Time out... Big Bear!

Time: 9:56pm

Date: 2nd June 2012. 

Location: Jitra Mall.

Occasion: Looking for stock.

Description: Nurul was worried that she did not have enough stock for her flower selling business, so we decided to go for a trip to Jitra Mall after a friend told her about a shop that sold relatively cheap bears. When we arrived, we went directly to the first floor souvenir shop since it was the only shop that we knew of that sold the desired merchandise. At it turned out, the prices were too steep, and the management were not prepared to give traders discounts. So, we left empty handed... but as we were leaving the premises, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a huge bear just waiting patiently in the corner... just attracting glances by its sheer size. What else? Photo op... hehehe... the shop owner gave the go ahead and said it was free of charge  (some shops actually charge RM1 or RM2 just for taking a photo with a bear this large). So here's the result of the said photoshoot (apologies, quality is not that great since all were taken using a phone camera):

You may noticed Sofiya missing... this was because she was sulking away elsewhere since she did not get the doll that she wanted.

Adam moving... blur!

Alissa giving that "hurry up DAD!" look....

Big bear...

Big guitars! :-)

First Bus Ride After Accident

Today, thanks to the parents of Al-Azhar Primary School students, Adam has a bus to take him to school today. At first, I was worried about Adam having to wake up earlier than usual, but last night, he slept early, so this morning was not a problem. He was ready and excited when he saw the new bus. I was worried about his reaction to riding another school bus only 2 weeks after the accident, but he seems ok. I looked happy when he boarded the bus with his friends. All the students looked happy, Alhamdulillah. Only one student was apprehensive about riding the bus, and he had a hard time getting on the bus. Had to leave before the bus departed since I had to send Alissa to school. The two snapshots from this morning:

 Adam with his best friend, Naim.

Front view of the bus.

Son's School Bus Accident

Two days ago, I received a letter from my son's school, Sekolah Rendah Al-Azhar, Jitra, informing about a new bus service to send and fetch my son to and from the school. Last week, on the 26th of March 2012 around 4 in the afternoon, the school bus my son was on got involved in an accident on the way back home from the school.

He was seated directly behind the bus driver, but not next to the window. Apparently the school bus was crossing the highway to get into the north bound road. A lorry on the inner lane gave way, but a speeding express bus in the outer lane crashed into the front part of the school bus, at where the bus driver was located. He was the worst off.

My son recounted the event and could describe everything vividly, all the gory details included. He mentioned about his friend being thrown from the bus, another having blood dripping from a cut to the head, another friend having a torn tongue, and others crying. Thankfully (Alhamdulillah), Adam was not injured and was scratch free, even though he was covered from hair to toe in glass splinters. None broke skin, expect for the left wrist, but that was so tiny that after removing the splinter, there was no blood. For over a week, Adam was suffering from the traumatic experience.

The accident made it in the newspapers, as well as online:
http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/eleven-injured-in-schoolbus-accident-1.66365

Some pictures that I personally took are shown below:

The above school bus has been shown in the local newspapers, but what they failed to show and mention was the speeding express bus below:

Our concerned UUM officials decided to pay a visit to the injured kids, below is our TNC HEPA:

One of the injured school kids having stiches to a cut in the head:

And the bus driver recovering from a broken thigh bone, broken shoulder, head injuries, and broken ribs:

 Another injured school kid:

... this event will probably be remembered for quite a long time, but the recovery process has started, thanks to all that are involved. To date, the driver has been released, and only two of the eleven warded children are still warded in Kangar and Alor Setar hospitals. The school has organised a motivational day session for the victims of this accident last Thursday (involving professional help), and the outcome was very positive. Adam is back to his usual hyper annoying self. :-)

11 years ago today: 18 March 2001

The second wedding reception. This one was held at my home, in Jitra. It was a catered affair, but the neighbours all pitched in and did all the work to make the even a happy memory. Enough talk, more pictures! :-)

 My wife and I, patiently waiting for the big feast... little did anyone know, I was STARVING!!!! Hehehe.... the comment by the camera man was that he never in his entire life saw the groom wolf-down the food at such an alarming rate. Awww... come ooonnn... it's my wedding and I'll eat if I want to...

 Watching the 'silat' in front of my house.... see below.

 The above picture shows the rows and rows of people about to start eating... hehehe... typical Malaysian wedding, it's all about the food! :-D

 Some of Nurul's bosses and workmates from UUM...

 Finally, we have some alone time... with the camera man of course! ;-)

 Here (above) is an outtake or behind the scenes look at what goes on behind our photoshoot. A lot of moving and adjusting to strike the perfect pose.

The picture above and below is of my brand new bride! See? She's already striking that 'boss' look... hehehehe

And that was the beginning of my journey together with my wife... 11 years on, and I still wonder what she saw in me...

11 Years Ago, Today...

It is on the 18 March 2001, the following slides were on display on my computer during my wedding reception at my place, 115 Taman Damai Jaya, Jitra, Kedah. Why do I post it earlier? Hehehe... anniversary is today! Time for some reminiscing.... :-D