Ahlan..!

I am currently browsing from my hubby's labtop from our small room at Media Rotana Hotel. Our room more like a studio type room with opened bedroom, full equipped kitchen at the corner, near door entrance and a washing machine. We've been here for nearly 2 weeks crazingly hunting for a new apartment to settle and to step out from this hotel. For the past two weeks, our days were not so productive..like every other day for the past years la..sama je kan. I can feel that Firdaus becomes bored with the day activities that I offered. Considering the hotel has no children playing area, no children's swimming pool and is in the middle of nowhere. Asyik tengok cartoon, kacau staff kat lobby, tengok small fountain kat bawah dan main dengan cars, plane, helicopter models je. Kesian. Ihope everything change once we move to our new apartment. And I am also starting to miss my family in Malaysia as I have stop giving phone calls to all of them due to some restrictions since I left KL for London. I'm hoping we can move to our new home faster, register for fixed line and search for possibilities of fair international call rates to hear news from families.

Before we setting our foot in Dubai, we were on a month holiday to Zermat, Switzerland, to KL, Kuantan, Kerteh, KT, JB, Kuching, to Sydney, Australia, to Windsor, London, and back to Switzerland before flying to our final stop, Dubai. I will post about our holiday after we settled into our new home. Firdaus is having his running nose at the moment, otherwise, he adjust pretty well to the weather changes. And as for me, being in 28 weeks of pregnancy besides the hip pain and tiredness, other things are fine. Zaki is okay, but a little bit stressful and busy with the househunting at the moment.

How should I describe Dubai? Weather wise was better compare to the previous visit in August. The malls are too many.. countless and too big. Majority of the residents that I encounter with so far, besides Emiratis, are British, Filipinos, Pakistanis, Indians, Chinese and also Swiss, Germans, Italians of Zaki's work colleagues that I met over private barbeque dinner last week. So far, I haven't meet any Malaysians yet! Because of multi-nationalities of the residents, not all are nice, polite, helpful and friendly. And I do realise that I need to upgrade my overall look to present myself better and also not to be mistaken as a Filipinos maid who is taking care of other's children! Sadly! I do have people asking me that!

The good part of living in Dubai is, everything are in English and extremely easy access to Halal food. These just mean that we can dine out more often and maybe bring the kids outside for outing without having to prepare lunch and I can make friends easily if the hubby allows me to.

I hope this move will bring better life. Amin.

Quick updates

1. The formal beginning of our relocation to Dubai will begin this Wednesday, on our flight back to KL.
2. We were celebrating our Raya with my dear father and wife who had arrived a day before raya, last saturday. Meriah tau! We cooked and served ketupat, kuah kacang, lodeh, kari daging, nasi beriyani, stew kambing, kuih2 dari Sarawak and two home-made cookies.
3. Had an unforgettable open house and farewell party with our close friends in Switzerland. Meriah siut, dengan fresh home-made Abang Salim's roti canai and Teh Tarik, the highlight of the day..really!
4. Went to Zürich, Waldshut, Baden, Schönenwerd for last minute shopping with father.
5. Tommorow our home furnitures, knicks and knacks will start to pack and into container on Monday to ship to Dubai! Whew!
6. Will go to Zermatt with father, spending our last days in Switzerland together..

Okay, will update more next time, tak tau la bila. Need to make my home-made Tiramisu. Tchuess!

Schweizer Bundesfeier, 1st August.

I'm watching fireworks being exploded repeatedly and beautifully at the historic Roman camp of Windish, known as Vindonissa. It is an annual celebration on the first of August, important mark of the national day of Switzerland. Local TV channels, showed live event with their traditional costumes, waving-flags and long speeches in German recently at noon, at Rütli meadow, I think.

Windisch, at day time as usual was quite calm, although occasinally I heard small fireworks from afar, I think at Brugg. The locals usually take this opportunity to celebrate with families and close friends, if not going to the official gathering. They'll have big brunch together at the farm maybe and the rest of the day with wine, beer and outdoor BBQ. I think that is what they love about the day, today is a day off, eating outdoor in the heat of summer and everyone are in their good mood.

