Hello 2020, Goodbye 2019

Date:23rd March 2020

Almost a week since the Malaysia's lock-down life activities begun. The keyboard warrior in the social media keep on cursing those who disrespect the Government's order to stay home. It is so unpleasant to read, so I stayed away from reading all those negativity. In addition, I change the way I see thing after my aggressive Facebook post on how an UMNO treasurer make tonnes of money and insulting most Malaysian saying that "RM2 million is only his spending money" received harsh racial comment by my dear close friend. I should be more careful in posting anything on my social media moving forward. For now I need to concentrate on other important things that lingers in my mind for months already. Let us see what had happened in 2019 before welcoming that important lingering thing in 2020.

January 2019 -  There was a 10 year challenge being viral on the Instagram. So, I have to participated following Naim's challenge. Below photo was how I looked like when I was 42 and last year January when I was 52. Oh boy, I do age gracefully, I guessed. One thing obvious is that I now covered more and not too overly exposed or properly covered as a Muslim women, being a Hajjah.

Instagram post on 16th January 2019

February 2019 - Our youngest son, the apple of our eyes has finally graduated. He obtained a Diploma in Graphic Design from the same university that Naim graduated, Management & Science University (MSU), 2 years ago. I was so so proud of Nasrul despite of him not giving me a driving license yet after I gifted him a Polo car. I guessed I spoiled him unnecessarily and we both do not care much of that fact, after all. People may say whatever they wish to say but Nasrul do not even brag nor proud that I hopelessly loves him the whole milky way. He is a really cool.

24th February 2019, Nasrul's conocation in MSU

March 2019 - After 4 years of waiting, Dato' finally allowed me to participate in tendering. I was over the moon preparing and presenting him the 5 years Business Plan. Ismail and I flew to Kuching, Sarawak to do the market study. It was such a long time ago when I was last traveled to Sarawak. We rented a small car at the airport, headed toward the Pan Borneo road alignment till I felt satisfied. We had a late lunch but very heavy and I couldn't ate anything for dinner. Later that night we walked along the Kuching Riverside Majestic hotel to enjoy the night city life. The city has drastically change though it's still in-comparatively quiter than KL. Anyhow, I had my fun taking so many pictures that night with Ismail. 

Kuching Darul Hana Bridge on 18th March 2019

April 2019 - One of my husband cousin had his wedding ceremony in Singapore. We decided to enter Singapore on a day trip, riding Nasrul's Polo. Nasrul came along. We let him drove although we know that he doesn't have a license yet. Hoping that he will rush-up with his driving class and test. As I'm writing this post there's no evidence that he will get it any time sooner. Anyway, the wedding ceremony was very well celebrated. Nasrul took a couple of nicest photo of me and hubby. See below. The weather was extremely humid and I had to take shower and changed my Kurung into comfortable clothing at the R&R later that afternoon, on our way back.

21st April 2019, "can you feel the love?"

May 2019 - I forced hubby and Nasrul to accompany me for a tender visit cum briefing in Kerteh. It was a productive trip as I was able to prepare a good tender briefing and proposals with Nasrul's help. The project is somewhere within Tasik Kenyir area. It was my first time arriving in Kertih and physically presence to see how huge is the Kenyir Lake. The PWD officer handling the project suggested that we stayed longer to enjoy the boat ride, to see more of Kenyir Lake beauty. I honestly feel very ashamed of myself. As a Malaysian, I never had actually properly visited all attractions in Malaysia. I have been and crossed the Ton Le Sap lake by large boat from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh but I didn't event take an effort to explore Kenyir Lake. It's a new wish-list added now.

In Tasik Kenyir on 9th May 2019

June 2019 - Time flies very fast. It was already eid celebration and by June last year, I almost done with arranging for our family trip to UK for Nazhif's graduation. With positive mood, I cooked really a lot, all by myself and little assistance from Syahirah for the eid meal. I invited all my relatives in KL and neighbors to come over and share my home cook meal. I am so glad that I had a talent in cooking as everyone seems to be enjoying the meal, so much. Let's pretend that everyone is honest with what they told me... hehe!

