Wait a while, Papa

"Where are they, my daughter?"
Your eyes softly question
"Why are they not here?
Have they already forgotten?"

"They will come, Papa dear,
Be here soon, they ought to,
For now you have me near,
To love and care for you"

"Do they already know,
That a part of my journey has begun?
I really have to go,
Before the setting of the sun"

"Wait a while, Papa,
They are near,
Wait just a little while, please Papa,
They will be here"

"Give them 20 more minutes,
And I promise you,
They'll be here in a bit,
My words are really true"

And wait you did do
For them to appear
By your side to bid you
And bring you cheer

Gratified that I was
You granted my plea
Not realising, alas
The last, it was to be

No more can I ask of you
Even if we do not so will it
Nothing more on you to do 
Your minutes with us replete

And with Bismillah and Shahadah
We had to let you go
To fulfill your promise to Allah
We can wait not a second more

Your journey through life
Filled with faith and honour
Integrity, honesty, against strife
Our model forevermore

Not yet five years had passed
I'm still learning to hope
That grieving won't last
Now I must learn to cope

All that I can offer now, Papa
Are my prayers for your well-being
May you be granted Jannah
InsyaAllah, with all His blessings


Emma Abdul Manaf • Wed Mar 13, 2013 2100hrs • Kelana Jaya

I see you

Can I just run away?

To where the skies are never black or grey,

..where the sun shines just slight,

..neither too dull nor too bright..

Can I then just be,

..allowed to dance and smile happily,

..with no cares and no sorrow,

..and no worries of tomorrow?

But then, all will be in vain,

..when the heart still feels pain.

For sad memories and time,

..can never be erased with rhyme

Your life contribution, they still cling,

..as attestation to your being,

- A confirmation of your presence.

- A proof of your essence.

As yet again,

..with a sigh...

I see your shadow in the light

..I hear your silence in the riotous noise

But when I look to see and listen to hear,

you are far, and nowhere near

Emma Abdul Manaf - started 10:07pm Mar 8, completed 3:36pm Wed, Mar 13 2013 - Subang Jaya

Safe Journey, Bapak

27 October 1922 - 11 February 2013
90 years, 3 months, 16 days

You said after 83, every year earned was a further bonus.
Alhamdulillah for the opportunity from Allah.

I love you, Bapak. Thank you.

For Thee

Where are the words?

Much I want to say

But with heaviness of heart

I can only pray

My love and hope for you

My thoughts, my tears

Only to Allah

I pour my fears

My request to Him

That He grants us His mercy

And all His good blessings

And to make it easy

For a journey with good health

In a fruitful life

Filled with charity and good deeds

In His way we strive

May He be pleased

With what we offer

May He grant us Jannah

In the hereafter

Emma Abdul Manaf • Kelana Jaya • Tuesday 29 January 2013 • 2230hrs

Mapping !

Haha after so long not writing, here I am posting about Maps! No, actually more of the specific locations :) You should begin to realise by now that I have just discovered wikimapia :) Hooray!!!! So here are some very familiar spots to me. Others may (or may not!) be added later. Have fun exploring the places!!

1. Our home in Isfahan, Iran - although not for much longer

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=32.64494&lon=51.6482493&z=19&l=0&m=b

2. NEAR Our home here :) (Of course I won't post the EXACT location LOL)

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.1049225&lon=101.6046792&z=18&l=0&m=b

3. Mama's office

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.1626805&lon=101.7122626&z=18&l=0&m=b

4. Abang's NEW Skool (not yet labeled)

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.0615229&lon=101.6156763&z=18&l=0&m=b

5. KakDa's Skool

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.1224757&lon=101.6148502&z=18&l=0&m=b

6. Atief's and Arief's Skool (was also Abang's)

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.151818&lon=101.6567516&z=17&l=0&m=b

7. Tok's place

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=4.8659704&lon=100.7260895&z=18&l=0&m=b

8. Wan's place

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=4.8646608&lon=100.7252204&z=18&l=0&m=b

