Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup

This morning had a good laugh watching 4B on Sensasi. I had made Sara watched it because of an incident that happened early last week. This is the adegan pagi a week ago, during breakfast...

Me: *with irritation* Mak, apasal jemput-jemput nie tak hangus??

Mak: *shouting from the kitchen* Ah, kao tanya anak kao tu. Yang hangus semua dia makan. Dah cakap suruh tinggal kan kao sikit, tak peduli!

Me: Sara! Sara makan semua jemput-jemput ibu?

Sara: *silent with guilt*

Me: Sara eh, so greedy! Ada budak tak makan tau pagi. Nanti ibu merajuk masuk kat Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup baru tahu!

Sara: *quizzically* Ibu, apa tu Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup?

Me: *in a scary voice* Batu Belah tu tempat untuk ibu-ibu yang ada anak naughty. Ibu dia lari pegi kat batu tu dan batu tu telan ibu dia. Jadi budak naughty tu takde ibu lagi!

Sara: Batu tu kat mana? Macam mana Ibu nak carik? Boleh naik kereta??

Me: ????

Mak: *guffaws* Hahhahah! *singing* Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup, telan aku, makan aku, aku kempunan jemput-jemput!

So since Sensasi is airing that show, we watched with her today. It was so funny I tell you. So drama mama. Come on lah, kan, what kind of selfish mother would leave her children behind just because tak dapat telur tembakul kan? Kalo lobster ke, oyster ke patut lah sikit. Ni ikan yang ada kat lopak dier nak kempunan! Chet!

Anyways, Sara's conclusion is that there is no such thing as a 4B. So my attempt at scaring her is unsuccessful.

What cake do you want...?

This was what I asked Sara today. As with last year and the previous years, this is for her small birthday celebration in school. Every year she always asked for something different and every year it is something weird (last year it was Diego!). This is our conversation...

Me: So what cake do you want for your birthday this year?
Sara: (with much enthusiasm) Phineas and Ferb!!!!
Me: ??? Eh, where can I get Phineas and Ferb cake? Anything else you like?
Sara: Hmmmm, how about Handy Manny?
Me: ???
Sara: I know! HigglyTown Heroes!!!
Me: ??? What is that? Can't you get something easier to find like, Princess ke, Mr. Bean ke, Mickey ke...?
Sara: (with no enthusiasm at all) Mickey pun Mickey lah.

My daughter and her taste in cartoons. She don't watch Wingz, or Princess, or anything girly and normal like that. Anyone know where I can get Phineas and Ferb cakes?

For my big girl...

You know, with all these talk about the coming baby, I cannot help but think of my first baby. In my eyes, she will always be my baby. I don't want her to feel left out when the baby arrives. Especially since, she was the only one for six years. So I intend to get her involved in making baby's decision e.g. picking out clothes/toys, getting ready for baby, packing my hospital bag etc. I am also planning for a surprise for her, just to say thanks. You see, she has been so good to me ever since I was pregnant. She has been patient when I can't go out. She was understanding when I didn't have the energy to play with her. She made my bed everyday (yes!). She rubs my tummy to make me feel better. She reminds me to take my medications/vitamins. Macam mak nenek gitu...

Anyway, I planned to get a basket, like this,















Then filled it with goodies like a Big Sister T-shirt, a polaroid camera, some polaroids, a scrapbook, scrapbook kits, a simple storybook (so she can read to baby), a lollipop (for being so sweet), a frame (to put the photo she took), a baby record book (of milestones) and a baby feet imprint kit. Lastly, some balloons to decorate the basket. I will present it to her on the day that she comes to visit baby for the first time at the hospital.




























































In this way, I hope that she will not feel left out when baby gets all the attention during the first days. I want her to feel the love, pride and responsible towards baby. The gifts are also meant to keep her a little busy. I intend to do the activities e.g. the scrapbook and feet imprint kit with her during my maternity leave.

