Nek Wan - In Loving Memory

I know in my last post I promised to tell you about what happened during my birthday month but don't worry, that will come soon. This is about my great grandma, Nek Wan.

Nek Wan left us in March, just less than a month before my birthday. She was already suffering from Diabetes and her kidneys were deteriorating. She refused to go through dialysis as she felt that she was too old for it and didn't want to go through the pain and discomfort. At the end, her kidneys failed her.

I managed to spend some time with Nek Wan during her final days as she was staying at Tok Abah's house. She was happy, I think, as she got to spend time with Idzhar and I and Idzhar always made her smile. Idzhar misses her sometimes although he doesn't really understand why Nek Wan is no longer with us now. Sometimes I think he knows that she's not around anymore but is just in denial. That's because a couple of times when we went back to kampung in Rembau after Nek Wan left us, mommy overheard Idzhar talking to himself reassuring himself that Nek Wan is there or is sleeping (he said that when he saw her during the funeral too). 

I'm not sure how much Idzhar remembers her but I do remember her. Mommy has quite a few photos of Nek Wan too so I'll show them to Idzhar from time to time so he won't forget his Nek Wan. 

Anyway, with Nek Wan gone, there goes the last of my great grandparents. Going back to kampung was and never will be the same again after that.

Nek Wan, you'll be dearly missed by all of us. I love you, Nek Wan.

AlFatihah.

The Trouble with Khaliq...

"I knew you were trouble when you walked in..." - Taylor Swift

Now that he can walk, trouble is his middle name. That shirt suits you perfectly, lil' bro! :)

The Passing of Nek Tok

'Truly we belong to Allah, and truly to Allah shall we return'

On the morning of July 28th, 2009, at approximately 5.51am, Nek Tok, Allahyarham Haji Kassim bin Sifat, Tok Mama's father passed away in his sleep after being in the hospital for a little more than a month. We were asleep when Tok Mama called Dadda to inform us of the news.

Mommy and Dadda immediately got ready, woke me up and bathed me and headed back to Tok Mama's hometown where Nek Tok's body was to be laid to rest that afternoon itself. Many people who knew Nek Tok from all over came to pay their last respects. Nek Tok was buried after the Zohor prayers, at around 2pm. Everything, alhamdulillah, went smoothly.

We held 'tahlil' for 3 days in a row where we recited quran verses and duas. Neighbours and family members attended the 'tahlil' and many expressed their condolences especially to Nek Wan, Tok Mama's mother.

We were forbidden to mourn for more than three days for a dead person, except for a husband, for whom a wife should mourn for four months and ten days (while in the mourning period) we were not allowed to put kohl in our eyes, nor perfume ourselves, nor wear dyed clothes, except a garment of 'Asb (special clothes made in Yemen). But it was permissible for us that when one of us became clean from her menses and took a bath, she could use a piece of a certain kind of incense. And it was forbidden for us to follow funeral processions.

Hadith - Bukhari 7:254, Narrated Um 'Atiyya

Nek Tok's The Last Supper with Nek Wan, Tok Mama & Mama Rina's family..

I'm thankful that Nek Tok had the chance to see me. I probably won't have memories of Nek Tok with me when I'm older but at least Mommy, Dadda, Tok Mama and the rest of the family do.

Possibily my final picture with Nek Tok during Mak Lang Nur's wedding

Plus, there are photos to remind me of him.

May his soul rest in peace. Al-Fatihah.

Mak Lang Nur's wedding...

On the 13th and 14th of February I went to Seremban to attend Mommy's cousin, Mak Lang Nur's wedding to Uncle Wan Zul. Both Mommy and Dadda took leave on Friday the 13th so that we wouldn't have to rush to Seremban after work.


This was taken a week before the wedding during the preparation! I'm 'helping' out putting papers in the souvenir box!

After Friday prayer we took off to Seremban in 1 car and Tom Mama and PakSu Ami in another. Tok Abah couldn't go because he had his lecture. When we arrived in Seremban, everybody was busy preparing the house, room, living room and souvenirs. We headed to Atuk Ngah Man's house just next door to Atuk Long's house in Bukit Chedang to get ready. Tok Mama, PakSu Ami, Wan Teh and Wan Ki got ready there too.


With Mak Lang Nur before her akad nikah. Look at me all happy in white!

