The Commencement of 2009 Summer Break-Away

Blessed with a good weather, the kids were very excited flying Qatar Airline back to our beloved hometown – Miri, Malaysia on 27.6.2009. With a mixed feeling though, they missed their friends – Kamarul’s kids, who are going to back Malaysia for good by 1 July 2009. This is what people always called –the fact of life, people comes people go! Nothing is permanent, and nothing is perfect in the Eyes of the Almighty Allah swt.
We departed our apartment at 18:00 hrs sent by Sherif and Hisham to El-Nouzha airport, Alexandria. This is their first experience flying Qatar Airline, in First Class cabin. What a lucky kids! Alhamdullillah. At the airport entrance, Samy – the Meet and Assist person who had been waiting for an hour, greeted us and ushered us to the counter. Everything went smooth and well. Alhamdullillah, we took-off around 20:30 hours after 2 months of preparation, counting days entertaining the excitement an looking forward for many interesting events that have been sketched and planed. Honestly, it was quite a stressful preparation though, but the anxiety was agitated by our missed beloved Malaysia, left alone Miri to be specific, but our families, relatives and friends.

Arrived at Doha International airport around 23:35 hours and departed for KLIA @ 01:35 on the 28 June. Alhamdullillah Salamah…..we touched down at 13:15 hours after around 10 minutes taxing along the runway of one of the best airport in the world and entered the KL International Airport’s (KLIA) Satellite building at 13:25 hours.

Photo: Inside the Qatar Airway Business Class coach

We spent around 20 minutes at the satellite building and cleared up our luggage 10 minutes after that. Alhamdullillah, all the luggage were handled safely and still in-take.

In this current demanding, but exhilarating and jubilant world, communication is vital, thus, our one of the top most priority to hook ourselves with the Malaysia telecommunication network, we subscribed to the X-Pax. Nevertheless, ultimately, the very top most in our priority list, was our obligation to perform our prayers before the Almighty Allah Rabbul Jalil – the communication that all Muslims must maintain consistently of course sincerely wherever and whenever they are.After checking-in our luggage via the domestic counter for our next destination Miri, we relieved our hunger with the local Malaysian cuisine at the KLIA food court.
At Miri airport, we received a very warmth welcome by Bg Hj Rosli, Kak Hjh Rahmah, Abu Bakar aka Chote, Hj Ma’som (pronounces as Mak..Sum), Hj Sulaiman & Hjh Miah, Muhammad Fahmi – who was actually could not open his eyes anymore, dosing himself tirelessly, Fauziah and hubby - Faizal aka Bern (pronounces as burn) who had been waited at the airport until we arrived at around 23:00 hours. Despite our exhaustion and fatigue mainly due to the long distance crossing two time zones and oceans, the second part of our journey, the 2 hours and 15 minutes flight was very entertaining with the service (the food was nicely packed and served) and the hospitality of the MH 2598 crew and MAS as a whole. Alhamdullillah, we arrived at the TwinzBites around 23:50 hours.

Another Achievement: Afiqah

She’d made us proud again. Kudos to her brothers and sincere congratulation to Afiqah. Alhamdullillah (praise be only to Allah), she recieved a pictorial dictionary from the BSA. Keep it up.

Latest Collections: Islamic Books

Islamic Books in Egypt, English, Arabic and in other languages are very cheap and easily available. One could easily find Islamic Bookstore in every district in all Governorates. I recently bought these three (3) books mainly to enhance my Islamic knowledge, which I hope will make me a better person in the right path of the Almighty Allah swt. The total cost of these books cost me EGP 98.00. The Faza’il El-A’maal, written by the famous pious Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Muhamad Zakariyya Kaandhalawi, is a reference book for many Da’I (the humble servant of Allah swt who executes the religious work). I had the Malay version long time back, but I bought this English version for me to master the Qur’anic English that I still very far lacking.

Creativity From the Lens of D90

The Oliver Twist: BSA's Version

After one month of hard work; memorizing the story-line, practicing the dance steps, choiring the songs, and synchronizing all the roles & characters, the British School of Alexandrias’ (BSA) teachers and the Key Stage 2 students could sleep well and smile big, when their show - The Oliver Twist drama was successfully concluded with remarkable comments by the audiences – parents, family members and the teachers.
It was first time watching this kind of show by the BSA. What actually motivated me was M Aiman and Afiqah participation in the show. Well, apart from that, it was my support and commitment for the development of my kids – our most important assets granted by the Almighty Allah swt.
Akin the BSA’s philosophy, it is my goal to groom them to become an independent, reliable, and organized person, committed with whatever they are in. And, above all, a role model as a servant of Allah swt and the true followers of the great Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) aspiring others to the right path. This is my commitment and responsibility – we plan, Allah swt disposes.

On that memorable day was their supportive and lovely mom, boosting their morale. Congratulations to all and keep it up!

