It was hard but I had to...

A month plus has passed but I can only find tonight to share the day I braved myself letting go of my first baby. It was not an easy task but I had to do it...

The moment she applied to go for a boarding school, I knew that parting would be tough. Really didn't want to think about it but went through the days as usual. When she was called for an interview to the school I allowed her to apply, I had a very strong feeling that she could get a place. After the interview she looked happy. Was confident with her answers. I didn't pressure with notes or what not for the interview. Merely to be herself but HB highlighted & polished on her voice projection. Yasmin has that problem. When she speaks she is lazy to open wide her jaws & she can go very fast too if she gets nervous.

The joy she wore on her face upon discovering her application was accepted almost put tears to my eyes. I knew that all her effort had been paid off. The only boarding school I gave my consent for her to apply & she was selected... I had no valid reason to say NO.

The preparation was done at the last minute. The packing too. I hated to see her luggage ready to leave the house. Even her documents were completed at the very last moment. It was really a chaos that night.

Packed! Sob! Sob!

HB was not around to send her off. He was working & away for a few days. I was there when father & daughter bade farewell. Yasmin was backing me so I didn't really see her expression. HB was right in front of me. The look he wore was rare. I didn't know it was tough on him too. He hugged her, kissed her forehead & wished her the best.

When he found out that he would be away during Yasmin's registration, he asked Yasmin whether she would mind his absence. Yasmin didn't argue. She didn't mind. But later I found out that she hoped that HB would swap his schedule. Lesson learnt... Never trust Yasmin's words when the situation is not convenient for her. She always putting others first...

Ok. The chaos the night before registration... I had some documents to be verified & having a good friend nearby I did that at the last minute. I thought I had everything ready but no. I forgot to xerox her certificates. This friend had a copier at her house so before finding out about the certificates I realised I didn't get Yasmin's IC photostatted. So we had hers copied but I needed to come again with the xeroxed certificates.

As I was making a checklist after coming back from my friend's place for the second time, I noticed I didn't get a page signed by her! I hate starting a day unprepared. Hence my driving to her house for the 3rd time that night!

The next morning was a hectic day for me. I had 2 girls starting school in new schools. You see we are moving to another area somewhere this year. Since Wardah is taking a major exam this year, we shifted her to a new school early. Wanted her to adjust early for the exam.

I was in Wardah's school that morning with Yasmin tagging. Reached the school around 715am but the headmaster informed us that her clerks would handle new students registration. Office started at 8am.

What annoyed me was when the number of parents started increasing & a clerk or 2 had already arrived but they refused to entertain us merely because they began work at 8am... What a mentality! True as I expected at 8am sharp only we were entertained.

Wardah during the school assembly...

Oh I missed the part when I received a a phone call from my friend from the night before. She was asking about my day & I thought she was expressing her concern since HB was away & had to do everything on my own. Then she told me to breathe in & out ... Informed me that I left Yasmin's original IC in the copier at her house! Duhh!! So once Wardah was settled in her new class we left for my friend's house. Good that her house was on the way to Yasmin's new school. Phewww! And the day was only beginning...

Reached the school about half an hour after registration started but the school seemed way too quiet. I saw lots of cars but no people around. Later we discovered everyone was inside the huge hall.

We were coiming from a different direction hence the confusion. If we were to enter from the main door things would be simpler. At the entrance Yasmin was introduced to her CS - college sister, Kak Mya. She took over the registration from me. I simply rested on a seat & called upon when needed. How cool was that? That was the time I updated my FB status, checked in Foursquare & chatted on whatsapp ;-)

Still it took us till 1pm to settle with all counters. Now let the pics show you around the school.

Yasmin with a new look in front of the school building

Check out the pose.. Love it!

Getting ready for bacaan ikrar

Her packed schedule during orientation... Was not allowed to go home that weekend.

With Mya her College Sister

A locker each.. cool!

All seats in front were booked. Settled with the 3rd row..

Her dormitory, sharing with another 9 girls

Her locker

She's in the Emerald house

I had to leave by 6pm. Managed to get all her stuff unpacked & nicely arranged by 3pm. After solat, we went to the cafe for a drink. Yasmin was still in her chirpy mood when I started giving pieces of advice about life in the hostel. I was in the middle of a sentence "If you miss me..." but failed to go on... I lost. In the middle of the cafe I was in tears.

