Few More Days To The New Year

Assalamualaikum! I am looking forward to today. There lots of things to be done. I anticipate there will be little time to blog later, thats the reason I am doing it now. Day before I came back from Alor Setar having very acute stomach ache. I must have got the bugs from food eaten in Alor Setar day before. Now I am still having it that I dare not take my breakfast this morning!

Anyway coming back to the items that makes me look forward for today; top on the list is 'My good friend Mazz is coming home today for she had ended her stint in Labuan', second ' Meeting with the staff (including new staff) to give thier duties for new 08 session'. Next, to go out shopping for items for the 'asrama' and new kitchen utensils to cater for the bigger number of students.

There's only two more days before the new students will come to register with our school. There's also the school uniforms to be collected and the marketing to be done. So you can imagine the numerous things we have to do. At the same time there are still enquiries about our school and a number of new applicants to be interviewed. We wanted to close the appliccation but feel it bad not to listen and try to help those who wants to come to our school. At least we have to see what we can do to help them. We may direct them to other schools.

We feel that we need a lot of help but we do not know where to turn to and what help to ask. However I think we can manage with the help of our children. Some of them may take leave to help us out during this few days. Yes, all the children are very involved in the school.

My Youngest Going To ' Full Boarding School'

My youngest daughter Cik Su is preparing to go to the 'asrama'. I have not been involved in her preparation. It is done by her eldest sister Kin and second sister Ude. After taking care of the other 8 children all these years I am happy to relinquish the job to Kin. Anyway my husband and I are busy doing more important things. We are making sure that when the school opens in January, everything is ready for the start of the 08 session.

Kin and Ude are making sure Cik Su has everything will need for her asrama stay. It does not matter that the asrama is just walking distance round the corner from our house. It also does not matter that the full boarding school that she's going to is her father's school. Yes! Cik Su is going to study at MTAQSA. This has been the plan since we opened the school. She is lucky that we have opened the school or else by now she would have been shipped off to Cairo to join her fourth sister Yanna who is studying at the Al Azhar College for foreign students. Yanna has been there for 4 years now, doing her secondary education.

Cik Su will be subject to the same rules as the other students. She is not allowed to come home unless the the school calendar shows that is 'leave - go home day'. Parents are only allowed to visit their children once a fortnight. I hope this will work out for Cik Su because if we do not follow the school rules it will be difficult to decipline her. This is also the way to keep the children focus on their studies especilly the 'hafazan' ie the memorising of the Quran. The students in our school have to memorize one page of the Quran daily in the beginning later some may advance to 2 pages daily. They will complete the whole Quran when they are in form 3 or form 4. At form 4 and form 5, they will focus for the SPM exam ( targetting exellent results).

When I see our students able to carry all their subjects and show great interest and are well deciplined, I have to take my hat off for them, (tabik spring!). At my age I am not able to memorize even the 99 names of Allah (Asma ul Husna) without difficulty, what more to memorize the pages of the Quran! In this matter it is very true as the Malay saying goes "Nak melentur buluh hendaklah dari rebungnya! It means that if you want to bend the bamboo, it must be done when its young or bamboo shoot stage!"

It is heartening no note that of late many young parents are very concerned about their children education and upbringing. They came to consult us about their childrens' education even as early as when the child is 7 years old. So some of them have made their booking to place their children in our school in the future. Our school offers 3 curriculums, ie The Quranic studies and Hafazan, the religious subjects (13 subjects in form 1 ), and the academic subjects ie maths, science, english, bahasa Melayu and history (form 1 to form 3) In form 4 and 5 their subjects will be according to their stream eg they will do add maths, modern maths, biology, physics, chemistry and others if they intend to take up medicine, engineering or to be a pilot. As it is, most of our students intend to do the sciences.

It would not be difficult to acheive whatever they want to be, since by that time they would have completed their memorizing of the Quran and the religious knowlege and practice is already ingrained within them. With all that and the decipline that we have imposed upon them, Insya Allah they will be great leaders and useful citizens of the future!

Going To The North Again

Assalamualaikum! To night in the wee hours of the morning we are going to the North (Kedah) by car. In Arabic we say, " Nahnu sanazhab ila Khodah bissayaroh fi haza lail" He, he, he. Itulah bahasa arab yang saya dah belajar sikit-sikit.

The main reason we are going north this time is to visit the family of my husband's distant cousins who had passed away last week. When we heard that somebody passed away we will say, " Innalillahi wainnailaihi rojiuun!" which means " From Allah we come and to Him we go back!"

