It's gonna be a girl, am anticipating..

salams

1. how time flies. like always, been slacking off when it comes to updating my blog. not that i been super busy, just haven't had the urge to sit in front of the laptop and type away my trivial thoughts about life, work or anything non-matter.

2. I'm huge. no, make that SUPER-HUMONGOUS!! and the funny thing is, was always in denial whenever i go for my routine visit to the antenatal check-up. You know, when you're mother to be, your 9 months life of being pregnant will be harassed with this routine; having your weight scaled, HB monitored, pissing your urine in a cup-often hassling with bunch of bloated mommy to be in order to do so in a very uncomfortable smelly toilet (mind you, i am referring to an average governmental local clinic, thus you can imagine the rest)


3. The fretting part undeniably the waiting part! BUT having said that, alhamdulillah, the clinic where i go for my monthly (now every fortnight check-up) PKD Kelana Jaya- is quite efficient if not too sloppy for the bountiful of government clinics. It would usually take up no more than 2 hours for every patient. AND if you're really lucky ( i had experience a few times) the whole process could be as quick as 45-60 minutes.

4. Now that I'm inching my way to 36+ weeks of pregnancy, I can't stop to eat, sleep and rest all the chance i have. However, I realised my food pallate's quite picky this time around. NOT that I would devour just about everything i could get my hands into,BUT quite selective when doing so. I rarely eat rice, but when i crave for it, it must be accompany with an equally craved side dishes a.k.a lauk pauk. Lunch time for me now is no longer a fun thing. I'm so picky that when i do eat what i want, i can't really eat that much.

5. WHICH brings me to another frustrating state of my condition during this final leg of being pregnant. THE food section of my tummy seemed to have shrink-down in size. In Malay, i would refer the scenario as SENGKAK whenever it hits 'FULL TANK'. BUT now, my 'full tank' is cut down to almost 3/4 of what it used to be. SO i eat less in size, but frequently.

6. No matter the fretting may be, the end result still shocks me. I'm still gaining weight excessively during this month and i mean EXCESSIVELY! BEFORE preggy: 55kg. NOW: 70kg!

7. My underpants can either be very small (below the belly and therefore would only cover half of my larrrrge buttocks) OR HUGE, GRANDMA'S PANTIES- that could easily convert to a men's boxer.

8. BUT in all, I am so excited this final month, so much so i've become excessively conscious of any big bargains or sales especially for baby items. NOW that the scan confirmed we're going to have a baby girl insyaAllah, I'm always on the lookout for any girly-girly, pinky-pinky baby item; mittens and booties, rompers, blankets etc. Guess all that consciousness come from the maternal instinct from within.

9. Talking about preparing for the unborn baby to this wild world, I've had pretty much everything covered for my princess insyaAllah. Although,there are a few things that i wish i could have.

10. A MOMMY WISHLIST:
- A nursing top/ poncho
Now i reckon it's the 'in' thing to have especially when you're breastfeeding a child. Of which when you do it ain't gonna be a pretty sight for all to see exposing the ugly nipple and swolen breast for a tiny creature to suckle.

- Electric sterellizer and bottle warmer
Again more a want than a real neccessity. Zaman tok nenek dulu takde pun pakai mende ni, anak-anak hidup sihat walafiat. Been eyeing on a few brands and fyi: AVENT is sooo freaking expensive. THEN there's PHILIPS or PUREEN or ANAKKU (less expensive) BUT on average most are priced around RM150-RM200.


BUT being the excited mommy to be i am now, I opted for a 'manual' sterellizer and asked my younger sister to present me and her soon to be born niece the 'bottle warmer' instead. OF course she said OK now, but one can never rely on promises alone (especially when it was uttered from a student aunty like my sister)

THUS, I decided to go for a manual sterellizer (budget) that cost me RM40. ONLY to find myself fretting later when I found out that The Curve's Anakku was and still having a sale and a LITTLEBEAN brand sterillezer and bottle warmer cost RM99 only!!! from a pricey tag of RM199!!!!!!!!!!!!! damn it!!!

11. BABY NAMING
Now it's going to be a girl, I'm thinking of a name that starts with 'R'. you know so it'll sync with my husband initial R- redzuan. Back when we thought we're going to have a boy, i wanted to name the baby Mohd Rafayel Mohd Redzuan or Mohd Rayyan Mohd Redzuan. BOTH of which i know doesn't sound much like a typical MALAY name but hey, who cares, it's my baby. the thought of naming the baby Rafayel was ignited due to hubby's fond interest in sports- tennis and soccer.

