goodbye march

March round-up: gift from mumsy | some Arab-wannabe kid | same kid | bowling night with the crays | mosque | addictive ice-cream in Makkah | some kid with face mask 24/7 | Krisby Krim | some kid's ootd

As expected, we all came back from umrah like sick cows (no wait, I'm not sure how sick cows look like). Rumi started having high fever while in Abu Dhabi en route to Jeddah (in which a kind Arab woman came to ask  if we needed any help while we were frantically sponging him) and coughed the entire flight from Jeddah to KL (aaaand he is still coughing). Emre had pinkeye half of the time in Makkah (because he was allergic to dust and air pollutants); I was jet-lagged and my husband is currently down with super high fever. 

Sickness aside, I can safely say that our trip went well. Every imperfections that we encountered during the trip will be kept to ourselves, and when I find the time I will try to talk about my experience. Madinah was a God-sent (pun intended) but Makkah was a different ball game altogether. My heart breaks everytime i see old people especially those from our country, because Makkah is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

While waiting for our flight to KL, I sat beside a frail old lady fumbling with her inhaler. Her daughter watches helplessly, until her mutawwir came to help. Apparently she has never travelled before, let alone with an inhaler that she needs to carry around because all these while she gets help from the hospital if she has any breathing difficulties. I was so worried about her the entire time but then I thought, she has made it this far, God is surely keeping her safe.

I start work tomorrow. I've forgotten my computer's password (happens all the time when I go on a long break) and I'm not sure how to handle compliments (got news that I've been promoted!). Syukur sangat.  

Laters. Hope I can sleep tonight.

12/52

"a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Emre: A hit among the makcik2 and nenek2 during our umrah trip!

Rumi: Always ready to outsmart me.

Just hold on we're going home

37.

Obligatory birthday side-selfie. I am 37 today. I touched a camel. #nothingmuchtosay 

Salaam from Mekah

Yup, currently in Mekah. It's our third day here, after spending a week in Madinah. All is well with us, especially the boys. 

I will probably share my experience here when I get back but then again I don't want to over-promise. Maybe I'll write about handling the kids or about the food here (think I've gained 20kg already). 

Bye!

We're ready. 

10/52

"a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Emre: The cold never bothered me anyway. He's been watching Frozen every single night. 

Rumi: Minecraft gamer extraordinaire. 

korean blues

I can always count on my colleagues to take me out for good food during lunch time when I'm all stressed out (or angry). Korean food, with my favorite pa jeon (slightly burnt, the better) never fails to perk me up to keep going. And oh, a can of Starbucks latte from the Lotte Mart to complete my lunch.

My beloved pa jeon.

Yum.

Rice is evil! 

Terrible time we live in. Prayers and positive thoughts for those in MH370.

weekday view

The billboard says 'Hello. Mother misses you.' Hurts my heart every single day. Miss my Mama.

9/52

"a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Emre: Model behavior. Not.

Rumi: Doing pretty great in school, based on his report card. Yay us! 

feb un-fab

Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some. Career is going some weird tornado of uncertainties (i guess this is part and parcel of re-orgs) and it gets frustrating for all of us little fishes trying to survive in this big pond.  

March is my birthday month. Bring on the good news, please.