GROWING OLD - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

The ageing process takes place as our age start climbing

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

"Growing old" is happening to every living creatures. When we are young we do not give much thought to it, but as we reach middle age we began to realise that  we are not so young anymore.  

This is a development in our life cycle. It is a process that all of us will have to go through. 

Every year, as we celebrate our birthday, either we realise or not, it is a reminder that our age is climbing up. 

What does that mean to us?

I don't know about others, but when I started to see the lines on my face as I enter the 40's, I don't like it. Than my age rolls on going into the 50s and 60s.There's nothing I can do, but face the fact of ageing.

The cycle of life from birth to grave

Overtime, we start to notice some changes that are obvious when our hair turns grey and wrinkles appearing. Than the body doesn't function properly which makes us high risks to all sorts of illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes and strokes.

It is easy to say grow old gracefully, but what does it actually means to us? As our age starts rolling than we realiase that we now have many limitations - the physical conditions and the appearance has changed. Our health too needs to be looked after and handle with extra care.

We begin to slow on all fronts. It becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with the younger energies especially if you have grand daughters as young as 4 and 5 years old. To add to that, than there is this memory which becomes less efficient, memorizing becomes difficult and so does our skills and knowledge tend to deteriorate too. 

I have to confess that I'm pretty worried and stress when come to think that I'm growing old. But thank you and I owe to my daughter Eena who comfort me on the importance to grow old gracefully and many older women looks more attractive than they are young because it comes with wisdom. To me, what most important is when my children gave assurance that they will always be with me, at good and bad times, in health and sickness.

Most precious when you got to be with your grandchildren

Now that I have entered the 60s, experiencing all the changes, syukur Alhamdulillah and felt blessed that my children, although they are busy with their life, but always take time to be and care for me. My youngest daughter Eena who is married with a 4 years old daughter Abby stays with me and at weekend she goes back to her in law. In replace my second son Azman and his wife and 2 kids Dian 5 and Demi 7 months will come over to spend time with me. While my eldest son Azlan make frequent calls to check on me and drop by on weekend too. 

There's nothing more a parents could ask for when they grow, other than the care and loved of their children.Many younger generation do not realise, what their parents needs are the feeling being loved and cared for by their own children. Event if you have to put them at the old folks home, do not abandon them and keeping the distance. Visit them often, take them out and give them time to talk to you and see the grand children

Gardening is another form of exercise good for old folks

I also realise, it's time that I make some changes and adjustment in my life, and as a muslim I need to pay more attention to my activities which brings me closer to Allah S.W.T.

Another thing that I learn and most important, we must keep our minds and body active, always "working" like reading, light exercise like brisk walking or swimming or doing house work, gardening and socializing among peers", join an interest group, so that we do not easily get "rotten".

I still keep in touch with all my friends through the social media and also through the activities of a club call Kumpulan Veteran Utusan Melayu (KVUM), a social club for ex Utusan Melayu staff. 

I felt sad when I see older folks being abandon by their own flesh and blood. He or she has sacrifices many things and struggle all their life making sure that the children are not starving,  at least. I've visited many old folks home, many of the inmates are happy to see and a few thought we are their family who came to take them home.

Being old is about many things, changes in life - freedom yes, but then every thing get slowing down. Than we started to loose many things from health to strength, companionship and to loneliness. 

Being old is being lonely

Actually growing old is not so bad after all. There are ample opportunities for us to be actively engage in many things that we cannot do it before. As a muslim, most of us would like to dedicate our time to be closer to Allah S.W.T. Than we want to spend more of our time with the children and the grand children as well as relatives and friends whom we have "neglected" during the younger days busy working in search of wealth, fame, power and position.

At the same time in order to stay good, it is important that that we look after our own welfare, among them are: 

Eat Healthy - eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as supplements such as vitamin D and calcium;

Exercise - our muscle tissue can become less flexible and we lose a lot of bone density with age. Exercise can help to prevent this, start with light exercise but don't overdo it and seek advice of doctors, just take a 30 minute walk everyday.

Exercise to improve memory

Exercise your mind - we can prevent cognitive decline, and keep ourself busy with activities such as reading, join a "quran" class, do suduko, crosswords, take up hobby like painting, light gardening and learn new things that you like.
Socialize - surround ourself with friends and perhaps join a special group like the "berzanji and marhabah group" where we will get the opportunities to be part of the society during "kenduri" and weddings or "old friends group" where we visit each other at 
good and bad times. 

