Wishing all my Muslim friends

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Hold your family close, eat well and be happy

This morning sahur

Js did get up. Ate pancakes, banana, honey.

http://twitpic.com/i39t6

J1 lasted till 830am. He’s extra whiny and naughty today sigh. J2 is still going on. As is Mum.

I’m very proud of my boys! :)

Half day fasting for me today as we are having iftar with a dear friend, the Js wanted to experience that with someone, since they went thru sahur yday.

The Js managed to fast till lunchtime yday, bless em. They want to try fasting the whole day tomorrow, since there’s no school tomorrow as well. So Mummy will get up and make pancakes for em at sahur (eek! lol k helped me make the batter) and mummy will join em to try a whole day. K and daddy can stay asleep LOL They wanted to experience what their Muslim friends and uncles/aunts experience so I thought it wld be ok. Its part of Malaysian life so good lah It will also give em a better understanding of what they go thru and why they do what they do, esp. during Ramadan.

Im proud of them b/c they want to experience what their friends did and in a positive way. I’m proud of them cos they want to understand what it’s all about, all the unique elements that make up our Malaysianness. Even if they dont finish the day’s fasting, Im just proud of them for wanting to try. They did go to bed later than usual though cos Uncle M came by so I see whether they will get up LOL

Some pix of Our buka puasa/iftar spread: Ayam penyet, jagung, and a whole host of yum. More importantly we had a lovely evening with Uncle M

http://twitpic.com/i1bx6
http://twitpic.com/i1bun

Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia 2009

The Cuddlyfamily decided to go to the sahur (the before dawnbreak meal that Muslims have before beginning fasting during Ramadan) organised at the Lotus Restaurant, PJ State Cinema, at 5am, on Malaysia Day. (Malaysia was formed in 1963, 16th sept). A group of like minded Malaysians decided that with all the recent events, it was time for all Malaysians to do a little something special to mark Malaysia Day (which is a largely ignored day, save for Sabah. How very wrong). So CuddlyDaddy and I decided to go for the fast. The idea was to do an extra act of kindness (if not more), smile more at those around u and to join our Muslim Malaysians in their RAmadan fast. It was an unbelievable thing, going to this event and seeing the diverse backgrounds, faiths all eating together. My boys were the only ones there. hehe (Mummy woke em up lol). K was feeling rather shy etc but the Js were fine and chatted away. They loved singing the national anthem and couldnt stop talking about the “special breakfast” the whole day LOL I’m very proud of my boys It gives me faith that things will get better in our country, it will take time and effort but we have to take these steps now. For our country’s sake.

Cuddlydaddy and I did the “no food, but drink water” fast. It was easier than I thought it wld be, what knocked me out more was the lack of sleep. Getting up at 4am etc was a tough one and even with a nap, it was tough going. I did get light headed nearer the time my usual “get things ready for dinner time” but I had stuck it out (even without water after lunchtime) till the kids dinner time. We “buka” together and we clinked our glasses to wish each other and all those around us (who looked at us rather in shock lol) a Happy Malaysia Day CuddlyDaddy did so well and lasted till buka puasa time at 7:15pm. The kids enjoyed this (Js lasted till lunchtime, k’s too young) and its something that will mark Malaysia day for them. They’d like to make it a tradition, something special. I kinda like that idea.

Happy Malaysia Day all!

here are the videos, reports etc from that time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwaW4Wwwj4c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuySyteKyO0

http://twitpic.com/hx4h8 – K enjoying dessert. his clothes 2

http://twitpic.com/hx2zl – Mmm dinnner for k

http://twitpic.com/hx2yk – Mmmm cheese

http://twitpic.com/hx2t4 – J1 dins

http://twitpic.com/hx2s2 – J2 wt his dins.

http://twitpic.com/hx1zo – Mmmm bread..

http://twitpic.com/hx1wg – Thejs waiting to order our ‘buka fast for nation’ meal.