9. Tah's place

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=4.8607322&lon=100.7187295&z=18&l=0&m=b

10. Nyah's place

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.0239124&lon=101.5847397&z=15&l=0&m=b

11. Nyah's Brood

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.0605587&lon=101.5777123&z=18&l=0&m=b

12a. Atam's place - Kampung CitaCita on the Tanjung

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=4.9836748&lon=100.9477097&z=18&l=0&m=b

12b. Atam's place - SukaSuka on the Pulau

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=4.9663649&lon=100.95272&z=18&l=0&m=b

Salaam EidlFitr to all!

My rendang is ready (although it's halved this year - not due to the economic downturn but limited as to the size of my kuali (wok) hehehe), my baju kebaya(s) are ready... no the bags are not yet packed, but will be by tomorrow! Oooh, it's not just the children who are excited, me too, especially since my Sweetheart will be arriving home tonight. So KLIA, 9:30pm, here we come!! Tomorrow night will herald the arrival of our Pilot project, the Prototype :) another trip to the airport, LCCT this time - another sahur outside on the cards !

To all friends, family, colleagues, 'distant' friends (you know who you are)... whatever the differences we may have had are just that, differences. We are still similar in a whole lot of ways (I'm cool, you are too; I'm nice, you are too; I'm stubborn, well aren't you too? hehehe) THAT is why we do agree and also disagree on things. But they are just that. And should not be taken too much to heart. I know that I have removed a lot of the heartache caused by some stupid disagreements, simply because I felt that the heartache of losing a long-time dear friend is more painful, don't you think? So no matter who is/was at fault, let it slide. You and I were both right and we both deserved our air-time. Start fresh and keep a momento of the past as a memory for our future, to tighten our bonds even more. Hey, bottom line, my friend, I love you !!!

I will miss the ones who have left us.. may their souls be blessed with our continued prayers until our time to join them.

So after this sermon of mine on a Thursday morning (one day earlier than that of my usual), I wish all a happy holiday this season. Travel safe, enjoy the company of our family and friends. If you have to spend EidlFitri this year away from the homeland, please don't feel sad. It is in our hearts that we have each other, and that we take with us for as long as we live :)

Selamat Hari Raya EidlFitri to all !!

a not-so-recent family picture but this has us all nicely together :)

Goodbye, Soda. RIP. Dec 2007 - 6 Aug 2009

Soda - I named him that when the children came up with numerous suggestions - I can't even spell them! - after we'd stopped at MacD's on the way home from Sg Besi. I got a Soda there and that stuck on him. He was not spayed, so we obviously had to content with his Spats and Sprays!

Soda was a poor sight yesterday, hardened tummy and tired. I checked on him last night and he wasn't too comfy, but he was still in a mood to growl when little Debot messed with his tail. I put him partially on an old towel in case he felt too cold on the terracotta and chatted with him while he was horizontal. Obviously got an earful from Mama, as always, on why had he not stayed home like Mama told him to bla bla bla. With insight from past not-so-comfortable similar experiences, I whispered to him gently that if he felt he needed to go that night, it would be okay with me. However, if he would like to wait a little bit more, then I will come home at lunch time to take him to the vet. He slept the night in the washing yard, peacefully I hope, at least with as much peace as little Debot would let him have.

Morning came with little Debot noisily calling at my door. Eh? I thought I locked them both at the back? I got a bit worried when when Soda was not on the towel I gave him. Trailing Debot, I found him on the floor in the bathroom downstairs. He greeted me with a small Meowww? and I asked back how he was feeling. Another small Meooowwwww and pointedly licked his lips. I got a bowl of water and put it next to him. He promptly got up to drink and looked a bit satisfied although still tired. Little Debot was surprisingly good company, only darting to play around my skirt, but sits quietly in the bathroom next to Soda when he's done playing. I had to leave for work, it was around 7:20am, the children had just left for school. I told Soda that Mama will come home at noon, so wait for me OK? A feeble Meow and I think it was a hint of a smile. The vet would only open at 11.

