2 days before Valentine's Day, I noticed there was a long big box in the patio. Hm.... someone sent flower.. I wonder, must be from my husband...

Well, I was right. I shared 2 roses for my little girl, put them in the separate vase, side by side. Loved it and it really made my day, not only the flower, more by the note came with the flower :

"Thank you for the wonderful nine years we had together. I still love you more than ever, Happy Valentine..."

I always tell myself, I would rather have electronic gadgets than jewelry or flower, but this.... this is different... Thanks much!!!

I am so blessed with my life. Thank you God.

Nadia had a wonderful playdate today. We met Riley, her playdate at Tree House when we were trying to get 2 kids out from the house while Daddy played tennis, she ended up meeting a new friend and got 'stuck' together. The girls requested us to exchange phone numbers to play again. This is our first playdate!

We got home from Syria on Wednesday late night, and Friday morning Ammar went to San Francisco alone for conference. It was a wise decision not to tag along with him. The kids are still having jetlag and seemed to be tired all the time.
I thought I would have hard time staying at home alone with them, but actually I kinda like it... I don't have to make beds, I don't have to cook special dinner for my husband... I just cook whatever me and my kids love. I don't have to clean up a lot.. we live messy a bit... toys are all around the house.. every where!
One thing I missed, is sleeping with warm body next to me. Being married for 7 years plus made me hate to sleep all by myself, so I have been tagging Nadia along with me all the nights Ammar's out. One thing I regret, for some reason (rarely happens), Nadia wet her pants and all my king size bed last night. What a work... washing all this sheets, liner, and the down comforter.. it takes 3 80 minutes drying time to fully dry this down comforter. As much as I want to 'kill' the girl... I think I am still going to keep her by my side tonight... despite of what happened. I love it that I could hug her all night long.... nothing like hugging your own kids in your bed.. much better than you own hubby who is so much bigger! Sorry Ammar, no offense.

First frost. It's freezing cold today and we woke up at 7.30 am seeing the frost all over the grass. For crying out loud, it's only October 3rd and we just got into the fall. I am afraid the real winter will be so unbearably cold.

I am blessed on this Ramadan Month. My eyes were opened wider to see what's good for you and what's not good for you.

God opened up my eyes and showed me the bad things in my life, then bombarded me with lots of bliss, in friendships and the way I should look up to in our family life. I learnt that I should always trust my husband's gut's feeling towards any of my friends, he never told me to do so, just a suggestion, and now, I learnt my lesson, as he told me : "I told you a long time ago... now it happened" God proved and showed us boldly, things that has been look so vague to become real and obvious. 

My husband, for the first time in 3 years finally will get a bonus, which will cover the whole expenses to go to visit our families in the other side of the world, with the possibility of salary raise. Alhamdulillah.

The kids, have to learn the good way and the hard way to start forget about things they love, replace them with something way better. 

The only thing still bothered me, but I trusted God's power to place our family wherever the best, the schools I applied. I am just only hoping to start school again next year.

Nadia and Aidan both love their school and they are such a bliss in our life.

I learnt that I have to stand for my family no matter what. 

Ramadan always remind me how God always be so close to me and make my wish comes true, one of them is the husband I asked in year 2000, on Ramadan.... someone who is honest and love me. 

Thank you so much for your blessing, Allah. Amin.

Happy Eid Mubarak,

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri

1 Syawal 1429 

October 1, 2008

With our humble words, we all would like to apologize for every mistakes we made, in the past, now, or in the future so we all can start fresh.

Eid Mubarak from all of us.

Much Love,

Ammar, Sari, Nadia and Nadia

I remember the last time I really had totally wonderful time when I was pregnant with Nadia and we walked on the street in downtown Boston, freezing cold, awesome friends and awesome Japanese food.

Last night, it was one mighty cool/fun/bliss time with my Indonesian sistas, and I was totally forgetting at that time that I am married and have kids. I feel like I was still living in Jakarta, outing with totally awesome friends. I can't put words how much I really enjoyed this last minute gathering, but sure it made my day.

Dewi, Dwipa, and Evita.... I love you guys so much! Evita... happy birthday and have a wonderful trip to Indonesia.

I talked to my mom today.... boy, do I miss her a lot. Everyone is doing fine, the youngest cousin, Zhara started to do fasting fully. My Nadia is just starting, she fasts like 2 hours.. hahaha

Got a new 50mm lens today. It really take sharp pictures. It is so small, light weight and fast. With the aperture of 1.8 sure it will work on the low lighting. Cool.

I took picture of the flower in front of my house with the bumble bee pollenating the flower. I cropped just for the flower, and it appeared very sharp still.

I also took pics of Nadia and Aidan. Can't complain.