1st day of Eid, 5th June 2020

July 2019 - 4 years ago, in September 2015 when Nazhif were about to fly to Glasgow I promised my brother that I will take him to UK for Nazhif's graduation. On many occasion I felt like cancelling the trip until the beginning of the year. I wanted hubby to fly alone for the graduation. Hubby disagreed as I was the one the support system for Nazhif. Judging on many facts and a way to become wiser in life, I let go of the unhappy feeling built over the 4 years and just go ahead with my original plan. So, here we were in University of Portsmouth celebrating Nazhif graduation while touring UK (Wales, Scotland and England), Ireland and Paris. It seems that I took the whole village to attend Nazhif's graduation whereby only Hubby and I attended Nasrul's convocation in MSU in February.

Nazhif's convocation day on 15th July 2019

August 2019 - It was my actual 53rd birthday and Naim 24th. After so many years cutting the expenses at fine dining restaurant, shopping in high end shopping mall, I told my family that let's finally lifted the ban and just enjoyed the day. So we spent the whole afternoon in Pavillion, eating and shopping. I bought a Gucci purse as birthday present to Naim and he gave me a skincare products from Sephora in return. After all, Naim is earning quite good in Air Asia as a flight steward. I guessed, it's time that I am slowly getting back at my old former life before I sent Nazhif to UK.

Combine birthday celebration for Naim and I on 17th August 2019

September 2019 - Nazhif is back for good on 15th as he couldn't secured a job in UK. He received an offer from 1 of the top company in Malaysia, Top Glove. I'm glad he did not get so stubborn to continue staying there and return home to his root. He started working on 1st October 2019. As for Syahirah, her boyfriend has been sending message since the 2nd quarter of the year to me that his family is coming to meet us. As I was so busy with tendering and UK/Ireland trip, I asked them to come in September. Syafik and his family are a God sent. My family knew how much I wanted to see Syahirah getting married. The time is nearer and she is gifted with a good man and a good family.

Nazhif is back for good and I was with them on late soccer night in Putrajaya

October 2019 - Syafik's mother letting me do whatever I planned for the 2 of them. Therefore, the engagement date was set on 26th October 2019. We invited only relatives and neighbors for the event, about 200 pax. I let Syahirah use the french lace material that I bought for myself in Karachi for her engagement dress. She got it tailored in Merah Jambu boutique. I also allowed her to arrange her own dais. Hubby and I were not really happy with her choice so, we make sure that she will have no say on the solemnization and the wedding reception day. I becoming her wedding planner and it's not a joke. The first thing I did was spending unnecessarily for the textile at Jakel. To say I regret those expenses, I did have a little feeling of regret. But when the big day is over all of that feeling is gone in split second. She is after all my one and only daughter. I love her endlessly.

Alhamdulillah Syahirah was engaged on 26th October 2019

November 2019 - I forgot another important event happened in September. Nasrul finally make-up his mind and chose KDU to further his Degree in Digital Media. It was his dream (latest and final one, I hope) to become a film director like James Wan. James Wan is a Malaysian born Australian that directed a movie Aquaman. Nasrul talks nothing but James Wan after we watched the Aquaman movie in the cinema. He even searched the university where James Wan was graduating at. He is so determine that after he finished his degree, he will enrol to the same university that James Wan attended, a Royal Melbourne Institute. Yeah... it's going to be another pricey journey for his mother. But I think when you love someone you will do anything for them, right? 

Nasrul and his dream to become a Film Director, now continuing a Degree in Digital Media in KDU since September

December 2019 - To be honest, hubby and I were financially constraint after the trip to UK/Ireland/Paris but we had no choice but to prepare for Syahirah's wedding. We knew that Allah will somehow eases our financial burden. It is proven as I'm writing this post very late in March, the wedding was just over last month. And we managed to pay everything except my sister's credit card that I'm still owing. Not that much and not that little but within my means.  

Everyone, especially me started busied ourselves with wedding preparation. This invitation card was a huge challenge to begin with.

What I wish to conclude is that, 2019 was  a year of challenge for my family. Alhamdullilah, at Allah's will, my family manage to surpassed all the challenge in life without burdening ourselves and other people. I am truly bless for a good support family that I had. I am blessed for everything Allah has given me, for all the love and protection that He showered me. I am more than indebted to Him, the Almighty.