Mahallah Ruqayyah

Last week, I went to fetch my daughter at Mahallah Ruqayyah (pic). The semester was ending and she needed to vacate her room. It was like moving out of an apartment with her stuff filling the boot and the back seat! She went up and down, (countless to me), and when everything was done, I was as tired as she was.... Took lunch at the cafeteria... not bad for hostel food. And the TV there was blabbering a P.Ramlee's movie.

During my time, I just left some of my stuff or give it away, for moving places is such a tiring must-do! My tertiary edu involved me moving from Toronto to Waterloo and to Guelph. All in Ontario.
Ahh...the good ol' student days.

Tukar Biji Benih

Dua minggu lepas, anak bongsu mengutip benih ulam raja untuk diberikan pada rakan sekelas. Rupanya mereka bertukar biji benih! 2, 3 hari kemudian, anak pun membawa balik biji benih pemberian rakannya. Katanya kepada saya,

'Ma, ini biji benih daripada kawan adik.' 'Biji benih apa?' tanya saya.

'Biji benih togeh....' sambil menunjukkan beberapa butir kacang hijau kepada saya.

Hmmm... nak tergelak pun ada...

Apa pun, nampaknya mereka bersemangat mengikuti pelajaran Sains Tahun 2, mengenai tumbuhan!!

The White Jasmine

There was a news article last Saturday, on how some women could benefit from the planting of jasmines. It was in Raub, if I'm not mistaken and the function, officiated by Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen. Jasmines could be used in the cosmetic industries.

At home, we have jasmines planted near our kitchen window. In the morning, if there's a whiff of wind blowing, we'll have the priviledge of inhaling its wonderful smell.

The papers too, brought news on how two first ladies, Datin Seri Jeanne and Michelle Obama with their interest in gardening. Jeanne with her Laman Ramuan, filled with herbs while Michelle with her vegie patch. Hey, it's chic indeed to tend to your backyard... Don't you think so?

On your right is the selasih or basil. One of the many herbs that can be found in our edible garden.

Stretching the RM

This morning, we (my youngest and I) planted more kangkung seeds. In the next 7 to 8 weeks, the kangkung will be on the dining able, insyaAllah. From past experience, it seems like the kangkung can thrive in our backyard as oppose to the kailan. Yikes, I hate to describe the kailan..though managed to get a few leaves to add to the vegie dish!!

Now, am waiting to see the outcome of our 'kacang botol' / 'kacang kelisa'. The plant is thriving but haven't seen any kacang!! The roselle proves to be fine. Have been getting its drink and managed to persuade the children to drink them too. Hubby loves it. One way of stretching the RM! No need to buy the cordial in a short time anymore.

Racun Ulat Mesra Alam

Ada yang bertanya tentang racun ni... Dari pengalaman, ada ulat/serangga yang mati tapi ada juga yang survive!! Jadi terpulanglah jenis serangga macm mana... Resipi yang saya guna ialah:

1. Cili padi + bawang putih ditumbuk lumat.
2. Campurkan ke dalam larutan sabun basuh pinggan.
3. Tapis supaya biji cili dpat diasingkan.
4. Masukkan ke dalam botol penyembur dan tambahkan air mengikut kepekatan yang anda inginkan.

Selamat mencuba. Kalau yang lain ada resipi sendiri, bolehlah kongsi ye.

Ulam Raja

Bagaimana membiak ulam raja? Oh, tak susah.... Hanya melalui biji benihnya, yang akan didapati selepas bunganya layu. Gambar sebelah menunjukkan biji benih ulam raja. Apabila kering, biji benih ini akan jatuh dengan sendiri atau terbang ditiup angin. Kemudian pokoknya akan mati... Don't worry, pokok baru akan tumbuh tak lama lagi. InsyaAllah.

Anak2 telah memberi biji benih ini kepada rakan2 yang hendak. Hopefully, they'll grow. But trust me, it's not hard to grow ulam raja!!

Happy gardening....

Ziarah

Minggu lepas. salah seorang jiran telah kehilangan suami. Semalam, beberapa orang dari kejiranan kami ke rumah jiran tersebut untuk mengucapkan takziah dan memberi sokongan moral. Banyak perkara boleh dibelajar disamping pertolongan yang terdaya oleh jiran lain. Ada kalanya jiran mengambil tempat saudara mara yang jauh. Begitulah juga yang dianjurkan dalam Islam. Nasihat dan pandangan boleh diberikan oleh jiran yang berpengalaman.
Setiap dari kita akan menghadapi saat ini. Cuma kita tidak tahu siapa yang akan menyahut panggilanNya terlebih dahulu. Namun, bersedialah dalam apa cara sekalipun.

Majalah Laman Impiana - Oasis Pembaca

'Ma, ada hantar gambar ke Laman ke?' Begitulah ungkapan anak sambil membelek majalah Laman Impiana terbaru, keluaran Karangkraf.

'Ada,' balasku sambil meneruskan pemanduan ke arah Pajam. 'Dah keluar ke?' tanya ku lagi ingin tahu.

'Ha..ah...dahh... Eh, mama letak nama ayah sekali ye?' tanya Mar lagi.

Begitulah serba sedikit perbualan ibu-anak. Gambar laman dan sikit penerangan telah dihantar hujung Jan 09 ke pihak majalah. Tak sangka begitu cepat diterbitkan. Memang seronok bila artikel atau sebagainya di'print'kan. Lebih lagi bila teringatkan waktu jadi 'freelance writer' sedikit masa dahulu. (PS. Those who need writing services, do contact me!)

Yang berminat, silalah ke m/s 12, majalah Laman Impiana, Edisi Bumper, Mac-Apr 2009. Bukan apa, cuma berkongsi kegembiraan.... Mungkin satu hari, pembaca lain pun dapat berbuat demikian, insyaAllah.

Technology - Boon or Bane?

ICT was brought to my doorstep about 13 years ago to facilitate the admin work at school. I embraced it with enthusiasm after finding how it really helps to expedite things, both at work and home.
Next in line was the handphone. I got mine, a Nokia. Never mind, it was a hand-me-down, but it brought me the convenience of getting connected to others. A digital camera makes it easier for me to snapped pictures and having them posted on the Net and share with others.
Ahh... technology, a God-send tool....
God, the Creator, creates beautiful things. But, alas, human beings are known for destroying the beauty of things themselves. Where are our moral standard when we use the tech for purposes out of the norms? We are getting more into justifying our ends rather than the ways used. Are we not sensitive to the need of personal space or privacy among us? Is this the so-called civilised society that we are promoting in line with Vision 2020?
Blaming technology is not the answer. We need to move forward. Do some soul searching and you'll find the answer within yourself.

Alhamdulillah!

It was my birthday yesterday. Got wishes from family and a surprise gift from my daughters. I'm thankful to HIM for giving me the chance to be in this world. And at this age, you'll see life from a different perspective. For the better, I hope.