peace4msiawas moved by the young boys who showed up for the MSIA Day Morning Meal to join Fast4Peace http://tinyurl.com/q2wnp3 Look into their eyes!
see: 4:32, 4:33, 5:06, 5:08, 5:18

http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2009/09/sahur-ing-together-for-malaysia-day.html

http://peace4msia.blogspot.com/

The boys got up and are waiting for brekkie at Lotus http://twitpic.com/huy8u

http://twitpic.com/hv1of – Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia sahur no:1

http://twitpic.com/hv1vn – Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia sahur, pix no:2
A view of part of the table at Lotus http://twitpic.com/huy36

Fasting on Malaysia Day.

http://peace4msia.blogspot.com/

This is what I’m doing

the acts of kindness and smiling at all, definitely a nice idea

Its been up and down

good wkend, then k got sick, then we had utter rebellion again this morning. Sigh.

Im just very tired right now. have a good wk ahead.

My Merdeka thoughts

Every country in the world, 1st, developing, 2nd, 3rd, or whatever title they wanna throw at you, has immigrants. We can’t deny that.

America, Australia are two examples that immediately spring to mind of those countries who have thrived based on the immigrants who have sought a life on their shores (whether it was a better life or not, depends on the individual).

They take pride in their immigrant past. (well most of them, there’s always those naysayers). It is what built their country into what is. That is why they still court immigrants, usually of a certain level etc.

Why am I mentioning this? Well, our country is also a nation of immigrants. Not just the real “bumiputras” but those who came from all over the world seeking a better life for themselves and their future generations. India, China, Indonesia are just some of the countries from where Malaysians spring from. There’s no shame in it. We all had to come from somewhere

The sooner we acknowledge that we have pride in our history (and not just selected or edited elements of it), the sooner we can come out of our present status. Perhaps it’s more of a naive viewpointlah. But I feel that the sooner we give a proper nod to our immigrant forefathers and preserve their history (our buildings, artisans etc), the sooner we can be more accepting.

Tolerance is not a word I’m advocating. I;m all for ACCEPTING. Our immigrant forefathers are part of our history, our culture, our heritage. It is what shapes us as MALAYSIAN. NOt just in our food but many of our daily practices. IT’s about pride. Pride of our heritage (no matter where it origainated from). Walking around a shopping mall (that’s a very Malaysian habit these days!), you see the faces that are milling around. You can’t always tell who is Malaysian and who is not.

The sooner that the powers that be ACCEPT this, the better. Although I guess for certain groups, ACCEPT means a loss of power and privilege. Thug Rule shouldn’t be the way. We see it in our daily life. The “louder” you shout (never mind what the majority feels), you can “win”. How is that acceptable to us? Is that how Malaysia has turned into?

As a kid growing up here (in Penang!), there was more acceptance, (allowing for a tinge of nostalgia), less of any idea of superiority, one group above the other. I saw it in grown ups, not just among kids cos kids are colour blind.

I see such potential in our country, such capabilities, and I don;t mean the biggest shopping centre, building or ketupat in the world, I mean artisans, artists, scientists, everything. It’s being squandered right now, for power and privilege.

Many lament the state of things now, they can yak away at our mamak stalls and kopi tiams. Then you find out they don’t vote or they aren’t even registered to vote. They say oh haiya, doesnt make a difference lah. .. Apathy is what got us to this level (other than the divide and rule idea). One vote can make a difference. Would you rather wait until there’s NO vote whatsoever? Emergency rule declared, all elections no longer an option. IF the superiorists win at all costs, and they take away a non-believer’s right to vote, then how?

Why am I rambling about this? I guess after reading the headlines, moreover in the last 2 months (At least), Im increasingly saddened by what’s happening. I didn’t feel like celebrating merdeka day, or flying a little flag or 2 (for which my kids did tell me off for lol), we watched what counted as a “merdeka” celebration, it was more like an elitist lil get together than anything real.

