Good Bye Toulouse

The clock is ticking, time to say good bye to Toulouse, France. Tomorrow we will fly back to Malaysia. Hopefully we have a safe and sound journey. A lot of experience we gained here and a lot of happiness and sadness we passed through as well. First time we stepped foot here was 15 months ago where everything seems so new to us, being in foreign land which little people can understand your language. Looking at people at that time was likes hearing they said “Welcome to new life, new world!!” Lucky my hubby was under FASIA scholarship so that everything was arranged by the organization included the hospitality, opening bank account, Resident Card application and many more. At least we are not in chaos, while we were slowly try to adapt living in foreign country, new environment and new climate. But actually it was a meaningful experience, a blessing in disguise.

Today is our last day in Toulouse. Nothing interesting, just have a good rest to gain energy for tomorrow journey which certainly provide us challenges as we have to transit at Amsterdam and KLIA before we arrive in our last destination, Penang. With 4 big luggage need to check in and 4 hand’s luggage to carry, we hope we won’t face many difficulties.

Here, we would like to thank to all our friends here (Khairul’s family, Iqmal’s family, Khairil’s family, Azammi, Nazri, Hasrul, Izzati, Dayah, As, Kak Ya’s family, Kak Nisa’s family, Ila, Haris, Guna, Mus …..) without your help, we were not able to survive here. We pray to God for your healthy and good future, Insya Allah. Merci Beaucoup to IAS staff, Anne Marie, Amanda, Velerie, Didier, Marc, Michel and others for the guidance and help. And big thank you also to my French classmates, Lea, Angeline, Paula, Aline and my best language teacher I ever had, Dorothee who always support me and of course teach me French Language which always be my favourite language ever though I’m not good enough in French. Huhu..

Here we do learn a lot throughout. About life, about friend, about food, about language and arghhh… a lot!!!

"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand”.

Salam Aidilfitri & Maaf Zahir Batin

Graduation Day

Today is the special day for me. The Master Graduation Day. I'm really glad for it.

I would like to express my gratitude to Allah, Alhamdulillah. Then I want to thank to all my family members especially my wife and my beloved son Farrel and not to forget my family in Malaysia for all their pray and wish. Without their support and encouragement I won't be here. I also want to thank to all my friends especially Am that helped me a lot for the programming. Thanks so much. Hmm what else yea?? Just wanna say thank you to all. I couldn't list here.

Lastly, to FASIA, to IAS, for the hospitality, the support etc. Merci beaucoup!!

Niza: Congratulation@félicitations to Mr Azizul, you did a great job!!! I'm really proud of you, especially when u are announced as a no 1 in your class ranking. What a big surprise honey!!!! Boleh laa belanja kasut raya Za yerrr!!! hihi.. Love you so much..

A Journey To Remember

Our story begin….

090307 –Tie The Knot Day.. Officially belongs to Mr Azizul Abd Karim. Our marriage is arranged by our grandmother. Alhamdulillah, he is truely my hero, my destiny, forever my soul mates, my best friend, my every thing. Even we were in the same neighbourhood once upon a time ( I was 6 years old and my hubby was 9 years old), we got separated after I began my secondary school in Ipoh and then my family moved to Taiping. Though the distance from his house and my new house is about 30km, we never meet again till the day we bought a ring for our engagement. What a simple story begin between us, led us to a real marriage world.

150507 –I resigned from my job which I really love and enjoyed it. Lot of experience I gained especially working around expertise who always offer a hand whenever I need it.

200507 –Interviewed in KL Sentral and Alhamdulillah I got an offer from USM to further study for Master and phD under their RLKA program.

200607 –Attend BTN program in Ulu Sepri, N9. What a boring course!!

290707 – Toulouse, here we come!! Lucky it was summer at the time so that we didn’t face the difficulties at the beginning as the weather is pretty much same in Malaysia.

010807 –The HCG Urine Pregnancy result was positive. I’m Pregnant!!! My Hubby and I extremely happy with it but at the same time we didn’t know what we should do for the next step. Giving birth in foreign country with nobody else but friends might provide many challenges. We were determined to go through all the difficulties together.

250907 –Got a key for Citroen Xantia.

051007 –First time Echography, 3 month pregnancy. Yeah.. It’s a boy!!!!

131007 –First time celebrate Aidilfitri as husband and wife and my second time celebrate Aidilfitri without my family.

031107 –It’s my 25^th Birthday!!! Oh gosshhh… Can’t believe I’m 25 already..