Yasmin held my hand , she looked just fine. Comforting me when it was supposed to be me doing that to her. Managed to get hold of myself & completed my sentence. I thought this could be easy. It was better me shedding tears than her.

A pose of us together...

It was finally time to let her go... I drove back to her hostel. Braved myself & fought away my tears to face her. My Yasmin was already shaking. Ouhhh! Both mother & daughter embraced in the middle of the parking lot. She didn't show signs of letting me go. I told her to get inside the car again tried to comfort her. Still remember my words to her...

"Yasmin, in life we need to sacrifice in order to pursue our dreams... As much as I hate to leave you I need to let you go for I know this school will benefit you a lot. You're a smart girl. You need a school that can challenge you & this is the one. Take the opportunity..". Told her to walk to her dorm. I didn't want her to visualise her mom in a car leaving her. Once she disappeared from my view, I drove home.

It was really tough but we have improved. A lot! It is really not bad. I see her every weekend. She's not allowed to go home each weekend but seeing her is ample. She calls regularly. No more cryings like she used to in her first week. Every time she calls, she will start with "Mama sihat..?" which is so soothing to the heart.

These are our pictures during our first visit...

Missing Wardah...

It has been more than a week since my last post. OK... I almost let the urge of updating this blog drift away. But I will not let that happen... Not this time.

Amongst the things I love about blogging is the friends you make. It feels so good to have Oldstock & Kak Sherry to drop by. It has been way too long. Dikny, I know in person & FB helps us to reconnect often.

I havent told you that Wardah is away. She's in Kelantan now, Bachok to be exact. Came home last week with the news & I well, was not so keen of the idea. Her school & another secondary school were selected from Selangor to participate in a Robotic Workshop, National Level. My concern was not merely because it was too far away but more to the traveling.. Kelantan is obviously hundred kms away & the transportation provided was definitely a coach or a bus. The long hours of travel without even one of her parents worried me.

The following day, she brought along the letter & it was clearly written, Bachok, Kelantan. The first thing that came out from her mouth after handing me the letter was... "Can't I take a flight...?". It crossed my mind earlier you see but since HB is in the airline, I didn't feel comfortable prompting the idea. Hence, the dilemma..

Later in the afternoon however, I received a phone call from one of the mothers whose son was also offered for the same workshop. She suggested for the kids to travel by plane & was asking for my opinion. Of course I agreed. Since she knows all of the kids' parents, she volunteered to make the phone calls. In the meantime, I was surfing for air fares. Both MH & AK. Obviously I was hoping that they get MH which is an advantage for us ;-) but of course I won't veto the situation. The price difference was like half 1k. Well, it was still a lot hence, the choice of anyone can fly...

The next day, the mother called that she had purchased those tickets but the differ between 2 airlines was very little instead after all the you know.. hidden charges. Oh well! I took it positively instead... At least Wardah can experience the other airline ;-) (even I have not..)

Here's Wardah with her friends, teacher & the other parents at LCCT.

Parting from my baby was kind of tough but it was not for her though!

They reached KBR 10 minutes before schedule. Way to go AK! Her teacher is a Kelantanese. Since it was a Friday ( a public holiday there), a relative fetched all of them at the airport & brought the kids to the family house. They had lunch there. In the car while we were on the way to LCCT, I told Wardah about Kelantan cuisine. Wardah is adventurous with food so I told her to try the many local foods Kelantan has to offer.

After lunch, they headed to Bachok. She was in the car when I gave her a call. Asked whether she had taken her lunch & all. At that point she kind of whispered. "Sedap mama....". I went, "Ye ke... What did you eat?" & she replied "Budu!". Hahaha! Well I expected her to try, Nasi Kukus, Ayam Percik but seriously budu was the last I had in mind!

She's still there in Bachok. Having a good time I assume based from the calls she made. At first her concern was the lodging. This girl of mine is very particular about cleanliness. She even wanted to bring her own pillow which HB objected. Settled only with a pillow case though...

