haiqal, haqeem, khaleef, suffiya, husna, kahfi, marissa, kazim & adam are current members of ‘cucu haji podin’s club’ established in 2002.
yong syimee’s kiddos : haiqal, haqeem, husna & adam haris
my kiddos : khaleef, kahfi & kazim
syimot’s kiddos : suffiya & marissa
these are their latest photos on our recent get-together for buka puasa. it’s interesting to imagine how they would be 10 years down the road…
need a recap on cucu sharifuddin’s club? click here to know its members!
pegang aku kuat-kuat ya. mari kita merentas masa…
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anak-anak sa-karang, kalau udah dapat ber-puasa penoh, apa upah-nya? RM30? RM300? dapat x-box?
da-hulu tidak adha istilah upah duet kalau bisa ber-puasa penoh. bapak men-didek anak-anak ber-puasa bila tiba bulan ramadhan karena ia tuntut-an ugama. dan hanya orang yang ber-puasa bisa dudok me-nikmati hidang-an yang lebeh istimewa. yang tak ber-puasa hendak-lah tunggu atau makan ber-sendiri-an. sa-masa ramadhan da-hulu kala, duet bukan-lah ukur-an. yang anak-anak mahu-kan ia-lah ber-buka ramai-ramai se-keluarga. ini baru-lah meriah, di-samping men-jalani ibadah ber-puasa!
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ka-pada yang ber-duet, perlu-lah keluar-kan zakat pada bulan ramadhan.
sa-karang ini kounter zakat fitrah adha di-mana-mana. jabatan ugama sedia mem-pungut zakat. da-hulu, bayar terus sa-haja pada orang miskin di-kampong. adha yang sendiri men-cari ibu-ibu tunggal atau orang tua yang tingal ber-sandiri-an untuk terima zakat.
adha juga orang-orang miskin yang ke-masjid-masjid dengan karung, me-nanti orang mem-bayar zakat. dapat-lah sa-gantang beras sa-orang. dapat-lah mereka masak untok ber-buka, atau di-jual untok dapat-kan duet lebeh.
sudah-kah kamu mem-bayar zakat?
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es batu memang laku sa-masa bulan ramadhan. bila ber-buka tiada air es batu, macam tidak lengkap! da-hulu, dengan duet 30 sen udah dapat membeli se-bantal es batu dari kilang es. sa-karang ini, kalau mahu mem-beli es batu, kena bayar dalam RM3! itu-pon baharu dapat sa-peket sahaja!
sa-karang ini, beli es batu dari kedhai, terus sahaja padu motokar cephat sampai ka-rumah. da-hulu, es ketol di-balot dengan sarbuk kayu untok tahan lama. bawa balik pula dengan basikal, atau ber-jalan kaki sa-haja. kalau cuaca panas, es batu pun cayer apa-bila sampai ka-rumah. mula-lah ibu mem-bebel karena rugi-lah 30 sen tu!
sa-karang ini, nampak duet 30 sen ber-tabur-an pon pandang sa-belah mata…
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ber-buka apa hari ini? tak sempat masak, beli sa-haja di pasar ramadhan.
da-hulu, tiada pasar ramadhan sa-perti yang adha pada dzaman ini. duet tidak di-bazer-kan mem-beli meng-ikot napsu di-pasar ramadhan. da-hulu kalau mahu rasa kueh ber-macam jenis, hanya tukar juadah kueh atau lauk se-sama jiran te-tangga. jimat duet, dapat me-rasa kueh yang laen, dan dapat pula meng-erat silaturahim.
kalau ber-buka di-masjed pon seronok karena dapat me-rasa ber-bagai macham juadah yang di-bawa oleh makmum lain. juadah ber-buka ka-biasa-an-nya ia-lah ubi kayu ber-sama kelapa parut di-campor gula. enak!
sa-karang ini mewah sunggoh ber-buka di hotel dan restoran tambah-an pula yang hidang-an buffet ber-harga tak kurang dari RM50!
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bagai-mana per-siap-an hari raya pula? juga perlu uwang. juga perlu duet! sa-karang semua-nya perlu se-dondon. satu warna. sampin pon perlu di-tukar saban tahun karena meng-ikut warna baju pada tahun itu.
da-hulu pernah sa-kali, beli per-siap-an hari raya ber-sama dengan per-siap-an buka sakolah. hari raya pakai sa-haja kasut sakolah yang baharu di-beli. masa itu jenama yang paling hebat tentunya se-pasang 'badminton master dari bata. harga-nya baharu 3.90 sen! sakarang ini anak-anak muda ber-gaya dengan kasut nike yang harga-nya tidak kurang dari RM350 sepasang! ber-tuah sunggoh!