The "berzanji and marbahan" group got many              
 invitation to perform in many "kenduri"  

Pay More Attention to our health -  stay on top of our health, visit the doctor for routine screening such as mammogram and for men for prostate, cholesterol, blood pressure, eye exam, hearing test etc.

The most important thing when we grow old, keep going but at a slower pace. @01.06.2015 

GRANDDAUGHTERS - YOU COMPLETE ME

Receiving the bundle of joy -
we are rich by their  priceless presences

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Granddaughters, they are the children of my children.

Alhamdulillah, right now I have four granddaughters. They are Nur Shafiqah Amira 13 years old (Azlan's daughter),Nur Dian Khadeeja 5 years and Nor Demi
Khaleeda 7 months (Azman's dauhgter) and Nur Sabryna or Abby 4 years  (Azreena's daughter). Insya Allah in a few months time Azreena is about to give birth to another baby.

I couldn't agree more with this quote: "Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old"
 - Mary H. Worldrip 

Nur Dian Khadeeja Mohd Azman

Having and being with grandchildren are the most rewarding of your life, they complete us, our life cycle and our love. Their existence lit our life and their visit to our lonely nest brings new joy. when it became lonely as the children are all grown up, married and have their own life and family to take care.

Our little grandchildren are as sweet as they can be, and
we love them will all our hearts. When they hug and kisses you and says "emmm! love your Tok'Ma" (that is how they call me), it fills my heart with great joy and pleasure.

Watching them play and running around is an entertainment for us grandparents. They are free to do and play around, make a mess or scattered things around is alright, as long as they are happy and enjoy playing.

Their smile and laughter is our joy, but when they cry I cannot bear to see their tears for what ever reason it could be.  When they fall sick, my heart will bleeds.

My prayers are always with all my grandchildren where ever they are, may Allah S.W.T. always blessed them with good health, happiness and success, and protect them from anything harm full and danger to them.

Nur Sabryna (Abby) Mohd Sabil -
Azeeena's daughter

Nur Demi Khaleeda Mohd Azman

Keeping up and coping with the grandchildren is another activity that we cannot avoid. In the world of cyber, grandchildren are

very savvy with the ipad. Therefore, grandparents must keep up

with the popular children program be it in the internet, on TV or youtube.

Both Dian and Abby love to watch Disney movies and other

popular carton and they are also the fan of Frozen movie. They even claim Dian is Elsa and Abby is Anna. They will play together and act as one and singing along the Frozen songs.

Latest photo of Frozen Princess Dian
 and Sofia Princess Abby on Dian's 5th
Birthday Celebration

On top of that Dian loves Barbie and Monster High while Abby loves all the fairy tale princess story and that includes Sofia the first, Mariposa (the fairy princess), Cinderella and the little pony princess - celestia is her favouratie. Abby even have a collection of the most of the princess  and little pony princess figurine, fairy wings, tiara and a few dresses

Dian who was born on 22nd April is celebrating her 5th Birthday today and guess what the theme for her cake is Frozen with all the characters. Abby who was born on 20th February celebrated her birthday 4th birthday February with a theme Royal Ball with the cake decorated like a castle full of princess and the little pony.

Unfortunately, I could not say much about Nur Shafiqah Amira who is now 13 years old. I love and missed her very much, however we are not so lucky. Circumstance did not permit us to have the privilege to know her, play with her and to see her grow. I only got the opportunity to be with her since born and until she was about 2 years old. How I wish Allah S.W.T. will grant my wish to meet her again one day. Insya Allah.

My prayers are always with all my dearest lil princesses, may Allah S.W.T. always blessed them with good health and grow up as a good muslim, as gentle as the princess and may success be with them. InsyaAllah.  @26.04.2015

#menuMokdah: SALAD Vs ULAM, KERABU, PECAL DAN ROJAK

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Dalam zaman moden ni, generasi muda begitu taksub mengamalkan cara hidup sehat. Selain dari melakukan berbagai senaman, mereka juga amat prihatin tentang apa yang dimakan.

Kerana terlalu terpengaruh dengan nasihat pakar-pakar kesihatan yang begitu ramai di dalam internet, ramai isteri-isteri dari pasangan muda hari ini lebih gemar menyediakan makanan ala barat daripada makanan tradisi seperti makanan melayu, China dan India.

