Eid Mubarak 1428

2008 - Much more better..

Year 2006 - Meal

Year 2006 - only us

Kullu Am Wa Antum Bi Khair...

Like we usually say in Malaysia " Selamat Hari Raya AidilFitri, Maaf Zahir Batin" here they will wish people with these phrases when meet each other. This year we celebrate Eid right here in Yanbu. Just like the first year when we arrived in Yanbu. But this time is much more better, because we have it with other Malaysian families. During the first year, we spent our eid at home. There were few Malaysians at that time but mostly single and they opted to fly back and celebrate Eid in Malaysia.

In 2006 about 30 Malaysians in Yanbu but now we have more than 150 with families. Such a big number. When the number was small, we used to have small pot luck gathering and had chit chat and socialized to get to know to each other. But when the number is big, it is difficult to gather all at once. Some due to different timeframe and also space limitation. However the tradition still continues. Except the venue has changed. From individual house to hotels and restaurants which can accomodated more.

Having more Malaysians here it means we are going to see Malaysian traditions and cultures. Though there are many of us right here, but it does not mean we can easily transfer our tradition and practise them right here. Example, music in public is not allowed. If you want to listen music, make sure its within your hearing and in your compound. I usually joined my husband company dinner in Radison or Holiday Inn. Though they are Americans they know how to respect local cultures. They have their gathering but they observe the limitations.Their woman put on decent dress and also abayas on. I wonder it must difficult for them but they still show their respect.

Apart from that, local people did not allow mixed party among them. They have separate sessions male and female. Except if they are family members, then you may see them sit or dine together in public. Therefore big crowd in public, man and woman maybe not to encourage. Likewise in Malaysia, we have all those so fun time Family Gathering where all family members can join and play together, Company Annual Dinner or Family Day. Even in house-gathering we still need to observe if the crowd is too big, we need to ensure space between man and woman.

Yanbu - A new place with different climate and different cultures. Hope everybody can survive and enjoy the city as it is.

Baby at 22 Weeks

Eyelashes and eyebrows.

Your baby weighs about 15 ounces, measures just under 11 inches head to heel, and is growing eyelashes and eyebrows. Little taste buds are forming on his or her tongue, and if your baby is a boy, his testes begin descending from his abdomen. If your baby is a girl, her uterus and ovaries are already formed, as well as all the eggs she will ever produce.

Masya Allah Tabarakallah

Vacation ended

Huh... it had been 3 months I did not update my blog. 2 months in Malaysia seemed like 2 days. So much to catch that made me unwillingly to spent time on computer. I received complaints but I am really sorry for that.


In fact, we did not stay at one place. Moving from one town to another town, so its hard to bring along computer stuffs while visiting family members and relatives. Some of the weeks we spent to settle our personal matters(properties, banks,hospital) which required few weeks to clear.

Apart from that, we had vacation to treat family members. For this time we spent time in Kijal, Trengganu and few water-world resorts. Alhamdulillah the kids were enjoying themselves very much. And of course they did, after a year in Saudi without outside activities.



Now we are back and we will have the same routine to finish till next year. The children have started their schooling session on the next day we arrived in Yanbu.Also my husband has started his work. For me, I am a bit lucky. I started my duties after 3 days from the date of arrival.

We have our first day of Ramadhan in Yanbu this year. Ramadhan is the most welcoming month in KSA. It is not because of the 'bazar ramadhan' like what we are having in Malaysia. It is because the month full of Bless and Rest. Why? First the working hours is shortened to 6 hours. Instead of 40 hours a week, it ends up to 30 hours a week. Clock in time 10.00 am and ends 4.00 p.m. Like me in college, sometimes we even come home at 2 or 3. Seronoknye.... Then it is only for 2 weeks. The other two weeks is eid's break. Usually official break is one week, but towards the end of the month, the King commonly will make announcement for extra holidays to allow people to perform qiyamullail towards 10 days the end of ramadhan.

Ramadhan at night especially towards 10 days to end is so alive. You will hear quran recitation from almost all mosques in the town. I learned to know from my saudi friend that during ramadhan, it has become a custom to them not to sleep at night till sahur time. There was once I need help from her to translate my daughter school's form, she asked whether was it too late for me if she invites me at 11.00 at night. Luckily she changed her mind and ask me to come at 9.00. According to her 9.00 is like 7.30 and 11.00 is like 9.00 during ramadhan. Though, I have been staying in here for 2 years, I am still using the Malaysian clock. So the kids as well. So sleeping late at night definitely is out of my routine. There was one time I was invited to attend a wedding ceremony in Holidany Inn Hotel. It was a total new experience to me. First, it was only antended by women. Next, they have kind of a floor dance and invite close friend to dance together with the bride. Lastly, the dinner was served at 12.00 midnight. Huh...That's really new ....

Balik Kampung

Looking foward to that date...3rd July 2008....9 more days to go...
Malaysia here we come.

Oooo..balik kampung, hati girang.

For "Balik kampung" song, go to this link http://ejalz.blogspot.com/
cheers!!

Four is not Enough ?

Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring; and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with their mark), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode.
(Al-Eimran :13)

O mankind! if ye are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then lo! We have created you from dust, then from a drop of seed, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless, that We may make (it) clear for you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed time, and afterward We bring you forth as infants, then (give you growth) that ye attain your full strength. And among you there is he who dieth (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the most abject time of life, so that, after knowledge, he knoweth naught. And thou (Muhammad) seest the earth barren, but when We send down water thereon, it doth thrill and swell and put forth every lovely kind (of growth).
(Al-Hajj : 4)

That is because Allah, He is the Truth and Lo! He quickeneth the dead, and Lo! He is Able to do all things
(Al Hajj : 5)

Subhanallah (Glory to Allah)

Education in Saudi Arabia Part IV

Alhamdulillah, we received a good nwes from Mrs Boney last week. Only 4 out of many Muslim Approval applications were returned by MOE. Form these 4 applications, 3 are Malaysian and 1 Singaporean.

I met Mrs Boney the next day to submit my daughter school admission form. She was very happy to see me and say her appreciation to Malaysian Embassy in helping on this matter. Despite of that good news, YIS will lost their gems when Mrs Boney will leaving them by 25th June.

One thing I like most about YIS is, Nationality is not a border. Your children is free to interact with other nationality, races, colours and religions. The children is given an equal opportunity to develop and polishing their ability and skills.

Looking foward on next school session. Adios

Recent Good News

On Wed, June 11 2008, late afternoon, I received good news for our daughter muslim approval.

I was being informed till the date only 4 muslim approvals are approved by the ministry. 3 Malaysians and 1 Singaporean. May be this will become good a sign or give a new hope for newcomers about education in Yanbu. Alhamdulillah that's means she can go to the same school with his brother next year.

It almost the end of this semester.. another week for exam and after that one week for result compilation. Then Yahooo... going back to Malaysia..

Talking about "balik kampung" since the age of 13, my days is full with counting the days to go back to my hometown. I started my secondary education in a boarding school , 3 years in Ipoh, 2 years in Klang. After that I had my Prep Year in Ipoh and then continue my second year for preparatory + degree in Penang for 5 years.As soon as I had graduated, I got married and moved to KL. Still counting the days to go back to hometown. Again the process repeats. In Saudi Arabia I am counting my days to go back to Malaysia.

Now I am keeping myself alert, to treasure my days with my children because I may probably have only 12 full years with them, after that they will start leaving you to head for their life.