On our early stay in the country, and being as an auslander(foreigner) family, we try to involve as much as possible with public celebration and gathering, studying as we go on living in this country and learning about the people. But not today, Zaki is not around and the celebration I think was pretty much the same like the past years.

I am going to miss Switzerland for sure. To me, Switzerland is the second best country to live in after Malaysia. Malaysia is definately the best, to me personally, with some improvements and stability in our home country in general,I think we would consider to go back home in no time. After all, it is true what people say, there is no place like home.

Today we (Me and Firdaus) chose to stay close to Windisch. Lingered around the neighbourhood and watched people setting up the fireworks at Roman Amphitheater (Roman Camp). At night, I joined the rest of the neighbour outside, infront the horse cage, enjoying the fireworks rocketing proudly and continuously onto the night sky. While Firdaus sleeping calmly in his bedroom, I think tired with the day activities that we had today. How I wish, at times like this I could spend the lovely evening with my other half. Aah, he'll be back soon next week.

Talking about this pregnancy.

With all the work preparing for the relocation, I try not to forget myself that I have a bulging belly to take care of. Yes, I am happily pregnant and enjoying every minute of it. Very similar to the time when I was having Firdaus, I do not have annoying early pregnancy symptoms and very happy to be. Sometimes I do miss home food from Malaysia like mouth-watering Sotong Kangkung kat SS2, Nasi Campur Bungkus at Dentistry Faculty UM behind O&G Department, tauhu sumbat with Mak style yang buat tapi tak pernah jadi macam mak punya and simple mee goreng gerai style yang rasanya tak sama when making your own. But anyways, I had good food on the table, healthy, and do not put off completely my appetite compare to when I was pregnant with Firdaus in my first trimester. Hope it will keep it this way.

Counting my period of gestation, I am currently 12 weeks by date. When I was 7 weeks pregnant, I went to see local obstetricians in Wettingen suggested by a Malaysian friend who delivered her son last winter. I prefer a doctor who able to speak fluent English and who can understand auslander (foreigner) patient. So, Zaki and I finally met Dr Siegrist, a male doctor, after filling up a form of personal details, a urine pregnany test and a half hour sitting in the waiting area. The clinic was quite small, with 2 doctors and 2 nurses on duty. There was a number of patients but not too many. I saw a lady doctor too, which I think is my doctor's wife She greeted older patients before inviting them to her office. I think she attending gynae cases whilst the husband attending obs cases. Not too long, while Firdaus were playing with the toys in the waiting area, we were greeted and ushered by the doctor to his consultation room and comfortably sitting down in front of his large glass table for another full medical and obstetric history. He skipped physical examination and suggested an ultrasound instead. He routinely perform 3D sonography, in my case was with Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) because I am in my early weeks. The heart was located at the fundus of uterus and it was beating really clear and very fast. If I'm not mistaken, I saw the immature septum too. We were so thrilled and excited, Zaki and Firdaus was with me throughout the whole process. Alhamdullilah, everything is looking fine.

Still high with the excitement, we went back to the table, and discuss about the blood work. I haven't reach 30 yet, not until next year, but he suggested maternal serum protein tests for prenatal screening of Down Syndrome before proceed to amniocentesis if the level is suggestive. He highly suggest for any pregnant mothers in 30 and above routinely, despite the low risk. Other than standard compulsary blood tests, he added HIV and Hep screening. I have good reason to be anxious for such request, considering my past experiences of my nature of work as a houseman. We'll consider to proceed with the test or not on our next visit to the doctor. Let's just hope and doa that everything will be fine and well. Amin.

After setting for another appointment and perscribing supplemental tablets, we heading our way home. I have been on folic acid for quite sometime since January, way before I was sucessfully conceived, and now still continue by taking all-in-one tablet of supplements daily perscribed by my doctor. Our next visit will include blood taking, I hope we are making the right choice for the type of blood tests we agreed to.

About Firdaus, he is more and more cheeky each day. Sometimes he will talk non-stop on his own words without me having a clue what he said. He sing a song that I never heard of and sounded like German. Loves to play with Mr.potato and blocks of Legos. My darling Firdaus, always makes me proud.