Mungkin juga kerana ramai yang jadi pakar penasihat kesihatan di internet tu rata-rata terdiri daripada orang barat dan apa yang mereka tahu ialah makanan kebiasaan mereka. Kesian pula MokDah tengok suami-suami dan juga anak-anak yang disogokan dengan pelbagai makanan ala barat.

Disamping itu, mungkin juga makanan ala barat ini lebih mudah dan ringkas, tidak macam penyediaan masakan tradisi Melayu atau India, banyak ramuan perlu disediakan dan perlu pula melalui berbagai proses disamping disulam dengan ilmu memasak yang betul, sebelum sesuatu lauk pauk itu dapat disajikan.

MokDah terkenang pada salad yang menjadi sajian popular dalam pemakanan barat. Sebenarnya dalam masakan Melayu, kita juga punya berbagai jenis sayuran yang dijadikan ulam-ulaman dan juga kerabu yang tidak kurang hebat khasiatnya. Selain daripada itu kita juga mempunyai rojak yang diperbuat daripada aneka buah-buahan.

Ulam-Ulaman

Apakah yang orang Melayu makan sebagai ulam? Selain daripada sayuran seperti timun dan kacang panjang terdapat berbagai pucuk daun seperti pucuk daun kaduk, salam, tenggek burung, daun gajus, ulam raja , pengaga, daun pucuk ubu dll. 

Pucuk daun-daun ini biasanya di makan begitu sahaja atau di celur dan dimakan dengan sambal, ataupun ada yang dicampur untuk membuat nasi ulam atau nasi kerabu.

Lain-lain ulam yang popular termasuklah jering, petai, kerdas, kacang boto dan sebagainya.

Kerabu


Bercakap mengenai kerabu, rasanyalah kerabu kalau dibuat dengan betul lagi sedap dari salad, yang boleh diratah begitu sahaja ataupun di makan dengan nasi.

Terdapat berbagai jenis kerabu yang boleh kita sajikan untuk menggantikan salad.  

Diantara yang popular kerabu dari aneka pucuk daun, pucuk paku, mangga, betik, jantung pisang, taugeh, kacang boto dll.

Untuk membuat kerabu, pucuk-pucuk daun dan buah-buah ini perlu diracik atau dihiris mahupun direbus dahulu jika perlu. Sayur ini perlu di campur dengan berbagai bahan, antara lain sambal ala-ala sambal belacan, ikan bilis atau udang kering tumbuk, bawang besar, kerisek, santan, garam, gula dan air asam atau limau.


Pecal

Selain dairpada ulam ulaman dan kerabu, kita juga boleh menyediakan pecal untuk digantikan dengan salad.


Ramuannya terdiri daripada sayuran-sayuran seperti timun dan bahan yang perlu di celur seperti taugeh, kangkung, kacang panjang, pucuk ubi serta  telur rebus, tauhu dan tempe goreng.

Pecal dimakan dengan kuah kacang. Ramuan kuah kacang:

kacang tanah (goreng tanpa minyak dan tumbuk)
dan goreng dengan minyak sikit cili kering, cili merah, bawang putih, belacan dan halia

Tumbuk kesemua bahan tadi kasar sikit gan masukan air asam jawa yang pekat, gula merah , garam dan sedikit air. Kacau atas dapur kesemua ramuan ini hingga pekat.


Rojak


Terdapat banyak buah-buah tempatan yang boleh kita jadikan bahan utama untuk rojak buah.

Diantara buah-buah yang popular dijadikan

rojak adalah jambu, betik, mangga, nenas, timun, sengkuang, belimbing besi dan kedondong.

Selain daripada itu boleh juga dicampur dengan apple.

Buah-buahan tersebut hanya perlu dipotong dan dimakan dengan kuah rojak, sama ada yang dibeli yang sudah siap ataupun dibuat sendiri.

Ramuannya terdiri dairpada kicap lemak masin, gula melaka, belacan bakar, sos cili, cili kering (kesemua di kisar) dan dibancuh dengan sedikit air serta tepung ubi untuk pekatkan kuah. Kemudian jerang atas dapur dan kacau hingga pekat. Kemudian semasa hendak makan campur dengan kacang yang ditumbuk kasar serta ditabur dengan bijan.

