I spent 3 more days with Eng, Jenu and Jin at Grays, going to Lakeside mall, Grays esplanade and shopping in Grays town which is just a few minutes away. Going for walk at the esplanade was quite an effort as the day was cold and very windy. On top of that we had to be careful while walking on the walking track. It's littered with dogs' poohs. The people here are irresponsible for not picking and throwing away their pets' poohs. It's such a pity that such a serene place became so dirty. Yes, sounds just like in Malaysia where some people are so selfish.
At Eng's flat with Jenu, an 80 year old Pakistani doctor whom Eng is taking care of.
Eng prepared fish fillet for us when we came back from Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Rosehips at Eng's aprtment from which rosehip oil comes from.
Syam, Fa's husband, with Fa, son Mohamad and daughter Aishah came to Eng's flat to pick me up to Luton, their house. This is my last lapse of my UK trip. I am thankful that Fa decided to pick me up instead of me going by train or coach to Luton which would involve dragging my luggage around. Staying 2 days with Fa's family filled me with admiration - her strength and determination to complete her PhD,
and her husband's devotion and sacrifice in taking care of the children and family in spite of his own work. With 6 growing children to take care, that's quite a challenge and time consuming. On top of that, Fa is also taking care of her aging mother who is disabled and dependent on someone's help. Proud to see her and family doing well and happy with well-adjusted children.
Delicious Nasi Lemak cooked by Fa. Hmmmm.... love it after almost 3 weeks starving from rice.
Fa's mother - learning to adjust to life in a foreign country with only family support.
Fa's youngest son, Abid is 8 months old and and a sheer delight. Chubby and contented, he gets all the attention from his siblings. I love to see him eating, ever ready to receive food or milk and enjoying it. Such an easy baby to look after, he cries only when he is hungry or uncomfortable, not like Rania who is so picky over her food. When I was there, I received SMS from Ika saying Nia was on strike, refusing to eat and she was losing weight. Nia was never a chubby baby but she was firm and sturdy.
Lovable Abid with sister, 3 year old, Aishah.
Because she is tall for her age, she looks skinny. Ika was worried sick. Alhamdullillah, now Nia is eating well. Her mother has to be creative to coax her to eat. She got to choose what nursery rhyme she wants to hear from UTube in Ika's Ipad. Her little finger will touch the song she wants. At 1 1/2 years old, Nia is talking quite clearly and her vocabulary is amazing for her age.
Every morning, she sauntered into my room and says 'Hei Nenek'. 'Nenek sapuu...' following me to the garden as I sweep the fallen leaves in the garden. Conversation with Nia is quite a pleasure. Still calls her father 'Dada" but calls 'daddy' according to her mood.
While in Luton with Fa's family, we went to Gravely Car Boot sale. Car Boot sale is popular in Uk and other foreign countries but not so in Malaysia. That day (Saturday) was so cold and windy that it spoiled the fun. Aishah and Mohamad had a good look at children books and toys for sale there. I was tempted to buy good children books for Rania but luggage weight limit stopped the temptation.
Used children books ad toys were cheap and still in very good condition. Aishah was tempted to get something for herself.
All Fa's children speak English with British accent which can be a problem when they come back to Malaysian schools. I hope they don't lose the language and continue speaking it even though friends may tease them. I am so glad that I have this opportunity to know Fa and her family closer as I have the same opportunity with Jamayah in Perth in 2009. May Allah bless them and also those I know from Unimas who are doing their PhDs overseas.
I reached home on 11 Oct 2011 at 11.45 am, took a shower and played with Rania who was elated seeing me. She could explain that 'Nenek go Scotland'. Nia loves her Ba ..ba..black sheep which I bought in Windermere. At 4 pm, the cab came to pick me up to KLIA for my Firefly flight to Kota Kinabalu.
The next day, 12 Oct 2011, after a good night sleep, I delivered my keynote address at the PRS Convention in UMS. Immeditely after, I flew back to KLIA for a much needed rest.
Delivering keynote address at UMS on 12 Oct 2011. Thank you Carrie for the photo.
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