The first thing she mentioned once she reached the school in Bachok was about her room. Sounded happy & satisfied ;-) 6 persons sharing a room with 6 single beds (no double decker..) & an attached bathroom is a bonus!

Can't wait for Tuesday... Most of all am looking forward to hearing Wardah's experience of Kelantan. Tomorrow in the itinerary is sightseeing. On Tuesday night she will fly back home... They are free from morning until departure time & her teacher has made plans to take the kids to visit his kampung. That is a golden opportunity... HB & I planned to fly off to KBR tomorrow since it is his off day & fly back with Wardah. We changed our mind knowing that a visit to a kampung side will bring her good.

I can see that Yasmin misses her sister. She denies it but a mother knows.. It was the same when Yasmin was away for a 3 days camp last few weeks. Wardah looked lost but refused to admit missing her sister ;-) Take care Wardah. We love you!

She's home!

Yes! Wardah is home. She's like a chatterbox talking non-stop of her stay. I expected she would feel down for leaving her friends. Not at all... ;-)

She looked tired. For the past 3 weeks, her wake call was at 5.30am! We'll see what time will she wake up tomorrow. I bet earlier than me!

I survived the 3 weeks without one of my girls around. I can't lie. The first week was hard. It made it worse when it was difficult for her as well. The second week was smooth for us both & the third week felt like she was merely at school ;-)

To dear mothers out there, it is hard to let go I know. Like it or not you have to do it. If it's the best for our children then be it. Don't pamper them & most importantly don't let yourself get carried away longing for them. I had to keep reminding myself that I needed to be around for my other 3 girls as well. It wouldn't give a good impression to them if I only concentrate on one.

I heard that there were 3 campers who gave in & went home. Well Wardah... you did it darling! If I were to bring you home when you were wailing for it on the first night, things would be very different. I will have to take a difficult longer time to accept the fact that letting go is a process of growing up & you my girl will not understand the meaning of being independent.

We miss you Wardah!

OK here's an update of my Wardah who is now away from us. Well, not that far yes. Still... Being apart from each other is very foreign to this family. An exception though with their dad ;-)

You may want to read here on why she is away & here on how we tried to adjust with this new situation.

Visits are allowed on Sundays. As clearly written in the offer letter, campers are permitted to go out with their parents but they are prohibited to go outside of Bangi except for Kajang. Now, the curfew is at 7pm & we are allowed to take our child starting from 8am. If I get my Math right, that is exactly 11 hrs. How & where do you spend such long time around Bangi & Kajang?

A little bird told me that rules are meant to be broken... Naughty, naughty bird! Shoo! Shoo!

I looked forward for last Sunday. The original plan was to be there by 9am. She anyhow called the night before saying that I could fetch her as early as 8 am. Still, she didn't sound sure herself. I took my sweet time driving & reached her hostel a quarter past eight. Not too early & neither too late.

I found her in front of the foyer. Was about to press the keypads to her phone when the glimpse of me put her to a halt. Smiling all the way & her friends forgotten, she ran to me. My girl looked grown up & she said I looked thinner! Me? Thinner? Hahaha! Well, that was definitely an illusion of a pair of disunited mother & daughter.

Reunited!

I was ushered to a room. There I met the other parents. We had to present our IC & signed on a piece of paper for safety purposes. I could also see the other campers at the foyer playing table tennis & chatting away. Those according to Wardah were the campers who were staying in for the day due to geographical purposes. Good thing she is in UKM! Bangi is less than half an hour drive from home.

In the car, Wardah was talking non-stop of her stay & her new experiences. I knew she was happy. It made me feel a lot better. I think when the time comes to part with the other campers, she will have a difficult time. Everybody seems to be good to her.

At home (geographically 30km away from Bangi ;-)) we had breakfast together. The girls enjoyed Wardah's story about this & that but what they liked most were the gifts Wardah got for them at Petrosains, KLCC. (Campers go for educational trips on Fridays. Last week was Petrosains, this week is Aquaria & next will be Planetarium).