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semua gambar ni aku google. mana yang dapat, aku kredit-kan kembali pada si-pemilik. sila khabar-kan ke-pada aku kalau adha gambar kamu yang aku guna tanpa kredit.
dalam bulan ramadhan yang mulia ini, jimat-lah duet di-mana yang bolih. itu pon sudah satu ibadah. hargai duet dan usah renti panjat-kan syukur dengan rejeki yang Allah beri-kan!
selamat ber-puasa!
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“entry ini ditulis untuk cabaran #2 iPad MySuperKids yang direviu oleh alyrds a.k.a ally ardee simin & Wan Fatihanum dan ditaja oleh Adorable Muslimah”
if your kiddos have seen the movie ‘rio’, (about blue, a very domesticated blue macaw caught in an adventure with free-spirited female bird of his kind; named jewel) then they would enjoy a bird park thousand times more.
khaleef knew the movie inside out, so he was very excited at the prospect of meeting all the ‘characters’ of the animated movie at ‘jurong bird park’, singapore on our recent visit there with my abah, umi and two younger sisters.
kahfi & khaleef with atok and opah umi
you can buy the entrance ticket to jurong bird park together with night safari, or singapore zoo with special rates – but as we’re pressed for time, we chose to buy tickets to jurong bird park only. we just added extra dollars to ride on the monorail that circles the park.
the train is really good when you’re travelling with kids and older people as we can take a break from walking and the heat, and just enjoy the trip around the park in an air-conditioned train. there is a voice-over explaining what we’re seeing as we’re passing each attraction.
there was quite a line when we want to go on board, but the process was done very fast and organized, and we didn’t wait too long for the next train. also, my abah and umi (senior citizens) did not need to line up, and asked to just sit on the side until their turn comes to board the train with the rest of us who were lining up.
good call!
abah and umi took full advantage of the train, relaxing while checking out the attractions, and then stopped to rest at the entrance. us ‘youngsters’ then continued our bird-park experience on foot.
visiting the ‘parrot paradise’ was really heavenly for khaleef and kahfi who had been busy spotting characters from the animated movie, ‘rio’. they saw nigel, the white parrot, and became ecstatic when they finally saw a BLUE PARROT, and kept shouting, “blue! blue!” it was quite a sight.
a rare family picture among the parrots!
as in any bird park, a bird show is a must. and man, look at this crowd! serves us right going on a sunday! it was a regular fun-filled show, with a couple of jaw-dropping acts by the intelligent feather-friends.
the best part to me was the endearing little talking parrot who sang ‘happy birthday’ and ‘rasa sayang’ in perfect diction and pitch. lagu cina pun dia nyanyi! amazing! begitu agung ciptaan Allah!
one of the highlights of jurong bird park is the highest man-made waterfall in an aviary – plunging down 30m! fine, doesn’t look like much in my photo, but it was a beautiful sight when you’re coming from the wooden walkway, down a corner, and voila – the sound and sight of falling water.
made me think of the last time i was at a waterfall spot – and i really can’t! punya la lama tak pegi!
another precious family photo – i use the word ‘rare’ and ‘precious’ because it’s SO difficult to get the two younger boys to stay put for a photograph!
if you enjoy birds, interested in knowing the types and species – while walking in a very beautiful and CLEAN setting – jurong bird park is an enjoyable choice of holiday activity for kids and adults alike. the staff are courteous and helpful, the souvenir shop is well-stocked, and the toilets are very clean!
singapore does well – the place really merit as a tourist attraction of an international level.
my two younger sisters with three african tribal warriors
please don’t think i gave too much credit to singapore, or puji melambung sangat. (especially since malaysian’s tigers latest ‘brawl’ with the lions on the field! haha) but benda yang baik ape salahnya kita jadikan contoh; especially the cleanliness part, and beautifying our own bird park.
when i complained about getting only ONE park-map to be shared with the 4-5 of us, my youngest sister azot (who had just been to our KL bird park) said, at least in jurong bird park, we’re asked to share but at least we get the map for FREE. in KL bird park, you have to PAY for a park-map.
what?!
oh, a tip – if the heat gets to you, there’s a penguin attraction at the entrance; and it’s very cooling inside! better yet, just stand at the entrance, where the burst of air-conditioner is at its best! haha. tapi jangan le sampai menggangu orang nak klua masuk ye. hihi.