101207 –Celebrate Aidiladha in Kak Ya’s house.

111207 –It’s my hubby’s birthday. Huhu.. Sayang, u are 28 years old!!!

161207 - Ski Trip, Plateau De Baille

(261207–040108) –Italy Trip (Cannes-Monaco-Pisa-Firenze-Rome-Venice-Milan-Mont Blanc-Annecy-Nimes-Montpellier). Our second time honeymoon. Thank you to Khairul’s family and Sobri’s family who helped us a lot during the trip.

280208 –Welcome to the world, Ahmad Farrel Daniel!!

An apple of our eyes...

090308 –Our First Anniversary.

(290308-310308) –Paris Trip, Farrel’s passport application.

Eiffel.. we are in LOVE!!

(020508-070508) –Paris & Marrakech Trip.

110408 –Barcelona Trip

160508 –Andorre Trip (for the last time)

080908 –Welcome to Toulouse, Nana!!

270908 –Toulouse-Amsterdam-KL-Penang. ‘Balik kampung..oooo..ooo.. Balik kampung.’

280908 –HOORAY!!!! We already in MALAYSIA.

Azizul's Ramblings

It's hard to get something you want in life. You have to put so many efforts for it, work, struggle, and maybe you have to sacrifice something that you love. But towards the end you will get it. And it’s the sweetest memory that you will never forget for the rest of your life. Some of us maybe say, it’s easy to talk rather than do it. For me, it’s depends to ourselves. Maybe difficult at start but as time goes by it will begin smoothly as we wish. And it’s also depends how many efforts we put as warm up. Same thing happened to me during the internship period. Frankly to said, I faced so many difficulties at the beginning. Yea, I admit, at first, I didn’t really interested about the title given to me. And I never thought before that I will work on that topic. For me, the topic was nothing to do for my future undertakings. Then my supervisor also one of the factor why I didn’t really at good start, he’s always asked me to do it first. Everything!! From literature review, designing, the programming etc. Argh… it’s so hard. I’m really frustrated, after work with him for about 3 months, he didn’t ever try to give me motivation. Every time I went to see him, he just nagged me all time without any inputs, “it’s not right, you have to design it like this and this”. “Why you put it here?” Bla.. bla.. bla.. And the most terrible was, he didn’t want to check my programming. I did ask him to check several times beforehand, and he refused. When I asked him who is the expert in this programming and he claims that he is the one. It’s really awkward, you claim yourself as an expert but why you never understand my programming? Arghh… sigh… he asked me several times to explain him the programming. I did my job. And what’s your job as supervisor?? Nothing you know. I’m really angry with him. At last before I present my work, he told me that he wanted to use my programming to present it in Hong Kong. And that’s why he really wants to understand about the programming. Even he also asked my presentation. Really unfair for me, I did the job for free without any pay. And you want use my work to others. @*&%$£*!! During presentation he asked me to explain every single thing about the programming. I already know his motive. But it’s ok because there were several people in the room. So I explained him and the juries wisely the programming. He was really satisfied with my clarification. It’s good for me and I really wanted a good marks. Alhamdulillah the viva went well for me. I had several discussions with the juries about the topic and I could see their face really convinced. That’s good. Meaning that, I will graduate soon. I’m really grateful, after working so hard, this is the fruit for me. Alhamdulillah. But I have to bear in mind, I have 3 years more before I will really finish my study. Hoho, a long journey to go. I might succeed today because of several factors. My wife, my son, my family, and also my friends, they always push me to move forward. Without their pray, advise and encouragement maybe I’m not here today. And for the rest who had helped me. You’ll be always in my mind. Thanks so much.

Now, I’m just waiting for my graduation day which will be on 25th September before fly back to Malaysia for Aidilfitri’s celebration. We are really looking forward for the day to come. I wish I could make the time move faster. Unfortunately, I won’t. Just keep ourselves busy packing things etc.

Tahukah anda??

Aku sgt rindukan semuaaa ini….

1) My family – Mama, abah, opah, tok, ayah, Adam, Kakak, Abang, Adik, My cousins(merangkap my bakal dayang2..hehe), Cik Awen, n ramai lagiii sehhhh

2) My friends – Liza, Nad, Cyn, Laili, Bibi, Kak E, Cik Ya, Kak Farrah, Farrah, Pijat, Ani, Azie, (just name some of them)

3) My Vitara – Hope you still in good condition honey!!!

