Happy Birthday Tanah Airku

This coming Monday will mark the nation's 52nd birthday. I thank God for being born and raised in this beautiful and prosperous country. If you ask me whether or not I have put up Jalur Gemilang at my house (according to my father it's a mark of patriotism - and I should thank the country for sponsoring my studies to New Zealand last time), the answer is yes.....it has been there since last year's Merdeka celebration.

My two trips to Ghana had provided me with some insights for comparison. Both Malaysia and Ghana gained their independence from British in the same year (that's 1957, in case you have forgotten that most crucial information you might as well relinquish your citizenship). Both nations enjoy more or less the same environment due to the positioning on equator lines. But in my opinion, Ghana today is what Malaysia would probably be in the late 1970's or early 1980's. Apart from the availability of latest handphone model and wi-fi at hotels, most of the things are kind of lagging behind. The main international airport does not have any airbridge facility, and public transportation like buses are in "pathetic" conditions. Compare that to Malaysia's KLIA - a modern airport with world class standards. And if you are living or working in Klang Valley, you would have realised that LRTs and Monorails have become synonym with the Malaysian's metropolitan lifestyle.

Another point to ponder...the oil palm tree originated from Ghana. The first tree (so I was told) was brought into Malaya from Western Africa. And today, Malaysia is one of the largest exporter of palm oil to the world. Compare this to Ghana that does not even make it into the list. Take a moment to think about that.

Malaysia tanah airku.... Selamat Menyambut Ulang Tahun Kemerdekaan Ke-52!

Merdeka!

Merdeka!

Merdeka!

Question by my angel

The other day my daughter Aisyah asked me this question:

"Daddy, are you a dog?"

What makes she thinks I'm one? But cute... as long as she does not ask the same question to her grandparents!

A success story for a non-IT savvy person

At this moment, I am updating my blog for the first time whilst sitting on the sofa in our living room. I've given myself a pat on the back. Yes, its hard to believe. I... Daddy...who just turned 31 last Saturday, balding and ageing prematurely who was not at all an IT savvy person, has managed to successfully configure the wireless modem router without much difficulties... YEZZZZZEERRRR!!!!

Me and Tai-tai went to Low Yat this evening to get an e-book. We were so excited to the extent that Tai-tai accidentally left her handphone in her office. Lady luck was with her...she should count her blessing that her colleague was still around and promised to take the handphone home. Good luck Irene..the phone alarm is set at 6.20 am on weekdays so I bet it will wake you up tomorrow morning.

We bought a pink HP e-book @ mini. Why pink? Well, taking into consideration that there are more females than males in this household, the party that forms majority would definitely has an absolute advantage over the minority. Plus, pink is cute, with a dash of metrosexuality male factor blended in it.

Why I received my birthday gift two days before my actual birthday

As I am updating this blog, Tai-tai is still in the OT at Glene@gles. She was wheeled around 45 minutes ago and should be out in about 30 minutes. I hope that her minor surgery will go on well and that she can be discharged later this evening if no complication arises.


We had good dinner last night. Went to the P@vilion's TGI's Frid@ys for sumptuous meal. After we had settled in for the day Tai-tai handed me a black box wrapped with a silver ribbon.

Daddy : Eh, what's this?

Tai-tai :It's your birthday gift.

Daddy : Gee..thanks Yang..but my birthday is two days away. What's the rush? (It was a very beautiful pair of cufflinks which she bought when I was away in Ghana last week)

Tai-tai : Coz if something happens to me tomorrow during the surgery, you will never find out about the gift...

Daddy : (Sangat terharu sampai lost for words... pearly tears started to surface)

Now that I have returned

Tai-tai and Aisyah waited for me at the KLIA arrival hall last Friday night. From far - as soon as I exited the customs clearance checkpoint, I could see that Aisyah was face down looking at the floor, hugging her Minnie Mouse with both hands, with Tai-tai standing next to her. When Tai-tai whispered to her, she looked up immediately and gave a me very wonderful and joyful smile. I was immediately informed by Tai-tai that when I was away in Ghana, Aisyah did not smile that much. Probably she could sense that the house was "incomplete" without my presence.

Aliyah was awake when I arrived home, and didn't really sleep soundly later throughout the night. Perhaps she missed me a lot and would like to take the opportunity to be a bit more manja with her Daddy. Takpelah, I enjoyed looking after her that night and plus, my body was still on Ghana's time zone. It must have been around 6 am when I finally dozed off until 11 am.