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never heard of the animated movie ‘rio’? heard of it but haven’t watched it? watch the trailer, people! it’s an enjoyable movie with lots of laughs!
i LOVE kuey teow.
okay, i know it’s ramadhan and posting about food is either frowned upon, or salivated on! haha. enjoy je lah! for me, one of the best places to get fried kuey teow is in this humble stall in puchong prima – the malinja charkuetiaw.
if you ever came across this part of town, let me tell you that there is a long stretch of stalls, so be on the lookout for the name ‘malinja’.
this is our kueyteow haunt for the last few years when we stayed in puchong. coming home from work, it’s always nice to know that there is a kuey teow place that i can count on – one that i know would serve a most delicious plate of kuey teow.
there is one other kuey teow stall here but i’m not sure if it’s the same stall (paint different) or another stall at the same stretch. tapi memang kat puchong prima jugak!
however, during our recent visit, proved to be quite disappointing for mr. khairul who loves his char kuey teow basah (with gravy). he said the gravy was thick – but suspiciously thick – as if they put a little too much corn flour. this affects the taste. jadi tak best!
mine, was the kuey teow ‘kering’ – dry fry – and it was still as delicious as ever! in fact, it was less oily. loved the silky thin strips of flat noodle, loved the not-too-spicy taste, loved the whole thing! it’s still the best for me!
ulp. even i’m salivating now…
i don’t eat kerang nor prawns so i requested a change to chicken. THIS is one of my favorite plates of kuey teow.
is it open for buka puasa? *wink wink*
i’m still in malaysia, people – but my other significant half is in dubai. jadi maaf jika hati ni asyik teringat dubai! here are five interesting bits about ramadhan in dubai UAE (united arab emirates) :
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1) in dubai, it is illegal to give to people who beg for cash in the streets!
but don’t be quick to judge – dubai is NOT being cruel – it’s just that ramadhan is the time when beggars suddenly pop out to take advantage of people’s charitable sentiments.
if you’re thinking, “..but i’m just being ikhlas (sincere) and niat untuk sedekah”, maybe you can channel your sadaqah through established means, like charity to orphanages, or offer food supplies to old folks home. if approached by a beggar, you could also suggest that they go to any charitable organization and seek help there.
personally, i’ve never actually seen a beggar along the streets of dubai, but we did once approached by a dude in a car, along with his family, telling us his sob stories, and asking for any dirham to spare. apparently, this is just one of the few methods of ‘scamming’ that had been going on in the UAE.
“what do you do when approached by beggars? police bodies in the UAE advise people to report any such cases immediately, and promise that action will be taken against beggars because not only do they bother people and distort the country's image, many of them are also involved in illegal activities.”
read full report here.
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2) restaurants in dubai want to serve or deliver food BEFORE iftar? go apply – for just dhs5,060 fee!
by law, restaurants are not allowed to serve or deliver food before breaking of fast UNLESS they received permission from the DED (the department of economic development in dubai). how to get the permission? they have to apply – for a fee of dh5.060!
and even with the permission, they would have to cover the dining area – for example :
"..any restaurant or coffee shop that serves snacks can apply to DED to get this permission for a dh5,060 fee. and those restaurants that are found violating the rules by delivering food without permission will face heavy penalties for this illegal practice.."
read more here.
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3) cannon fired to indicate berbuka time!
now this is just the coolest. just when i thought that beating the tabuh to indicate breaking of fast was a thing of the past, here comes sharjah state organizing cannon-firing to tell people that it’s time to break fast. (sharjah is one of the 7 states in the UAE, just like dubai).
i wish dubai would do the same!
“police in sharjah…announced that cannons will be fired to help people know iftar times at locations across the emirate during ramadan.”
read further here.
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4) 9am – 3pm is a normal, daily working hour? only during ramadan in dubai!
some call the law a bliss from the heat of summer ramadan. some say it halts the productivity of companies for that single month. call it what you want – that’s the law. muslims or non-muslims alike, ALL must abide to this rule.
there are arguments saying that ramadan shouldn’t be used as a reason to cut-short working hours, or to rest more. ramadan or not, the show must go on. that should be part of the challenge for muslims during ramadan – the fact that we have to work just the same as the rest of the year; just the same as non-muslims who can eat and drink.
when i was working in malaysia, i was just given an hour earlier to leave office; basically to beat the traffic, and be home in time for breaking fast.
“..employees should not be asked to put more than six hours during ramadan regardless of their religion, and private sector institutions requesting their non-muslim employees to work normal hours are violating the law of the land, the ministry of labour warned.”
hey, don’t get me wrong – if it’s the law, it’s the law. i can only enjoy mr. khairul’s company when he comes home really early, take care of the kids while i fix the dishes for breaking fast!
to read more, click here.