Sebenarnya terpulanglah kepada selera masing-masing, sama ada nak terus makan salad hari-hari, ataupun nak di selang seli dengan ulam ulaman, kerabut, pecal dan rojak. @02.04.2015

#fooddiaryMokDah: A DIABETIC AND HYPERTENSION PATIENT FOOD DIARY

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.



A few years ago, when I was admitted to the hospital for severe headache, finally I was diagnose having diabetes and hypertension.

My blood pressure was already way above border line, while the blood glucose count was at 18. Doctor confirm that I'm having diabetes level 2.

The doctor than told it straight to me, "if you want to live longer with God's will, you need to change your lifestyle and your eating habit, there is no two way about it. This means losing weight and increasing exercise are the most effective ways for you to adopt".

Whole-wheat bread or wholemeal bread is a type
 of bread made using flour that is partly or entirely
 milled from whole or almost-whole wheat grains,

The moment I was discharge from the hospital, with  4 different medicines to be taken daily, I started to take the advice seriously to control my diet with a mission to reduce weight. Unfortunately I could not exercise even for a brisk walking or cycling as I have leg injuries. The only exercise I can do is swimming, and to do this I have to go to Kuala Lumpur to my eldest son's condominium. On the other hand I'm not that young to swim freely in an open swimming pool and at my age the metabolism is working very-very slow.

The next wise thing is to control the food in take. For that reason I started to do serious research on the food that a diabetic and hypertension patient, can take and cannot take. Studies shows that eating certain food may help to lower blood sugar and reduce cholesterol. This we can do by eating the right kind and amount of food including fruits. The rule of thumb is to eat more protein, vegetable, certain fruits and food with less fats, carbo and sodium (salt).

My daughter who is a Bio-Chemist is my
adviser. She introduce varieties of foods and fruits to me, which I should be taking, but it is "so western".

Drink a lot of water - try this infused water

It is difficult for me to move away from the tradisional Malay food in take  i.e. white rice with sambal tumis, asam pedas, masak lemak, curry and the sambal belacan to "a western taste", which is claim to be more healthy and good for people like me.

What choice do I have? From the research and with my daughter's advice, I started to learn eating brown rice (whole grain rice) instead of white rice, that has several health benefits to help a diabetic and hypertension patient.

I stated to change my food intake, no more white bread but whole-wheat or wholegrain bread, no no for noodles but pasta cook with olive oil, garlic and season with herbs. A pinch of cinnamon extracts added to the drinks or food or a bowl of oatmeal with berries to start the day. I started to learn eating more salads and soups such as clear soups,  mushroom soups, minestrone soup, besides the chicken soup. On top of that I have to drink lots and lots of water daily. Than I started to prepare my own infused water made of plain water with lemon, cucumber and mint. Since than, I only take green tea or earl grey tea , less coffee but no more milo nor nescafe.

In the research, I also found out the benefit of coconut water, once was the common drink in the old days. To my surprise banana which is high in potassium and magnesium are among the fruits  recommended for hypertension patient besides the berries.At the same time I found out that coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood.” Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health. This includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits

I pick up this chart from a friend's FB and thought it is useful to share

Controlling the food in take for hypertension is even more difficult for me. I was advice to totally cut out sodium (slat) and that means my food has to be flat. To tell the truth, I only cut the salt to a very minimal in the food I prepared at home. But I still have to eat outside during weekdays, which I cannot control the salt in the food.

To lower the cholesterol level I started to learn about saturated fat which is not good for me and the good and bad of food containing polyunsaturated fats.

Learning about food fats:

1. Saturated 
2. Monounsaturated (omega-9 fatty acid)
3. Polyunsaturated (e.g., omega-6 fatty acid and omega-3 fatty acid)

What I have gathered from the internet,  food with saturated fat are not good for me as it will increase the cholesterol level.  Saturated fats occur naturally in many foods. The majority come mainly from animal sources, including meat and dairy products: 

• fatty beef
• lamb
• poultry with skin
• beef fat (tallow)
• lard and cream
• butter
• cheese
• other dairy products made from whole or reduced-fat (2 percent) milk 

In addition, many baked goods and fried foods can contain high levels of saturated fats. Some plant-based oils, such as palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil, also contain primarily saturated fats, but do not contain cholesterol.

