Figuring Japanese pattern

As I’ve earlier mentioned, I kinda made myself promise to make for Nada dresses for her very year birthday as tradition of our own. A tradition I wish to keep for as long as she’s willing to wear Mommy’s silly creation. Oh.. y’know I reckon there will be the stage that she’s no longer fond of putting on fluttery stuff. Sob-sob. Sad, isn’t it?

This year, though it’s tat bit out of her birth date which was on January 30th, I managed to sew a tiered pink dress for her. She wore it to school today!

Isn’t she’s the coolest stuff on earth? I just love my daughter’s eccentric character.

Construction site helmet-pink dress-pink slippers and peace sign is quite a combo, don’t you think so? 

 

The dress is of a pattern from Japanese pattern book, I bought during our trip there last year. I would say, the difference of sewing from Japanese pattern and Western pattern is – I just don’t understand what’s written in Japanese pattern.
It is a shame thing to admit that I learnt Japanese language for 3 years during my secondary school years!

Hence, the sewing this time around is just referring to diagram and very much guessing work. For as long as it looks and wearable as a dress, heck! Who cares if I’d sewn it correctly vice-versa.

One thing for certain, over the years that I've made dresses for my girl... the fabric being used definitely had doubled or may be tripled. That's how much she has grown!

I'm gonna miss these years.....

Just the two of us

O.. How I miss this space.

I had a special day today...
In our household, we have this arrangement that usually Mommy sends Nada to school in the morning and Daddy fetches her from the Nanny's in the evening. It's a simple arrangement because somehow I leave home for work later than Harris and it would be just nice for Nada's school timing. Harris on the other hand leaves early and gets to get home early too.

While at home after Harris fetches her, Nada never fails to call me on my hand phone to ask where would I be. It's the same routine day in and day out.

Nada : Mommy, where are you?
Mommy : I'm in the office.
Nada What are you doing? You late la Mommy..
Mommy : I'm working
Nada : Working ? What are you working?
Mommy : I draw, I write letters... bla-bla-bla.

As an Architect, among the many in our job list, we have to carry out submissions to Local Authority to obtain plan approvals prior building construction commencement.

I had a site inspection in Sentul first half of the day today. Then, I planned to head to P.J for the plans submission. On my way, I thought I'd just drop by at our home for Zohor and may be a mug of nescafe, that's when I decided to bring Nada along accompanying me for this work task.
So, I fetched her at her Nanny's and... yup she accompanied me to Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya! I told her : "Mommy is to submit plans today.. " She nodded her head, likewise she understood!

Unloading tonnes of plans from the car boot, I made her presence appreciated by asking her help to carry an envelope containing some documents.

She was P.R.O.U.D!

My objective at MBPJ, however didn't accomplish. I really got dizzy with Authorities changing forms every month in the name of upgrading system!... Apa yang upgrade.. I really don't know. So, yes.. my plans were not submitted today, because there's new form format to be filled. Dang!

I've got no choice, but to carry my plans back to the car. I tell you.. those plans weighs as much as I do. Damn heavy okay. Nada realized, I was struggling with those heavy stuff.

As we left MBPJ compound, I asked Nada if she now knows what Mommy does for work?

She answered : "Ya.. you meet officer (she learnt that word today, Mommy taught her, yeay!)
There's few other answers but the best was : "Mommy works carry plans..." Waaaaaaaa....

We also treat ourselves a dine together, just the two of us today. Here's us on camera self-timer set by Nada (I don't know how..)

1st shot and I told her :"Why you smile like that. It looks fake."

Ok Mom!

 

2nd shot : More like it. Do excuse my greasy face. Not a spat of powder or a touch of lipstick. How do I ever get out of this cincainess?

Heart Broken

~ Nada made Mommy angry ~

Nada : “I’m sorry la Mommy…..”

Mommy : ~ silent treatment ~ (B.A.D)

Nada : “Please Mommy, say (talk) la ….”

Mommy : ~ silent treatment still ~ (B.A.D)

Nada : “Mommy please……., you quiet later my heart broken, HOW ?”

~ She puts her tiny hands on her chest and show her heart being broken just like breaking up a piece of cracker ~

Mommy : KETAWA TERBAHAK-BAHAK…

Nada : “You can laugh louder, Mommy……”

Ya Allah, I can’t thank you enough for bestowing me this precious daughter. Alhamdulillah………

School works

Every now and then, Nada’s school would return the ‘works’ which were done by the kids to each parent. The works could be handicrafts, art-works, drawings, worksheets and stuff. I didn’t realize how much Nada had brought home since she started ‘schooling’ in 2011 until one day I decided to organise the works.

Overwhelming!

I spread out the stuffs to categorize them and I got stuck! I didn’t know where to start. Dang… no plans – shoot me.

Should I categorize according to the classes that she was in? The Baby Buttercup class, then in 3 year old Daffodil class and 4 year old Hibiscus class. Somehow I can’t do that because I had dumped all the works in few boxes before, they all got mixed up and I just don’t remember how to sort out according to classes timelines. Crossed the idea.