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5) this is the first ramadhan celebrated during the hot summer time, since 1978!
2011 – delivery service, fridge to store food, air-conditioner and iftar at home. 1978 – riding camels to get groceries, no air-conditioner, and iftar was a social event done with everyone in the neighbourhood.
but these two years share one common trait – during both years, muslims fast for more than 14 hours, in the scorching heat of summer.
mr. khairul stumbled upon this well-written article; sharing the fascinating experiences during summer ramadhan in dubai. iftar feast with the entire community, soaking clothes to remain cool during the heat, man beating drums to wake people up for sahur, and many more interesting anecdotes.
“it has been 33 years since ramadan last fell in the heat and humidity of august…this year, as in 1978, muslims will fast for more than 14 hours a day…
"we never kept track of the passing hours in those days," mr mohammed said. "we would only say that the days are long and we would just get through them determinedly and patiently. i recall that one man in my family would toil away all day under the blazing sun and would sometimes faint of thirst and hunger. many advised him to eat and break his fast, but he availed himself of patience and persistence and held on."
to read this most interesting article, click here.
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hmm, if i were to write 5 fun facts about ramadhan in malaysia, what would my list be ye? *think*
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to my other half, missing you very much. counting the days we will reunite in the middle of ramadan!
rahmat menjelang ramadhan – sehari sebelum berpuasa kami 5 beradik akhirnya dapat berkumpul kat rumah abah di ipoh. kali terakhir bergambar berlima macam ni masa syawal tahun lepas. memang seronok gile, penuh dengan gelak tawa, hilai mengilai dan pokpekpokpek. korang kalau ade adik-beradik pompuan ramai sure tau lah! haha.
terlalu berharga detik-detik ini. sunguh.
boleh teka tak yang mana kakak sulung, hinggalah ke adik bongsu? yang sorang dah anak 4, sorang lagi anak 3, sorang tu pulak dah 2 anaknye, dan yang 2 lagi dah berpunya!
venue : rumah abah aku kat ipoh
photographer : faiz naquiddin (teman istimewa adik bongsu aku. buwek)
choreographer gambar : faiz naquiddin bersama 5 beradik kecoh
camera : sony cybershot compact camera
photo editor : syazrin syida sharifuddin, menggunakan tona zaman pop yeh yeh
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aku pun ade beli satu t-shirt yang owh-so-cute dengan ayat ‘no. 1 dad’ di bahagian depan, dan ‘best dad in the world’ di bahagian belakang. comel tak?
semua amik gamba dengan abah pakai baju comel tu! pastu ramai-ramai guna jadi profile picture hihi.
kepada semua yang terlintas lalu, bersinggah kat blog ni, selamat berpuasa, dan menunaikan ibadah terawikh. happy fasting, people!
it’s not just the thrilling rides, or the accurately designed buildings and sets, or the awesome shows or even the meeting with famous movie characters – it’s me and my four Ks, going to this fun place with abah and umi, and with my two younger sisters. a long-awaited family trip, at last.
universal studios singapore : USS.
going to USS was so much easier and laid-back since we’re staying INSIDE sentosa island, at one of the five hotels – festive hotel – which is like 5 minutes walk to USS. we could arrive at the entrance by 9am, go back to freshen up by noon, and be back an hour later to rumble again at USS till the park closes at 9pm.
USS is divided into few attractions : hollywood, madagscar, shrek’s far far away, jurassic park, ancient egypt, sci-fi city and new york. a small park, comparatively speaking but still full of fun for everyone.
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MADAGASCAR
attraction
we walked through hollywood section to our first stop – madagascar. line up to take a picture with the four main leads; marty, alex, gloria and melman. if you’re patient enough to wait, the line will be short as the day progresses. by evening, there were hardly anyone there at all!
we missed the penguin singing, so if you go to USS, be sure to check their schedule and be there in time to enjoy the show!
the rides
kiddy rides dominated ‘madagascar’ section. there is ‘the crate ride’ which is like disney’s ‘it’s a small world’ ride. just 8 people in a boat going through diorama picturing scenes from madagascar. totally adorable but the ride is really slow. surely a hit with younger kids. again, be patient – go for other rides first because as evening approaches, there would be hardly any line at this ride.
we went right in the morning, and had to wait a little over 40 minutes for this 15-minute ride!
next, try the merry go round, and choose which character to sit on. even adults can join in! for moms with babies, there are seats on the moving merry-go-round for you to sit, while holding your baby. kazim and i sat on the benches. there are only 2 sets of benches so be quick when it’s your turn to ride!
me holding kazim, with my sister syidot; while my youngest sis azot at the back on melman, next to khaleef who’s riding the foosa!