I started to concentrate my food with unsaturated fat (there are two types of fats, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat).

Monounsaturated fat, are in foods like nuts and various plant oils (olive oil, canola oil etc.) that may help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol level.

Polyunsaturated fats are the omega-3 fatty acid and omega-6 fatty acids that have a beneficial effect on our heart when eaten in moderation and used to replace saturated fat and trans fat.

Polyunsaturated fat with omega-3 fatty acid  (Alpha-linolenic acid)

Most abundant in fish (and fish oil supplements), basically improves body's ability. Research has shown that it lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, raises good (HDL) cholesterol level, reduces inflammation as well as prevent or improve a list of diseases and disorders and also help with calorie partitioning.

• cold water fish - salmon, tuna mackere
• omega 3 enriched dairy food cheese 
• pasture - raised meat and milk
• omega 3 enriched egg
• edamame
• wild rice (it is not brown rice)
• walnuts
• canola oil
• flaxseeds
• beans

Polyunsaturated fats with omega 6 - Linoleic acid 

• canola
•  corn
• peanut
• safflower
• soybean
• sunflower oils.
• red meat, poultry and eggs.
• vegetable oils, such as evening primrose oil, mostly delivered in nutritional supplements.

Monounsaturated fats with omega 9 - Oleic Acid 

• original peanut butter
• oils - olive,avocado, sesame, peanut,canola
• nuts - almonds, pecans, pistachios, cashewuts (sodium free)
• avocado 
• seeds - sesame 

This chart I pick up from the internet prepare by a dietitian/health consultant
which is useful for those interested to control their diet and fat in tak

Avoid Trans Fats

Trans fats are found in small amounts in dairy products, beef, veal, lamb and mutton.
Artificial, synthetic, industrial or manufactured trans fats are caused by the way some fats and oils are processed. They are found in foods that use hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable fats, such as deep-fried and baked foods. 

• Choose polyunsaturated and monounsaturated spreads and margarine
• Choose lean meat trimmed of all visible fat
• Choose reduced, low or no fat dairy foods
• Ty to limit the amount of fast foods and take-away meals including deep-fried and baked foods including store bought biscuits, pastries, pies and cakes that you eat.

Avoid foods that contains ”hydrogenated oils” or “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils” and check carefully in the ingredients list.Hydrogenated fats are everywhere in processed and hydrogenate fats and popular used in many restaurants and fast food restaurants because it stand up better to heat and can be used longer.

In spite of all the research, to tell the truth,I'm not that discipline when come to food in take.I cheated on the food in take many times. I  still take white rice,  as I cannot stay away from the sambal tumis, asam pedas, masak lema, sambal belacan and so on. Nasi lemak and roti canai  is my usual favourite in the morning but not for the time being.

I have this blood pressure machine and also the blood glucose meter at home, at least I can keep track of the count. As per my doctor's advice, I should control the glucose count between 5 and 6 and should not exceed 8. My blood pressure count should not exceed 160.

The scramble egg, mushroom and
baked tomato

It is not easy to control the blood sugar count and as well as the blood pressure at the so that it does not exceed the border line.  This is when I learn the trick. Whenever the blood count or the blood pressure shoot above the accepted level,  I control strictly my carbo in take to keep the blood sugar level low. One thing for sure, I do not take sugar be in the drink or cakes and sweets what so ever. If the blood pressure is high I control my food in take with no salt (sodium) at all and low cholesterol food.

Now, my breakfast is confine to toast wholemeal/wholegrain bread dip in olive oil with balsamic vinegar or a spread of olive butter and jam for diabetic patieng. Other than that will be oatmeal, non sugar coated cereal with low fat or skim milk, scramble egg or omelette with olive oil, bake tomato, mushroom or potato. My lunch and dinner shall be either brown rice, broth or pasta and soup. I take baked, steam or grill fish, lots of vegetable like spinach and green beans and the green leafy salads. On weekends I prepare food like popiah or vietnam popiah, malay salad call "kerabu" made from varieties of vegetables and other malay dishes such as "fish asam rebus, singgang and pindang"  which do not need frying. If I cooked fish curry, I will use yogurt or low fat milk which also do not need frying. 