BUT since it's going to be girl; It's going to be Raihanna. after Rihanna :-) wanted to go for Rihanna but hubby objected the idea, he said it's not arabic. So we opt for Raihan and add the "ana" to make it sound more feminine. Then hubby wants to be fair to me (though i don't mind naming our baby after his initial) but he insist to have a 'NURUL' in front of that Raihanna name.

anyways, i'm not very keen on the idea of having a same first name with my own baby. I mean we can't have 2 NURUL in the same house now can we? :p

So, should it be;

NURUL RAIHANNA IMAN binti mohd redzuan
or
NUR RAIHANNA IMAN binti mohd redzuan

we'll soon decides when that time comes!!! before 15th JUNE hopefully insyaAllah and not in breech delivery...AMIN!

To continue or Not To Continue? But one thing for sure, PPSMI continues to be politicalized

"takkan melayu hilang di dunia"

I'm sure most of us can relate to that famous quote from Hang Tuah, the lagendary hero of Malay people. Now, I know most of us in Malaysia, especially the Malays have different opinions on the PPSMI issue. I, as one of the Malays here in Malaysia, have my own set of opinions too. And here is my two cents on the matter..

1. I am a Malay. Was, is and forever will be. I feel that the implementation of teaching Maths and Science in English is a good start in shaping a more globalized Malays, the ultra-Malay. Malays with the finest attributes that surpasses the ordinary standards of Malays.

2. Some lot, Pejuang Bahasa or the so-called Malay-warriors oppose the idea of PPSMI. They argue if the government continues PPSMI, it will eradicate the usage of Bahasa Melayu, the Malay language. Translatation: A total massacre of Malay supremacy.

3. Now what I just don't get, why are we against such good thing? Whether we, Malays, like or not, English language is THE LANGUAGE OF THE WORLD. now, some lot argues PPSMI only benefits those urban malays but doesn't do justice to the rural malay kids. I beg to differ on this. Any language, if one wants to master have to be taught at an early age. Now if our kids starts to familiarize the usage of English in critical subjects like Maths and Science, I reckon they will learn more and be better equip with the language as they grow up. Familiarize and practice; from kiddy age. As kids are like sponge, the just absorb knowledge quickly. Even the Malay have a phrase for this, "melentur buluh biar dari rebungnya"

4. I don't have kids. But I do have nieces and nephews that are still young and part of the PPSMI cohort. They are just doing fine. In fact, i kept asking them if they find the subjects difficult. They said no. Infact, they say enjoy it. And my nieces and nephews are so comfortable with language, depa cakap lagi berabuk omputeh than me.

5. I feel it doesn't make us Malays any less Malay if we learn other language. We should instead be more pragmatic on this issues. Do look at PPSMI on a different light. A good positive light.

6. Statistics does show that Malay graduates are the ones who make up most numbers of unemployment. The sad part is, most don't get employed not because of lack of credentials but FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE IN ENGLISH. And when i say failure, i don't refer to Shakespearean type of English, just normal everyday usage of that language. they (most) can even construct a simple english sentence and don't even get me started on the lack of vocabulary..

From KL-Guatemala: The world condemn Israelis!

It has been more than 2 weeks than since the bombardment of Israelis onto Gaza, And the bloodshed continues with death tolls accounting to 800 souls and more..Now, like most Muslim in the world, I share deeply the heartbreak of the Palestinian people and condemns the aggression of the Zionis on them. I fret about writing my feelings though since the attacks until now, because I feel my sentiments won't change anything, won't stop the massacre and so does the angst pouring from muslims around the world. I feel helpless..BUT everytime I watch the news and look at pictures of those limbs and parents gone due to the bombings of Tel Aviv, i shivered..not in fear, but in utter hatred and fury towards the ISRAELIS.

Now, what disgust me the most, in sheer desperation, some marched in peacefull congregation to voice out their disappointments simply because of the complete political failure of world leaders; especially the diysfunctional UN and the chicken-shit Arab League Leaders. The laknatullah Israelis clearly violates humantarian law by continuing air and ground attacks when they were clearly warned not to. All for absurdity: eliminating Hamas militants!


BUT here's a fact: UN on 9th of January released a therall investigation of the bombardment on Al-Jabaliya UN school which took the lives of more than 100 civillians including UN staff. There were no Hamas militant killed or involved during the bombardment either by taking shelter in the school compound or masquerading as civilian. So why, did you ISRAEL have to bomb that school? what possible inhuman act can kids and women who were taking shelter in the school play in this one-sided war??


So what is left with us then? what choice do we have to help the Palestinian people? Will you be willing to take up a gun, a snipper and go to war in the name of jihad? will you leave your worldly belongings, family and loved ones to have a fighting role in the war? I'm pretty sure most will say NO! i know i will have to say no..i'm just not capable and brave enough for jihad. at least I'm honest to admit this. And so, what else can we, Malaysians, Indonesians (just to name a few) do to help?