I am waiting impatiently for my father's visit. And we will celebrate raya together for the first time after 3 years. Only god knows how much I miss him and how excited I am to see him. He will travel in mid-september via KLM together with my step mum, transit at Amsterdam and will arrive at Zurich in the morning, a day before Raya, I hope. I'm planning for our unforgettable holiday together in Switzerland.

I am the proudest Mak Ngah!

Yes, I am indeed a happy and proud Mak Ngah! Congratulation Zaid and Liyana on your newborn, cutest little girl Zahra (I am waiting for her full name to be announced officially by you guys!). Born on July 8 roughly at 3.14 PM, UMMC. We are so happy for both of you, and wish for more happiness to come.

She is sooooo adorable! Congratulations again!

A new baby and a new country.

Those are my TWO big news.

Dear families and friends,

Thank you for the love and support that has been given to us, along with doas and wishes. We have two news to announce, both are good news and hope it will be better for our little family, Amin.

First.

We will expect the new addition to our family January next year. I'm currently in my first trimester. So far it has been uneventful for me (no morning sickness) and feel happier to have another child to be a lil brother or sis to our adorable Firdaus.

Second.

We will move to Dubai, by the end of this year for a short international posting and will be back to Switzerland afterwards. We probably will be there for 1 or 2 years. This is good for hubby in his career, and also good for me and our children for different life experinces and challenges, Insyallah.

I will share about how our little family coping with these changes, in this blog importantly for our caring and loving family in Malaysia, whom have high hopes and big wishes for us. And also to our dear friends, to keep us in touch.

Thank you, will hear more about us soon...!

Happy Father's Day dearest Ayah.

This post dedicated to my beloved father.

My dearest Ayah,

No words able describe of how you and mother are meant to me. As a grown up daughter, I feel all the sacrifises that you made for us are priceless and cannot be exchaged with anything that I could possibly think of. You have been a father to me very well. You've given us love and attention, provide us with the best in everything, the best growing up neighbourhood that I never ever forget which has truly made who I am now, loves our mother unconditionally and took care of her very well until she's gone. Even though we were away from each other for 8 years, you at Brunei, and the three of us, mother, brother Zaid and me at Muar. You have been in touch with us closely through long-distance calls, pages of long hand-written mails and long home visits. I have never blame for your long absence in that part of my life because I know you and mother made big sacrifises for us, provide us with a better school system and consistency enviroment. When I was a little girl, I was quietly being constantly depressed because of the life changes that we went through, especially after the death of our little Noreen. Being away from you and mother, moving to a temporary home at JB and later to Muar to start to go to school again. Because of those, I have difficulty in adapting to basically everything a child's concern. I remember that I cried on my 'Hari terbuka' in front of my teacher and Mak, because the teacher said I look constantly depressed, and when I talked about you, mother and Noreen, I broke down and cried. My result in the exams were straight A's but somehow I feel sad. May be because of that, you asked mother to stay at Muar to look after us while continuing working in Brunei alone, and avoid anymore major relocation. I admire you for being so caring and loving and for your sacrifises. No man will ever do what you did.

I remember my days when I was schooling at Pusar Ulak, Brunei. I was the big sister who is the role model of the little one. Because we were still new, she always went and looked for me during recess and during break time. We eat together, we talk, I teach her to sing and we play together. If we bored, we would look for our big brother Zaid. Zaid is the other hand is very proactive and was the favourite of his teaches and classmates, that's what he always is.

One day, after we finished school, as usual you will wait for us to fetch us home. But this time it was only both of us, me and brother Zaid. Noreen was at the hospital, on and off and was being very ill for quite sometime but we did not know what was actually happening, or is it was just me. You took us home by your 4WD, and on our way home, you made a turn to one corner and went to somewhere that is not home. You stopped and bent your head down, your shoulder were shaking and started to cry silently. I held you shoulder from behind and cry too without knowing a reason why. I think brother Zaid was crying too. Ayah, you were being so strong for a long time for us. From that moment I knew how much you love us, simply by giving the best in everything that you possibly can and think of. That is one of the things to make me remember, to let you know, that I love you, and to cherish you always, while we still have time.