4) My collection of baju kurung and kebaya – muat lagi ker???

5) My favourite nasi kerabu – Hope the stall still there…

6) Durian – yummylicious… tempoyak pun jadiklaaa..

7) Mee Banjir Udang Matang – Mee udang with a lot of fresh prawns more than mee. Dah naik harga ke??

8) My opah’s kuih batang buruk – Last year my mom sent 2 tupperware of kuih batang buruk which my hubby and I successfully finished them within 2 days.

9) Ikan Terubuk Bakar cicah air asam – yummm.. yummmm

10) My Long’s kuih semperit – my all-time favourite kuih raya

11) KFC halal – Last time we had KFC halal in Paris. Tak hengatt dunia melantak..hihi

12) Kenduri Kawin – Aiyaaaaa… I miss lot of my bestfren’s wedding.. blh tak korang kawin lagi sekali?? Hehe.. Sape2 yg tak kawin lagi, sila lah kawin masa kiteorg kat Malaysia ni yerrr.. hihi

13) Malay and English TV channel – Plss.. I dh nk muntah tgk cerita One Tree Hill, Desperate Housewives, DOC, CSI, etc…. yg dialih bahasa..

14) Cinema – byknye movie yg aku ketinggalan.. Farrel duk rmh opah, nnti mummy n daddy nk dating 2 org jer tauu..

Aik.. sejak bila dh pandai berdiri niii??? wat aper tuh sayang?

Farrel belanja Mummy tgk wayang nakk???

Uiks… Why most of my list is about food? Huhu.. Time I preggy dulu pun tak craving camni.. It is certain that the list will be updated soon.. byk lagiii niii...

Some useful tips.. maybe!

Last week was my hectic week where so many things to do in so little time. Having my cousin from London gave me time for mind therapy by chit chat most of the time with her for what had happen in our family lately and gossip bla bla bla… hehe.. kind of therapy..huh? She was back to London last Thursday and hopefully we’ll meet again end of this year in London Insya Allah. Good to see Farrel was so easy to get along with new people.

Recently, I did receive an email from new friend asking me tips for travelling with baby. Yeah.. whether flying or driving or going on short or long trip, travelling with baby provides a certain challenge. Unlike in Malaysia, we rarely see new born baby travel for long distance but the scenario is normal in foreign country. First time we travel with Farrel was 30 days after he was born, I still in ‘prohibited period’. Huhu.. We cruised to Paris by TGV (train) which took about 5 hours to the destination. With a strong determination and spirit, my hubby and I took risk brought Farrel to Paris for his passport application. One of the big challenges was when we had to carry Farrel and his stroller scaling up and down metro station stairs. I give 2 out of 5 stars for Paris transportation accommodation where almost all metro station not equipped with lift or escalator and the train itself really horrible. Huh.. thinking of that time drive me to smile wondering where I got the strength to go through all the hardship. Syukur Alhamdulillah... Despite all the difficulty we had in Paris, we still had a spirit for the next trip to Marrakech when Farrel was 2 months old. Stay in Riad (guest house) which essentially prohibited for baby and kid, compelled us to wander around ‘Souk’(famous market in Marrakech) till midnight so that Farrel was already sleep when we back to Riad to avoid him making noise which could disturb other guest. Fortunately the ‘Souk’ was happening till midnight and we most enjoyed that, though it’s so creepy walking down the street on the way back to our Riad. Experience staying in Riad was the best part of this trip where it promises you the real environment of Maroc home-like. However, because of the ambience of Marrakech which dusty and crowded with people compelled us to use sling instead of stroller for Farrel’s safety.

When it comes to family travel, our mantra is: Play it safe! Travelling with baby can be fun with well and proper preparation. Here I would like to share my experience and maybe some tips which are useful when travel with baby.

1) Stroller and sling – find the quality stroller/sling. The best choice is to get a lightweight umbrella stroller which will make easier to carry. Always remember that many destinations aren’t stroller-friendly so sling would be the alternative. For my case when travel to Marrakech, the stroller is more trouble than it’s worth. Still, MacLaren is our choice as it certainly lightweight and comfortable.

2) Diaper Bag –Stock your bag with plenty of diapers, even if you don’t think you will need them all. You never know when your flight might be delayed.Of course versatile wipes is our choice, not only to clean baby bottom but are great for cleaning hands, faces and even blotting stains and spills.Don’t forget to bring the plastic for disposing of dirty diapers or storing wet clothes.