HB was working that morning. Both father & daughter had a very limited time together. If most of my enquiries were more on her stay & her whereabouts, HB's focused on the activities & experiments she did in the lab. You see Wardah was selected for the Scientists group. So most of her activities involve experiments & observations. It was very interesting listening to them discussing science. My least favourite subject ;-) Yasmin, on the other hand joined in with enthusiasm. But there were a few things that she was familiar with based from her readings. I don't understand these girls... it was barely an hour meeting each other but Yasmin had to tease her sister about a few of her failed experiments. Sisters!

After bidding farewell to HB, the 2 disappeared. I was busy in the kitchen preparing lunch & when I went upstairs I saw both Yasmin & Wardah in their room laughing & chatting away with a NB each in front of them. That was how Wardah spent most of her time at home that Sunday ;-)

After Asar prayer we went to Alamanda to get a few things for Wardah. Had a very early dinner & off to Bangi. We left Putrajaya at approximately 25 mins to curfew time. Wardah was relaxed about it. She was not worried for being late at all! Reached her hostel 3 mins before 7pm. We were not late after all.

I helped Wardah with her things to her room. Once settled I told her that I had to get back home to catch Maghrib prayer. She started to look down. I hugged & kissed her. That did it! She started to sob & within seconds tears came rolling down her cheeks. Oh no! I hated to leave her like that...

After awhile she got better. I drove off & prayed softly that she would eventually feel better. This was exactly what HB warned me. A visit might bring trouble.

As I was reaching home, she called & was crying out loud through the phone receiver. It broke my heart... Yes. But I know Wardah just too well. Perhaps all my readers here come to know her by now. She is a drama queen at times & I forced myself to believe she was again in one of her acts. I comforted her of course. It didn't worry me much because from what I gathered after all the stories she showered me with, she was happy there. It was only at that point of saying goodbye which she is never good at.

Somewhere at 9pm she rang me up again. In a gaily voice she said, "Wardah dah OK. Love you Mama!". See... didn't I say so ;-)

I have made plans for this coming Sunday. It's HB's off day & we are watching Rapunzel!

Have Fun Wardah!

I published a post on Wardah last October about a camp she was selected in & today is the first day of the camp. Well technically it was the second day... We were late. Some students had already registered yesterday or even on Saturday itself. The course started today & my Wardah sort of missed half a day.

I was at first disappointed with the misunderstanding. We were amongst the very few parents who registered late that morning. When I noticed the other children were already in their respective classes & Wardah had just gotten there, I felt this slight guilt for not reading the offered letter comprehensively. Only then I remembered the "Early Registration" & "Late Registration" stated in the letter which I ignored & didn't feel the need to inquire. My fault...

Once after we registered, she was given her room key. I was quite familiar with the hostel. Used to be a resident there 15 years ago :-) Her room was cosy. Sharing with another student but she registered yesterday. Only her belongings welcomed us.

In her new room

After I unpacked her stuff & instructed her of a few trivial things, we left for her class. She was in MSA 2. A Science class & most of her time will be in a Biology Lab.

The lab. She was nervous which is so obvious.

We parted wearing a smile. No tears. Frankly, I wasn't worried of her tears. Mine that I was more concern of. I lost when packing for her. Defeated again when I put her to bed last night. Today, I was one cool mom! Tearless ;-) Perhaps it was what she said to me. I was sobbing & hugging her the night before but she comforted me with a smile... & said,

"Seminggu je mama. Will see you again on Sunday."

Yes. Students are allowed to have visitors on Sundays. The curfew is at 7pm. I have made plans of course ;-)

Seeing her so calm like that made me feel way better. It seems that she has grown up overnight. Seriously... she didn't drop a single tear! Well, just not yet!

Received her call this evening. The minute I heard her voice, I knew something was wrong. Tried to ignore it & instead I asked her of her day. She said she made new friends, the instructors were good to her but it was all tiring. At this point her voice started cracking & she broke down...

"Mama, Wardah nak balik... Penat mama..."

At the other end of the line I was doing my best to control my voice. Today was only a half day activity for her & what about a full day activity of the following days? Can she handle it? Of course I have to be positive for her. Gave her encouragements. Told her how proud we were of her. It calmed her a bit. When she told me that even her room mate was crying too, it made me feel better. I guess it is a phase of adjusting.