So tonight we are going just the two of us ie my husband and I. We could not take the others because we are also going to fetch an extra helper who's giong to help us in the kitchen preparing food for the students. The two maids that I have now would not be able to cope with the workload. This is part of the preparation to accommodate the increasing number of intake for year 08 for our school.

The other preparation is that we have rennovated the present hostel for the boys and we have rented another building for the girls' hostel. I could forsee that I would be busy helping my husband to manage the school. So I have decided to teach the students English only. New teachers will be joining us, including maths and science teacher, Bahasa Melayu and History teacher and an Ustazah for the Quranic subjects. At the moment we already have three ustaz and 1 ustazah full time, and 4 part-time teachers. We hope to give the best to our students in every aspect.

Menyambut Aidil Adha

Assalamualaikum! Selamat menyambut Hari Raya Aidil Adha! How was your (all of you out there) Aidil Adha? As for me and family, we did the normal things that we do almost every Hari Raya Aidil Adha. The night before I cooked some food meant for the morning breakfast. I got up early to prepare for more food meant for lunch. Then we had small breakfast and quickly dressed up for the Mosque. Then we did the Aidil Adha prayers. I was surprised that todays sermon by the Imam was more 'daring' than ever before(if you understand what I mean). So I nudged the Imam's wife who happened to sit beside me.(He, He, he)

We came back from mosque, we had some Raya food. As her usual practise, my kind neighbour gave a tray and bowls of her special Raya menu. (How lucky we are to have her as our neighbour!) So we ate her delicious nasi beriyani and the accompanying lauk-pauk.

After that my husband and my son went to help people at the surau to cut the korban meat. Later one of the surau committee came to deliver about 1 kilo of the korban meat.

Then my brother and her family came over and we ate more food. My sister in law brought me a beautiful cake (lucky me!)

Later a special guest visited us and we accompanied her to eat the laksa I specilly cooked for her. Then my sister in law (husband's sister) came over and brought more food (people say, murah rezeki, Alhamdulillah!).

To cut long story short, as I am typing this I am so full and bloated. Alhamdulillah, all went well for today's Hari Raya Aidil Adha. Hope yours (all of you out there) went well too. At the same time I remember my 2 daughters far away overseas, Yanna in Cairo and Lia in Jordan. I hope they enjoyed their Aidil Adha too with their friends over there! Eid Mubarak!

Sesuatu Yang Pelik

Petang itu sedang Wan Harun membersihkan porch depan bersama anak-anaknya, Yasmin bersendirian didapur. Ditepi ruang dapur ada satu bilik yang dibuat setor tempat simpan barang-barang. Pintu bilik itu tidak berkunci, Yasmin menjenguk kedalamnya. Dia melihat ada banyak berkotak-kotak barang tersusun diatas kabinet yang melekat kedinding. Ada sebuah katil dan banyak perkakas-perkakas lama di dalam bilik yang tidak berapa besar itu. Yasmin menutup semula pintu bilik itu dan membuat ingatan akan membersih serta mengemas bilik itu untuk dijadikan bilik pembantu rumah nanti. Yasmin membelakangkan bilik itu hendak ke sinki, dia berasa ada orang melintasi di belakangnya. Dia menoleh tiada sesiapa! Mula-mula dia menyangka mungkin suaminya telah masuk kedapur kemudian keluar melaui pintu ruang makan. Dia meneruskan kerjanya lagi menyusun barang-barang yang dibawa keatas kabinet dapur. Terasa ada orang memerhatikannya. Dia menoleh lagi, tiada sesipa di ruang dapur yang sunyi itu. Sambil dia meneruskan kerjanya itu terasa ada sepasang mata memerhatikannya! Gelisah dengan perasaan itu Yasmin terus kedepan mendapatkan suaminya.

"Abangkah masuk ke dapur kejap tadi?" tanya Yasmin.

"Taklah! Dari tadi abang disini membersihkan porch ini. Kenapa?" balas Wan Harun.

"Tak! Tak ada apa-apa. Saja tanya." kata Yasmin wajahnya berkerut.

Wan Harun memerhati ekspresi wajah isterinya dan dapat mengagak ada sesuatu yang tak kena. Namun dia teruskan kerjanya memberus lantai simen porch yang telah naik tanah dan lumut. Beberapa minit kemudian, Wan Harun sedang berehat diatas tangga depan, Yasmin membawa satu jag minuman air limau nipis. "Abang, tadi semasa Min didapur, terasa ada orang yang melintas, ingatkan abang lalu ke ruang makan!" bisik Yasmin.

