LA

There were too many pictures but here are just some. We did a lot of touristy stuff here unlike in SF where we just slacked, drove and ate. So we did the usual Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood and a tour around LA which includes some movie star homes, the beaches; Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, Bel-Air etc. In Disneyland, as you would expect, we took rides and saw the various characters but the highlight would have to be the night parade with the fireworks and christmas theme.
I guess it was a bit too touristy for my liking but the kids had plenty to see and do here.

Disneyland

Beautiful Japan

We only had four days in Japan and we spent the time taking the train and going around Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya and managed to squueze in one day to see Mount Fuji and Hakone. Hoping to come back Japan one day if we could.


Streets of Tokyo

Grand Canyon

On the way to Grand Canyon. This is THE San Andreas faultline. Beautiful yet deadly.

Viva Las Vegas

Vegas wasnt part of the plan but we had to stop at Vegas for a night before making our way to Grand Canyon as GC was too far from LA. We walked the strip and the architecture was very elaborated. You can see from some of the pics below.
We found a 3 storey MnMs store and had a good time in the there. They even had a 3D show in the shop.
It also turns out to be a pretty fruitful lesson time for irfan after he bombarded us with questions on why we can't play at the casinos, what is gambling, why it's wrong, what's wrong with drinking and why they were giving out pictures of semi naked girls on the streets. Poor boy, had never been exposed to so much 'forbidden fruit' in one day. As you can see, those are pretty tough questions so we answered the best way we know how. Not easy man!
Look at the grandeur of the structures below and imagine all the money pumped in.

San Francisco

San Francisco was pretty foggy when we were there. We had a good time relaxing and we enjoyed the parks, the tram rides , driving around the lovely streets and of course the irresistable seafood!. Some of the pics below.



The long drive from LA to San Francisco.

Canyon to mountain and now back home

Alhamdullilah, we are home!! We had a fabulous time! Ok, so none of my crazy paranoia happened; no earthquake, I didn't lose any kids and we didn't get shot or mugged. Yes u can laugh now but I was really hesitant about travelling to the US for so many reasons. And so I'm sooo thankful that everything went well, considering we have 2 young kids with us, travelling across different cities, different states, 2 countries, survived all kinds of transportation; long flight, long bus rides, train rides, long drives, boats, cable car...but it was amazing! So yes divine intervention was definitely something we needed and I'm thankful that everything went as planned and there were no major disruptions to our plans for one reason or another. So glad that the kids did not get sick at all and to our surprise, were great company and very easygoing.
And I'm most thankful that the most important person was well throughout the trip and I am so glad to have such a calm, cool headed, dependable and extremely patient person as my travel partner. It makes all the difference I tell ya! I must say, without Alim, the trip would not have been possible and the kids n i will never have had the best times of our lives. So thank you dearest partner, for carrying the heavy bags, for all the milk making and diaper changing, (sorry alisha had to poo at the Grand Canyon AND Mount Fuji! haha) for thinking of everything before I did and most importantly for sharing these experiences with me. You really amaze me all the time.*hugs* :)

While I was there I did write in my blog but did not have the time to post them so I'm posting it now. They are the entries below. Will put up pictures soon!
Till later!;)


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Unposted entry:Dec 12, Tokyo, Japan

Dec 12, 2010
Part 3: Tokyo, Japan
With a heavy heart, we left San Francisco early this morning and just landed at narita. We are in the narita express now, an hour and a half train ride to shinjuku where we will be spending the last 4 days of our trip. I'm super excited to see Tokyo and hoping to hop on the Shinkansen and see mount Fuji! For sure irfan is looking forward to that ride!
Will catch up later! We've been all over but somehow the holiday still felt too short! At first the thought of travelling from LA to Nevada, Arizona, San francisco, Oakland and then to Tokyo, japan was absolutely crazy with the two kids but alhamdullilah, we are having a wonderful time. The time spent with them, every sec was very precious indeed!
Be home soon. Insyaallah!: bye!


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Unposted entry:Dec 8th, California Part 2

Dec 8th, 2010
California part 2
We are at San Francisco now and loving it so much! The quaint architecture of the buildings, the really yummy seafood at pier 39, the unique roads with the cable cars ( trams ) and ol skool technology. It's a quirky place where modernity and history exist side by side. The hanging bridges just add to the unique road system here.
We have only a few days left here but there's so much more we want to explore.
And everyone is so friendly and nice around here, also coz probably we have lil kids with us. It is a wonderful place to just relax and soak in the San Francisco charming atmosphere.
Till later, good nite!


