting to observe all the same.

Sunday was spent at home and then the afternoon outdoors with the kids at the sports complex. Just running and playing around. And for some reason, I came home with the sniffles. This morning, I can feel the body getting achy... the sniffles are still there but I'm going home to rest but I fear I am losing the fight...

And off we go!

I have managed to convince the husband to attend a concert with me this Saturday. I have to bow to my own persuasive abilities (patting myself on the back now). As a result, he is coming with me to a concert by Anuar Zain whose concert earlier this year I missed - can't remember why but I'm sure it's work-related.

The tickets have been picked up and my outfit has been planned. Can you tell I'm quite excited? The man (Anuar Z, not the husband) is a talented singer and is super pleasing to the eyes, so I'm sure I will have a blast. The man (the husband, not Anuar Z) has told me in quite certain terms that he will try to slink in his seat as he would not want to be caught attending this concert. I've also been sworn to secrecy about this so please don't tell anyone, OK? And I've been told to go easy on the camera and ensure he is not in any of the pictures I'll be taking. Soo many demands and restrictions but I KNOW he will have as much fun as I will.

I'm pretty sure he'll be a fan at the end of it all. Resistance is futile!

A date

I really can't wait for it. More than just hanging out alone with the husband, it's the chance to rediscover the beautiful. heartwarming and thought-provoking new movie by Yasmin Ahmad (edit: wow, I actually meant to say to rediscover the beautiful, heartwarming and thought-provoking style that is Yasmin Ahmad in the new movie...). I'm such a fan that I don't even need to watch the new movie to know it will be all that and more.

I have all of her movies on DVD and I watch them over and over again. My only regret is I am missing her Meet the Director and Cast session on Sunday but hey, this is better than nothing!

Friday fun

Tina Fey rocks!

We did it

We came, we walked, we saw and we went home. We completed the stretch within 2 hours, amidst the kids complaining about how they were tired of walking, thirsty and bored because everyone was selling the same thing throughout that kilometre stretch or so.

The only redeeming factor is I finally got my new baju kurung. At S$280, it is expensive but everything else was either too tight, too loud or too glittery. I kept telling the husband that I could get myself the same thing for a fraction of that price if we shopped in Melaka. But of course, he gently reminded me that we weren't going to go to Melaka this month and Shawal is but merely 15 days away.

I would have been quite happy to wear my clothes from last year, but I don't know, the husband insisted and since he's paying, I relented ;)

An adventure tonight, mayhaps

Tonight, for the first time in their lives, my kids might be going to Geylang Serai - port of call for Malay Muslims - to soak in the ambience of the chaotic (and oft-times, smelly because it's so crowded!) Hari Raya festivities.

I say might be going because that's the plan the husband and I have for us tonight although I am currently crampy and sometimes cranky and might just decide against it. Because of that risk factor, the kids have not been told. So it's a maybe perhaps kind of deal right now.

Not too crazy about the crowd, but a part of me think I should expose my kids to the festivities.

I am also not too crazy about news that billed the lighting up of Geylang Serai as a tribute to Ramadhan. Hmmm... like how are those lights a tribute to Ramadhan when Ramadhan is a time for self reflection, getting closer to Allah, for increasing ibadah? Unless of course someone found something that says we need to have glittery lights in that Malay enclave to announce the arrival of Ramadhan. But hey, whatevs. You can't fight widespread consumerism.

This is also partly the reason why I hesitate to bring my kids there all these years. Last thing I want them to do is associate Ramadhan with gory lights and insane shopping. Which is also why we buy our stuff before Ramadhan. Because shopping during Ramadhan is a sport.

Did I also mention I'm not too crazy about the crowd?

Out sick

Everyone at home had a bit of a cold over the weekend and they all seemed okay by Sunday evening. Sara however, started wheezing today and I had to take her to the GP; she's been prescribed with antibiotics and more ventolin syrup. Good thing she *likes* taking medication. I know, weird.

Danial had a follow-up at the hospital today and after blood test and a skin prick test, the doctor gave him the all-clear (alhamdulillah).

I, on the other hand, am feeling the onset of body aches and a touch of headache, myself. Hopefully it'll go away with Panadol.

