A dreadful Bapak

It's confirm! I'm not that good of a father. Here's why...

We went up Genting Highlands last Saturday. I was there to work and the girls tagged along. Everybody were excited. First time for both Asma and Arissa. It could very well be first time for Alia too as the last time we were there was when she was like seven or eight months old.
Anyway, Genting today is a far cry from Genting about 12 , 13 years ago.

Our outing last Saturday began innocently enough. We went straight to the Snowworld and all five of us began berangan-angan living in, say, Norway (we are hardcore fans of Ikea, okay).
Then we tried various rides at the indoor theme park. It was my first time on a ferris wheel since I was in my primary. Of course, first time ever for the girls. But the slow ride on the reindeer cruise got both Yan and me stumped. Very the menggayatkan.

But the real fun awaited the girls at the outdoor theme park. Asma and Arissa tried the spinner first and were having so much fun. Both Bapak and Yan were close to tears. Gayat again watching the girls spinning at top speed. We must be getting old. No, we are old!

Then I did the unthinkable! I agreed with the girls to accompany them on a cyclone - a roller coaster. For those who knew me, I usually stay away from this kind of things. Yeah, It's boring to be me but what to do.

Anyway, I figured that this roller coaster looked kinda tame compare to the other rides there so I said why not?

As the roller coaster only has four seats to a car, Yan very gladly sat this one out. And the three girls and Bapak joined the long queue.....After waiting in line for like 30 minutes, our car drew up. We jumped into the car all eager and ready to enjoy our adventure - with Arissa seated next to me and Alia and Asma behind us. But then got a problem -- the palang which was supposed to secure us in our seats (like our seat belts) failed to reach Arissa, thanks to Bapak's big tummy. I was already menyesal. Big time. Had to tell Arissa to hold on to the palang kuat-kuat, no matter what happen.

Before I knew it, the slow ascent begun and suddenly an overwhelming feelings of guilt overcame me. I hated myself that very moment for putting my daughters in such dangerous situation. Then weeeessshhh, the first 90 degrees descent and I thought I'm going to die. That's when all the dosa-dosa lalu suddenly came flashing in my mind. And I was holding on to Arissa!Not Arissa holding on to Bapak, boleh?Oh! Malu- malu.

Meanwhile, standing by safely on ground earth, Yan was busy blaming herself for letting us on this ride. She, aside from praying for our safety, was also dilligently trying to come up with excuses should anything happen to the four of us.

After the ride, I ambled wobbly towards Yan and told everybody to look for a surau. Need to solat taubat. And I sakit kepala like hell. Never again! Ever!

That's us.. ascending! Menyesal tak habih!

Stunned!

The result's out. The news stunned us! The hospital has scheduled Mak an appointment with an oncologist this Tuesday. Oncologists are physicians who study, diagnose, and treat cancerous tumors. Mak has cancer!
I'm still hoping it is not so, though. Let's doa. Let's solat hajat.

In Conversation.. more and more

Bapak, Mak, Alia and Arissa in a car from KL to home. Bapak and Mak were deep in conversation suddenly Alia barged in:

Alia: Bapak, hari ni berapa haribulan?
Bapak: Laa, Alia niiih. Tak nampak ker bapak ngan mak tengah berbual.
Mak: Ya la, tak baik menyampuk macam tu. Apa salahnya tanya aje kat Arissa disebelah tu.
Arissa: Er, buat apa tanya saya sebab saya tak tahu. Saya hilang ingatan!!!

(Mak and Bapak: Arissa, Arissa. Tak improve ker lagi vocabulary....)

*****************************************
Asma, Alia and Mak sedang bersantai di dalam bilik and

Asma: Alia ni macam mukaBapak, kan Mak? Asma ikut muka Mak.
Mak: Ya ker?
Asma: Ya lah, tengok Alia punya mata kan serupa mata Bapak. Macam mata orang Peranchis.

(Bapak: Happy sangat. Je t'aime, Asma! Muah Muah!)

Beauty and The Beast

I simply love animated movies especialy those from Disney and Pixar. My favourites include Shrek I and II (but the recent third installment was somewhat of a let down to me personally) and The Incredibles.

But my all-time favourite, and most probably for my Yan and the girls too, are the classic Beauty and The Beast. I can just watch it over and over again. At one point of my life I could even memorise all the songs (masa the movie baru keluar dulu in the early 90s). And one of my favourite scene was when Belle and the Beast were singing in a cold wintry condition and cute little birds were chirping all around them. Just like this one:
Very the menggembirakan. Anyway, closer to home, I have my own little Belle too. Like this picture:

Arissa kat rumah Opah Temoh bertemu ayam-ayam dan mak ayam for the first time. It's not winter and there's no song accompanying her but Bapak thinks this picture is still very romantic.

Children throughout your lifetime...

Found this in USAToday the other day:

Preteen years are the easiest. Young kids love you most of the time and want your loving attention all of the time. They need you to help them develop a variety of interests outside the classroom, in the arts, sports, current events, etc. Don't overdo school work at home. That's what teachers are for, and they do it best.
Teen years are the toughest. Teenagers rebel at parental guidance, but they need it, especially in relationships with others their age. Don't overemphasize grades. A B-plus student with well-rounded interests will fare better in college and in the real world than one with all A-pluses whose interests don't go beyond good grades.
Don't forget your kids in their adult years. In the 20s, they need your guidance on career choices. In the 30s, on possible career changes. In their 40s and 50s, on planning for retirement, which sneaks up on them sooner than most expect and they often are unprepared financially and emotionally.
Above all, try to enjoy it all. If you do, chances are they will too.

"That is the thankless position of the father in the family-the provider for all, and the enemy of all."

-- J. August Strindberg