Took the DUKE and arrived home at 12. Good timing, I thought. No traffic. Straight in to look for Soda. Little Debot pounced on me anxiously when I opened the kitchen door, meowing furiously. Thought he was hungry, ushered him to his food bowl, instead he ran to the bathroom and waited. He was on his tummy next to Soda. And Soda was not looking good at all but still managed a small Meow. I spoke to him but he was too tired to answer back. I asked him for a small wag, he obliged with a tiny, tiny flutter of his tail. Mama's going upstairs to get you my kain batik, so I can wrap you in it while we drive to the vet, OK? I put Debot in the back - he was not too happy at being locked up. And off I went and got my red sarong. I wrapped Soda in it like a little baby - he loved it when he was small, cuddling in a sarong - and carried him out front to the car. I stopped short when I sensed something was so not right. Little Debot was wailing sadly high-pitched in the back, I could hear him through the back kitchen opening. I decided to just sit in front near the door and continued cuddling my Soda. He was getting ready to leave..... And that was how he did go, the same way I brought him home from Kalam's when he was small, he left at 12:30pm with Mama still cuddling him close.

My photo-loving model cat, battle-weary and tired, my little hero of the neighbourhood. You held your own against your adversaries, but lost to an unseen group of soldiers who attacked your digestion system. Life's never fair, I know. So sleep now, little one, there will no longer be anyone or anything to bother you. Mama will miss nagging you about your nightly adventures. Goodbye Soda, I know we will all miss you in our own little way.

In his prime! and a smile, to boot..

aaaahhhh... see all behind bullet-proof protection. driver ? let's move !

or this one, i think..?

Long Time No See

Wow... it's been really long since I last wrote. So, what's been happening ? A real lot !

End November : Project went LIVE !!!! Oh great ! Finally. Although we have only just one more module a bit delayed, the others went ahead as planned. Next will be the support phases, now as I'm writing this, the Warranty period has lasped for the main mods. Only left is the single module, until mid March.

December Mid to End : went on a fantabulous holiday with the whole family. Daddy came along ;) that's where the 'fanta' came from in fabulous! Hu Hu It was a tiring round but lovely none-the-less. It was KL-Dubai-Tehran-Esfahan-Mashad-Tehran-Dubai-Paris. Spent a week in Paris- 4 at the Disneyland Parc,and 3 in the city. Then it was Paris-Dubai-KL for us and Paris-Dubai-Tehran-Esfahan for my darling. Pics ? Ada.. Banyak !!! but have plonked it my Facebook pages.

January CNY holidays : Went back to Taiping to visit Daddy and attend a nephew of hubby's (son of his cousin) weddin. That was on Sunday noon. By 4pm kiddies and I were all (Daddy included) happily story-ing away with my Atam on his island home on SukaSuka Pulau Dang Lang in Chenderoh ! Blissful 2 nights there of Kayaking, enjoying the water, marvellous food and family. There were unplanned family joiners - initially was supposed to be just me, kiddies and Daddy. Then Acik heard we were there, and decided to join 6-strong from Ipoh, and then Abang Long also decided to stop-over to see his Dad. They were 4-strong. All together that Monday night saw 4 generations of Haji Abdul Manaf on the island, with 14-people on board ! Now this one I have photos of, also on Facebook - but will post one of the family here :) Too bad Nyah's group couldn't join us there although they very much wanted to.