At around 9pm the ceremony started. It was the 'Bernikah' ceremony where they sort of get themselves 'registered'. The 'Tok Kadi' was quite funny, according to Mommy and Dadda. I just laughed whenever anyone or everyone laughed. Yes, I was quite noisy that night, hehe... was just trying to liven things up! Owh, I forgot to mention that Kak Alyssa was also there but she wasn't feeling very well. She was asleep by the time the ceremony took place.


Me, Dadda & Mommy with Mak Lang looking splendid in her akad nikah dress!


Listening to the Tok Kadi performing the akad.. Nice B&W pict by Dadda!


With Auntie Aishah (Uncle Imal's gf :).. Takleh dok diam!


The happy couple after the akad...

After that, all guests proceeded outside for dinner. By then I was already quite tired and sleepy so I took a short nap after showing a teeny weeny bit of tantrum.


Sleeping with cousin Alyssa..

When I woke up, most guests have already left. Mommy fed me with some fruits while we took photos with Mak Lang Nur and Uncle Wan Zul. We retired at Atuk Ngah's house not long after that, at around midnight.


All of us with the happy couple, Mak Lang Nureliza & Pak Lang Wan Zul..

The next morning I woke up later than others, around 10am. Mommy bathed me and Dadda took me next door to Atuk Long's house for breakfast while Mommy had her shower. We then sat and watch TV while I played with Pak Ngah Iwan. After Zohor prayers, Dadda, Mommy and I went to the hotel in Seremban town to check-in. The wedding reception was to be held there, in the ballroom of Royale Bintang Hotel.


Yeaaaayyy, I'm happy to be on my big bed in the hotel!

The room was quite nice. We got a room with a connecting door to Tok Mama and Tok Abah's room next to us. Tok Mama, Tok Abah and PakSu Ami arrived later in the afternoon because Tok Mama and PakSu went back to Subang after the nikah the night before. Originally, they were supposed to come back in the morning but apparently, one of Tok Mama's close friends passed away that morning so Tok Mama went for the funeral before coming back to Seremban.

While waiting for them to arrive, Mommy and Dadda had their lunch while I crawled around the two bedrooms, exploring! It had quite a nice view of the rest of the hotel so most of the time I spent sitting near the glass window, looking out into the garden of the hotel.


With Mak Lel who just arrived...

After awhile Aunty Huda and Mak Lel arrived and after everyone excluding me had performed their Asar prayer, Mommy, Aunty Huda, Mak Lel and I went down to check the ballroom out. Then, we went outside to the pool area where there were people swimming. Near the pool, next to the spa, there was a playground. I went on the see-saw and slide. Too bad there weren't any swings for I would've loved to go on it.


Playing on the sea-saw with my 2 Godmothers, Mak Lel & Auntie Ude!


I know I'm supposed to go down the slide, but for it's more challenging climbing up the slide!

Mommy didn't bring my swimsuit so I didn't get to swim in the pool but I did get to sit by the pool playing with the water with my feet, though. Dadda came down to join us later on for a wee while before going back up to the room to get ready. By the time we got back to the room, Tok Abah, Tok Mama and PakSu Ami have arrived.


Mommy, where's my bathing suit.. I wanna swim!

After Maghrib prayer, when all of us were ready, Mommy took me down in my stroller. By then, Papa, Mama and Ayah Ngah have also arrived and they came up to our room for Maghrib prayers too. Downstairs, guests have filled the ballroom before the VIPs including Yang Dipertua Negeri Sembilan and all the 'Undangs' arrived.


Look at me wearing a silver baju kurung with bling2x.. Us with Papa & Mama

Mommy fed me with a bottle of milk and I fell asleep. I was sure Mommy and Dadda were quite relieved that I was asleep almost throughout the ceremony. That gave them ample time to have dinner and mingle with the guests. In other words, I was very well behaved that night, hehe...


My wedding reception dinner..


Kenyang perut, tidur lagi.. Slept through the whole merenjis ceremony!

When I woke up, the event was almost over. Guests were already queueing up to say their well wishes to the bride and groom and their parents. We stayed back for a photo session with the huge family. I met a lot of friends and relatives during the farewells and photo shoots. They all thought I looked gorgeous in my silver 'baju kurung'. I'm sure Mommy and Dadda were very proud of me. Finally after the photo session that took about an hour to wrap up, we went up to the room around midnight and got ready for bed.


Awake now.. In front of the elegant pelamin!


3 single girls & 1 Mommy!


With Dadda, Uncle Ijai & cousin Alyssa!


With Tok Abah & Tok Mama..


With Pak Su Amie..


With AyahNgah Acat..


