Friday, December 31, 2010

The summer peak

Is today the peak of this summer? Maximum of the temperature is expected at 40 degree celcius. The minimum is 12. A very wide range.

And now, at this time of writing, 4.18pm, the temperature meter in the computer monitor shows the maximum expected - 40 degree.

Since the study room faces towards the sunset, the heat is really distracting.



"It is Allah Who created everything in the best of form…"
(As Sajdah 32: 7)
It is He Who created and perfected all things."
(Al A'alaa 87:2)


Thursday, December 30, 2010

Ibadah Summer Camp

A concern of parents here is whether the kids could have the bi’ah or the setting necessary for them to be a good Muslim. Islam is made and felt as the way of life - the fundamental ideal that could be the base of everything in life. Out of this concern, the communities here held an ibadah summer camp for the children last week. The program was held for two days on the 23-24th December at the Belle Vue Park Primary School hall, Glenroy.

There were 85 children of Malaysian communities attending the program. They came from the areas around the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Farhan also joined camp. The father also participated as the facilitator. Ammar who was also keen to join, but not allowed for he is still too young to concentrate, just took part in the sport session.

Many others turn to a range of roles, from cook to cleaners, teachers to managers. We could see they were so committed to make the program a success. Hope to have such a program again soon.







Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The obvious contrary

The doctrine of stare decisis may be of limited application in raising children. This I found true both at vertical and horizontal levels. The style of our mothers or grandmothers may not all be suitable in dealing with the next generation with different needs and pre-disposition. The dealing with the first child to the subsequent children may require adjustment.

An occasion that I found difficult to deal is the ability of one of the children to speak of what I call ‘the obvious contrary’ to justify things or whatever he wants to do or refuse to do.

He would say, for instance:

‘I don’t shout’ (whilst he is shouting).

‘I have taken bath’ (whilst he hasn’t)

‘I haven’t watched the computer today’ (whilst he has been in front of the computer for hours)

‘I have washed my hand’ (when we asked him to wash hand before meal and he hasn’t)

And another which surprised me:

‘It is the one that you cooked will cause me stomach ache’ when I asked him to take the cookie that had been cooked instead of the one that was not for it may cause stomach ache.

But I found that it’s normal for the child of that age to deny the obvious:

“Lies to get something they want or to avoid something they don't want - Preschoolers tell these types of lies for the same reasons that adults do, but they often don't see anything wrong with telling a lie to gain a result they want. When children this age tell these types of lies, parents should try not to overreact. Instead, they should point out to their children that it is wrong to lie, and that it is important to tell the truth.

Even though preschoolers don't generally know that lying is wrong, this is a good time for parents to start teaching them the basics of truth telling. A good place for parents to start is by letting their children know how happy it makes them when their children tell the truth, and that not telling the truth makes it hard for them to develop trust.”

(http://www.parenting-ed.org/handout3/Specific%20Concerns%20and%20Problems/lying.htm)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Please ainaa

I found a serious (but funny;-)) note posted in front of the door of the boys' bedroom today. The note was addressed to the one-year-old litle girl.

The note says: "Ainaa, you can't eat in my bedroom."

What led to the note? This evening I asked the boys to clean the mess in their room. They were so mad that the culprit of the mess was Ainaa. After the cleaning, the big brother angrily wrote the note and posted it in front of the door!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Fruits picking experience

Fruit picking experience at Natureripe Fruits, Bacchus Marsh. Located about 40 minutes drive from our house heading to Ballarat, the farm is so clean and beautiful. Many who have gone to other farms said, it was the best.

There were about 13 families joining the excursion. Entry fees for cherry farm is $4.00 for adult and $3.00 for children above 5 years old. Admissions for strawberries and nectarines are free.

The children, as well as the parents, were enjoying the day so much that we feel we want to go again before the season ended.



The fruits in season are cherries, strawberries and nectarines. They are so beautiful and sweet that I think they must come from heaven.

A note on this week’s weather

The severe wintry weather of the northern hemisphere must have come to the southern hemisphere. Glenroy is in summer - but with the temperature plummets as low as 7 degree especially at night, the weather this week is just like winter. There are intermittent rains, strong wind bringing chill air, thick grey clouds in the sky and even snowfalls in mountain areas. As November, it is said that this month is the coldest December in at least 53 years. As a result, we have to take out all the thick blankets, socks and jumpers kept for the winter for us to keep warm. With the range of temperature within a day is very wide; very cold at night and warmer during the day especially in the afternoon, noses also start complaining…


Earth, Man and Allah – The Ultimate Creator

Human being is a book
A story line foretold with a proper look
God’s signs shown in the cosmos *
But sad to say Man has forgotten all those

(Qalamuddin - http://www.islamicpoem.com/?q=taxonomy/term/7)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Child marriage?

Just to share.. interested with the issue:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/10/focus/7593422&sec=focus

When the expectation towards law is beyond its limit

The marriage of a 14 year old girl to a 23 year old man recently has sparked debate in the country on the relevance and suitability of such marriage.

Many arguments were advanced; many are against such a marriage.

Nevertheless, the fact that the law requires permission of Syariah Court to be obtained before child marriage to be solemnized indicates that such marriage is to be considered with care. It suggests that such decision is to be exercised with caution. The paramount must be the interest of the child. The parents are involved in the consideration. The judge has to decide upon the application with certain consideration in mind. To allow does not mean to encourage. The law needs to be flexible to cover certain situation of necessity. Life is complicated. There would come situation that warrant such flexibility in law. Prohibiting altogether child marriage makes the law rigid to cover every situation.

This does not mean that I agree with child marriage. A marriage may not be a solution to social problem. High rate divorce among young couple is a fact. This may lead to another social problem too. Further, it is difficult to expect a teenager to fully comprehend all implications in decision of that kind. It comes with responsibility, not only rights. For teenagers, being different from the others may be difficult to go through. Whilst education is seen as important investment for good future, to continue studying in a secondary school with other teenagers who are always seen as having greater freedom, marriage may later be seen as a burden. It could start being felt when having children. Any parent would agree that to raise a child is no easy task. It is difficult to comprehend how can a young teenager go through the difficult situation. Is she or he ready for such a patient-testing job?

On another account, I see something from the debates ensued; everything seems to be perceived with distrust. Man could no longer be trusted to devote his life for the happiness of a woman. Woman should be able to be independent for her own life so that her fate would not need to depend on the whim and fancy of the husband. The parents seem not to be believed to decide for the interest of the children. Somehow, it may be because of the fact of life currently. Things happening around us are real not to be ignored. It dictates our option and decision in life.

But prohibiting a child marriage may not be the answer. The law has limit in its role.