HB agreed. This is part of the process of her being independent. I had always been there for her. Guess this time I have to trust others. I know it's best for her. Still, I look forward to her response tomorrow. If it is still negative, I will make the call.

Both HB & I knew this was coming once we found out from one of the staff that the children need to walk to the Faculty from the hostel & from the Faculty back to the hostel . Walking, especially in a hot day is not what Wardah does best.

InsyaAllah, tomorrow will be a better day... Will update. We miss you home darling. Have fun there.

One of My Proud Moments

Yes, I know that I am due for my next travel journal post... but I just have to make way to this one first.

Early this year Wardah took an online test at home. I didn't interrupt her at all. She did everything all by herself. A couple of months back, her name was up for another test. She with 2 other students from her school were to sit for another online test. But this time it was conducted at a school near Puchong area. There were invigilators & the test was to be completed within a time period given. She came out of the lab earlier than others which was not to the liking of her dad ;-) Her prompt answer was... "Senang daripada test dulu!". That's my Wardah ;-)

Yesterday, she came home wearing a smile & a big envelope in a hand. My dear Wardah has been selected for the programme - Permata Pintar. It is basically a twin programme to Center for Talented Youth, Johns Hopkins University. It caters the special needs to students with high academic abilities. Locally the university responsible for such programme is UKM. Youy may read here.

Wardah has qualified as an alumnus for the Permata Pintar Programme. She will attend a 3 weeks holiday camp from 29 Nov to 17 Dec end of this year. Err... not at JHU but UKM ;-) That is a long period to be separated from my 9-year-old girl! We are allowed to visit her only on Sundays... How impossible it sounds I definitely have to let go...

With this piece of news, my parenting once more is challenged. It's Yasmin. She has always been the prominent one in the family & when she is not selected for this programme both, HB & I are worried. We both tried our best not to overdo it with Wardah's achievement. When they met, Yasmin did congratulate her sis. It looked genuine to me. Still I decided to have a talk with her.

As I expected, she was keeping something inside. She refused to admit but I know my Yasmin just too well. Hence, she started pouring it out to me.

I knew exactly how she felt. I was the eldest & pretty much like Yasmin was always a top scorer or amongst the top scorers. But many things didn't really get my ways. The chance to go to a boarding school in form 1 is one example. I knew I got her attention & slowly I could see her face softened. She understood.

Later right before dinner, Wardah came whining up to me saying that Kakak Yasmin accused her for getting a boyfriend at the camp. Seeing Yasmin teasing her sister like that & Wardah responded as she would always do, I knew I had passed that stage in parenting :-)

010110

New year has always been very meaningful to me. The 010110 this year is not as distinguished as 010101. Not planned but someone seemed to love the attention & steal the limelight. Exactly like she is now... ;-) It was the day I gave birth to my second baby, Wardah. Normal delivery without a husband next to me (HB was in Nagoya). My first experience with labour pain & really not a beautiful sight, you know what I mean...

With Yasmin I requested for epidural as early as the contraction started. In fact, I asked for more when I felt only a slight of pain. A young mom I was... & very scared. The nurses helped me when to push because I didn't feel a thing but numb from waist downward. That was Yasmin. HB was right next to me.

Wardah on the other hand, met her father only on her 3rd day. I chose to stay at the hospital just only to get the thrill of him fetching us.

My oven still remain not repaired. So we bought Wardah a cake. Since yesterday was the 31st & my girls never fail to remind me of BR 31% discount , we got one from BR itself. No. There's no discount on cakes. Only on icecream.

Wardah's 9th birthday cake

Nope. We didn't wait. Cut the cake yesterday.. Not only a day earlier but a year early as well. Hehehehe... Here are some of the moments HB shot.

The birthday girl with her sisters

Wardah saved one candle for Nadeen to blow.

She managed at one blow ;-)

Today in fact is another date to remember. Until this moment, I last breastfed Nadeen at 7am this morning. It was hard for me but I have to obey to HB. Well, I did try to persuade him for another month which he rejected. By right I was supposed to stop when Nadeen turned 2 in December 2nd. I told him that I'd stop once we return from HK. But I didn't... He seems serious about this one." End of the year & that's it".