Also, my friends, if you intend to visit me (ni assuming je eh), do say some nice words of encouragement to my little big girl. A little gift of sweets would be nice too.

Doing my Kramer act again...

Korang ingat tak that story about me almost falling off the escalator? Today, I did it again...although not on the escalator.

I was in line at lunch in Delifrance, buying a sandwich. Of course there was a long line lah, since kat Raffles Place ni busy je selalu. I just said my order when suddenly, I broke out into cold sweat, and then my ears started ringing, then suddenly...blackout! In my heart, I panicked! I think I swayed on my feet and fell on something hard.

Next thing I knew, there was this Ang Moh voice that asked me..."Are you okay?" I was then led to a seat. Gosh, it felt so good to sit. I still can't see and I am still sweating. A minute passed and my sight returned. In front of me, there was this huge Ang Moh. He said I fell on him. He also offered to send me back to my office, to which I declined, saying that I am okay. He even paid for my food! I offered to pay him back but he refused. I graciously thanked him for helping me and for paying the food. He asked me again if I needed company, to which I refused (again).

After saying goodbye, I made my way to the office slowly, flame burning my cheeks! :-P I can't remember his face but I remembered that his chest was solid hard! LOL! I hope he is not the same Ang Moh that saved me from falling down the escalator. That would be totally embarassing!

Baby's List

This pregnancy, as most of you know, has been bumpy in every sense of the word except for my tummy. I am still waiting for that bump to show yet! Hahahahah! Believe it or not, I am still wearing my normal jeans. And before some of you congratulate me about not putting on weight...I must retort that it is not good okay. I am suppose to gain weight and my appetite should already pickup. Sadly, I can only eat a few spoonfuls each meal.

Anyway, what I meant to say is that because of all these ailments, I have not been very excited about giving birth just yet. I have not caught the baby bug. However, me being the strategic person I am, knew that I have to list down stuff that needs to be bought and do. This will help me gauge the budget and plan how much time is needed to get everything ready.

I am listing this down so that I would remember, that I will commit to do this and that maybe some of you can help remember for me! LOL!

Things we need for baby: -

1. Crib (budget: $250): From experience, I prefer the portable kind that can be a playpen later on (no beddings, foldable for storage, easy to clean and portable too). Especially that cute Esprit one that Annie showed me! I just wished I knew which color to get!

2. Diaper bag (budget: TBA): I have that Esprit backpack which my hubby likes but it is time for me to choose one for myself. I like the OiOi ones or if got rezeki maybe, Kate Spade?

3. Baby bouncer (budget: $80): Sara trashed hers, so we need to get a new one. I like the Fisher Price vibrating kind.

4. Musical mobile (budget: $100): Sara loved her Tiny Love Symphony-in-Motion mobile that plays classical music. She was such a difficult baby but her mobile always soothe her. Needless to say, we used it till it can't be used anymore!

5. Baby clothes (budget TBA): Sara's was given away or sold or already looked like salted veges.

6. Car Seat (budget $250): I don't know if I can get it at this price. Car seats are so ex but so needed!

7. Bottles: If I still can't breast feed. I think I am not going to use Avent because after a while it leaks. I love Mam but we'll see.

Things to do:
1. Get our Aprica pram new paddings. Need to go to Aprisin for the quote (about $200!).
2. Wash our BabyBjorn sling
3. Get Sara's room done up (new bed, paint the walls, clear old toys) so that we can put some baby stuff there as well
4. Get the above shopping done
5. Narrow down some names
6. Choose my gynae!!!! Sooon!!!

Okie these are what I need before baby arrives. The rest we will wing it.

Watching world history unfolds...

The other day, I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama on HBO and was caught up in the emotions as history unfolds, not just for America but for the world. One cannot deny that the US of A has a big influence in the world's economies and events. So it is with much hope that I watched Obama took his oath (stumbling a bit I must add, but which add to the character to the ceremony!). I had never seen a president's inauguration done with much aplomb, or anticipation, or most watched (2 million was at the venue and many more worldwide!) - indeed history at its making.