This is our 3rd times in Canada for the past 3 months.... but it has been really nice.

Ammar's brother and his family who live in Kuwait, had to come with the whole family again because they are in the process of the citizenship. We arrived yesterday, eagerly to see the kids again, and found out we got really nice great news from them. They had their citizenship yesterday and they got the passports for each of them. Yay!!!!

Now, we are getting so excited that next time they come to Canada, they will be able to visit us at our home...

Nadia and Adnan, the youngest child play together so well while Aidan play with all of them.

It's so fun to finally get together with cousins and family in North America.... looking at them spending time together as cousins... priceless!

While packing, I saw a spider, like 1/10 inch long on the window, I grabbed my macro lens, and here what I got. It's so hard to focus on the fuzzy little spidey.

We are set to go on November til December. The tickets have arrived.

Fall 2000

Fall 2001

Winter 2002

Big Island Hawaii, September 2002

Nadia Sarah, 2004

Wedding Celebration, Indonesia December 2006

Aidan Omar, 2007

Our anniversary came on the first day of Ramadan, The Holy Month. 2 special days at the same day. We have been so blessed, I can not thank God enough for his blessings in our lives. 

Happy 6th anniversary, Happy Ramadhan.

To announce our new 'child', Nico. I am so HONORED to design his birth announcement. I am so happy for you, Maria!!! Much love from our family.

Today, we had a wonderful Indonesian Independence Celebration at the Park. 

Photos will follow.

I also worked on my school application, boy... that's a hard work, writing and essays, personal letters, updating my CV, contacting the people who could send recommendation letters, etc.

Almost done with everything, and this really makes me got some thrills. 

Nothing more than when your husband fully support my decision to go back to school and willing to move where ever town which I got accepted at. 

Life is great. Life is generous. I hope I will get accepted.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy birthday to the best dad I know,

A father I love and respect,

A dad who fulfills all his duties

To teach, to guide, to protect.

If everyone had such a father,

A really good dad like mine,

The world would be so much better,

It would look like God’s own design.

It's been 14 years since I have never seen you,

Every time I see my children,

I always wonder what you would think about them

I know deep in my heart, you are proud of them

It's been 14 years since you died

I always cherish you as the best dad ever

The one that I always fond of

The one that I always so proud of

Dad, I put your pictures next to my bedside

Just to remind me how much I love you

So your grandchildren will remember your handsome face

And they know they have great grandpa like you

I love you, Dad

I love you, Wak Andak. May God Bless you and have you stay on His side.
May all the families and relatives are given the strength for the loss.

Bang Imad Dimakamkan di Kalibata
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Artikel Terkait:
Tokoh ICMI, Bang Imad, Berpulang
Sabtu, 2 Agustus 2008 19:45 WIB
JAKARTA, SABTU-Karangan bunga terus berdatangan ke kediaman almarhum Muhammad Imaduddin Abdulrahim (77) yang akrab dipanggil Bang Imad Jalan Bulak Raya Nomor 33, Klender, Jakarta, Sabtu (2/8) malam. Karangan bunga datang antara lain dari Wapres Jusuf Kalla, mantan Presiden BJ Habibie, Mensesneg Hatta Radjasa, Menhub Jusman Syafii Jamal, dan Menkominfo Muhammad Nuh.
Bang Imad adalah Anggota Dewan Kehormatan Ikatan Cendekiawan Muslim Indonesia (ICMI), yang semasa hidupnya dikenal sebagai seorang yang selalu untuk memperbaiki kualitas SDM umat melalui metode latihan mujahid dakwah. Tokoh pergerakan Islam yang itu dikenal sebagai salah satu penggagas berdirinya ICMI, Bank Muamalat, dan harian Republika.
Bang Imad meninggal dunia Sabtu (2/8) pagi pukul 09.15 WIB di rumahnya setelah empat tahun berjuang melawan stroke dan jantung. Menurut rencana jenazah Bang Imad akan dimakamkan di Taman Makam Pahlawan Kalibata, Minggu (3/8) pukul 07.00 WIB. Mensesneg Hatta Radjasa akan bertindak sebagai inspektur upacara dalam acara pemakaman itu.
Mensesneg Hatta Radjasa mengatakan, Bang Imad adalah ilmuwan, guru, sekaligus pendidik, yang tidak pernah menyerah. Almarhum juga selalu memberikan yang terbaik bagi murid-muridnya.

My dear cousin, whose father just passed away.... wrote this in her multiply.... I can't help to steal her writing about her father, which all true, despite of his fame in Indonesia, we all just know they way he was, just a simply great person. I love him dearly and I am in mourning, reading this writing my cousin, Ima did, brought tears in my eyes again.