So, I settled for categorizing the works in which I think would be easy and appropriately stored by my standard. (not any ISO!) The A4 size worksheets and drawings would go into files, drawings of drawing board sizes into ‘handmade’ folders. (Thank You Daddy). Artworks and crafts into A3 size boxes of the same kind.

After couple of hours, I finally managed to have my living hall floor cleared. Fuhh !!!!

Nicely categorized and kept. There are also artworks that I’d like to hang up on our walls soon once we move to our new-old pad. Yeah, I am proud of my daughter’s silly artwork like that.

I was happy with my progress in organizing Nada’s school work. I thought I was done for the day……. NOT until I found this box full of the same stuff, all still jumble up. Drawings, art-work.. misc.

O dear.. I was not at all done – Shoot me again. How does other people handle more than one kid ?

What has gone wrong?

My friends and I spent some time at A&W for ice-cream after visiting our alma mater , the activity we used to do during our weekend outings back then.

We talked on a lot of things and of course, matters on our children are priorities.
A friend brought up a subject which I agreed with her and so keen to improve on my parenting skill.

She told me making reference to her very own off-springs : “Mario, I find that they are very smart with their words. They perform well in school, their vocabulary and their knowledge are way advanced than what I myself had when I was their age… but I find that they are actually “empty”. Example, I asked them to wash their own school shoes, given the brush, soap and they just had to ask me : How to wash ?” 

“How can they not able to figure themselves of a simple task in washing a pair of shoes ?….”

For a mother to confess such situation, I totally appreciate it. I know her kids, getting on stage for educational awards is like ‘kacang putih’ for them.

As we always want to see our children as ‘smart’, statements like this would make us grounded and realized : Yup, it could be true…….. and what should we do?

“Which part of our parenting skill has gone wrong?...”

“Haven’t we given them enough exposure to be a self-starter?..”

“Haven’t we created enough critical thinking, problem solving situation to our kids..?”

"Haven't we venture enough to instill the importance of creativity in our kids..?" 

It is indeed challenging, more over with our education system of seeing nos of A’s is so much important than nurturing diversity and EQ, I am so afraid I would be trapped in the same scenario.

In bringing up Nada, it is actually one of the things that I am afraid most…
That she grew up being an individual that is lack of common sense.. lack of EQ. For some reason, these two can’t be found in a typical school classrooms.

I am still lost in search of ways to overcome this lingering questions which has already nested in me for sometime.  

... at Taman Tasik Seremban.

Isn't that Mommy made apple box-pleat skirt yummy? One for sure, I know my example to her in handmades making has got into her habit in one way or another. She's now so keen with my sewing machine.

Her second concert

Last year, she stood still on the stage during her first concert performance. This year however, she performed like a STAR! And I couldn't be less proud of my little senorita. I have a lot to say about the concert, but for now... let's enjoy the photos.

12.05.12

Before being ferried to school

Showing off tiny weeny bit of lipstick Mommy allowed on her.

Kind of festive..

Generous spread of pot luck food by parents

She's in Tulip class - performaing Frutti Senoritas

 excuse the photos.. after all that zooming it becomes smocky!

 Still enjoying herself to the Finale

A bouquet for Mommy, celebrating Mother's Day.

Ice-cream in return for all the excellant performers.

Updates

Hie.. Owh, it's been a while. Wonder if there's anyone still reading.

It has been a stressful stretch of weeks starting March for us here. My blood preasure had been escalating up extreme and down extreme as well. We finally managed to sort out our purchase of this property, though our earlier plan didn't work out it's way. 'Thanks' to the solicitor of whom, would he had taken necessary required steps.... our life is much less terrible for almost 2 months. Until now he is still frying in a dry wok! The money still hasn't come in to us.. and for us whom are salaried staffs to fork out 30% of purchase price for a landed property in Ampang .. it's very taxing!

Alhamdulillah.. after digging out all the money we had, selling all the bulu-bulu ketiak.... it's done. And now, Mek is dreaming of a renovation though SEN pun tarak!
Long been the sketch in my drafting book :

Waaaa.... ada hati nak buat attic play room untuk Nada and a sexy hanging light for double volume dining area! "A dream is a wish... your heart makes.." Let me be please, though I know my account statement is laughing at me.

I hope we could make it one day.

Other stories which I wish not pass my blog space are of course Nada's antics. Two days back, I switched channel from Disney 610 to TV3 for 8.00pm news. She complaint saying : "Alaaaahhhh... Mommy ni, I don't like this one, RAKYAT-KERAJAAN.."

I laughed hard for I'm pretty sure she didn't even know what RAKYAT and KERAJAAN means. But then, for a four year to pick up these two words among millions of words she heard on the news.. I must say, it is a 'boring' issue we've been hearing.  

I told her ... "Ya.. Mommy don't like too but Mommy must watch, if not Mommy don't know what is Big Mama doing!" :). She looked at me, puzzled - What crapt is Mommy talking?

Hehehehehe ... Kids - they say the darndest things.