She asked for my milk at noon today. I used the same trick with Balqis. Applied tamarind onto the areola. I could not give her to taste it. I still remeber the look on Balqis when she had her taste of tamarind when she was about to give in to her addiction sucking my milk. I didn't want to go through that again. So with Nadeen, I showed it to her. Told her that it got dirty & smelly. It worked. She refused. I distracted her.

However when it was time for her day nap, she pulled my hand & led me to my room, on my bed.

Kept saying "Di.. Di..."

I asked, "CD? You want to watch Barney?"

"No...!!" "Di..!" and pointed to the bathroom.

She wanted me to mandi (bathe) as to clean off the dirt. That, made me cry... My maid was just outside the door. She was the one who helped me with Balqis when I wanted to stop breastfeeding her. If she were not around, I might just give in & give her my milk. Sri took Nadeen & said something about dirty & smelly again...

Before dinner just now, she requested to have a look at my breasts. I excused myself & let her sisters distract her. Rushed downstairs, did another application of the tamarind & showed to her. She didn't look frustrated but pointed the dirt with her little fingers closing her nostrils. When I got nearer she ran away from me. But when I told her to give me hug, she didn't hesitate.

As for now, she is with my maid sleeping together with her sisters. Didn't ask for my milk & I can't wait for tomorrow so that I can hug her again.

Playing Madie & David of the Moonlighting

If you are frowning upon reading the title, frown no more. You are definitely way younger than I am. But if you are smiling, showing off that teeth which are due for a scaling (a reminder for me really!) hold that grin because you are in the same era with me or perhaps errr... older?


Madie played by Cybill Shepherd & David, the younger, unbald-headed of the Die Hard icon - Bruce Willis were the stars of this 80s hit dramatic-comedy TV series, Moonlighting. Wednesday nights (right?), I without failed would be glued in front of the TV. I loved the spontaneous of the show. Mysterious but full of humours & simply plain crazy!

Today, I was playing Madie by choice ;=) Well, when there was Madie... there should be David. Who else would I want to be David not other than HB himself & that I tell you was by force... ;D

It was only recently that Balqis went for her first field trip. You can read here. I was rather cool with the idea wasn't I? Hehehe... It was my 3rd experience. I could have followed her but as I mentioned, I had other priority & moreover I grew up to accept the fact that a child sometimes would prefer to be around friends without a parent's supervision. Oh well!

It is anyhow, a different case today. My Yasmin & my Wardah are away. Away which means at this very moment they are not next door sleeping in their beds. A sleepover? Yes... they have done that. A couple of times in fact. At my brother's. A supervision by a flesh & blood. I slept in peace.

Not tonight though. Hmmm... it's not that bad frankly. I do feel weird without their presence but my other 2 keep me entertained. By tomorrow, they should be home.

Both of them were offered to attend a leadership camp somewhere near Kajang area. They are school prefects (you can read here) which qualified them for the enrollment. When they showed me the piece of letter, I gave them a negative answer. Buuuut! They tried their luck with their dad & much to my dismay it was a green light.

I doubted my daughters were ready for a camp out. Yasmin argued that they were staying in a dormitory. Still... at 10 & especially 8, you need me around. It is me who reminds you of your bedtime, to even make you brush your own teeth before bed, to tuck you in bed, to rush & comfort you after a bad dream... Who would do all that if you are more than 30km away from me?

I rang up a couple of my friends whom I knew, their children were offered too. Again, luck was on the girls' side. My friends both gave their consents & I had to give in & learn to swallow the fact.

I packed their things at the very last minute. Not that I doubted the decision made. Just that, I prefer to be very occupied at the last minute & would be able to distract my mind when it was time to part. It worked.

Ready for the camp.

We sent them off. Brought along my 350d & this was the shot. They were late. But knowing a pose for my lens would make me happy, they played along. As I was satisfied with the angle & about to shoot, a motorbike simply distract my subjects... grrr!

In front of the school entrance with their luggage.

We left but not for home. To Blue Moon Detective Agency ;-) Another parents agreed to play the same characters as we were. Just like us, this Madie no2 was by choice & of course David no.2 was by force... hahaha!

In our black vehicle, we began our spying. We started with the school. Due to the both Davids, we almost missed the bus! They were delaying us!!

