Moments to cherish...

“Grandchildren remind us that the most important lessons cannot be taught, only shared...”

(All in the family - Lunch at Dolly Dim Sum)

School holidays always bring a special kind of joy.

Having the five grandkids around fills the apartment with laughter and energy. They don’t have any fixed plans for this short break, but I know they’ll enjoy being together - whether it’s swimming, going for little outings, karaoke sessions, or simply relaxing at our Putramas Apartment with movies and games. Their parents are also planning a theme park trip, which will surely be a highlight.

These little moments of laughter and togetherness are what make the holidays special.

(Our five grandkids)

(A day trip to the Luge)

(An evening at KLCC)

(Holiday staycation at our Putramas Apartment)

(Arif and Aira all set to swim)

(Having fun at the pool)

(The girls - Hana, Alia and Aira)

(The boys - Arif and Amir)

STF - 30 years after...

 “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Alia at STF mini library, following her mother's footsteps)

Thirty years ago, we sent our daughter Sara, to Sekolah Tun Fatimah, a premier all-girl boarding school located in Johor Bahru. And today, Sara is sending her daughter Alia to the same school!

Like her mother, we hope that Alia will be able to develop well academically, gain a sense of independence, make friends and learn critical social skills.

Good luck dear Alia. We pray all the best for you...

(Alia first day of school)

(A group photo)

A tour of Tugu Negara...

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave..." - Elmer Davis

(Aira, Alia and Arif at Tugu Negara)

The visit to Tugu Negara was the first for Alia, Arif and Aira. Alia especially, was overly excited and intrigued by the history and controversies of this national monument.

The Tugu Negara is constructed to commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960.

Constructed in 1966, the sculpture that stands as a centerpiece of the monument is 15 meters tall, made of bronze and was designed by Austrian sculptor Felix de Weldon. The sculpture depicts 7 figures, 5 of the figures (1. holding the Malaysian flag, 2. armed with a rifle and bayonet (left), 3. armed with a machine gun (right), 4. soldiers tending to fifth wounded compatriot represents the victorious allied forces while the other 2 figures that lie on the ground represents that of the defeated communist forces.

In 1975, the monument suffered extensive damage due to an explosion. It has since been restored to its original state. A wreath-laying ceremony used to take place at the monument every 31 July on Warriors Day but the event was since moved somewhere else.

(A beautiful fountain at Tugu Negara)

(Kuala Lumpur skyline in the background)

(Was last here in 2010 with Hana)

At the entrance to Tugu Negara there is an interwar-era cenotaph originally erected by the colonial British administration near the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. The cenotaph was intended to commemorate the Great War (1914–1918) and honour those from the British Malayan colonies who were killed in the war. The cenotaph's inscription would later include fallen British Malayan soldiers of World War II (1939–1945). Names of the fallen are engraved on plaques of the cenotaph as a tribute to their sacrifices. In 1964, the cenotaph was moved from its original location to the site of the National Monument in Lake Gardens.

(A brief history of Tugu Negara)

(The Cenotaph near the National Monument)

Babysitting the grandkids at Mandy Villa...

“The most precious jewels you’ll ever have around your neck are the arms of your grandchildren.”

(Tokbah sending Hana and Amir to school)

After our short holidays in Pulau Perhentian, we stayed in Mandy villa to babysit Hana and Amir. Both are quite able to look after themselves at home but as it was schooling days, someone had to send them very early in the morning. After school, the school bus will send them home. 

Their parents were still on holidays in Italy till next week. 

(Solat Jumaat with Tokbah)

Grandchildren are like twinkling stars..

“Love is the greatest gift one generation can leave another...” - Richard Garnett

(Alia, Arif and Aira at Sunway Putra Mall)

Sara and family were back in KL for the weekend.

They spent the rest of the Hari Raya holidays with us in our Bidara house, indulging in good food at our favorite eateries in town. Also an opportunity for the grandchildren to roam the malls and buy their story books and games with their duit raya.

(Colourful children playground at the mall)

(Beautiful cats murals at Nu Sentral)

Bonding with the grandkids...

“You know children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers…” - John J. Plomp

(Alia, Hana, Arif, Aira and Amir at Putramas Apartment)

The much-awaited school holidays are finally here!

Sara and family will be spending a week holiday in KL. I have earlier booked BNM Genting View Resort for two night and the five grandchildren will be spending time together. As it was raining quite heavily when we were in Genting Highlands, the kids only managed to play games in the Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park. 

(Riding in the cable car)

(Hanging legs in the glass bottom gondola)

(The crowd at the Indoor Theme Park)

(World Largest Hotel of Genting Highlands)

(Cool weather in Genting Highlands)

The rest of the days were spent in our Putramas apartment, playing games, quizzes and watching their favorite cartoons or movies on Netflix.  

Our grandchildren seem to grow before our very eyes. Growing up has its wonders and special moments, and they seem to change from babies to teenagers in the blink of an eye.

(The grandkids at Putra Mall minus Aira)

(The view from 22nd floor Putramas apartment)

A weekend in JB...

"You have two choices, to control your mind or to let your mind control you..." - Paulo Coelho

(Alia, Arif and Aira with grandpa)

We spent the weekend with our kids and grandchildren in JB. Next week we will be away for almost a month for our year-end 4x4 trip to Thailand. We planned to visit the highlands of Thailands and the mosques along the route, InsyaAllah...

(Missing the grandkids)

(Movie time)

(Four Fingers, Arif favorite)

A weekend with Hana & Amir...

“They say genes skip a generation. Maybe that’s why grandparents find their grandchildren so likeable.” – Joan Macintosh

(Hana and Amir with Tokbah)

(Spending the weekend at Putramas Apartment)

(Daily morning routine)

(Putramas' pool and garden)

(Watching the fishes and turtles)

(Outing day with grandma and grandpa))

(To MPH for books)

(Lunch at Absolute Thai)

The grandkids at Putramas...

“Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric...” – Pam Brown

(Swimming day)

A relaxing weekend with the kids @ Putramas

“The healthiest response to life is joy...” - Deepak Chopra

(Getting ready to jump into the pool)

(Aira with Tokbah)

(Aira at the playground)

The Sun Never Says

Even after all this time

The sun never says to the earth,

“You owe Me.”

Look what happens with

A love like that,

It lights the Whole Sky...

(Rumi)

(Alia, Arif and Aira at GPO)

(Jalan2 Cari Makan)

The Seram Thrills in Sunway Putra Mall...

"Life is short, live it. Love is rare, grab it. Anger is bad, dumb it. Fear is awful, face it. Memories are sweet, cherished it..."

(Hana accompanied by her grandpa)

In conjunction with Halloween, Sunway Putra Mall is featuring something real spooky at The Seram Thrills at Ground Floor. The entrance is free and it is guaranteed to deliver the chills adventure and adrenaline rush! You might even get to meet some of the infamous, local legendary ghosts.

Hana and Amir are not so adventurous. They were scared stiff even to have some photo shots on the scene.

(Braving themselves)

(A shot with the skeleton man)

(A yearly event at Sunway Putra Mall)