Last night I took out Aisyah's album with all her baby photos. The top cover must be lifted in order to take out the album. The cover has a transparent heart shaped plastic in the middle and guess what Aisyah said....

"Mummy...look!!! Its a happy valentine's card!"

Goodness me! My daughter is not even 4 and she has already known what a valentine card is....

I guess kids nowadays grow up at an accelerated pace compared to when I was younger. I was probably 12 or 13 when I found out about Valentine's Day!

On a serious note... Tai-tai has to undergo a minor surgery at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre this Friday to remove a polyp from her uterus wall. According to the doctor, it would be a simple procedure but Tai-tai has to be put under general anesthetics to ensure a smooth procedure. I hope and pray that everything will work out well...

Luv you dear!

You'll be okay!

From the lounge at Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana

Yeay... its now 4.20 pm and my flight to Dubai is due to take off at 5.30 pm. I can't wait to go home.

Tai-tai sent me a message earlier to inform that Aisyah knocked her head again, this time against the Bibik's mouth. When I was in Ghana last April, Aisyah knocked herself against the bed and bled herself. This time around fortunately there was no bleeding. But she broke Bibik's denture (and her secret, off course!).

I bought two necklaces from Ghana for Tai-tai, and looking forward to buy chocolates in Dubai. I may do a bit more shopping there as well, especially getting myself a few more compilation CDs of songs in Lughatul Arabia!!!

From the Emirates Lounge at KLIA

Yes...it is happenning. I am on the way to Ghana again....

The taxi arrived at my house at five to ten in the evening, a bit earlier than it should be. I bid farewell to Tai-tai and the kids, kissing both cheeks of each one of them. I know that I'm going to miss them terribly, but I should count my blessing that this is indeed a short trip compared to the previous one. I'm due to be back in KL on Friday evening, giving me ample time to celebrate the weekend with my loving family.

My sister (who is working for the government) has just received her first posting. She is required to report for duty in Kuching on 17th August. Since she officially received the news, I've never seen her smiling. My parents, upon receiving the news, came down with fever. It will not be easy for my sister (youngest in the family and the only daughter) but I keep telling her that it is a challenge that she has to face. Its part and parcel of life. There could be some blessing in disguise. She will not be home for Hari Raya, which will surely make my parents feel very lonely as both my brother and me would be spending the first day at our in-laws respectively. But deep inside of me I feel that my sister is stronger than what she appears to be, and I'm sure that she will be just fine in the land of the hornbill...

Kisah seorang budak yang duka nestapa kerana tak mahu ke sekolah muzik

Yesterday was Friday. It was supposedly Aisyah's second official music class between 7.30 to 8.30 in the evening, and I had rushed home from my Divisional Retreat (I was the facilitator) with the thought that Tai-tai was unwell to take Aisyah by herself. To cut the story short, we were a bit late. By the time we arrived at Metro Kajang Aisyah complained that she was sleepy and wanted to sleep.

"No music school...I want to sleep..." she said.

But being the head of the family, I insisted for her presence at the music class. From an accountant's point of view, a day of missing class is a loss on the investment. For the record, I paid RM300 plus for this term.

At the school's entrance, Aisyah started crying and demanded for ice-cream. Tai-tai and myself refused initially, taking into consideration that Aisyah has yet to recover from her cough and flu. We later realised that she would not give in and we had to get the ice-cream before the situation worsen. Se we did. I bought her the ice-cream and ate 75% of it leaving the remaining 25% for her to finish. I was hoping that once she is done with her ice-cream, we all could proceed to the music class although the time was already 7.50 pm. Unfortunately, things did not go well as what I had planned. Once she was done with the ice-cream, she wanted to eat and I had already lost my patience. Two reasons,

1. We actually had dinner before we left the house and Aisyah refused to eat; and
2. We were terribly late for the class!

I lost my temper and spanked her a few times.... a few people stood in disbelief nearby and Tai-tai actually had to stop me before things got worse. I made up my mind instantly and decided that we should go home and skip the class. After all, how much could you learn with 30 minutes left before the class ended, right?

Apart from Aisyah's sobbing, the journey back to our house was totally silence. Even Ta-tai did not say a word. I was not too sure if she was angry at me for spanking Aisyah macam tersampuk setan, or probably she honestly had nothing else to say.

Aisyah, if you happen to read this, I am terribly sorry for spanking you last night. But I hope that you would understand my actions and the reasoning behind it.



Daddy : Going to Ghana next Monday for EXCO meeting.