Glaucoma and I

My eye checkup today with my specialist was not so promising. Glaucoma is taking away my vision slowly. It''s sad to hear that I am functioning on less than 10% vision. I have noticed this too but ignored it because I can still drive, the symbol of my independence. I don't want to think too much about this and would deal with it when the time comes. But deep in my heart I am frightened and I do worry. I am trying to be brave when I know I don't really have much choice. I suffer from close-angle glaucoma which is not very common.
Today my eye pressure is good and hope it will be as good again  but I was informed that the problem of my low blood pressure does affect my eye nerves and that I should try to increase my blood pressure. I know my food intake is not helping as I dislike anything salty. My taste bud has changed. I was told  to avoid sleeping flat with just a pillow on my head and I should sleep with my head slightly elevated, preferably on two pillows. I have done just that, sleeping on a therapeutic pillow supported by a normal pillow. Internet gives me much information about what to do and what to eat and I tried to follow the advice as much as possible. I take Bilberry, Ginko, Vitamin E and C regularly. I have good supply of Acai Berry bought by Fa in UK. I faithfully take homeopathy pills prescribed to me. But glaucoma is a degenerative disease. Damage takes place slowly with blindness at the end of the tunnel. That's why I always remind young people to take care of their eyes and to go for checkup. I do worry when my son doesn't seem to take my advice seriously.
I travel as much as my pocket allows it, just to see this wonderful world so that the memory will remain with me forever.
Whatever it may be, I am truly blessed with a good life. I thank my children, friends and ex-students who have been good supporters. May Allah bless you all.    

Gabe's First Birthday

The birthday boy, Gabe. 240313

Kak Nia just loves Gabe. 240313

Sunday 24 March 2013 was Gabe's first birthday. To me, it seemed only yesterday that I waited nervously at the hospital for Haidi's cesarean delivery  and then I heard a loud baby wail. Gabe introduced himself to the world with a loud bang! He was a bundle of joy with dimple cheeks. The same dimpled cheek boy has grown to be an adorable and handsome little boy with wide huge mischievous eyes. And how I adore him!
It was a busy day for Gabe celebrating his birthdays in 3 houses.
We managed to hold his birthday celebration late in the evening just about the time Rania was ready to go to bed but she was wide awake when Baby Gabe came. Rania was always delighted to have Gabe around and fussed over him like a motherhen.
For now

Happy birthday Gabe

Gabe's birthday cake with his yellow car on top. 240313

He he my one candle birthday. 240313

Gabe with parents with Kak Nia mencelah. 240313

Gabe nak potong birthday cake.

Kak Nia loves birthdays. She is celebrating her 3rd birthday next month.

Ha, Mak Yang kat belakang tak nampak.

Gabe is still hanging on to his parents and cries when they are not around. I hope soon he will learn that his nenek adores him and will accept me gladly as Rania did. Gabe is walking tentatively now but still prefers to craw to get where he wants to be. Once he walks more firmly he will become independent and explores his surrounding area on his own.
Happy birthday my little Prince. I love you heaps!!! 

World Travellers

It rained heavily when I arrived at PD recreational park to do my usual exercise yesterday. So I turned around and drove back to my apartment but found the field near the beach at the abandoned apartment complex was clear, not even a drizzle. I stopped and walked the usual 4 rounds around the open field and on my last lapse, a tall unshaven mat saleh approached me asking for a place where he can get internet connection.  I tried to explain where McDonald is and we talked, later joined by his wife.

Wim and Wil at their camper van which has taken them to most part of the world 200313

Wim and Wil having breakfast at my apartment 200313

With Wim and Wil at my apartment. I cheated a bit, I stood on tiptoes. 200313

That's how I met Wim and Wil Klaassen from Holland. They are a couple of fascinating world travelers clocking unbelievable miles in their 30 year old volkswagen camper van. They are on 6 months travel, ending on May 2013 when both of them have to go back to their jobs. In their early sixties, with their faithful camper van, they just arrived from Laos, landed in Singapore and drove to Malaysia hoping to settle their car permit to Indonesia at the Indonesian Embassy in KL, their next destination. The hassle and red tape of transporting car to Indonesia dampened their spirits and made them change their mind to ship their van to Australia at the earliest possible date. After touring Australia, they planned to ship the van back to Amsterdam. Yesterday, from KL they stopped at PD by the beach where I did my walking exercise. I advised against parking and sleeping in the van at the beach because a lone foreign van can attract unsavory attention, especially late at night.  So I suggested that they park their van  at the apartment where I live. After taking a shower at my apartment, they headed to MacDonald for dinner and internet connection.
I invited them in for breakfast of nasi goreng at my apartment this morning and we talked. I was fascinated to hear how they traveled in their camper van around the world - through the African continent (Wim worked in Zimbabwe some years back), across Siberia to Japan and Korea, Asia, eastern Europe and many other countries. With my world map on the world indicating all the places I have been, it was nothing compared to their experience. I have just seen a fraction of the world!!!
Wim has his own consultancy company and Will is a psychiatric therapist in a hospital in Holland. Today they are driving to Malacca and I  hope they will be able to settle the problem of transporting their van to Australia. This is a delightful couple with wide knowledge and understanding of the world and human dynamics. Somehow we made a connection and I am honored having establish a warm relationship with them.
As they said, it was unfortunate that I am going to Amsterdam in late April because they will still be in Australia or else I could make a visit to their home. It was an attractive invitation. Maybe I would visit Holland again some day, insyaallah.

Good luck and safe travel, Wim and Wil and hope we meet again some day.