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FAR FAR AWAY
attraction
see the little hut with the crescent moon on the door? that is probably one of the most recognizable toilets in the world! haha. i was so excited seeing the life-size replica of shrek’s humble abode in the swamp. cute!
wish shrek was in though. he’s probably out saving fiona from the fire-breathing dragon…
this section also included the beautiful lord farquad’s castle. as you walk through ‘far far away’, you’d be entertained by soundtracks from shrek, including the quirky song of ‘duloc’.
the shows
a must-see : catch the 4D shrek show, please! if you think shrek by itself is funny and entertaining, imagine shrek in 3D AND you get to FEEL the wind when shrek flies on dragon; or FEEL the snoot on your face when donkey sneezes; and FEEL the tickles at the back of your knee during the spider scene!
great, great stuff!
we caught the LAST show of the day, and there’s only ONE other family with us. we practically got the whole theater to ourselves. seronok gile gelak kuat-kuat!
the rides
if your young ones loved roller coaster, and you’re looking for a mild one, take a ride on the ‘enchanted airline’ which is a short roller coaster ride on a dragon-train. still heart-pumping, but kids-friendly.
enter the souvenir shop and you’ll see a small ferris wheel at the back of the shop. again, GO IN THE EVENING and there would be hardly any people lining up. your kids can ride again and again – no waiting!
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JURASSIC PARK
attraction and shows
fake rock hills and plenty of greens – that’s the setting for jurassic park. make sure you catch the WATERWORLD show which is an amazing live action-packed show roughly based on kevin costner’s movie ‘waterworld’ – a group of people living on waters in search of dry land. explosions, aeroplanes crashing down, stunt man falling down from 10 m high and so much more. make sure you know the time schedule for the shows!
the rides
in jurassic park, there are rides for kiddos and bapak kiddos alike! khaleef enjoyed the ‘dino-soarin’ – an interactive ride where there’s a button to push that would take your ‘ride’ higher, and when you let go, it will drop with a jerk! khaleef had fun ‘navigating’ his pterodactyl!
there were few more adventurous rides like the you’ll-get-wet ‘rapids adventure’ and ‘canopy flyer’ that gave you an air-view of parts of USS.
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ANCIENT EGYPT
high and mighty statues of anubis (the human with the head of a cat) guarding the entrance of the rides were quite a sight. there’s even a ‘market of cairo’ – but selling sodas and snacks la, bukan souvenirs from cairo ya!
it was so apt that we reached this section of USS at the peak of noon. in ancient egypyt, at noon, when it’s really scorching hot. memang padan sgt la tu!
the rides
my sisters and mr. khairul tried the ‘revenge of the mummy’ ride – a roller-coaster that moves at top speed – in the dark! syida and azi said it’s probably better than the usual roller coaster as they cannot see whether the train is about to plunge down or soar up. the unexpected element is the thrill of the ride!
me? of course i didn’t go! i sat outside in the heat with the three boys; waiting for those crazy people to finish up having fun by scaring themselves on a roller coaster ride!
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SCI-FI CITY
the rides
there was one for the kiddos n kiddos at heart. a sci-fi version of the revolving-tea-cups ride. funnest when it moved real fast!
mr. khairul tested his metel when he took a brave ride on the incredibly scary-looking roller coaster ride – the galactic bla bla something. haha. there were actually two trains moving together at great speed – red for human, and blue for cylon. my sisters and i totally sat this one out, so mr. khairul went all by himself!
…and survived!
oh, i hate roller coasters! the last crazy one that i went on was the ‘triple looper at sunway which has since been closed after someone fell off it to their death…
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didn’t we get hungry?
we stopped to eat at ‘the friar’s’ at far far away – munching seafood platter and icy-cold lemon tea. look through your USS map carefully to spot halal foot outlets, which can be easily found inside the USS. i think you can even pack up nasi lemak and egg sandwiches to save some dollars!
make sure you bring a water bottle, because when empty, you can easily fill them up again with all the water coolers found all over the theme park.
for dinner we also at at far far away, this time at a old tavern-like makan place called ‘goldilocks’, serving food like in KFC.
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it was very disappointing that we didn’t see po from kungfu panda, but we met puss in boots! ‘nuff said! he was absolutely adorable and charming!
