Hakone till home

from Tokyo we invaded the highlands of Hakone!
Tis album covers Day 7 to Day 10!

Tokyo Trooopin!!

26.10.10-04.11.10
The much anticipated group trip!
5 adults and a baby, 10 days in Tokyo! Whoa!
Tis album covers Day 1 to Day 6

The Dignified Wife

A ceremonial gun carriage awaits her tomorrow since she passed away on 02.10.2010. Although she is not quite a high profiler herself, she was afterall behind the main man who moulded Singapore. Madame Kwa Geok Choo or better known as Mrs Lee Kuan Yew surely was one whom although not many know about, is a familiar face who is always by the side of her husband,our Minister Mentor Mr Lee, always seen smiling with bright eyes.

I always had the impression of her as one who is graceful & firm without showing airs despite being the wife of Singapore's "somebody". No one looked half as poised as her with white hair in a cheongsam/shamfu. I knew little about her & only a few weeks back that I read the interview of the MM by The New York Times about their lives and her health goin into decline to the point that she was bedridden. I was really moved by their loving demeanours....I know, I get all warm & fuzzy seein & readin abt old people being all lovey dovey!

Photo taken from The Straits Times

Anyhoo she reminded me of Siti Khadijah, the Prophet's Muhammad's first wife some what. Both had similar qualities. Both were successful & intellectual individuals on their own yet both choose not to outshine their husbands & were always there to support their husbands, with calmness & wisdom...they went through thick & thin together & are their husbands' best Companions ever! And she was quoted to say "I walk two steps behind my husband like a good Asian wife". Much admiration & respect!

So here's to u Mrs Lee...may u rest in peace!

Another Muslim Invasion for America?

Well I'm not sure how America will react to Muslim takin spotlight again in America, especially in NYC, after the huge furor over the building of the Islamic Centre or what they call it as Ground Zero Mosque cos the next Muslim Invasion for them will be an exhibition of 1001 Inventions, focusing on inventions contributed by the Muslims while the western world was still stuck in the Dark Ages, that are relevant to the modern world. Say hello to the Golden Ages, New York Hall of Science! The exhibition will be comin to them in December, or so I read (oh! ain't that the Christmas season...it's the birthday of Jesus so why is Islam celebrated AGAIN??? ain't it blasphemous?? :b)! I would certainly like to see the reactions from them cos I see bigotry has infected them now as how it has infected those in the Muslim nations (now they are the ones burning & exploding holy books & puttin up outrageous demonstrations & picketing...oh don't blame me for assumin...that's what the MEDIA shows).*raise an eyebrow*

Ok...sarcasms aside, the exhibition held in London looked absolutely wonderful especially with a lil intro vid ala Harry Potter featurin Ben Kingsley as a librarian who turned into one of the Muslim great engineer! I really would love to see tis exhibition come to Singapore or ard tis region as not only would we learn abt history but also how when the true spirit of Islam is practised & embraced, it not only binds people together, but also bring knowledge together for Mankind to progress & keep the peace. It's abt time that terrorism take that back seat from bein the face of Islam, cos it never was Islamic. Comin from a Muslim with a scientific background, tis is more excitin than anticipatin Gunther Von Hagen's BodyWorlds! I hope it will be well received wherever it will goes on display!

Wheehoo~~

1001 Inventions - Discover The Muslim Heritage In Our World | 1001 Inventions

http://www.1001inventions.com/
What many not know or told about Muslims' contributions to the world!! May tis open the doors to more positivity & progress, insya Allah!

Eid Reflections

The Eid weekend's over and it was celebrated with a different routine this year. From the preps to the home visits. The preps for Eid went exceptionally light for me as the hubby was pretty "siao on" & did most of the chores that I was usually entrusted with. I'm very thankful for tt as I have been feelin pretty lethargic & crampy for the last few days of Ramadhan. Mak also took leave from work durin the last week of Ramadhan so it was an in-laws tag team for housework while i was pretty much spared to go to work without takin leave until the eve of Eid. I didn't feel the festive mood until tt very eve.

This Eid, I realise how important the role of my mum in my life all tis while. I reflected upon those who are stayin on their own & all the works they have to shoulder themselves thru Ramadhan preparin iftar & sahur & realised I am indeed so lucky to still have her ard. Sometimes I skip the laundry, the cookin & whatever else that demands of me in the house, she is there to help me out & push me to do them.

Mum-in-law faced a new challenge tis year as her only daughter is now in the US to study & her other children are all doing shift work. Hardly are they home to break their fast together with her & she is always griped by the feelin of loneliness. I can understand her situation & really hope that she can overcome it soon. Loneliness is such a poison... Again I realise how my own mum has been so strong as she deals with life without a husband & tt she is able to cope when I leave her for a period of time to travel. Tis Ramadhan, I tried my best to spend much iftar sessions at home, to accompany her.

On Eid, i missed out hangin out with my maternal family as I have now joined Iyuan's family. The whole atmosphere was a change. I missed the kecohness of my past Eids, travellin together with my cuzzins havin lotsa fun! Nevertheless, I guess next Eid, we'll have to plan ard our changes & hopefully we can get a better time coordination next time...

As of now, we shall go with the flow & rejoice that we are able to celebrate Eid as husband & wife this year wearin matchin clothes for the first time! Hee...so Eid Mubarak everyone & may God bless our lives forward!

 

(missed takin photos on Eid itself, tis was on 2nd Syawal)

(Yanni since u mentioned...kita memang sanding lagik! haha!)

Chunkfest & Fyz

Love, Peace, Ice Cream, Music & one happy birthday boy & gang!