Greetings to all

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha dearest family members and wishing you a year better than the one we are leaving behind.

We had just arrived back from downtown Bangkok, exploring the latest shopping mall here which is the Central World near the World Trade Centre. There were policemen crawling all over the place which got Taufik rather excited. German Shepherd dogs being taken around sniffing out bins, which had us all rather nervous. Two fire brigades were parked outside - the place was crawling with security.

At approximately 7.30p.m. there was tension in the air, we were told that the department store was closing. But not understanding Thai little did we know what was going on.

All I have to say is Alhamdulillah we were not hurt. Alhamdulillah we are safe at home. Thank you Allah for giving us more time in this world. I shiver to think that Saddam Hussein has heard the angels cry out as his soul is taken up to heaven. What are the angels saying? That his soul is condemned or that it is forgiven? I am only grateful for more time. More time please...as much as possible.

With this note, I pray that all of us will lead a long life. But a long life without good health plagued by a terrible and painful disease is not a life. So I pray too that we will have good health. May Allah (SWT) bless us with a long life, so that we may enjoy watching our children grow, so that we may take up the challenge of growing old gracefully, and most of all that our hearts may move towards greater worship - my heart especially - this stubborn stubborn and lazy heart.

Love you all very much,
Nina

Goodbye 2006..... Hello 2007!

Seasons' Greetings everybody. By now, you would probably have started on the celebrations.... We are still waiting for it tonite. If you are, Happy New Year and if you are still lacking behind.... don't worry, we will be there eventually. It's been a wonderful 2006. I have become a mother and I'm still enjoying it. Jasmine is 10 months old today.... and already she's doing all the things a baby should do, i.e. pulling herself up, crawling, picking things up and throwing it down for us to pick it up for her. Already I can't wait for her to go back to nursery. Who would have thought that a week with her would drive us up the wall.

We are still on the go to move back to Northern Ireland this April. We were thinking of going back in February but realistically I think April would be the best bet as the ferries to Ireland would start to run. We didn't go anywhere this holiday as I have been back at work on the 27th for the first day of sale.

I will let you know of any news soon.

my new look (the poyo one)

My new Poyo Look...Happy New Year 2007!!!!

End of 2006...

Dear Family,

Its nearing the end of 2006. I will turn 34 next year.... It seems like only yesterday when we were running around Mak Chor's house, playing "police and thief". I remember us going "POLICE AND THIEF, ONE TWO JAGA, POLICE MATI, PENCURI JAGA".

I just wanted to let everyone know that although I may not keep in touch with everyone so much, although you hardly see me around, although I may not make time to catch up with everyone, although I don't make time to visit those who recently gave birth, or those who just moved house, .... I really do and truly love every single member of this family! and know that if ever anyone of you need anything, I will do my best help in anyway that I can.

Wishing the very best to everyone for this coming 2007.

Lots of love, Tia

Madness prevail in our house - help!!

Sorry for the long silence these past months. We have been pretty busy with stuff. I don't know whether I've told you that we are moving back to Northern Ireland next April for good. 3 years on the island are enough for us. Stephen has been unhappy for a long time and his mum is not doing well on the other side. Basically, we haven't heard much from her doctors about what's going on with her and also there's the story with his brother who we haven't heard for a long time. It's been too long to wonder what the heck is going on. I will, of course transfer from M&S branch here to the ones over there and hopefully they will have a position for me to go to. We will have just have to wait and see. We will be on the island for Xmas and New Year as I will still be working from the 27th December onwards. No holiday for the "wicked"!!

Jasmine is doing well. She's developing croup at the moment or I hope it's croup. She's been barking like a dog so I'm going to have to make an appointment with the doctor and find out what's going on. She's growing up so fast (I can't believe it - at last height she was 73.5cm). She's moving so fast now - crawling I mean... and sitting up and pulling herself up. There were times when I lost my temper with her.... I didn't mean to but it's getting to me now that she's mobile. What happened to my placid little angel? *sigh*

If I don't hear from you soon..... Have a fantastic New Year! and let's hope next year will be a good one for all of you.

xx

Airport Love

Hi there Dinnies,

Long silence. Were the topics too serious? I hope I have not offended anyone. If I have, it's a case of not being able to chat with anyone here about Islam.

I think it's time to get lighthearted.

I had to make a quick trip to Malaysia recently. And left little Tauf Tauf with Kim over the weekend. It saddened me that my son absolutely refused to chat with me on the phone for the duration that I was away. So it was with great trepidation that I waited for Kim and Taufik to come and pick me up at the airport.

I called them up once I got my baggage. This time Taufik wanted to talk to me and he said, "Mommy, dont be worry. I know you sad at airport. You lonely. I come okay? I come and take care you. You wait Mommy. I parking car. I come."

I said, "Alright darling. Thank you so much. I am so lonely for you. Come quick!"

Can I say that the most wonderful thing I have ever seen in my life, is of my son riding the airport trolley, clambering out and running into my arms with the bigggest smile on his face for me.

Love,
Nina

p.s. Julia, what's been happening on your side of the world?