Wan Harun melihat kemuka Yasmin dan memahami apa yang tersirat. Dia terdiam sebentar, kemudian berkata, " Tak apa, nanti malam ni Abang buatkan." kata Wan Harun, sejurus wajahnya kelihatan serius.

Kebetulan malam itu adalah malam Jumaat, Wan Harun dan Yasmin telah besedia lebih awal menunggu masuk waktu maghrib. Azan berkumandang di masjid setengah kilometer dari situ. Semua tingkap dan pintu telah ditutup, Wan Harunpun segera melaungkan azan agak kuat dalam rumah, Villa Seriwani itu. Wan Harun kemudian mengimamkan solat maghrib, isteri dan anak-anak menjadi makmum. Setelah selesai zikir dan doa, Wan Harun berseru, " Wahai penghuni rumah ini, kami balik ke rumah kami nak tinggal disini, pergilah ketempat lain. Ini adalah rumah kami, kami nak tinggal disini." Tiga kali Wan Harun berseru demikian. Itulah seruan atau kata yang pernah di ajar oleh neneknya kalau kita pindah ke tempat atau rumah yang disyakki ada didiami makhluk halus. Kemudian dia membaca Ayatul Khursi berualang kali.

Bagi anak-anak pasangan tersebut mereka sudah tahu tentang seruan sebegitu dan tidak merasa apa-apa peliknya kerana mereka juga tahu rumah itu sudah lama kosong. Anak-anak pasangan ini tidak diajar takut akan keaadaan sedemikian. Namun Yasmin dan Wan Harun tidak pernah bercerita perihal yang rumah itu dianggap berpenghuni dan cerita-cerita bahawa saudaramara yang pernah pulang kerumah itu tidak berani bermalam disitu. Mereka juga tidak memberitahu kepada anak-anak mereka apa yang telah berlaku pada siang hari tadi.

Keluar Makan

Panggilan telefon dari Zed memberitahu semuanya ok di Shah Alam. Zed sengaja ditinggalkan di Shah Alam untuk menjalankan beberapa tugas. Tugas Zed adalah untuk mengemas dan mengunci rumah Shah Alam yang akan di tinggalkan itu. Zed akan bertolak ke Alor Setar dua hari lagi iaitu pada hari Ahad. Dia akan memandu sebuah Nissan Vennette membawa adik-adiknya, Alan dan Cik Su, pembantu rumah Indonesia, Wiwik dan semua barang-barang yang perlu dibawa ke Alor Setar.

Matahari sudah menegak, Yasmin sudah kemas dan bersihkan bahagian dapur. Cerah dan kemas nampak ruang dapur, angin dari luar meniupkan udara segar melalui tingkap-tingkap yang telah dibuka luas. Kaca-kaca tingkap telah dibersihkan oleh Lia tadi menampakkan kilauannya. Terdapat sebuah peti ais jenama GEC model lama masih boleh berfungsi dan ada sebuah dapur gas yang masih elok. Namun Yasmin belum boleh mula memasak kerana masih banyak perkara yang perlu dilakukannya.

"Mama Lia dah laparlah! Kita nak makan kat mana?" tanya Lia.

"Ok! Semua orang pergi mandi, siap kita nak keluar makan kat Alor Setar atau Jitra." kata Yasmin.

Setengah jam kemudian Wan Harun memandu kenderaannya menghala Alor Setar.Keluarganya yang ada bersama rancak berbincang tempat mana yang mereka akan tuju untuk makan tengah hari. Akhirnya mereka sepakat. Wan Harunpun membelok kenderaannya masuk ke kawasan kedai-kedai makan di Pumpong. Ada banyak gerai dan juga kedai makan disitu. Menu di kedai yang mereka masuk itu sangatlah banyak jenis lauk-pauk seta ulam-ulamannya. Anak-anak yang letih dan kelaparan itu ghairah memesan pelbagai jenis makanan. Tanpa melengahkan masa, merekapun menjamu selera hingga puas dan kekenyangan.

Hampir selesai makan Wan Harun ternampak seseorang masuk kekedai. Dia bangun lantas menyapa, "Assalamualaikum! Pak Ndak."

"Waalaikumsalam! Eh, Bila hangpa balik sini?", Kelihatan Pak Ndak tercengang.