Bring rash cream to avoid diaper rash spoil your trip. Carry a small tube of cream or ointment to baby’s discomfort. Need to prepare extra clothing which useful when accidents happen.

3) Entertainment – Take a rest and entertain your baby when he start get boring by getting him out from stroller for a while and play with him for keeping your little one happy and calm.

4) First Aid Kit – It’s better to ask for doctor’s prescription. Some country (ex Third World Country) requires other vaccination.

5) Foods/Drinks – Feed your baby before get into train or place that inconvenient for breastfeeding. Metro station always be my favourite place to breastfeed my baby. When travelling by air, feed your baby on take-off and landing to ease ear pain. It’s important to drink a lot if you are breastfeeding.

Basically, we have to study our destination before we do the preparation so that everything will be easier for you and your baby. Hurm… Next week we will fly back to Malaysia, can’t imagine 12 hours in flight with our little one Farrel. Hopefully he will stay calm during the time and he wouldn’t throw his tantrum in the flight which will disturb other passengers. Please behave yerr sayanggg…

Welcome to Toulouse

Nana

Today we are waiting for this sweetie.. Welcome to Toulouse dear. Farrel dh tak sabar nk jumpe auntie dia yg sorang ni... meriah la rumah nanti.. huhu..1st time Farrel jumpe sedara dia.. mesti excited niii.. but... till this moment I have no idea what should I cook for this special guest???

geramnyee.. hr ni perutku meragam.

Ramadhan in Toulouse

Alhamdulillah, this is second time we celebrate month of Ramadhan in Toulouse. We are really grateful to Allah through all HIS gift of healthy to go through this holy month. As the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said: “It is Allah’s Own month”. It is the chief of all month and the most glorious one. Definitely, we have to seize the opportunity of this bestowal blessedness month of Ramadhan which is not limited to fasting alone, because the performance of all sorts of worship and good deeds during this month is also a source of great Divine favour.

I still remember last year having a break fast alone as my hubby was in Paris trip for Industrial exposure purpose. It was our first time Ramadhan as husband and wife …huhu.. what a sad moment it was. But the worst was last 2 years when I was in Japan for the reason of work, experience Ramadhan and Syawal alone in office. Huhu.. Flashback that time when my kind-hearted US boss and my project team try to enliven me by treat me a sashimi and sushi in one of well-known restaurant in Tokyo. Yeah.. they might cheer me up a bit, nevertheless myself keep resist, Oh plssss.. I wanted rendang and lemang, not sushi and sashimi. Really wish afterwards, my life’s journey won’t be lonely again. Insya Allah.

Miss u guys..

Derric (my ex-boss), Yar Loon, me, YY, Chek Meng, Boon Weng, Ang, Brian, Boon Aik

My new daily routines for Ramadhan begin as early as 4.30am, preparing food for ‘sahur’. Lucky my junior always wake up around that time for BF so that we don’t have to rely on alarm to awake us. My hubby always let me sleep till 9 am (could be 10 am sometimes, huhu) so that I have enough rest and energy during day time. So for morning shift, my hubby will look after Farrel since he usually wakes up at 7am. Around 5.00pm, I start busy preparing food for break fast which always cracks my head searching recipe especially for desert. In Malaysia for sure I’ll buy from ‘Bazar Ramadhan’ which varieties of ‘kuih muih’ are sold there. My mom always calls them ‘kuih tunjuk-tunjuk’. Heheh.. I really miss this ‘Bazar Ramadhan’ especially in Kamunting where my favourite ‘nasi kerabu’ was selling there. Hope this year we have a chance to visit the ‘Bazar Ramadhan’ again.

This year also give us a chance to have a ‘tadarus’ together which we frustrated for last year because we just reach ‘juzuk 26’ infact of ‘juzuk 30’. So for this year, we need to be more discipline in order to achieve our target to finish till ‘juzuk 30’, Insya Allah. As we know that the revelation of the Holy Quran commenced during this very month and it is therefore the duty of every Muslim to read and try to understand the meaning of the Holy Al-Quran. Thereby we can gain an insight into the Divine secrets enshrined therein. Besides, it brings peace and illumination to the mind and imparts purity to the soul.

OK, let us take this month of Ramadhan opportunity by:
1. Learn Islam with ambition
2. Observe Islam with sincerity
3. Practice Islam with Discipline (Sunnah)
4. Spread Islam with truth and kindness

Till then.