With Nek Wan & Nek Tok, also Tok Long, Wan Jah, Wan Teh & Tok Teh!


Group photo of Atok Kassim & Wan Ramlah family with the happy couple!


Climbing the steps to the pelamin during the photoshoot...

The next morning I had to be forced to wake up for breakfast by Mommy and Dadda. When we went down for breakfast, everyone was already finishing up with their food. I was only half awake. I think Mommy and Dadda were also tired because instead of hanging out around the pool like everyone else after breakfast, they took me up to the room where I managed to get more sleep while they pack. At noon, we checked out and went back home.


With Mama Rina & Alyssa during the gift opening at Tok Long's house in Bukit Chedang


Hey, I want this!...

All in all, it was an interesting weekend for me. We're still waiting for Mak Lang to show us photos from the professional photographer from those nights. I'll be attending more weddings this year. I'll keep you updated.

SELAMAT PENGANTIN BARU TO MAK LANG NUR & PAK LANG WAN ZUL!

Some of the wedding pictures featuring me can be accessed here!

I want TheLilCaliph goodies!

I'll be turning 10 months soon and I feel I deserve a gift or goodies for all my cheeky naughty good behaviour all this while.

So, when browsing for goodies, I stumbled upon this cool online Malaysian store specialising in baby stuff called The Lil Caliph!



What's The Lil Caliph you may asked? Well, Caliph (according to Wikipedia) is an Arabic word that generally means leader or head of state. And hence, the store uses this name to represent the future leaders, like myself.. Yes, I am a Lil Caliph! :)


Look Mommy, I'm a Lil Caliph!


Anyway, the store have sooo many goodies for Mommy & me! These are categorised neatly on the left side of their website such as Toys&Games, Mother Care, Baby Bags and Travel Companion!

Furthermore, Dadda's friends, Auntie Mas and Uncle Johan both just had their newborn baby girl and baby boy respectively, so
The Lil Caliph will be the perfect place to find a gift for my new lil friends!

So, what should we get them? And what will be the perfect gift for me?

There are soo many cool choices available at TheLilCaliph (TLC for short). For example, I saw this plush tiger toy called Taj The Tiger that Ayahde might really love (since they just came back from the zoo and Ayahde is crazy about tigers)



Hmmm, that makes me wonder, when will Dadda & Mommy bring me to the Zoo? I guess maybe when I can walk too, which I hope soon coz I can already easily stand & dance to the music!

Back to TheLilCaliph website, you can also select your goodies through the Manufacturers! Say you always love products from Fisher-Price, then just select those and Walla! -- You will be on the page that sorts all Fisher-Price goodies. It's sooo user-friendly and innovative!

What more, you also get free shipping for orders more than RM200!



But, the reason I love the site soo much is because I can actually reward my Mommy & Dadda with a holiday of a lifetime!



Of course, this is my first entry to the contest, and if I blog more about TheLilCaliph, then the chances for me to reward Mommy & Dadda with a trip to Phuket & Bali will be higher! They surely deserves it after putting up with my theatrics for 10 months..!

So, would you help me in my quest? Help spread the words around about this entry and also leave a comment...!

Hmmm, maybe I can also get gifts for all the February babies in our family like Papa, Mak Lel, Auntie Alma, Iky & Uncle Nuor from TheLilCaliph!

Cheerios!

A poem for my unfortunate friends...

I swim with Mommy and Dadda on Mondays,
Bowling nights with my family are always on Tuesdays,
I hang out with Tok Mama and Tok Abah on Wednesdays,
Spend precious times with Mommy and Dadda on Thursdays,

Fridays are always 'free and easy',
Snuggle between Mommy and Dadda, getting cozy,
Weekends are spent with brothers and sisters of Dadda,
How about you, my fellow friends in Gaza?

Mondays, Tuesdays, everyday including Sundays,
You scream, cry and in fear, always?
Bombs, shootings, groanings and shouts
Are what you hear around you, so loud?

Where are your families, Daddas and Mommies?
They've been shot and killed by the armies?
So who's going to look after you now?
You have to be fed by someone, somehow.

Don't be sad, my fellow friends in Gaza,
Your Mommy and Dadda are in heaven with Allah.
I'm sure it's sad to have no one at all,
If it were me, I'd definitely bawl.



You don't understand what you did wrong,
To face the world, you now have to be strong.
My family and I will always pray for you,
To finally have a peaceful and happy life too.

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Read more on how too you can help by clicking here..