I got sun-burnt soooo bad from this lovely holiday. Although I'm not so bothered by the fact of how I look. The skin was still burning when I got back to work, so decided to soothe it with a Fruit of the Earth's Aloe Vera Gel that I bought. Unfortunately I am not partial to Aloe Vera, natural or otherwise ! I developed a very bad allergic reaction and my face was all puffed up and broke out. My arms and legs too suffered, pratically everywhere the gel was applied ! Oh well. So now I know better :)

Haji Abdul Manaf 4 gens - on SukaSuka Homestay on Pulau Dang Lang, Tasik Chenderoh, Kuala Kangsar

Post CNY : The mood to work still needs a little bit of boosting apparently.. Ha ha and plus the fact that the pace in the office is kinda slow, everybody's back from projects gone live and the place is again full of people ! and you can bet that laughter is everywhere... I got stuck at home on Thursday - haha my auto gate gave way and I couldnt get the car out to work. Luckily we could get one gate open, so the kids managed to get to school as usual when the driver came to pick them up. Me ? Worked from home the morning, until the specialist/consultant came to fix the gate and cajoled Rm480 out of me (it was already agreed actually). No, I don't usually keep a lot of cash with me, it's just that I dropped by the bank the night before to withdraw money to pay off my cred cards.. So a zoom-zoom off to work in a relatively jam-free environment.. Yahooo !

Today : Hmm Today. What has happened today ? Normal routine -
0900 hrs - KakDa and Atief go for their Taekwando session
1030 - Arief goes for his Taekwando session and KakDa and Atief come home from theirs
1200 - Fetch Arief.
1230 - Lunch
1400 - Mum sits to start composing idiotics on her blog :)

So the rest of the day will be spent mostly lazing/cleaning/lazing. I have the TV on and they're showing Taboo on Nat Geo, I suppose in conjunction with the upcoming Val's Day. This programme's about people and their loved ones who are serving time in prisons allover the world. But the stories are mostly of Westerners. Hmmmm.

Planning to watch Pink Panther 2 tonight at the TGV in Sunway. Have booked teh tix online. The boys say they want to come too, so we'll meet up there around 8:45pm. The show's on at 9:40pm. Tomorrow will be a lie-in... hu hu hu !

Now.. my eyes are getting sleepy. I hope I can put in a bit more in before I doze off...

Subway dinner

Since the children forgot that they had to dress proper for the golf course (collared shirts, no jeans) we ended up hitting balls at the driving range. Did 300 for all - The Girl and Adik was just too lazy. Surprised that Abtief asked for another round, apparently unhappy with his swing. So we shared the last 100.

After that we headed for the Subway Restaurant nearest to the house. I had a craving for Honey Oat with what ever filling ha ha ha but I had the Club. And so... the bill came to as follows.... but it was worth it as we finished every bit. I'd rather go for Subway over McD anytime.

Pics from the 40th Anniversary event

Pics with my Dad, nephew, aunt, cousins, cousins and more cousins !

From Our Heart to Yours

Happy 40th Anniversary - Ayah Pa and Wan Fuziah

Got them this as a gift for their anniversary. I had a pretty gold-coloured card with a single heart swirl motif on it to go with the box of pretty cupcakes. In my haste I forgot to get a pic of the box all ready with it's gold ribbon and card on top.. I had written in the card "From our heart to yours, Happy 40th Anniversary !" and then on the envelope "Selamat Pengantin Lama" hee hee couldn' resist that..

Look at the cuppies - pretty are'nt they ? I commissioned Fuzzy to bake the cuppies, decorate and arrange them in a heart pattern - I actually re-arranged the heart when I added a layer of cake board to stabilise the base, and funnily enough when I put back the cuppies, there were 3 reds left over... So I put 2 in the 'garden' area, and then the single one left - got eaten by one of my boys ! I only know they were chocolate cakes, and lovely butter cream (licked my fingers after the re-arranging haa haa..) Taste - I don't think my boy was a good commentator - he just said "MMMmmmmmmm!" oh - if you want to have a taste of Fuzzy's cupcakes, go visit her blog - I have it listed under my Friends in Need.

The night was wonderful - most of the family was there. Everybody was all over the place greeting aunties, uncles and cousins. The children were having a ball as usual as nobody really minded them running around. After all it was a family event ! I wish I could post pics of the event, at least mine.. I'll have to wait for the official photographer to publish them somewhere first. Soon I hope, I can't wait to see my posed 'naturally candid' shots :)