You love writting letters and I was your fan, Ayah. You sent me letters from the early days of my Muar until my freshman years in UM. It was never boring reading your mail. I keep reading it over and over again until I finished my medical school. It's very inspirational, and motivating for someone like me to get through a lot of hard pappers, practicals and presentations. I still keep those letters in my room in KD. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, wisdom and experinces with me. You never know those can become a very powerful mental tool for my tricky life ahead. For that, I thank you.

I remember sitting by the window quietly looking at you, mother, our relatives and friends by the bed reading outloud surah and giving doas for our little Noreen on her last breath. After the white cotton covered her beautiful face, you came to me and cuddled me hard. And again you were crying to me, the second time in my life. For a moment there, I can feel your pain at heart, but when to think again, I think I was feeling my own pain watching sister went away and watching you and mother in pain. I can never understand what you went through, Ayah and how you keep your sanity after all these years. I can only guess.

When I was a houseman, I was too busy for anything, even for you and mother. Both of you were still looking after me, mother cooked for me fresh meal and Ayah, you will send me the meal anytime I want to because you and mother don't want me to skip meal and get sick. And you will drive me home from work if I am post-call because you don't want to let me involve in an accident. To let you know the truth, you and mother did ease my mind on those small annoys matters and let me focus fully to my housemanship. Ayah, again thank you for your sacrifises and for your care.

But not too long, because I was too busy with my life, too selfish with my own wishes, I ignored you and mother. We had little conversation and little time spent together. For the third time in my life, you were in tears again in front of me. Not toward me but backing me. I remember while Prof Wan explaing to us his reasons not to continue with the prosedure, and gives detail on how bad mother's condition were, you broke down cried silently and left the room. I followed you in hope that you will cry to me and me to you. Ayah, I'm sorry for my absence at the time you and mother need me. She passed away by the side of her beloved sister without me around, working.

Dearest Ayah, I am sorry for letting you down in everytihng. I'm sorry for not to be able to practise and make you proud. I'm sorry for my poor judgement, my shallow pocket and not to be able to help you with the things you need when you were not working. I'm sorry for the things that happend between us after Mak died. I'm sorry for the things he said to you or to me after I married. I was once a bright young doctor because of you, Ayah. Being who I am becoming right now is my fault, and my fault alone.

One of the things I love to do is to see you often, always and bring us close, to care for you when you're sick and old, to help you financially whenever I can. I am now in mercy of my husband. How I wish I could change that.

Ayah, you are the greatest father I wish to have. I never know a man who is so strong in everytihng like you do. I wish you a happy life with your wife, your new work, new life and your new hope. I wish we keep our love always at heart even though we're apart. I will always remember from where I came from. And I will always remember you.

Ayah, I love you so much and Happy father's Day.

Berlin

Our visit to Berlin, like any other places that we visited was a short one. We spent 3 days in the historical big city and the capital city of Germany, that is Berlin.

We made our move at 3 pm Wednesday to Zurich Flughafen by train. We haven't been so punctual to the schedule lately and was almost miss the last train. As for me, a kind of person who does not work out regularly, and who has a buggy to be pushed without air-filled tyres, running, or jogging perhaps from Windisch to Brugg was pretty exhausting. But we manage to catch our flight on time with a happy child on board.

Our flight was at 5 pm and arrived at Berlin Tegel at about 7 pm. The airport was typically Europeanish, small, compact and very simple, and again no passport check point. From there, we took a bus to Alexender Platz, change to subway underground to Spittelmarkt. Checked in to our hotel, Novotel Berlin Mitte and had sushi for dinner before going to bed. The hotel was very nice, with a queen size bed and a double size sofa bed for Firdaus. The room has its shower with it's own bench to sit, and a clean, sleek countertops with a deep sink, and of course a toilet bowl. Our window was facing a bushy garden, near the train station and a collections of buildings and busy roads.

Berlin has fascinating historical background and has been involved in many wars for few decades, which makes what Berlin is today. To my opinion, in order to appreciate the city, one has to know the history very well, or to be accompanied with a tourist guide may be, or join a group of city tour, in German or in English. The next morning, after a heavy breakfast at the hotel, and a brief visit to apotheke or a pharmacy for paracetamol, we headed our way to Checkpoint Charlie.

