Rifki

One year old Rifki, Ali and Aisya's latest cousin, brother of Afiz and Irfan in Kpg Merkang, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan.

New home in Pasir Puteh

Aisya standing at the backdoor of our recently completed back extension of our family home in Kpg Merkang, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. With Tok Wan' s passing away last year, the house seems even more empty and forlorn except for the one or two weeks in the year when we all gather here for Tok Wan's kenduri arwah (early July during Gawai holidays and November during Hari Raya Haji holidays). Both children look at these dates with high anticipation, the few days that they are free to run around the house and yard with their cousins, watch tv allnight long, secret maggie cookout past midnite and camping on the concrete courtyard.

Family in Kuantan

Aisya, Mak Cik Yah, Pak Wan Yasin and Ali sitting cozy on a sofa on family grounds in Kuantan on our annual drive-home break. Can't remember when the kids were last year, most likely the year before last. Brief opportunity to catch up and get together.

Last event of the schoolyear SR Agama Pdg Kerbau

Aisya receiving her prize from the Chairman of the school board.

Last event of the schoolyear SR Sri Mawar

Ali receiving his prize from Chairman of the school's PTA, Stephen Yong.

Closing of KAFA Session SR Sri Mawar

Ali and Aisya all decked up to attend the closing of SR Sri Mawar's KAFA session. Ali participated in the "Azan" competition, Aisya was just happy to be dressed up like all the other good muslim girls. I cannot doubt that a little bit of their "Kelantanese" is showing on these two.

The Game Fiend

For every 0.5 hrs of computer games on the laptop, there's an equal 0.5 hrs of piano practice that comes with it. Though Ali doesn't look so earnest on the piano, he's fairing better at it, even teacher Sara of Musique Gallerie commented that he's much improved.

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

Little sister Aisya enjoying her short stay at Columbia Asia, tv and Astro of course. Papa missed half a day's work and we all missed the Nitewalk and stay at Lambir Hills NP!


Big brother Ali some painkillers while waiting for teh stitch-up in the room enjoying the cartoons on Astro.


With blood oozing out of a big gash below the upper lip making two fresh holes on his upper lip.


The wound after some cleaning up. What looks like a superficial abrasion is actually a long deep cut from the inside out, there is a huge gash on the inside of his upper lip. He must have fallen, hit the wall, his teeth cut into the flesh of his upper lip.

Major fumbles of Ali so far:
1) Similar cut but on his lower lip when he was about 3 years old, jumping between table and stool at a park in Carceras, Spain while on holiday. His upper tooth cut thru his lower lip ... blood all over the place.
2) Skydive from a 12 inch mattress directly onto the terracotta floor (distance of 3-4 feet) of a boutique hotel somewhere in Spain, on the same holiday, landing directly on his head. We almost fainted!

Aisya of course was sitting comfortably in her cradle.

Compared to Daddy's
1) Fell from woodens staircase at home in Beserah, Kuantan, Pahang ... stitched on local anaesthetic on his right cheek when he was seven, left a prominent scar.
2) Hit by a motorbike while crossing the street in Kuantan. Came out unscathed surprisingly, but the rider was two seconds away from walking home with a broken neck courtesy of Dad (Ali's Grandpa).

Cycling Kids

Aisya on her first try out session on her first bike she deservedly acquired (from Papa) after getting 2nd place in her 1st term exam at Sekolah Rendah Agama recently.


Koko Ali giving Aisya's bike a quick spin to make sure that everything is running well before Aisya had her turn.