What I love about the whole ceremony?

1. The electricity of the place. You can feel it even if you are at home watching on TV. And yes, even at -4 Deg Celcius.

2. The first family's fashion - Michelle Obama wears an elegant gold ensemble with a nice touch of green leather gloves. The children wore colorful, J.Crew's Crewcuts for kids. Yup, not designer (but they looked damn good that has me trawling the J.Crew website); very appropriate since the economy is so gloomy.


3. The songs! Trust the Americans to entertain you! The concert lineup performed by - Aretha Franklin, U2, Usher, Sheryl Crow, Will.i.Am, YoYoMa, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, Garth Brooks...and others etc.

4. Star-studded event. From superstars that introduced each lineup, giving speeches and even just there to watch the event - Denzel Washington, Tiger Woods, Ashley Judd, Jack Black, Queen Latifah, Martin Luther King III, Jamie Foxx, P.Diddy, Oprah and many more. They are out in full force to celebrate and grace the event.

5. The stumbling of the oath. Watch it here.

Also read the whole speech. Highlights of the speech: -

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth;..."

"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."

Anyway, whatever it is, this is a new era. I am just glad Bush is out!!! That is enough cause for celebration, no?

About Muslim names...

I was nursing a killer backache that kept me up almost the whole night. Since my thoughts have been "kecamuk" from lack of sleep, I decided to listen to some surahs online. Anyway, while listening, I saw a link by the side about something on the rules of Muslim names and how to name your child. I thought it was interesting, so I clicked on the link (Giving A Muslim Child a Non-Arabic Name).

I think this is very interesting because nowadays, we like to give our child/children Arabic names. I actually love Arabic names because they sound so pretty. However, sometimes my concern would be in the correct pronounciation of these names. As we all know, Arabic is tricky cause if your pronounciation is incorrect, it will mean a total different thing e.g. Zeena (something beautiful) or Zina (Adultery).

This particular article addresses the subject of naming your child and it states that a Muslim child NEED NOT have an Arabic Name because Islam is universal and it trancends over many languages. However, there are several guidelines to naming your child: -

1. A good name that is not detestable by people or that might be rejected by the child themselves when they grow up.

2. A name that is not "shirik" e.g. Abdul Nabi (servant to the prophet). A name to show humility to serving Allah is best e.g. Abdullah.

3. Naming them after good people or role models e.g. my name Siti Mariam (Lady Miriam), mother of Nabi Isa AS. Interestingly, "Siti" is not Arabic, it is of African origin (Swahilian) which means Lady (as in a title you accord a person of high ranking like Lord, Earl etc.).

4. A name that has a good meaning to it (and it can be in any language at all). Masculine name for boys or feminine names for girl etc.

Interesting isn't it? I remembered yonks ago hearing a syarahan and the subject of names came up and the ustadz mentioned that good names for girls would be after flowers because all flowers comes from heaven...I thought that was beautiful because I always loved the old Malay girl names like Kenanga or Cempaka. I thought these names are absolutely romantic! Just imagine your name is Seri Kenanga...all you need is a Pahlawan aptly named Wira! Hihihihi! By the way, I do have a childhood friend whose name is Wira and his brother...get this, Satria! Romantic no? If you don't believe me, look up my friends list on FB! They are real!

However, I myself have a few rules in naming a child. Before Sara was born, I was contemplating on several names and before I made my choice, this is what I did: -

1. Calling out her call name over and over at the top of my lungs! I mean, you will be doing this for at least 17 years right? So it better be short and sweet as not to waste energy!

2. That it is difficult to make fun of her name. God knows how much kids made fun of my good name...Meriam, Bom, Sri Mariaman...etc!

I really think a name becomes you and that we as parents holds a high responsbility to ensure that our child has a good name to grow into that they are proud of.