Oatmeal and extract of cinnammon

I also took a lot of foods rich in potassium and magnesium. What does that means? It is eating more low-fat protein sources, wholemeal/wholegrain food, vegetables and  plenty of fruits. I take considerable amount of berries such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. Others shall be baked or boiled potatoes or sweet potatoes, banana with high potassium and magnesium, beet roots (cooked, bake or make into juice).

It is easier said than done to to balance the diet.Not to deny myself from enjoying the food, I have made some variations in the food I take while keep watching the sugar level and blood pressure everyday.

Omelette and toast wholemeal bread

Below are my food diary for my breakfast, lunch and dinner and can be a combination of the followings, but keep the salt content and carbo very low. However if the blood count and the pressure goes beyond acceptable level at any time, I will quickly switch to strict diet of no carbo, low cholesterol food and no salt at all.

My food diary contains:

Breakfast 1:     egg (can be omelette, poach, half boil or scramble) with mushroom, cheese, onion, tomatoes or potatos (bake or saute with olive oil) to be eaten with toast bread (wholemeal or  wholegrain)  

Breakfast 2:     Oatmeal or wholemeal or whole grain bread dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Salmon shashimi, edameme and taufo

Breakfast 3:     Toast wholemeal or wholegrain bread with olive butter and no added sugar jam for diabetic

Breakfast 4:     Cereals containing wholegrain ingredients with no sugar and low fat milk

Breakfast 5:      Baked sweet or white potato with green leafy salads and avacao oil

Lunch & Dinner 1: Japanes shashimi or chicken/beef tapanyaki and vegetables

Cesar salad

Lunch & Dinner 2: Salads season with olive oil or avacado oil with lean beef/chicken strip and egg

Lunch & Dinner 3: Chicken soup or minestrone soup with potatoes and carrot  with toast wholemeal of wholegrain bread dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Lunch & Dinner 4: Wholegrain rice - brown rice with saute mixed vege and bake or steam fish 

Lunch & Dinner 5: Grilled or baked meat or chicken burger (home made) with wholemeal or wholegrain bread and vegetables

Lunch & Dinner 6: Wholegrain brown rice with steam fish and vegetables

Vietnamese popiah

Lunch & Dinner 7: Wholegrain brown rice with "fish asam rebus, or singgang or pindang" and vegetables

Lunch & Dinner: Popiah made of vegetable is another food that I love to take. This has to be home made so that I can control the ingredients made from turnip, been sprout and carrot cooked together and wrap with the popiah wrapper made from flour. Another kind of popiah which is popular is the Vienam spring roll, also made of raw salad, cucumber, carrot, spring onion and steam or boil prawn wrap with rice paper

It is in fact a challenge to balance my diet as I have to control my glucose level for diabetes and at the same time to control the blood pressure where salt (sodium) and food that triggers bad cholesterol is the "enemy".

BUT, I have a confession to make. Since I love home made food, what I do, on weekdays I try my level best to follow the food advice by my dietitian. On weekends it is a different story.  I eat what I want in moderate since I'm doing the cooking and have all the luxury while in the kitchen. 

One thing I notice, if I follow strictly on what was written in the internet on the do's and don't on food for healthy living, I will end up cannot eat anything and deprive from enjoying the food. Therefore, what ever we do including eating good food,  go for moderation, choose wisely and go for small portion. @23.03.2015

CHILDREN ARE THE MOST VALUABLE GIFTS

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

My dearest Children - Azlan, Azman and Azreena.

Our golden memories, when my children are still young

This write up is dedicated to all
my three children and also to my 
four grand daughters - Nur  Shafiqah, 
Nur Dian Khadeeja, Nur Sabryna, Nur 
Demi Khaleeda dan also to the new 
one, coming in a few months time.

Now all of them  are grown up adults and already have their own family and children.

It is my sincere hope that this write-up will be an inspiration, not just for my children and my grand children, but to all those out there who are themselves children and grand children as well as parents.

Azlan or Lan , travels a lot in the cause of his duties

Their father and I, have always been proud
of our three children - Lan, Boy and Eena as we call them. Thank You Allah S.W.T. for granting us with such wonderful children. I felt blessed. They have brought more happiness than we could have ever wished for.

We cannot forget the joy every time we knew they are about to be born in 9 months time. Their birth have always been a happy moment for me and their father and it brings great joy to the family.

Life is a journey and so does for any family. We travel together through good and bad times, from the day I carried them for nine months, till birth then the growing up from babies to toddler, teenage until they became adults.