I love Nada so much, but when she became a "Makcik".. I want to gobble her. You see, I accidentally broke a teapot and she came running to the kitchen scolding me like a real pro!..

"I tell you already.. Hold two hands! Like this, like this... " showing off with her two hands holding her plastic plate.

Then I said.. "Ok, you don't tell Daddy.. ya!"

She dare to say.. "No, I must tell Daddy.."

Just when Daddy opened the house door after work... It's the first thing she did!... Kaypo reporter! haish.

I got the broken teapot as a gift for my wedding and never realize what's at the bottom until it can no longer be used.

For goodness sake, I know imitation is an offense. But PIE RAT inreplacement of PYREX? Waaa.......

so inappropriate ok!

Have a nice day, peeps.

at work.. and in my mind..

I'm at work now and I miss Nada so much, I have tears in my eyes.

I wonder would she ever understand that I love her to the world, I can't imagine life without her. I constantly remind myself love to Allah s.w.t is the greatest.

She had grown up so fast these past couple of weeks.
+  She blamed Mommy for not winding up the side windscreen while driving her to school in the morning uttering : "Mommy, bectiye (bacteria) get into my nose, my eyes. Later I got flu! Quick! Wind up..."

+  She alerted Mommy : "Mommy, your facebook no more!" when the lap top changes to screen saver mode.

+  She just out of the blue : "Daddy, tak nak bawak milk pergi school" and took out the milk formula container out of her bag.

+  She again persisted : "Mommy, Nada big girl already. I don't want drink milk anymore!".
Mommy is sad. Not sure if sad because she no longer want to drink milk. She has been a big milk drinker all the while. Or sad because she thinks she is a big girl.
  
+  She had been very excited about her school trip to the zoo :
"Mommy, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, .... then we go to the ZoooOOOoooooo"
"Mommy, eat lunch, eat lunch, eat lunch, eat lunch,.... then we go to the ZooooOOOooo.." while showing the counts on her stubby tiny fingers.
"Mommy, no snacks.. only bring water bottle to the Zoo. Kena bawa yang ada tali like Alia. Mommy boleh bayar (beli) Ben 10-watch bottle untuk Nada?"
(she thinks "Ben-10-watch" is one word !)
This morning, she woke up and asked her Daddy "Botol air Nada ada tali tak?"
Daddy : "Ada, Mommy buat semalam.."
Last night, I sew a harness to attach to her old water tumbler. That would equip her to the Zoo.
Mommy : "Nada, see.... Mommy made for you the rope for your water bottle. Do you like it?"
Nada : "Yes.." with big grin on her face.
Mommy - *happy*
Nada : "Mommy, it's not rope. It's string. Mommy say wrong. Nada say right."
Mommy - *almost cried*.. how I love this tiny monster of mine.

O Allah, May you bless upon her good health and wealth. May she be your faithful servant all her life, a good khalifah to herself and all around her. Amin.
p.s : Wonder if she's enjoying her school trip today... for she's not an animal lover.

30th January

Dearest Nada,

Four years ago, you were born at this exact moment. 30^th January 2008, 5.02am. Dawn was just about to break, we believe the name Nada in Arabic which means dew suits you well.

The four years learning you have been ups and downs for us, as much as we try to take it in the most graceful manner, there are also times we are shame to admit that we’ve been disgrace, especially Mommy.

Above all, having you and times together has never fails to make us grateful and proud parents.   

Yesterday, we had a small celebration to mark your four year old. It’s just You, Mommy, Daddy and of course Rupert the Celcom Bear.

You were given the privilege to choose your own cake and you were contemplating between a Transformer, Barbie, Princess or Ben 10 decoration. Somehow, the Barbie decorated cake was the ‘lucky’ one.

As we headed to celebrate, you constantly ‘annoyed’ us : “Today, Nada’s birthday, no Daddy’s birthday. Later!”

You asked Mommy if Bukit Nanas is Penang. Mommy knew exactly what you had in mind. Bukit Nanas looks or feels similar to you with Bukit Jambul in Penang. It reminds you of our trip and stayed in Equatorial.

Once we reached Atmosphere360 and you had your quick survey around, you wanted to check the wash room. Wash rooms somehow catch your interest, Mommy wonder why. It became a subject of  your curiosity. Indeed, washroom at Atmosphere 360 prompted many questions from you for Mommy to answer.

You were not afraid to stand close to the perimeter glass panels or even leaned against them which Mommy can’t ever do.

Putting candles on the cake, blowing them off, cutting the cake were pure joy to you, and we were delighted by just looking at you.

Last night we had a chat before your bedtime. You answered perfectly all Mommy’s questions to you.

Where did we go? – KL Tower

Where is KL Tower? – Bukit Nanas

How did we go up? – Press lift button

What did you eat most? – Prawn

How did the water at sink come out? – Wave hand at sensor

Do you like the toilet? – Yes, one button wash poo-poo, one button wash shi-shi *****

What did you see? – KLCC, Mommy’s office.

Happy 4^th birthday, Nada Firas. May Allah s.w.t bestow upon you good health and wealth. Be good. We love you.