The faithful 30 year old volkswagen camper van with Will, leaving PD 200313

Life incidents

They say unfortunate incidents always happen one on top of the other. This will test one's endurance, patience, thoughts, faith or iman, emotions, power and determination to overcome them. Some unfortunate  incidents are serious and cause much heartaches and stress in one's life. Coping with it in a positive way is a proof of one's cognitive strength which triumphant over emotional despair. Succumb to negative emotions will bring one into a dark place that's difficult to get out of it. The mind is a powerful tool given by God. I don't need to philosophize on this as most normal people will understand this. I have my fair share of unfortunate episodes in my life and thank Allah for giving me strength and courage to get over them without a scratch.  
On a lighter tone, I could smile humorously now. Last Friday unfortunate incidents hit me one after another. With RM200.00 I took my car to check for alignment and balancing at a big workshop in Lukut, PD. While they checked my car I went to do my hair at a hair salon next door. Ng, the mechanic came and informed me that my front tires were bald. I didn't realize this and requested him to replace them. The next minutes he came again to say another part of the car was worn out. This happened a few times and I began to question whether he was sincere. Of course I have heard how merciless some car mechanics can be and they are out to squeeze money from ignorant car owners like me. He came and explained why I have to change this and that for my own safety. I debated with myself and finally asked him to replace whatever needed to be replaced. I drive my car a lot and travelling back and forth to and from PD as well as travelling to other places. Finally the bill came to RM1,100.00. I wonder why Perodua, PD didn't inform me of all these problems as I take my car regularly there to be serviced. After about 4 hours, it was ready. The car gave smooth drive and was stable and I hope the money I paid is worth it.
With my budget out of alignment, I came back finding my TV was giving problem. I have to go and find a TV mechanic for repair. But I couldn't find the warranty card. Then another problem surfaced on the same day - my toilet bowl was stuck and overflowed. Again I have to run around finding a plumber for repair. Unfortunately both TV repairman and the plumber could only come on Tuesday. I have to grit my teeth and learn to be patience and be calm.  Fortunately, I managed to unstuck the toilet bowl and live in peace.
What is life if there are no unforeseen incidents to make it exciting? But Please God, don't let things  like this happen again to me, OK?!
    

Facebook

To answer the question why I am no longer on Facebook is simple. There are 3 main reasons why I withdrew from this social network.
1. I find I wasted a lot of time opening and reading the what's going on on Facebook, though I enjoyed keeping in touch with friends, ex-students and relatives. Gluing on laptop screen is not good for my eyes and has taken a toll on my sight.
2. There were a few information and photos that I am not keen to read and see.
3. There are other alternatives to get in touch with me and to know what's going on with my life - email (zuraidah.rahman@gmail.com), my blogs (this blog and  my travel blog, zuraidaharahman.travellerspoint.com) and twitter (mostly to keep in touch with my Japanese friend, Sashi).

I have a handful of followers for my blogs but it's OK as my blogs are for my own record and I do appreciate those who visited them and left comments. Thank you for your support.

My Little Prince

Gabe in his Superman's costume tries to ride Kak Nia's bike 030313

I saw Gabe finally on Saturday. He is as adorable as before with his dimples on both cheeks. He looks so adorable especially when he smiles or laughs which highlight his cute dimples.My little Prince is going to be one year old on 24 March. Gabe is like Mok, so contends crawling and refuses to walk even though he can if he wants to. Now he is at a stage of learning to detach himself from his mom, so he is a bit insecure and cries and whimpers when his mom is not within his sight. But soon when he really walks he will explore more independently.

Gabe with his first birthday present from Nenek

Gabe's flashy new car 020313

Gabe showing off his car to Nenek 020313

We went looking for Gabe's birthday present from Nenek. His dad suggests to get him a car as he loves cars, just like his dad. We found a remote control car at a stall in Sg. Buluh with reasonable price but where is Gabe going to ride that car? He had a good time enjoying his ride at the house in Kg. Tunku as it is more open and less furniture to interfere with  his ride. By the look of it, his dad is the one who is excited and enjoys the car more than his son.
Now, I want to find a birthday present for Rania whose birthday is on 16 April. I want to give her a garden swing but didn't know where to get it. The online swing is too small for her long legs and she has outgrown that model. Heidi is going to ask her neighbour where they got theirs. I hope I can find one soon. The swing will help Rania to spend her time more playing outdoor and not being cooped up indoor most time. Gabe can also play with her when he comes around.

Superman's Gabe. 030313

I guess, Gabe will be able to enjoy his car when they move to their new home soon, with supervision from his parents. I was not feeling well on Sunday but Gabe and parents came. Gabe was in his superman's attire, so deliciously cute. I hope Gabe will not catch my cough and fever and still keeps his chubby body. Love you much, my little Prince.

Cough and cold

The winter in Tunisia really aggravated my flu. Though the fever has gone I am still nursing my cough which's chiefly due to acid reflux. I was always apprehensive every time I have cough and cold as the cough will stay on for a long time until the reflux problem is treated. I got reflux medications from my specialist doctor but it seems it doesn't work this time.
I miss Nia so much. The house is terribly lonely without her. I haven't seen Gabe since I came back. It's up to his parents to take him to see his nenek. Nia and parents are in Darwin, Australia for holidays. Ika said it was really hot and humid but Nia is oblivious of it. I hope my little Princess is enjoying herself.
I am still not feeling myself and feel so lethargic. I hope to overcome it soon. There are so many things that I have to attend to but don't have the energy to do so.
Whatever it is, I am glad I went touring Tunisia. Now I have to decide whether to see the blossoms in Korea or the tulips in Holland in late April. I'll decide once my cough disappeared. I hope the organic Basil Mint Cough Syrup I ordered will help. It has before.