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Unposted entry:Dec 6th, California Part 1

Dec 6th, 2010
California part 1
Hi all, finally free Internet connection. Everything has been beyond expectation here especially the kids! They have been nothing but little angels. We took a tour to grand canyon from LA and they went through the whole 12 hour tour without giving us any trouble and people in the tour were commenting how good they were. I'm totally surprised myself! Alhamdullilah. I never believe I would say this but it was actually so much fun travelling with them.. The funny things that came out from their mouths and the neverending tunes from Alisha. :)
We are good and having a good time so far. Got a lot of places covered from Disneyland, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset strip, to Las Vegas and the breathtaking Grand Canyon. Of course a lot of damage done in Camarillo premium outlets! My boots was a steal and went home with more than a couple of bags! God!!!
Tomorrow we are starting our second leg; the drive out from LA to San Francisco. Im super excited but at the same time nervous about this road trip. Insyaalaah we are hoping to reach sf without a hitch.
Ok we are off to do our laundry now. We didn't bring much clothes and in dire need for fresh clothes. Had coffee, milk powder and sardines spilled all over my one n only jeans.
Take care everyone! The kids miss everyone back home:)
Much love from the 4 of us!!bye!




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Unposted entry: Nov 28th, We turn 6!

Nov 28th, 2010
Happy 6th anniversary to us! Love from narita, japan.;)


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Conversations over starbucks was a bad idea. It's 1am and I can't sleep.:(


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Depressed mode on. Generally, it has been a bad week:(
And I let them in, the thoughts, the doubts and the assumptions. If only I can love the stormy days as much as I love the stormy nites. The difference is I never let the rain in; just enjoyed the cold and the sound of rain pouring outside while snugly sheltered in the comforts of a cozy room, with good company and Maggie.
I need to be sheltered the same way, to let it pour like mad outside and never let them
Into my comfy cocoon. It's just a job. But the rain keeps coming in and I cannot just let it pour outside.:( I can't and I'm totally drenched waiting to get out from the cold. After a while I'm freezing with no where to go and my own mind to convince. The rain is not in my mind and in the same way, I can't make it sunny in my mind. My mind is not god and as much as I believe in self fulfilling prophecy, my mind is limited in so many ways.
I'm doubtful, I'm always doubtful.


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Its 2.45 am. The sound of heavy rain pouring outside, the warm yellow light illuminating the room,
good company and sharing steaming hot Maggie curry.
Reminds me of so many things I can't describe:)
It's a beautiful night. :)



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Cool rainy nite. I'm at home dreaming of Seattle. The after effects of two seasons of greys anatomy.



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After a hard day's work, spending time at the beach with the kids just now, almost made me feel like I'm on holiday. Would be great though if I can get home, bathe, hv dinner and sleep but alas, there's still a million and one things to be completed before the break of dawn tomorrow.:(




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Kids are both sick...again! Seems like they were not totally cured from the previous bout. Alisha is on her second antibiotics after she finished her first and didn't get any better. She has been having fever on and off for two weeks and her cough is extremely excruciating to hear. Poor girl has to take so many different kinds of meds for the past 2 weeks. After a round of blood test and x Ray at KK, she was given another set of medication. Irfan is slightly better after his first round of antibiotics but had fever again a few days ago and so was given another round. Ive lost count of how much I've spent altogether on their medication. Recently my mum is also down with flu and bad cough. it's like a neverending cycle. If only flu can be fumigated. I'm just hoping they will get better soon. Been a while since we last went out....and the haze is not helping either:(((((



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Im a slacker. Have always been.. sec sch days, jc and uni days. Always the one to miss lectures coz i always sleep late n wake up late. Not doing anythg important really, just lazing around readg, on the net or watcg tv. But for the past 6 years, that has been difficult to do.

I miss slacking...
So I got Greys anatomy season 6 ... Spent yesterday afternoon watching the episodes back to back...just like good ol times.. Well almost. With kids around, it's almost impossible to just lock ourselves up in a room and disappear. But with a sweet husband around to look after the kids, it's much easier to zone out.
Both of us have our ways of zoning out, or taking time out, or just disappear. Whatever it's called, it's just necessary time to let the body n mind rest, and to be in sleeping mode without actually dozing off.
For him it's always music and surfing.. and I'll occupy the kids. But I must say, he usually does it at night when everyone's asleep and his responsibilities are at it's least. For me, well whenever n wherever I need it. And he's always there to take over, whenever, wherever.
Slacking brings me back to my single days... Sometimes I miss my old room, with my single bed, the small tv n huge computer. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want; be it sleep at 3 am, listen to loud music or just babbling on the phone till the wee hours of the morning. I had plenty of time to do nothing, read a mag on my bed, just enjoy the quiet of my room, think about boys, mull over heartbreaks and gush over silly crushes. Those were the times. Times which have long past but times which I can still remember as if it was yesterday. But I never once wished that I will go back to that moment because if I could remember clearly, I was always wishing and praying for this moment while I sat in my single cozy bed doing absolutely nothing.
And so here I am, with some of my dreams from my old room, now being an absolute reality. So I'm happy, I'm good, but heck, I just miss slacking soooo much!
So I'm going to do just that today. Finish up the rest of greys anatomy while lying on my bed on a hot Saturday afternoon! Now if only I can get Alisha off me and pass her to my husband, my slacking will begin soon.
Let's get reacquinted, slacker:)


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With a burger king crown on his head, towel as his cape and a peg to clip the towel around his neck, he shouted, " I'm a Muslim king. Allahhuakbar! Allahuakbar!!!"
Kekhekeke.:)


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I love bedtime. Snuggling with fresh smelling little ones looking cute in their pajamas. Definitely the highlight of my tiring weekday! Goodnite!