Bus B was making a move. Wardah was in this one. Madie snapped this at ease.

As Bus C was moving, I saw a girl waving at us. It was Yasmin! Oooops!! Madie & Madie 2 decided to wave back & acted as if we were like the other parents who were there waiting for their children's departure. Hehehe...

We didn't tail the buses. Followed another route to the highway. But as one bus passed by, I saw the pupils inside waving hysterically at us. Not sure whether the passenger of the bus belonged to the 1st Madie-David or the 2nd Madie-David (4 of our children were in 3 different buses).

Approaching the camp, we realised there was another PI in an Alphard tailing the buses. Hah! We were not the only loser parents ;-)

Madie noticed the camp. David no.2 confirmed the location via his brand new Gamin.

David made a right turn & waited by the roadside. Perfect spot for this spying game...

Madie spotted Wardah. She was still not aware being followed.

All of a sudden David started cursing. The spot he chose was far from perfect. The entrance to the camp was somewhere at the back which no doubt at all of our subjects had to pass through us! Too late to shift position... !!

The first group. The 2nd Madie-David's first subject was approaching. David no.2, did his best to cover himself by flipping down the shade but failed big time. Hahaha!

Next, Wardah was approaching. The windows to our vehicle were tinted black except for the first front 3. Madie & Madie no.2 were save. Photo taking couldn't be easier.

The moment she noticed our vehicle's registration number, David was spotted easily. As the original David he was, not involving Madie in his mistake wouldn't satisfy him. At that point he rolled down the car window on Madie's side. Wardah saw her but Madie was still trying her best to hide behind her bulky camera. Lacking of concentration her shot of Wardah was nothing to be proud of... Daviiiiiiid!!

Atie, if you're reading, this shot is for you...

None of these Blue Moon Agents saw Yasmin. There should be another bus. The last one...

We were right

Madie recognised Yasmin's classmates but where was she?

She suddenly appeared walking slowly with her head down.

By this time, the both Davids had given up on spying. Went out from our vehicle to take five.... & it was at them Yasmin's smile was for ;-)

Both the Madies were satisfied with the place & the number of teachers accompanying was sufficient. The Davids couldn't care less but complained of their growling tummies. Off we went to Kajang town for some satays.

The Satay House

The disappearing satays

Balqis & Arif, enjoying the day of free siblings rivalry.. ;-)

To all mothers out there, it is no doubt difficult to let go. Not an easy task to admit that our babies are no longer babies. How hard it seems to be, it is not impossible. Psst...! Giving them the wings does not make us any less of a mother. The truth, it turns you into a better one. Another thing. Playing Madie today was nothing that I was proud of... ;-)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

History repeats

I did mention somewhere last year that Wardah like Yasmin was elected a school prefect. It was quite an issue really with HB. He was (perhaps still is) not keen of his girls as school prefects. He was never one, instead his name was rather popular amongst the prefects in his school. What worries him most is their studies of course. After some discussions, as usual I won... hehehe.

As promised here are the photos of Wardah in the new uniform. Check out the first pic. Ada ke prefect pose melentik macam tu?

Told her to give a different pose & she came out with this cute pose ;-) Better lah...

I have another news really. Now both of the girls are in the same session. Years 2,3 & 4 are in the afternoon. Which means that Yasmin in year 4 is the senior of the afternoon session.

The both of them came home somewhere last week with Yasmin breaking this news. She has been elected as the Penolong Ketua Pengawas 2. She is the Head Girl of the afternoon session! I was surprised... seriously I was. Ironically, the guy who opposed to his girls as the school prefects reacted positively. He has sort expected it, according to him. Huh...!

Why history repeats? Because her mom was once a Head Girl too ;-) Now, check out the Penolong Ketua Pengawas 2 in her uniform which is more likely the same except for the fluorescent orange tag. Takda ke warna lain cikgu...?

Very different right compared to her sister's pose. Right after I took this photo, she rushed to get her bag & pleaded me to hurry. But you know lah her mom... One more shot Yasmin & what I got was this kerna terpaksa pose ;-)

Proud of you girls. Let's prove papa wrong, shall we?