Azman and wife Nurul with their daughter Dian

The most memorable time is the time seeing them growing up and the most saddest time is when I have to let go their hands on the day they married, to start another chapter of their life,  sharing it with someone they love,  that became part of their life. Watching every moment of their development and growing up is a joy and happy moments for us and I believe to other parents too.

We are always excited seeing our babies starting to learn how to smile, crawl, stand, walk, talk and finally run. They are being showered with lots of love and care not just by us but by all members of our family.

Than came the kindergarten days. I still remember
on Azlan, Azman and Eena's first day, every time I had to sit in the class just to give assurance that they do not felt "abundant" or being dump into a new strange environment. 

It was an experience not just for them but for me and my hubby. 

Abby and Dian, my dearly  grand daughters

A few years later, another milestone when they started going to the primary school, it is l like we are going back to school. As a mother, I'm always nervous to think how will my dear son or daughter survive in the first few days of school, but they did. To me school is a serious business, though they got the time to play but study is a must and will be top priority. I gave a lot of attention to my children when they started schooling from primary to secondary school. There are a lot of sacrifices and running around in term of time, energy  and attention. As journalist my working hours is not fixed and there a lot of time I have to work long hours, weekends, nights and away from home for few days.

However, I believe in quality time. Every time 
I'm not working, my time is for my children. We
eat together, we do home work together, we play
together, I teach them to read Quran and we travel together. Every year, my kids get the privilege to travel overseas with us as the Bank where my hubby works provide that benefits. They are considered as among the lucky children who can see the world. About their education, during school days, I spend a lot of my time going to the school, getting to know their teachers, friends and even the friends family.

To me when children started to go to school, this is the time for them to start learning to adhere strictly to discipline and managing their time,  for the many things they want to do, from home work to play time, studying, watching their favourite program on TV and sleep.

The most challenging time is watching, guarding

Eena and er hubby Najib with their daughter Abby

and guiding them when they became teenagers. It is the most critical period of one's life and this is the time children needs their parents before they started to mold their own identity, minds  and philosophy of life.

I can say it is not an easy responsibility to
full fill. I spend a lot of time to monitor their activities closely and even go to extend of sending and picking them up when they went outing with friends be it for a movie or party. Library visit is part of our activity together as and when they wanted to go.  In spite of the challenges, Alhamdulillah finally they all manage to reach to the university  and graduated with flying colours and came out to be a fine gentlemen and women.

Getting them to the overseas university is easy but the scholarship is sticky. So all of them started the university with "mama and papa scholarship" until the second year they finally got a scholarship. Once they are in the university, they are already independent but as a mother I do keep in close touch with them with frequent phone calls or visit them once every year, besides them coming home for holiday.

Demi is now 6 mths old, my youngest grand daughter at this time

When they are young, each of them has a character of their own, Lan has  always wanted to be a leader,when he plays he want to be the boss. Boy with his passion for the match box cars collection and he said he want to make cars. My youngest is Eena, the active girl with lots of curiosity.

Now all the three of them have a career of their own. Lan a graduate in Mechanical Engineer from Michigan State University is now an executive director in a consultant company. Boy a graduate in Automotive Engineering from Hertfordshire, UK graduated as the top student and is now an engineer at the Powertain Department with the national car company. Eena a graduate in Bio-Tech from Monash University is a clinical marketing executive with a pharmaceutical company that takes her to many places as far as Korea, to Japan and USA.

Hari Raya is the time for gathering for the family

When they were young, I have always stressed to them that education is the most valuable asset. It is important for them to reach the highest level of education they could go.We as parents will always ensure that we will provide 
them with the financial support for them to pursue their education even if it means we have to take loans or mortgage our land and house. But one thing for sure we cannot and will not provide them with wealth.

Alhamdulillah, Lan got his MBA, Boy is now pursuing his PHD and Eena is too busy being a career women, mother and wife for the time being, cannot find the time and energy to further her study.

At the same time, while academic is important, we have also stressed and ensure that my three children are also grown up to be a good muslim and human being as well as a rounded human individual with the right values.

As they continue their journey, they are also being reminded  that life is actually is short and made of little things. Continue to appreciate and value what ever we already have. In uncertainties and difficulties there are hidden wisdom. Allah S.W.T. is always great, most merciful and forgiving. @20.03.2015