Jewels of the eyes

On 21 February 2010, Farhan, our first son, reached 6 years old. He has grown up and will be a handsome gentleman. Happy birthday, son. We wish you to have a great life ahead with Allah's blessing.

No celebration though. To mark the important day, we just prepared some special dishes and get him to distribute some to Iman and Aqil’s families who are his classmates and our home country neighbors in the vicinity.

This must be an important year for him - started schooling in an Australian school, different language, peoples, cultural and social environment which he seems to cope well. Additionally, mainly to give him religious education as well as to preserve our social culture, we also get him to attend a religious school which is about 10 km away from home operated every Sunday by a group of volunteers from 3 neighboring countries: Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia with minimal fees. He really seems to enjoy both schools.

So, on week days, he spends almost the whole day at school since the school period is 9.00 am to 3.15 pm. On Sunday, the school hours are 10.00 am – 1.30 pm which finishes with congregational zuhur prayer.

As to Ammar, reaching 3 years old last November, is yet to attend kindergarten. We tried to apply for it to have some social exposure but the waiting list is too long to see any hope to get place for this year. For being the second in the siblings, as well as for the age, I think, he is quite ‘rebellious’. In contrast to her older brother, he is so determined, insisting, brave and will do whatever he wants to do. Always quick to find reason and the good thing is also quick to remedy things when he makes mistakes. Out of quest for attention, he also loves to find reason to make Ainaa crying.

Always I find him in dilemma and becomes quiet especially when her brother comes back from school and tells things non-stop about his day at school. Poor Ammar, but we always try to get him to join the conversation by asking things involving him.

The guru for him now is the laptop that we bought for the kids to avoid them interfering with ours. Since we arrived here, he is so affected with trains that he would cry to get us passes by the train railway every time we go out. So, his current favorite is to watch any kinds of trains moving in youtube and ‘Thomas and friends’, ‘the trains with faces’, he said.

Our lovely daughter, Ainaa also has reached age of 6 months by the end of February. She is now learning to crawl, likes to smile as if she is shy.

On Monday, Tuesday and Friday afternoon, we send her to a child care centre not far from home. We only afford to pay for the 2 and half days considering the cost which is so expensive for us that it takes almost a third of our allowance here. At least we can have some times to concentrate with our study because a little baby such as her requires constant attention. I do not know that a baby recognize colors. She only likes her Indian babysitter and refuses to be with the whites.

I admit that sometimes I feel so tired with so many works and commitments that time is so restricted. Before this, we have a maid to help us with the house chores that we just focus on the children and work. But now, everything has to be done by ourselves. But the children even at times give us headache, always heal the stress. They are the jewels of our hearts.