What do I want for my country? I want to stop cringing now every time Malaysia is mentioned everywhere. I want to continue to feel pride, pride that I am Malaysian. Pride that I represent my country where I go. I want to continue to write MALAYSIAN in big black letters across the race section of any form or ITS PERSONAL across the religion section of the same form until all that disappears. I want my children to feel the same pride, the same idea of everyone playing together, hanging out together, a great sense of community. I dont want them to start saying “this is my chinese friend, my indian friend, my malay friend etc”. We are trying to teach them that we are all Malaysians together, whatever our heritage and the only time anything needs to be different is when it comes to food, non halal, halal, no beef, or vegetarian, and that’s only a matter of RESPECT and understanding, not “TOLERANCE”.

Things have to change and it does start with us, the grown ups, the parents. We have to teach our kids this ACCEPTANCE and RESPECT and NATIONAL PRIDE not this sense of elitism, this thuggish style. Education is not just how many As you score, it’s so many levels.

I have to believe that my country is going through “growing pains” right now, that we have to hit rock bottom before we can climb up to be the glorious country that I know we can be, and I will continue to do my small part of teaching my kids the above as my parents had taught me, both by example and speech, after all, they are our country’s future. I;m sure I will stumble at times or catch myself doing/saying things that perhaps I shouldn;t or cynicism will pop up now and then

The sweetest moment on merdeka day for me was singing (and I use this term loosely when it comes to my singing ability) the national anthem with my kids who sang it with great pride (and volume haha) and a smile, when it was playing on TV. May that feeling last their whole lives.

Being Malaysian is what we are, it’s what shapes us at so many levels. The sooner we ACCEPT that, the sooner things will improve.

Selamat Menyambut Tahun Merdeka yang ke-52.

Dari Satu Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

Where have I been??

Life has been hectic yes. I’ve also gotten lazy in scribbling at my blog. Social media junkieness has meant that most of my updates go that way

Js are doing ok. J1’s lost more teeth (he’s in a hurry to grow up that 1 hehe). j2’s upper teeth have finally grown in and more loose ones on the way. they are doing ok in school, muddling along I guess. We celebrated their bday in Petrosains Was fun! Tiring but fun! Im getting them to help more and more around the home. Our part time helper will be returning to Cambodia next year so I’m gng to have to get used to not having one around or just a once a week clean/iron from someone. So since they are supposed to be earning allowances, they can learn how to be more “domestic” and how to help etc and how much work is involved etc. Perhaps they will learn to appreciate things more. Having had to scale back as well, they are learning about finances and how to manage or do without etc. Good training for momma too.

K has been very difficult of late, his tantrums and behaviour has reached unexpected proportions. D and I went away on our own for our 10th wedding anniversary, the Js were at Min’s and K was with Su. He had no prob right up till that night. In the end, he was brought to stay with us sigh. Since then he’s been tantruming, pouting, clingy, needy and just plain ridiculous.

More so to me. I cant even go out and fill up the car, before he pitches a fit. We thought we were working thru it, but lately it’s gotten worse. Its been a while since the sleepover wkend but its reaching a point where we cant go out anywhere cos u never know what will trigger him off. Like yday, I barely could eat lunch cos he pitched a fit cos he didnt like the place. The Js made casual small talk (bless em) while I had to hold k down cos he kept trying to leave the restr. Then the last few nights, SCREAMING, kicking yelling. refusing to go to bed. I made the mistake of cuddling him to sleep. So the next night he thought he cld do it again. This time I said no, we did our gnite ritual and I left the room. He tried to sneak out 2x. I was waiting outside the door with the rotan. He hurriedly went bakc to bed. It doesnt help that the Js have been coming out of the room or they mess about etc.

I never used to have too much headache with him, I cld go out, etc and he’d be ok, and now.. sigh.. We’ve been babysitting a lot so I dont know.. He’s got a mix of anxiety, jealousy and anger issues all thrown into 1. Im still searching for a more workable solution.

This morning was the worst yet. It took both CuddlyDaddy and myself to get him to school today, he’s absolutely refusing to go to school, esp on Wed when he has to stay back. I really dont know. sigh

I guess Im trying a mix of different “techniques” and ideas. Something has gotta break this cycle of tantrums. I could tell myself it’s a phase but I wanna find out the root causes etc the best I can..

Otherwise we plod on