How was your weekend?

9 Sha'ban 1428

Salam

Mine...., started up with a breakfast at Community Centre, Precinct 16 (CCP16). The whole family plus 2 of my wife's friends. The 3 are to attend a program in Melaka. They took off at 9.30 in the morning and made me in charge of the family matters for solid 2 days and that is a very hard work.

At about 10 am, I sent my 2 daughters for a story telling class at Precinct 8 Community Centre (CCP8) just to found out that the class actually start at10.30 am. I stayed there for about 10 minutes before decided to leave them with some friends and took off to fulfill a wedding invitation.

On my way to the wedding, I received a call from a female friend who wanted to know the time for the night's fireworks show in Putrajaya. I can't help her much as I am in the dark as well. I promise her to inform the time if it came to my knowledge. It was actually a wedding of my wife's co-worker's daughter but my wife has to be away and there I was representing her. Anyway, En Azmin is no stranger to me. He renewed his cars' insurance with me for 2 yearsnow. I reached at the wedding 5 before 11am atKeramat Permai.

I was the first guest arrived (not considering his close relatives from Kelantan who arrived the previous night or earlier that morning. I sat with them who just finished helping out with the set up. En Azmin was attending to some important matters... I was told.

At 11am plus, the caterer informed that they are ready to serve. En Azmin appeared at about 11.45amand we had a little chat before he asked me to the table together with a few of his relatives from Kelantan.

By noon, I have to be excused, as I have to pick my daughters up from their story telling class. I Reached Precinct 8 in the nick of time but we have to rush to Precinct 16 Community Centre for Laili and her kindergarten's friend are participating in BintangCilik (Singing) competition.

But we have to stop at home first to pick Luqman up. Oh.. yes.. he is at home for never wanted to miss his weekly animation series from 8am to noon. And my nephew is here from Taman Maluri. Instead of asking him to get in, I invited him for lunch at CCP16. Reached CCP16 in no time since it is considered only next door to mine.

I sent Laili to her teacher to be dressed (with a chiongsum) and make up. Ensured she is in good hand, I joint my nephew and his afmily for lunch. Accompany... I meant as I already ate at En Azmin's place. After lunch, they (Laila and Luqman included) wanted to go to Alamanda but I have to stay for Laili.

The competition only started at 2pm (after zohor) and end at 5pm. I have to stay for the whole duration as Laili participate in both categories, choir and nasyid. It worth the wait though, her group won second place for choir and first for nasyid. Laili is happy his dad was there to see her perform for she do not care if she win or not.

By 6pm, I was in my kiosk at Alamanda. I tried to finished up whatever outstanding works only to realized that I can't do that. Not without neglecting my kids.

By 7.30 pm, I decided to take them home. They settled for a light dinner and I allowed them to watchTV soon after. I called a few friends to find out what time is the fireworks show and mostly said 10pm but none can confirm it. I sms back to my female friend and informed her the same thing.

After isyak, we made our way looking for a good spot. After more than half an hour driving around, I met a group of photo enthusiasm. My instinct tells me, that was the place. The bridge next to KBS (Youth and SportMinistry). I safely parked my car at the road side and directed my kids to the walk ways.

"Where is the fireworks?" I ask the photographerswithout specifically pointed to any.

"That bridge." one of them responded pointing to the bridge in front of PICC (Putrajaya Convention Centre) some 500 to 600 meters away.

"This is the best spot after 4 hours of search. We even visit Cyberjaya in our quest." Another one of them added.

I thank them for the information and choose my spot next to them. After roughly 20 minutes wait, the show begun. Immediately I agree with those shooters. I can watch the show and its reflection on the lake's surface. Ohh.. I recorded the whole 20 minutes events.

On the way back, I received a call from my father. He sent two boxes of fruits by bus and ask me to pick them up tomorrow morning. He sms the driver's handphone number slightly later. Upon reaching home, I sent the kids to bed. For that, Laili required a bottle of 456. Without it, going to bed would be difficult for her. Especially when sucking her thumb is no longer permitted (she still doing it in her sleep).

By 11pm, all of them were asleep (that was what I thought). I went to my kitchen and prepared some mee 'rendam' (maggi instant noodle) as there were no real dinner for me earlier. As I was enjoying my mee 'rendam', Laila shows up on the stairway and asked me what am I eating.

"Something not good for you." my answer to her. That did not stop her from coming to me and asked for some. I did not refused her. I let her have some. That was when Laili came down and complaining about us (I and Laila) having maggi without asking her to join. I told them that is the whole purpose. For me to have maggi without them. I even repeat the phase "maggi is not good for you".

Well.. they only back to bed after the bowl was empty. It was almost midnight and that is way passed Laila's bedtime. It is normal for Laili though. Sometimes, I felt to sleep before she does.

Ramli AR