Her 14th birthday

The date, March the 9th, 1999. The time, 1455. The place, Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital. The occasion, birth of my first born. 

HB & I became parents exactly 14 years ago. The baby everyone was waiting for... I remembered how pressured it was when family members kept asking me "takda apa-apa lagi ke...?". Come on... Give me a break! I was barely 23. Still too young! That was what I thought but the truth... deep inside me I wanted a baby. HB on the hand was cool... He didn't seem disturbed at all. Simply enjoying married life ;-)

It was one fine day, I was asking myself.... Did I do something improper? I doubted it. Now did I accidentally say something which I shouldn't have?... I thought I did. But it was no accident. I meant it!

You see I tied the knot on my final year at the university. Of course the questions for newlyweds are the common... "How was the honeymoon?" or " How do you enjoy married life so far?" or the ever famous "So when do you plan to have a baby?". In my case I answered Q1 with a blush (hehehe!), Q2 with a double blush :-P & I can recall clearly what I answered to Q3... "No not yet... I don't want to look like a fat cow on my graduation day!"

Served me right! Luckily I was wise enough to realize that early & sincerely took each word back.... Approximately 6 months after I became a wife, I conceived. Alhamdulillah...

I somehow loved the name "Amir" so much hence the "Amirah" as the first name which was not so to my liking. But as some of my readers are aware of the "Amir" remains as a name which I love but has no son to carry it ;-) Now to compliment the "Amirah", I added "Yasmin", the second name she is always addressed as. 

Yasmin is now in boarding school. This year her birthday falls on a Saturday but not a sleepover weekend. She requested for her mom's Baked New York Cheese Cake but that was for the celebration she planned to have in the dorm with her friends. Got her some pizzas, drinks & brownies as well. As to celebrate her... we got her a cake from SR. Here are the photos on her birthday...

14!

The cheesecake

The birthday card made by her sisters

The cake frm SR

HB.. getting the candles ready

Bday gal with her darling sisters

OK... her mom just have to be in front of the cam tooo ;-)

Pizza?

Cam-whoring as usual...

With Mama

With Papa

The next day, Sunday was an outing day. The school allows from 12pm - 6pm. We normally bring her home but to celebrate her... we had a belated bday treat instead.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY YASMIN DARLING... !!

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...

The Pledge

Tonight I have all my girls with me again... Ever since January 4th, my Fantastic Four is down to 3 & only reunited during weekends.

Yasmin is in boarding school. At 13 I thought & still think it is such a tender age to start a life away from your parents. I did not agree to the idea but HB managed to convince me to let go of my 1st born baby. He sort of applied a reversed psychology on me... You see, Yasmin has always been an active student. She has the potential to achieve more for her future. As HB put it "She needs a school that can challenge her & you're (referring to Yasmin's mom... ;-P) just being selfish for disagreeing to the idea". The word selfish was a bit disturbing. Nah..! It was a major disturbance!

The truth hurts... I wanted her near. Doubt that another person can take care of her rather than her own mother. Being a full time mom, I sometimes even doubt that she could handle her own self!

Made a pledge... She could make an application to a boarding school. I clearly stated ONE & I will choose the school. She agreed. Hence the online application to the nearest boarding school in Cyberjaya.... less than 15 minutes drive from home ;-P

My doas was if the school is a platform for her future success, please make the path easy for her. The result came out & she made it... Alhamdulillah. Then came the mental preparation for both mother & daughter.

Results Day

My last post was on Yasmin's achievements in the year 2011. This one is like a continuation to the entry.

When she was announced as the Best Student of her school, the UPSR result had not yet come out. Knowing that the following day was the big day put more pressures on her & her mom especially...

You know, during the Hari Anugerah, I didn't shed a tear at all. I was happy, I was proud but it didn't get through my inner emotions deeply. The morning when her result came out as I was getting ready to send them to school it hit me... I found out that Wardah performed a solat hajat on behalf of her sister who was menstruating. A hajat for a straight As result. Such sisterly bond put this mom in tears...

I was nervous... dead nervous. Parents were allowed to go to school at 11am to get the result. HB was off that day so it was quite comforting to go through that day with him next to me. I remembered having breakfast with him & discussing Yasmin. Told him that I could accept her result no matter what because I saw her efforts. But I was not ready at all to see her frustration. Just couldn't bear to see it what more to face it...

At the peak of our chat, I received a phone call. My niece who serves for KPM. She sounded chirpy that Thursday morning & her exact words were "Ada good news...". Shared the news with HB & my parents. I then knew exactly how they felt when I did well in exams. Still HB warned me not to get too excited just yet.

As we were walking to the car, I remembered a mistake I made 12 years ago. A young wife who refused to listen to her husband. I did not immediately consult an ob/gyn right after I did my pregnancy test at home. I waited until the whole 1st trimester was over only did I set an appointment! I missed the folic acid prescription & HB was quite annoyed with me. Opening the car door I asked HB.. "So am I forgiven over the folic acid episode?" ;-)

It was still too early to go to her school. HB suggested that we get Yasmin the gift we promised her. Now tell me who was getting too excited... ;-P

We reached her school exactly at 11am. By that time the school was already crowded with anxious parents. The year 6 pupils assembled in the hall. I saw a few sobbing... We were practically late!

I was only mid way towards the hall when the teacher started to announce the names of the 5As students. First was Amirah Fatini... The girl walked up to the stage crying. Almost reaching the hall Amirah Yasmin was called out! I reached the front hall just in time. She was making her way to the stage when she found me. Made a detour to hug me first & off to the stage to receive her result slip.