Here is what she said (Ima, sorry I stole this from you, it's just so beautiful that I couldn't help it)

Innalillahi wa innailaihi raaji'uun...

My father passed away today...2 August 2008...

I received the news at 4am (GMT) from my mom and my sister. And I got an sms too from one of his aides that simply said, "Telah berpulang ke Rahmatullah, Dr. Muhammad Imaduddin Abdulrahim (Bang Imad)..." - then everything seemed to be a blur...my initial reaction was to figure out whether to go home or not. After careful consideration and discussions with my family, it was decided that I shouldn't rush home as I would not make it in time. The flight from the UK to Indonesia would be too long arriving too late and it would mean delaying my dad's funeral. I was told that I should pray for him from afar and that would be all right.

I was told that he passed away in peace...I thank Allah for that.

I'm just sad that I never got to say good bye properly, and to tell him that I love him.

But deep inside I know that he knew...

I pray to Allah that he died knowing that no matter what...I love him.

We may not have spoken much in the past couple of years, but I never stopped hoping that he will see the person that I have become and be proud.

In the past 24 hours there has been an outpour of condolences, kind words from people who saw him as a mentor, a teacher, a fighter...and to me he is all of that...

I share the experience of many who see him as a mentor and a teacher...but there is one thing that I know him as, that only my sisters and I can stake claim to...as Daddy.

And no one can take that away from us...He will forever be...Daddy.

The side of him that not many people saw...the daddy that loved ice cream and chocolates, the daddy that would indulge us with books every chance he got, the daddy that always smelled wonderful in the morning just before he went to work, the daddy that loved classical music, the daddy who couldn't figure out how to work the video timer, the daddy who got very upset when I had to get glasses at the age of 10 because I read too much, the daddy who could be won over simply by a hug and a kiss on the cheek...and so much more...THAT's the Daddy that I know...and that no one else will ever know.

I will always cherish all the wonderful memories that I have with him, that only my family know...no one else...and no one can take that away from me...

I want to keep it that way...I want to remember only the good memories...the wonderful things he taught me, the inspiration he has been to me for me to become the person I am today. The wonderful ways I witnessed him touching other people's lives with his teachings. The pride that I have in him, and the love that only a daughter can have for her father. I will forever be proud to be his daughter...and carry his name with pride.

Everyday I pray for him...and I will continue to pray for him as long as I live...

I love you, Daddy...

Like you used to always say...I will always be your little girl...

Good bye, Daddy...may Allah bless you to be by His side...

I called my mother this morning, and I found out that no one was home, but went to my beloved Uncle's house, he passed away this morning. The whole memories about him and my cousins, from the death of my father, my sister's wedding, when I was little and always came to his house to play, when he always teased my mother and my aunt every time he came to our home, when he and my father were like best buddies, when I was so proud of him, when I visited him to ask his approval for my 'diplomat' boyfriend at the old ages, 1996 at the hospital and at his house (no, he did not approve), when I saw his open heart surgeries, and millions nice memories about him. I am a big fan of him and I always will. Selamat jalan, Wak Andak.

(sobbing while I am writing this ....)

I found this on the newspaper about his death today.

Muhammad Imaduddin Abdulrahim Wafat Sabtu, 02 Agustus 2008 | 13:48 WIB TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta:Sesepuh Departemen Teknik Elektro Institut Teknologi Bandung, Muhammad Imaduddin Abdurrahim, meninggal dunia di kediamannya Jalan Bulak Raya Nomor 33, Klender, Jakarta Timur. Sabtu (2/8) pukul 09.00 WIB.  Bang Imad, panggilan akrab Imaduddin, meninggal dalam usia 77 tahun. Rencananya, jenazah penulis buku Kuliah Tauhid itu akan dimakamkan di Taman Pemakaman Umum Pondok Kelapa, Jakarta Timur, pukul 16.00 WIB. Bang Imad lahir pada 3 Zulhijjah 1349H atau 21 April 1931M di kota kecil Langkat, Sumatera Utara. Ia lahir dari pasangan Haji Abdulrahim dan Nyonya Syaifiatul Akmal. Sejak kecil, Imad dididik dalam tradisi keluarga yang patuh dan taat pada ajaran Islam.  Selama hidupnya, Bang Imad dikenal aktif berkiprah untuk kepentingan umat Islam. Antara lain, ia tercatat sebagai pendiri Masjid Salman ITB, penggagas berdirinya Ikatan Cendekiawan Muslim Indonesia dan Bank Muamalat. Hingga dua tahun lalu, Bang Imad juga masih aktif di Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia. Sebelumnya, Doktor Filsafat Tehnik Industri dan Engineering Valuation dari Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, AS, ini juga pernah aktif di organisasi Islam, seperti Hizbullah, Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam, dan Pemuda Islam Indonesia.