Puffle Mania : Ayman and Afiqah's version

Puffle mania! Last weekend, Afiqah, M Aiman and I spent most our time together ‘manufacturing’ these Buffy-puffy creature – Puffle – one of the Penguin club’s game character. Afiqah was our instructor, shared us the steps relentlessly. M Ayman, despite his usual spongy-bobby pace, managed to come up with at least five (5) Puffles. They planned to market the product during the next their school – BSA’s Summer Bazaar. Good thinking kids!

Age Is Just Number

Kullu sana wa enti tayeeb! Tahniah..! Congratulations!.......alhamdullilah, this date – 9 June, your birthday. There are no other priceless gifts (that I could find in this world), than my sincere love for your birthday. On your birthday, let us put our hands together supplicating before Allah azza wa jala for His Blessings – Baraqah and Rahmah.
One for remembrance: group photo with the 3rd year Medical Students, our ‘adopted’ kids cum permanent member of Alex Event Organizer – Zainal; Zul; Faizal aka Pai; Muaz; Din and Atef.
Friend and another group of our adopted kids, the first year Medical Students and Al-Azhar student: Athirah; Munirah; Dorin (friend); Alang (Azhar U); Sabrina; Humaira and Nasihah. They are very cheerful, jovial, happy-go-lucky dude, but friendly, and polite.
Thank you very much for making the evening tea and Nana’s day a very memorable event. The birthday gifts from the Kids and Kamarul's family. May Allah swt give you all His blessings.

The menu of the day: Fried hot Bee Hoon noodles; Fried Adief Basmati Rice with shrimp paste; Modified Carefour Egypt Grilled chicken; Spicy Sweet Beef cubes; Shrimp dumpling, and desserts – local fruits and pumpkin pie.

The BSA Young Talents

The British School of Alexandria (BSA) once again organized an art exhibition providing opportunities for its young artists to demonstrate their creativity and talents, subsequently to enhance their potentials though feedbacks by visitors.
Afi, M Afiq, George, Javier and their mentor Mr. Yates during the art exhibition. This year, the second year for Afi participated in the exhibition, was not alone. M Afiq joined the exhibition with his seven abstracts and sculptures. Congratulations kids!

Their supportive mom was with them boosting their morale as well as sustaining their motivation.

BSA's Role Model

This is his third exhibition. Mabrouk! This year he produced and gambled the amazing abstract - his masterpiece, entitled the “Media Influence in Human Behavior” to improve his ranking from the top 10 in the world to the top five. Mr. Yates, his mentor commented that ‘Afi has great potential in this field and he was astonished with his masterpiece. In BSA, when come to Art affair, he is the role model that inspired the junior. Keep it up!
This is his submission to the IGCSE As level. The main materials he used was the Ecoline watercolors, used circuit board, applied on paper using a mix of air-brush and the conventional technique. The rationale is about the media roles in human being especially the generation Y’s life.

After successfully involved in several exhibitions, he is very confident and independent. Except for the rationalization aspect, he had shown a dramatically significant improvement with his art skill. The revelation of his inner feeling and the realization of his thoughts were very original, one of its kind, and inspiring. May Allah swt grant you His Blessings in whatever you do.

His Second Exhibition

Muhammad Afiq, like his brother ‘Afi, is very creative and smart. His philosophical character made him very conversant and able to convey his idea inspiringly and convincingly. His cognizant in art has great potential and I am very optimistic that one day he could be one of the successful, at least Malaysian trailblazers of his own innovative ‘invention’.
One of his art exhibits – the Color Fortune, produced using acrylic and technical pen, is the illustration of his knowledge on color tone mixing and blending. Honestly, I am not sure what the theme is.
One of his art piece that was exhibited at the Russian aRt Exhibition 2009, Alexandria. This art piece is one of Mr. Hindley's favorites. Thanks to the BSA for giving the kids opportunities in exposing their talents.

In this second attempt, his masterpiece – “MeRe” with a theme I, Me and Mine had recently convinced and impressed the IGCSE Art Moderator from the UK. “I, Me and Mine’ is about the circle of one's life in his endeavor to achieve the successful life thereafter. What goes around comes around!.

The Artist with some of his exhibits, smiling satisfactorily and confident. On the left, is one of his sculptures, one of my favorite – the Enviro-Warrior.

Last and always, praise only to Allah azza wajala for giving us this beautiful life, the transitory world, for us to prepare ourselves before the next phase of our journey.

Wish them All the Best

Like the third year Medical students, Mimi -from Raub, Pahang; Najihah -from Malacca; Amal -From Kuching, Sarawak, and Che' Wan - from Raub, Pahang paid their courtesy visit after went through the first part of their hectic examinations. Few more ‘papers’ to go though, they were quite happy with the past papers and confident with the remaining. Amal, however, will not be able to complete her 20% oral test for the Qur’an paper because she has to fly back to Malaysia to deliver her second baby. All the best to all you and wish you pass with flying colors. To Amal and Idris, InsyaAllah, He will bless you both with healthy baby boy.