Al-Fatihah

Salam & Greetings to all.

081110 - I lost my most precious gem and my forever better-half. My husband had to leave for a long break from all the pain that he has endured for approximately 11 years, suffering from end-stage renal failure, infection of the spine as well as heart valve.He has taken God's challenge with elegance and composure, never complained about the ordeal and always treasuring every moment with us with so much love, hugs and kisses, and family vacations. We almost always forgot that he was ill and life was pretty normal much like the rest.

Allah knows best, and we all accept this destiny. Still,this separation hurts because i have loved him for 20 solid years...and have raised our three wonderful kids together. Now that i am a single parent, i only have Allah to help me pull through during tough times. Nevertheless, i have overwhelming and wonderful memories with him that i hang on to so tightly in order to stay strong. As a husband, he has been very loving, caring, supportive of my career, and absolutely adorable. He's my forever 'prince charming', 'knight in a shining armour' and 'high school sweetheart'. I love him very much.

To all my readers, friends, colleagues and students who may only learn about this piece of truth at this very moment, please join me in praying for his most blessed and cozy heavenly slumber. As you read the posts in my blog, please also remember that it is my beloved husband who CREATED this academic blog and generated the concept. Hence, if you have found this blog educational, beneficial, and knowledgeable in any possible way, i owe it all to him.

Everytime i wrote an article for my students and readers, he would be the faithful husband-editor, muse and conscience. I would read aloud my posts and he always completely smiled, nodded in approval, and gave constructive comments...and of course, he was also excited whenever i wrote about family trips and vacations...well..he simply loves holidays...

Lastly, my heartiest gratitude to all of you who have visited us at our humble abode, UNITEN mosque as well as the cemetery. Thanks also for your kind prayers during tahlil and yassin recitals. On his behalf, i pray may Allah bless you always.

sincerely,
~zue~

Life is a bed of carnations

Have you heard that I was down with dengue fever recently? May be or may be not...let's just say it's a terrible experience! My two children were also warded at the same hospital, together with my husband who was in ICU (post surgery) ...hmmm..can you almost believe this traumatic journey in my simple life? Haaah:) I'm just so glad it's nearly over, and we are all recovering in one way or another.

Now...I have always loved tulips ( dreaming for a holiday in the Netherlands). Nevertheless, when I was at the hospital, I noticed that visitors would come with roses and carnations...never tulips, yeah... But, why roses? Haven't we heard that 'life is not a bed of roses....'? So, i thought carnations would better represent our well wishes at times like this. I browsed the net, at least the Wikipedia and I nearly couldn't believe my hunch...yupp:) A Carnation is definitely a special flower expressing love, fascination, gratitude and distinction. It's especially worn on Mothers' day and at weddings.

To quote the Wikipedia: "It is the national flower of Spain, and the provincial flower of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. It is also the symbol of the Portuguese Carnation Revolution. The state flower of Ohio is a scarlet carnation." etc.etc.

The thing is...when you are sick, you'd want people around to care for you. So, many thanks to all our caring and loving doctors and nurses at KPJ Shah Alam. Can't imagine how we'd face the challenge without your kind support. Also, I wish to extend my gratitude to all my friends from IKAL and MURNI/ ILMU who have visited as well as prayed for me. Your moral support has given me ultimate strength to quickly recover and enjoy life as always. I would also like to express my gratitude to all my husband's friends who have come from near and far. Thanks to all the caring teachers from SK Purajaya Presint 16(2) for your kind prayers and concern for my daughter, Nadia. Not to forget, special thanks to my lovely students who could still find some precious time to visit my husband and i, despite the exams...God bless you all.

To all of you, I'd like to pray may your life be filled with happiness and love. Let's all be inspired and showered with petals of carnation, a symbolism of love, gratitude and distinction. Ameeeeeeeen.

A Tribute to Mom

Today, we celebrate mother's day. This is a very special event in every mom's life.

Early this week, my son came back from pre-school with a tissue-carnation. He did it with his teacher's help...hmm, I was so touched. I always like it when schools cultivate good values like this - to be thoughtful and loving to mom (and family). Thank you darling..oh...you are so wonderful...

Three days back, Farah and Emir sang a song for me entitled " Mummy...You are So Wonderful" and I recorded it. Now, it has become my precious ringtone...Farah's teacher wrote the lyrics for her school choir competition...isn't this great:)

Today is mother's day, and Nadia had wanted to make me scrambled egg for breakfast...but she will have to wait..hmmm...coz we had a special mother's day breakfast at Mac Donald's Taman Equine. Excellent deal... I got a free breakfast set with every order..try to imagine this...they actually doubled my order of Sausage Mc Muffin with Egg, and Big Breakfast...hmmm...thankx family restaurant.

And the greatest gift of all to all moms is the wonderful thought from each loving member in the family. I am so lucky and thankful to have a 'big' happy family. We may not have riches, but we are so rich in love, care and presents..he..he...here's a photo of us in front of Memory Lane Taman Equine.

The kids got me something...hmm...now, I am proud to have two extra hearts and another cuddly bear. My first two bears were given by my darling husband...guess, bears have become the 'lovey-dovey-cuddly-snuggly' mascot for lovers, kids and families...aha...:)

To all mothers, I wish you all a very happy mother's day. Cherish this moment of happiness. Although love comes every other moment in our lives, a one-day celebration like this is indeed the highlight to our family's tribute to us.

I have lost my mom, but she's always in my mind, forever my inspiration and the pillar to my determination and success. I pray may Allah blesses her soul, and I know she's happy that because of her, I am what I am today, blessed with a good career, three wonderful children and a very loving husband. (Thanks Prof. Kobkua for this quote in your sms. You are a very special mom in every way to me...)

So bloggers and readers....quickly send your love and thots to yummy mummy dearest...ok...and convey my special wishes 2 all of them...:)