Or maybe I should just surrender, you know, cave in and let my body fight them virus the way it's intended to be?

I hope everyone else is having an easier time!

Hancock, I like

The husband and I try to go for movie dates when we can. We tried to make it weekly but with his travels and work demands, sometimes it's just not possible. But I take what I can get and if it's every month or two months, who cares.

We watched Hancock without the kids. I wanted to watch it because it's Will Smith (whom I adoreadoreadore). He wanted to watch it because it's an action movie, complete with a super hero.

And we both left the movie theatre grinning. It was superb acting, great characterisation and totally unpredictable plot - well, besides the fact that we knew there were going to be some mass explosion and cars in flames. Charlize Theron is really good in this movie, too. Jason Bateman, I think is being typecast as the goodie-two-shoe but he was fun to watch, as well.

Anyhow, if you haven't already watched it, go for it. I think you'll like it as much as we do.

I found this interview Will Smith did with David Letterman to promote the movie, which you really have to watch. It's hilarious!

On, off, on

First we were going (to Melaka), then we're not. Now we're going. The husband managed to organise his weekend work so that it starts on Sunday. Which leaves us Friday and Saturday free to drive up to our house. Yay!

And we're driving both cars up so that we could include my mother-in-law whom I have a wonderful *cough*nottrueatall*cough* relationship with. The kids have said they're riding in my cutesy Suzuki so our guest can drive up with the husband *laughing gleefully*.

But seriously, I do give respect to my mother-in-law but I can't talk to her beyond the weather. It's not the generation gap at all, we're just umm very different people. So it'll be a rather interesting trip.

The kids are excited, so am I. We'll be hanging out, staying up late and spending much. Farah has packed away the Monopoly game and I saw Danial put in Twister in the bag, too. Ooh too much to do, too little time! So exciting!

The return of...

We caught the Jet Li and Jackie Chan movie (Forbidden Kingdom) over the weekend. We were supposed to watch the movie together with the Bhutias this coming weekend but they cancelled on us *evil glare* because Mrs Bhutia had work to complete. But anyway, we have forgiven her and we've made plans for the upcoming school holidays for us to get together with the kiddies.

Back to the movie. It was the suck. The plot was wafer thin and predictable, the script was weird and the acting was bad. The husband who is a big Jackie Chan's fan and has caught every Chinese and English movie he's ever in, was telling me how disappointed he is with the movie. Enough said.

Before the movie started, we caught the trailers to the new Indiana Jones. Isn't Harrison Ford like a hundred years old now? And it seems like all the old fogeys are making comeback movies. I can think of Sylvester Stallone in the latest Rambo movie (which I thought was quite good), and then there's Bruce Willis' Die Hard number 234352 movie and now Indiana Jones.

Anyway, the husband is now inspired to make his own comeback. And since he's more a rugby player than a movie star, he was refering to competitive rugby, of course. Being the supportive wife that I am, I had to give him an incredulous look and shook my head. He still sounded determined so I don't think my lack of support is a deterrent to him. So, perhaps, in the near future, there will be more posts on rugby and being a rugby widow. Sigh.

Sleepless in Sydney

I flew into Sydney overnight last night, got a total of three hours of sleep during the flight. Touched down at quarter to 7 in the morning, showered and change at the hotel gym because they couldn't give me a room that early, and walked into the office at 9am. So I am very exhausted.

But after an out-of-this-world tandoori and briyani chicken dinner at this Pakistani restaurant that a friend brought me to, I am fully wide awake.

It's 12.30am in Sydney now, I've just showered, prayed and ready to go to bed. Except, I am not sleepy anymore. It must be a second wind I'm getting. Or maybe I'm just too full to go to bed now. So instead, I am writing this post while reruns of Friends are on TV. I wish they were showing Oprah. Or someone funny like Jay Lenno.

The kids are okay with my mum and helper around. And the husband should be home from Vietnam anytime now. In case you were wondering, the kids were parent-less for one night. But having nenek/grandma is not too bad. Especially if she lets you have whatever food you want at whatever time of the day. I remember my mother was stricter when we were kids, but I guess people change? Anyways, the husband and I are grateful for her help.