Boycotting US & Israelis goods??? perhaps..BUT let's be realistic; how many of y'll out there really can leave without your beloved LEVI'S, your DIET COKE, that yummy McDONALD burger,that wonderful STARBUCKS moccha...and the list continues for Big boycott campaign click here

BUT having said that i applaud at those who really can pull it off. My deep respect for those who goes for jihad in the name of freeing the Palestinian people. BUT most, i say MOST, just jumps in the bandwagon not knowing for real what the real deal is. I say this with disgust at those who marched and yell the anti-zionis slogan on the streets BUT still wears LEVI'S, still eat and sleeps McDONALD & BURGER KING! talk about walk the walk and talk the talk people. and everyday of the occupation goes by, you see more and more people sending in press invitations, sucking all the attention needed, wrapping themselves with Palestinian scarfs and trotting with hate banners and placard of BUSH...and for what really? just for a cheap publicity that says, "hey,look at me y'll i support the palestinian and i'm here for a show, do vote for me in the upcoming kampung election, committee ABC election yada yada yada..."this what irks me most!

the best way i think, is to keep praying to Allah, sedekah your Al-Fatihah that our brothers and sisters will be freed from the atrocities they're facing now. AMIN! to the rest, stop being TOO DAMN EMOTIONAL and starts being REALISTIC. and this goes to the leaders as well. you want to help? donate to PALESTINIAN RELIEF FUND! you want to help? let's all be united, all the ARAB WORLD and BOMB TEL AVIV!! now that's WAR!!!!!!!!!

Of 1430 hijri and 2009

Salams

1. It's officially a new year today. and in exactly 2 months and 9 days from now i'll be 27 years old and soon to be a mother! yes, that's the update i've been procrastinating to write about. You see all of my previous posts i raved about the protruding tummy i thought i garnered out of eating excessively..BUT instead it turned out to be a featus that's soon gonna pooped out from my belly in due time insyaAllah somewhere in june.

2. Now that i'm pregnant, i have a newfound respect for all mothers. including my own. i mean, i'm only 4 months preggy but already i feel terrible and horribly burden by it. not to mentioned the fear of bearing future responsibility of being a mom and yes, enduring horrific labor pain. having said that, i must count my blessings. I do not have any morning sickness right from the start till now. and hopefully never.

3. Of which is the reason why i only discovered i was pregnant after 2.5 months! because i wasn't feeling any headaches, nausea, morning sickness etc. i was pretty active basically throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. the only indications then, was my bulging belly and excessive craving for foods and napping!

4. the following fact may sound cruel. BUT i wasn't thrilled to know i was impregnated! as i religiously wrote before, i'm yet to achieve my dream, there's so many things i want to do and accomplish, one of them is definitely furthering my studies in MA and if possible PhD. getting that dream job, doing things i love most (can't reveal my wishlist here can i? it probably won't come true)

5. as such being preggy i find would only steer me away from my dreams and goals in life. the thought of having a baby before all of that, before reaching 30 was not acceptable. i actually cried my eyeballs out upon finding out the news (litterally seconds after taking the pregnancy test)

6. BUT things changed a bit and i'm grateful for it. it changed right about when i first heard my baby's heartbeat and saw the baby's image on ultrasound scanning machine. it was unbelievable. i feel sorry for my baby for not wanting him/her at first but now seeing this another soul living and enlarging in me, i'm utterly grateful for the gift from Allah. my maternal instinct starts to kick in and vow not to miss taking the awful taste of folic acid pill and other vitamins.

7. being pregnant also means that i have to kick out my favourite drink in the whole wide world: caffein! namely coffee, teh tarik, coke.

8. being pregnant i have to ditched all my heeled shoes and resort to comfy n flat ones.

9. being pregnant, i have the delights of being pampered by my beloved hubby. TQ redz1luv.

10. BUT the ultimate downside of it: I AM SO GETTING FAT AND FATTER AND FATTEST. though it's only 4 months, i can no longer fit into my favourite pants, jeans and shirts. have to resort to sweat pants oversize tops (you know not that i'm ever a fashion conscious kinda person, but the only fret i have with it, is that i need to buy new clothes!) not forgetting new lingerie lineups as well. will be bloated up soon!

11. and yes, after almost a year moving in to my hubby's house aka our house; i finally got my hands on a new reliable internet modem, that's definitely better than the previous one i had to use. as a matter of fact i'm quite surprise of the speediness it has to offer here in my housing area since it's quite remote or the way my mom would call it " tempat jin bertendang" and yes, i'm promoting that service particularly: it's called maxis broadband! it's super fast, better than streamyx (believe me i was a loyal user of tm of 6 years) way cooler than Digi and cheaper than Celcom. so folks if u haven't got any or scouting for an internet service maxis is your answer. (datuk ananda krishnan ought to pay some for promoting his stuff)