"Baru malam tadi sampai pukul 12 malam." kata Wan Harun. " Pak Ndak mai makan sorang sajakah? Mana Mak Ndak?"

"Mak Ndak ada kat rumah, kurang sihat hari ni. Ni nak mai beli bungkus bawa balik. Hangpa mai dok kat mana?"

"Kami tinggal di rumah Wa Sin yang lama dah kosong tu! Pak Ndak mailah rumah bawa Mak Ndak sekali" Kata Wan Harun.

"Hangpa mailah rumah kami dulu! Mai makan! Nanti Mak Ndak dah sihat dia boleh masak."

"InsyaAllah! Tapi ni kami baru sampai, rumah Mak pun belum pergi lagi!" kata Yasmin.

Setelah berbual-bual sekejap, mereka semua bersalaman dengan Pak Ndak, "Kirim salam Mak Ndak ya!" kata Yasmin sebelum mereka beredar dari situ.

Masuk saja kedalam kenderaan, Aly bersuara, "Siapa tu Mama?"

"Tok Ndak hangpa, sepupu Tok Hangpa. Dia bekas ketua Tok Penghulu Negeri Kedah."

"Ya kah? Padanlah badanyapun besar macam sesuai watak Tok Penghulu dalam cerita P. Ramlee!" kata Aly membuat semua orang ketawa.

Hembusan Angin Yang Nyaman

Jam menunjukkan 8.00 pagi, keluarga dari Shah Alam yang baru pindah itu sedang bersarapan pagi. Mereka bersarapan ala camping saja, diatas lantai alas surat khabar lama dan makanan di makan terus dari bungkusan yang dibeli. Sekejap saja merekapun selesai bersarapan.

Tingkap-tingkap rumah yang telah lama tidak dibuka itu telah dibuka. Hembusan angin lembut dari kawasan bendang sangatlah nyaman.Rumah satu tingkat dikenali sebagai 'VILLA SERIWANI' yang selama ini kaku seolah-olah hidup semula.Cahaya matahari menjenguk masuk ke dalam rumah. " Aly sukalah rumah ni mama! Besar ye rumah Tok Wa ni. T.V tu boleh pasang ke ayah?" kata Aly sambil menunjuk ke arah TV besar model lama yang terletak disudut ruang tamu.

"Tu tv model lama, gambarnya hitam putih, rasa ayah dah tak boleh pakai! Nanti kemudian ayah cuba pasangkan " kata Wan Harun.

Selesai bersarapan Ida kemaskan bekas sarapan di masukkan dalam plastik sampah. Yasmin dan Lia kemaskan tilam-tilam tempat tidur dilipat dan disusun rapi disatu sudut.Beberapa minit kemudian mereka mula membersih mencuci rumah itu. Mereka mulakan dengan mencuci lantai ruang ke dapur dan ruang dapur. Kemudian air basuhan melimpah ke porch belakang dan ruang luar rumah tepi dapur, jadi bahagian itu juga dicuci. Membersihkan sawang kerja Idah, mengangkat mengemas barang kerja yasmin, membasuh lantai kerja wan Harun, mengelap tingkap dan perabut kerja Lia, sedangkan peranan Aly adalah membantu ambil itu dan ini.

Dua jam kemudian mereka berehat di porch belakang sambil menikmati minuman teh panas dan biskut. Sambil rehat mereka menikmati hembusan angin yang sepoi-sepoi, menyejukkan badan mereka dan mengeringkan keringat mereka. Angin juga membuatkan daun-daun pisang melintuk-liuk dan daun-daun kelapa melambai-lambai. Desiran daun yang paling ketara ialah desiran daun buluh dan bunyi dari batang-batang buluh yang bergesiran. Namun disuasana pagi yang nyaman sebegini bunyi-bunyi itu kedengaran indah dan romantis tidak seperti yang dialami pada malam tadi. Di siang hari keadaan halaman sekeliling rumah jelas kelihatan hijau dan indah, ditanam dengan rumpun-rumpun pisang, pohon-pohon mangga dan kelapa. Ditepi alur yang mengalir lesu tidak berapa jauh disisi rumah ada deretan rumpun-rumpun buluh dan pohon-pohon kelapa yang tinggi.Seberang alur terhampar sawah yang luas saujana mata memandang. "Ahh, indah sungguh suasana kampung ini!" kata Wan Harun, penuh nostalgia.