Checkpoint Charlie

On 20th Century, Berlin was divided into two, the East German and the West German. The sectors of the Western Allies (the United States, the United Kingdom, and France) formed West Berlin, while the Soviet sector formed East Berlin. Because of the growing political differences, and the tension between the two states, later lead to economic blokade and a construction of Berlin wall. The only route for the west to the east is, through strictly controlled checkpoints, that is Checkpoint Charlie.

Berlin wall nowadays has been demolished mostly, and not much is left. The remains of the wall can be found scattered around the city and many of the pieces has been painted or decorated with wall paints by the locals. We walked along the pieces of the walls from Checkpoint Charlie and took good pictures to be posted here, in hope to describe best our trip and the remains of the history that had left.

Part of the series of Berlin wall.

Pieces of Belin wall at Potsdamer Platz, more like a city center of Berlin.

Potsdamer Platz

The weather was cold and wet, without proper clothing, we find ourselves at Potsdamer Platz, go to the bahnhof and had Subway tuna sandwiches while waiting for the rain to stop. Potsdamer Platz is a modern area with few posh boutique, embassy buildings, shopping complex and few luxurious, fine cafes and restaurants along the sidewalks. We were up to our feet, with little Firdaus in his buggy happily being pushed, we walked and arrived at Memorial of murdered Jews of Europe known as Holocaust-Mahnmal or Holocaust Memorial. During World war II, under Adolf Hitler, the Nazis ruled to destroy Berlin's Jewish community. Many of them were sent to the death camp, for slavery, mass killing by shooting or gas chambers. Not only the Jews, ethnic Poles, the Romani, Soviet civilians, Soviet prisoners of war, people with disabilities, gay men, and political and religious opponents. also being targetted and involved in the mass murder.

Holocaust Memorial

Our last stop was at Brandenburger Tor or Brandenburg Gate, considered one of Europe's most famous landmark. The design has remain unchanged since it was first built and witness many political changes in German history, from Napoleon era, the Soviet Union, to the fall of Berlin wall and until now. It symbolises power and freedom. The place was the center of tourist attraction, there were groups of people taking photos, gather around the tourist guide, who was explaining in great detail of the full history, people cycling passing by but no cars were allowed inside, and some were lingering around with a cup begging for money. After setting up our camera using tripod, we took family pictures before leaving the place.

Because the rain was heavy and it was very cold, we decided to go back to hotel after long hours of walking. We took a bus to Alexender Platz and again to Spittelmarkt via subway underground. Arrived at 5pm, took a quick rest and a long shower before having our dinner in our room. Outside was still raining heavily, so cancelled our dinner outside and eat in the room instead. Firdaus need his long rest and was refreshed the next day for another long walk.

After breakfast we go to Potsdamer Platz via train and from there we walked to the Reichstag building where it was built to the first parliament of German Empire, the Reichstag. And now it has become the meeting place for the modern German parliament, the Bundestag. The sun finally appears shyly after a long cold rain, and we were able to do a long walk trip before heading off back to airport.

"DEM DEUTSCHEN VOLKE", meaning "To the German people" or "For the German people"

We walked along River Spree and stopped there for few picture and enjoying the view of the boats. We went to bahnhof and ate fish and chips before catching our train to Zoologischer Garten, and went to visit Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche or Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Church of Remembrance, a bombed out ruins of a church in World War II, left as a memorial to the victims of the war.

River Spree

Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche

Fernsehturm, built by the communist during cold war. This pic taken outside of our hotel, just before we went off to the airport.

We went back to the hotel, refreshed and headed to the airport by train and buses. Arrived at home, Windisch quite late nearly 11pm, took a quick bath and solat before doze off to sleep.

Overall, we love to be back again to Berlin for a second trip maybe. Next time may be outside of the busy center of the city or maybe going for shopping. We were exhausted but happy to be and were able to go to most of the historical landmarks of Berlin mostly on foot, buses and trains by ourselves without tour group and learnt something from our self-research.

For more pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/watdehell/sets/72157619695082250/