Being there to witness her happiness with her friends put me to tears. Alhamdulillah all of her good friends scored straight As.

Tears of joy...

A few of her good friends. All 5As scorer.. Well done girls!

Showing off their slips

HB & I had a small talk with the headmaster & a few other parents. Yasmin excused herself. Later I found out that she was searching for her sister Wardah. Wardah knew that Yasmin was looking for her hid behind her friends. Yasmin being Yasmin.. wanted to leave after scanning the area & found no sight of Wardah. She was never good at this hide & seek game ;-)

Sensing that her sister was not playing along Wardah made herself visible & called out for her sis. Both embraced & the younger one congratulated the elder.. the elder thanking the younger for performing her solat hajat . I have to thank Wardah's classmate who captured such precious moment of my 2 girls.

Priceless...

Congratulations Yasmin. Remember that this is only the starting of your battle to succeed. It's not over yet my dear. More await..... But with your continuous efforts & doas insyaAllah it will make easy for you.

Wardah, it's your year this year. You've seen how Kak Yasmin was, preparing for her UPSR & you saw the scenario during results day. The key is multiple efforts & endless doas my dear... InsyaAllah.

My Yasmin Throughout The Year 2011

No doubt the year 2011 is a memorable year for my Yasmin. Unfortunately, the single entry I posted of her was on her birthday. To think of the many achievements she had accomplished last year... I truly have lost the passion in blogging! Now I am attempting to sum up all in an entry...

Early last year, she took part in a story telling competition representing her school. The story that she decided to choose was really the one that I used to tell when I tried to enter the very competition when I was in school. One thing about Yasmin... she has always been amazed with my school years. It was nothing much really. It must be because I am such a great storyteller or she is simply inspired by me! ;-)

She chose Interfering Ina by Enid Blyton. We adapted the story together & she had a great teacher training her at school. I of course became her no1 critic.

Yasmin ready for the competition

My girl in action...

She won 1st runner up in Sepang District

Her school also took part in ITEX 2011. It's an acronym for Invention Innovation & Technology Exhibition. The school invented a portable energy system that uses the fan which impressed the judges. They won silver for for best invention in primary level & gold for best invention from Hong Kong Invention Association. Way to go girl! Credits should go to the teachers especially... They worked extra hard for this achievement.

The booth

My girl at the booth

With her comrades, Sanjay & Raimi

The team with their beloved teacher Najmi

Yasmin busy explaining to guests about the invention

The awards they won

During the prize giving ceremony

Somewhere in October she took part for a camp in Bagan Lalang hosted by the Sepang District. Almost all schools in the district participated. She came home after the camp as usual with all the stories of this & that but kept the most important one secret until the following day. After school I fetched her as usual but she wore this smile on her face. Took out a trophy from her school bag & presented it to me... "Surprise!". She was selected as the best female camper in the camp. That is Yasmin to you! ;-)

Receiving the trophy during the camp.

Hari Anugerah 2011 was the most memorable for the whole family. Wardah who failed to get straight As in her final exam was very frustrated of not getting any award since it was her final year in the school. Well, we are moving to a new house but that should be elaborated in another post ;-) She was hoping to be around on that particular Hari Anugerah.

Allah heard her prayers.. She didn't get any placing in the first three of her class but she is best in Math & English. A bonus!

Wardah receiving her plaque & certificates

Yasmin was first in her class & all of year 6 classes. It had been quite a while you know. She had always been first from year 1 to year 3 but once in level 2 (that is year 4, 5 & 6), she was no longer first. Her killer subject that is BM had always pulled down her marks. Announced as first in her class meant a lot to her. Her exact 2 words were... "At last!" ;-)

Besides 1st in class, she was also best in Science

I remembered Wardah coming home from school after prize giving ceremony rehearsal. She was alone because the last few days before school ended last year, Yasmin stayed back to spend more time with her friends. Wardah guessed that Yasmin was shortlisted to be the best student of the school. I was thrilled! But had to control the emotion...

True enough. Yasmin announced the news to us once she got home. I couldn't be happier. The question was which title did she belong to?

Three best students will be selected as either Tokoh Bestari, Tokoh Kesatria or Tokoh Nurani. I knew Yasmin wouldn't get Bestari for there was this classmate of hers who usually the 1st in her class. So left with Kesatria & Nurani. I was not so sure of Kesatria then but I knew Nurani was for obedience & properness. I really preferred Yasmin to get the former title. Getting the Nurani to me was like too baik..

She was last to be called out & all title was already announced & she was left with Tokoh Kesatria that is for a student who is active in Co-curriculum. Yipppee! I like that!

That's a rare look.... A proud mom indeed! Waiting to be called on stage

A picture with the Headmaster & PIBG President

Next I knew was the announcement of the best of the 3. All parents seemed not to know. Great actors indeed! Including moi!!

Parents with their children waiting for Tokoh Bitara to called out.

Notice the picture? Well, I had to wear the smile as to neutralise my feelings of so wanting Yasmin to win the title ;-) Hey! Don't mothers always want the best for their kids.. ? ;-P

And.... she WON!!!!

Once her name was announced Yasmin moved towards me & her mom...? Well, let this photo tell it all ;-)

Overwhelmed with pride... hehehe!

The Tokoh Bitara of the year 2011

My girl the Best Student ...

A pose with everyone else

Congrats Yasmin. I was glad that HB was around to share the moment. You've done us proud as always.... Love you girl! Muaaahhh!!!