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Credo

Irfan recites this in school everyday. I love what it says and believe in it totally! Applies to me too, not just to the tiny kindies. Amazing how the lil mind can memorise such a long credo when recited on a daily basis.

' To begin every action with a niat.
To be able to define exactly what I want.
To be strong so that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
To wear a cheerful countenance, a tranquil smile, and charm every living creature I meet.
To focus only on the best.
To ask questions for the best results and expect the best.
To rehearse and rehearse, improve and improve in a relentless pursuit of excellence.
To give so much time to the improvement of myself that I have no time to criticize others.
To find something that I like in my friends, say good words to them, let them see themselves in the best light possible and know that they are special.
To put behind the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too brave for fear, and too wise for vain talk.
Life's victories don't always go to the stronger or the faster hand;
They go to the one who has faith in God; has faith in himself; has good conduct and always thinks ' I can'
It's in the heart;
It's all in a state of mind.'

Beautiful.




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Notes :
A to Z
1 to 10
Twinkle twinkle little star (full)
Happy birthday to you ( full)
Head shoulders knees n toes (full)
Majulah singapura few lines
Old mcd, satu satu,
Square, circle, star
Read the words cat and dog
Reads left to right
Last words of each page of "on the sand" and " baby bop"
Doa makan
Milk tantrums
Very adamant!
Getting loud
Disturbs the other one intentionally ( only to the other one)
Behaves very differently with unfamiliar faces

Not sure what to expect. Continued observation....


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Took childcare today because of lil adik who has slight fever and bad constipation. Found blood in her hard-as-rock stools. She was crying in discomfort at nite...but in the end had to fetch abang from school instead coz his teacher called and he is running a temp of 39. Brought him to the doc, got 6 diff types of medication and 80 bucks poorer. :(
So the house is like a clinic now with two sick kids.And I'm having an irritating cough that developed a few days ago.:( bad start to the week:(


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Sunday market. Hanging around with kids at home.. Hoping today will just be an ordinary Sunday.


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Run, Baby, run


Ready to go!

Teacher and pupil race

Boncit daddies and mummies race

Full of concentration

Off to the finish line!

With his bestie!

Cheering em on..

Medal presentation- perasan YOG.....



With his ardent supporter.:)

That's it for Irfan's first sports day!

A sense of humour and you to laugh with. It's easier to live through life's greatest challenges;)


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No time for a breather. Every weekend is full of activities. I'm extremely exhausted and I need a loooong uninterrupted sleep to recharge. But can't do that this weekend! Sigh...


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September Fun 2
Little angels- Cake 2
Pictures and more pictures..I guess Im just in the mood to upload them.













I'm not sure if he can remember celebrating with his kindy friends but there's always pictures like these to remind him. We just hope he had a great time that day.:)


And this lil girl, has just got to wait for her turn:)

Late Night Surprise- Cake 1

I must give it to my dear nephew for being so creative. At almost ten pm, when it's difficult to find a birthday cake at such a last minute, it's good to know that you can always get 10 slices of Hershey's cake from Burger King to form a whole cake! I guess all his hours working at Burger King did not go to waste:)



Birthday surprise after hari raya visiting. It was late and we were tired but the moment Qistina walked in with the surprise cake and we broke into birthday song, Irfan was completely elated; jumping up and down like mad. And im still wondering when he will get enough of birthdays..five years and still counting.








Happy Birthday September Babies! (excluding the lil makcik, of coz)

September Fun Part 1
I'm in the mood to upload pictures so there's more to come..

This year, my birthday was celebrated amidst work. I was rushing through setting maths paper on the 13th of september. How more depressing can it get. They surprised me with a cake whilst i was working hard on the computer. This year, we didnt do the yearly hotel stay coz it was indeed a busy week with raya visitings and work :(((
When the paper was handed in, I was relieved beyond words and that's when we could have a proper dinner celebration. :)



Dinner @ Ice Cube, Esplanande











Where the kids could roam free..






Although the green lady in my dream still haunts me sometimes, I think it's a necessary reminder that good things are fragile and not permanent.
And for all these good times, I feel truly blessed. ;)

Happy birthday to my dear son. You will never know how much joy u have brought to so many of us. We love u so very much!!!!!






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