I didn't want to have to spend the weekend in Sydney, but the first set of people I have to meet were only available on Friday and the other set, available on Monday. And then I'm off to Hong Kong for two nights (yet another overnight flight!) and get home on Wed.

In the meantime, the husband is going for Danial's parent-teacher meeting tomorrow and generally handling all the stuff I used to do on the weekends. And what would I do over this weekend? Probably catch up on sleep and shop around. In the words of my new boss, LOVELY!

After a break

So we had a short work week last week because of Chinese New Year. The husband and I decided to join the throngs of crazy people who were dying to get out of the country during the unusually short work week or the unusually long weekend, depending how you want to look at it.

We headed off to Melaka (where else?) and had a nice time there. The kids had fun playing mini golf out in the garden, splashing around in the mini inflatable pool we foolishly bought (it was so expensive!), and We had a barbecue night on Friday and we weren't the only ones feasting. The mosquitoes were having a feast as well, especially on Danial who ended up with the most mozzie bites. But nothing too serious that Mopiko can't help with.

The best thing for the kids and us whenever we're in Melaka during Chinese New Year or Eid, is the firecrackers that our neighbours set off. At the stroke of midnight on Feb 7, our Chinese neighbours had a wild time firing off one firecrackers after another. And there was also mini fireworks from all corners of the estate. Made the celebration all the more festive, I thought.

Coming back from a long weekend, I am finding myself struggling to get back to work. It's hard when your heart is not there anymore. When nothing excites you while everything bores you. It's a mentality that I am trying to rid out of my system. But it's hard.

Yaabaa daabaadooo

...because it is the end of the work week.

...because when I thought it would be difficult to jump ship, it has been made obvious to me that there is hope.

...because tonight I finally will drag my sorry a$$ to the gym again, after months of complaining my pants were getting tighter.

...because Chinese New Year is next week which means everyone gets a short work/school week, the weekend will start for me at 12 noon sharp on Wed.

...because I will catch up with Mrs Bhutia after her business trip and Sara will finally be able to pass her handmade birthday card to the youngest Bhutia whose birthday was in December.

...because I always remind my kids to say alhamdulillah when things go their way, I will say it now, too. Alhamdulillah.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Family, food and fun

I was at a wedding over the weekend. A cousin's daughter was getting married and my mum was helping out. Which means, we get pulled in and are expected to pitch in and help, too.

Malay weddings, to those who are not familiar, can run up to two to three days. Yes, DAYS. On Friday night, the bride had a henna night. She had henna intricately painted on her hands and feet. I have halaqa on Friday so I couldn't go but I heard it was quite a fun night. This tradition is an adopted practice from back when Malays were Hindus. But it's done today not because we want to be Hindus, but more for the girls to get together and be with the bride and have a good time.

Sara and I were at the nikah on Saturday afternoon. The husband had some work to finish off and the other two kids had some homework to complete. And as usual, I cried. I always find the entire thing meaningful and touching.

And then we headed back to the wedding on Sunday where a major feast has been arranged for all invited guests. Malay weddings run from 11am to 5pm and everyone comes and goes as they please. It's tiring. And I'm not even the bride's mum!

What I love about Malay weddings are the FOOD and the company. Who can resist the briyani and oh-so-tender meat cooked in curry and a host of other sinful desserts. After a futile argument with myself, I gave up and had another couple of slices of kuehs. And another. And another. Yums.

I caught up with so many cousins whom I rarely meet. And there were lots to catch up on. I also noticed one of my cousins' sons (he's seven) who was either staring or stealing glances at Sara. He kept looking at her whether he was sitting next to her or while he was from across the room. Heh, how sweet.

Besides the food and company, Malay weddings are also notoriously associated with loud music. And in recent years, we added bad karaoke-ing to the list. We had a DJ who was playing good (but too LOUD) music but there were times when he decided to get in on the act and started karaoke-ing. He really shouldn't. My ears are still ringing.

The weddings I attended in Melaka when I was growing up, always had joget lambak, which literally translated means mass dancing. Someone would just play an accordion, someone else will bring out their rebana, and some other neighbour will pull out his violin and lo and behold -we have a joget lambak in session. Now, *that was good fun.