HSM

If you have a daughter above the age of 4, you will definitely eventually end up where I did last weekend... at GSC OU, watching High School Musical the Movie. Need I say more. Since my daughther is 7, she has been following the HSM TV productions ever since it started. So of course, I ended up watching them and following them too. So yeah, I wish we had a Zac Efron back in Secondary School too, though I was in a Convent so... what are the chances of that happening anyway. But, hey way back in school, my group of friends and I were rather active in staging our very own Plays and Musicals too. So watching HSM did bring back some good memories of being in school, though minus the boys that is.

The HSM movie, was a little more special because it was in celebration of Izam's daughter's 7th birthday. In the pre-text (he!he! Izam I know you'd be reading this) of accompanying my children to watch the movie, I asked for a ticket myself. Come on, why would I waste the chance of watching Zac Efron on the big screen. I cannot believe I am saying this, when I actually missed the Cinema Screening of SATC!!! Boo hoo!!! Anyway, mummies out there who are contemplating about taking their girls to the movie, why not only if to watch Zac's topless back in the locker room scene. I kid you not!!! And oh, I guess I should mention the numerous cute outfits that Vanessa H had on throughout the show, and the spectacular handbags that Ashley T, got to use. A high school girl with a Jimmy Choo handbag, how irritating is that! Jack didn't join us, but he watched Eagle Eye, which was screening at about the same time, so the timing worked well for all us, I so so hate to be driving and looking for a parking space in One Utama on weekends. I guess, a birthday party and a movie screening like this is really a good no fuss function at least not at home. Pretty difficult to top this one huh? hmm hope my daughter does not plan to have a b'day party when she turns 8 next year. I am so out of fresh ideas already!

Excited! check out the T-shirt!

A photo with Eisha, the birthday girl.

HSM cake, no less!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!

The fans! not forgetting the one behind the camera.

part of the whole party group!

time for the party pack

our very own goodies! Zarif even got a Ben 10 pack, how thoughtful of Aunty Izam!

Girls in my circle.

I was clearing my mailbox when I came across Pat's email on girlfriends. Such a lovely poem, that I thought instead of just forwarding it, and running the risk of it being dumped into the recycle bin, I'd rather post it here for all to read. Enjoy. I dedicate this to all the girlfriends that I have known all these years.

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,And then I started to become a woman.And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man. Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom. Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'Another , 'Let's fight together,' Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,Another your shoe fetish,Another your love for movies,Another will be with you in your season of confusion,Another will be your clarifier, Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,On whatever the occasion,On whatever the day, Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself . Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several.. One from 7th grade,One from high school, Several from the college years, a couple from old jobs,On some days your mother, On some days your neighbour,On others, your sisters,And on some days, your daughters.

I have some pictures attached below, if you have touched my life in anyway but not in these pictures, I do apologize. Especially during those Pre-Digital Camera Days!!!

Zarif's concert debut.

Last Saturday (Oct 18th) was Zarif's Annual Concert. This is his first year in school, so this is his first concert ever. He is not totally new to this concert idea because he has witnessed his sister's concerts 2 years in a row. However, unlike his sister, it took him a while to warm up to the idea of performing on stage in front of people. Just like his sister, Zarif was also selected to be the The Lil' MC, to introduce his class's performance. His teacher gave the text to be memorized about a month ahead. In order to ensure that he memorizes his line, we even took to using some words into our conversation ha! ha! pretty silly actually since his line goes like this...

"We would like to present to you a dance from the Mountains. Hope you all enjoy it. Thank you!"

After the concert, he said that he enjoyed himself and he likes taking part in concerts. So I guess, next year we would not need to convince him about performing then. Here are some pictures and even a video.

The programme booklet.

Zarif's is the 5th item.

Zarif in action.

Watch the video.

I wanted a picture of the girl version of the costume.

With the class teacher, Teacher Shamala.






The proud sister.

Selamat Hari Raya!

Selamat Hari Raya & Maaf Zahir Batin, from the five of us to all. We celebrated this year with our new member of the family even though, he is way too young to understand. He is not wearing any baju Melayu this year. Thought that he is too young for it, plus the baju melayu this year are recycled from last, since Zarif 's fits perfectly well this year as it was made slightly bigger last year. We girls managed to get away with new pairs of Baju Kurung, since Nayli's Baju Kurung last year was way to small for her already. I gave in to Nayli's preference of having a matching Baju Kurung with me as the boys have identical Baju Melayu. Next year Zaim will be 1 year plus and would be old enough to have his own pair of Baju Melayu.

This year the Raya day falls in the middle of the week. So, it makes planning for the holidays rather easy. It was decided that this year we would be celebrating it with hubby's side of the family, particularly with his aunt and uncle in Kuala Terengganu. We were joined by his sister, mom and some of his cousins and other aunt and uncle.

At first we planned to head to Terengganu a day before the big day. Luckily, my M-I-L suggested that we should leave earlier if I were to have more time to visit Pasar Payang. It was a good thing that we took her advice. Since we ended up going on Sunday, I had 2 full days in Kuala Terengganu, and I went to Pasar Payang on both days. I already knew that I had to leave Terengganu with some of their fine Batiks. After much contemplation and searching, I must say that I am pleased with what I got at the end of my two day visits to PP. Got my silk batiks and even one crepe material, some nice kaftans for myself, mom and Nayli.

Hari Raya in Terengganu also means Nasi Dagang on the first day of Raya. Endless of it, and not just for breakfast! Yummy. We also had endless Keropok Lekor. We even bought some or rather plenty, and had it frozen while we were there so that we could take it home. My only regret now is that I didn't take enough pictures. There were also no pictures of the Raya spread. What was I thinking? So unlike me. Guess I was pretty tied up with the baby. Anyway, hari raya isn't exactly over yet maybe there's hope of more Raya shots before the end of this Syawal.

It was a really good long break. Thanks very much to Mak Lang and Pak Lang for having us.

Below are some pictures that I managed to capture during our stay in Terengganu.

Nayli and her cousins.

At the Jetty, near Pasar Payang.

1st Hari Raya ever!

Hari Raya 2008 _ Kuala Terengganu