Berry Picking & ignorant 'mat salleh'

After the scare that Atiqah gave us at the Children's Hospital, we thought of de-stressing ourselves with some 'intensive work' of picking berries. Lagi pun kami tak ada peluang berjalan-jalan semasa hari kerja, jadi hari minggu saja-lah yang boleh kami tengok keindahan alam ciptaan Allah ni. Bagi saya, daripada pergi 'shopping' yang akan menjana lagi ekonomi negara ni, baik la buat aktiviti-aktiviti yang macam gini! Sunnycrest Farm is situated in New Hampshire which is like one and half hour drive from our house. We missed the cherries and strawberries; apples as well peaches are still not due until early September. So we opted for blueberries & raspberries which are after all very high in antioxidant; which the 'mat sallehs' are very well aware of looking at their turnout at the farm. Pick Your Own (PYO) blueberries cost $2.25 per pound, however raspberries cost a bit more - $4.50 per pint. Pokok blueberries mengingatkan saya akan pokok kopi yang mak dengan arwah ayah tanam sekeliling rumah di Selama semasa kecil dulu. Kena berperang dulu dengan nyamuk kalau nak kutip biji kopi yang dah masak tu... Pokok raspberries pula lebih rendah dan merimbun. Upon entering the farm we were greeted with hi-s and friendly smiles from several other fellow pickers which to me was very welcoming indeed! My initial thought, "Ooo..orang New Hampshire ni lebih ramah..."

Notice the apples and grapes ... but they are not ready yet for picking.

Picking and eating is permissible at this kind of farms, but how much can you eat blueberries that taste a bit sour-ish?. The big ones however, taste sweeter. But, I would much prefer them with a squeeze of lime and honey. Lagi sedap! Of course, the children would go for blueberry cake and muffins which Anis is getting the 'hang of it' in making. Masuk jer http://www.marthastewart.com/ or ...ask recipes from Sairah Glick and Yasmin Saulnier's oven - they'ld be everwilling to share them!

Overall, it was a good day and experience at Sunnycrest Farm except for the statement made by the lady in the checkered shirt - "They might be terrorists! " - which I regretted overhearing and too shocked to respond.
We left the place with me feeling remorse. I could have at least said.."Get out of your peanut shell, you ignorant mat salleh!!!"

Atiqah at the Children's Hospital Boston

I never liked going to hospitals; except visiting newborn babies. I think hospitals here are the same as those back home... in terms of the waiting time! Maybe there are not enough doctors back home or doctors here analyse & scrutinise results more.. so they need more time. I don't know! But I pray I don't have to go through it again. My worry during the wait was as agonising as Atiqah's pain in her tummy. Is it ovarian cyst or is it appendicytis? Should she really go through the surgery as recommended by the surgeons? What if her appendics burst? Surely the doctors here are the best..as what I've heard! After all, Ultrasound, X-rays, CATscan semua dah buat. Thank goodness for insurance! At last after 24 hours of waiting, the Chief of the Children's Hospital himself (Dr Linden) came and explained on the analysis of Atiqah's tests - power point slides and all! With his support we decided not to go through the surgery. Alhamdulillah... by then her pain have also subsided. I think the 'drip' helped. What I appreciate most was his call early the next morning asking about my daughter's condition...

Cape Cod: Hyannis, Falmouth & PeeTown

I have always wondered what's there at the very tip of Massachusetts 'arm' where Provincetown or better known as 'PeeTown' is located. PeeTown is famous for being the 'gay-est' town in Massachusetts. If you know what I mean...

They looked at us; - wondering from which planet we come from, all covered from head to toe! - we looked back at them; - wondering why in the world would 2 grownup men be holding hands, hugging and kissing each other!. Well, that's life.. macam2 ada... cabaran kiri & kanan, atas & bawah. I am glad my children are old enough to understand them. The only response from Atiqah with face and all is...eewwww.. I told her, as long as we don't disturb them, hopefully they won't harm us. I guess I was wrong, when one man purposely shoved me while I was taking a picture of the towering landmark. He definitely didn't want me to be there! I tell you, we don't get that kind of treatment from anywhere else here..especially not a Bostonian.. He must have dropped from some crazy planet and landed, right smack in the middle of the Pilgrim's First Landing Park! To be gay with the rest of the merry men..

Provincetown is historically famous for being the Pilgrims First Landing Ground. Unfortunately, as Prof told us, not all were Pilgrims from the English Land..some of them were crooks that came to raid the natives (Red Indians) out of their land and lives! I guess every place has got its own history.... Visitors to PeeTown can also take a cruise ship from Boston. Bicycles can be brought along on the ship at a minimal fee. It really beats the heavy traffic coming in to Cape Cod! I hear the town will be even gay-er at night time. Too bad we couldn't stay longer; it would be interesting to see the dragqueens lining the streets and pubs.
The stoned walkway leads to 2 lighthouses and also acts as a barrier to stop the waves from eroding the beach. It took the group almost 2 hours walking towards the end and back. But...me and the 'drivers' surrendered! I salute Prof Mohammad Salleh and wife for their strength and endurance..

We put up a night at Hyannis in a hotel which is run by a Chinese family. It really amazes me to find this versatile race surviving even in this part of the 'woods'..kat ceruk ni pun ada...I must say I am glad; because what would I do without Asian produce like Chaokoh(santan)...daun pandan... and the daun kesum!. Hyannis is almost like Langkawi.. a beach town!

Tini & Hassan with 2 'minah salleh' seen wearing kain sarong batik..

A view of the marina..where boats dock at several private homes.

Cape Cod is also known for its historical lighthouses. If I am not mistaken there are 4 famous ones. One of the biggest is the Nobska Lighthouse in Falmouth.

Double click on the image to get a bigger view.

I think this is Nauset...can't remember.

Lighthouses have always managed to be on artists' canvasses..

Royal Visit To Boston

I will never forget the days I got to spend with DYMM Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail - Tuanku Raja Perlis and DYMM Tuanku Fauziah Binti Al-Marhum Tengku Abdul Rashid - Tuanku Raja Perempuan Perlis, accompanied by Datuk Dr. Vanamaly K.S Menon, En Kamil Busu and a travel coordinator during their private visit to Boston from June 28th 2007 till July 1st 2007. The Royal Couple were traveling from Canada, on their way to New York City and Washington DC. From the very first day the Royal Highnesses, former King and Queen of Malaysia - Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong ke-X11 - showed graciousness and appreciation towards whatever was presented to them. Meeting both the 'modest', caring couple was a real honour. Not that I get to meet many royalties before but...to me Tuanku Fauziah reflects a true 'Queen'. Her mannerism..., her appearance..., no 'dayang2' or maids with her but she still managed an elegant and sophisticated look, that captivated me! She just laughed when I summed up the courage to ask her on her spotless, untarnished, glowing complexion. I could see she misses her grandchildren very much as her mind and thoughts were mostly on them. Her days at the Istana Negara were refered to as 'kerja' .. but she has fond thoughts of the staff that she had then. " ...kasih kita dekat Istana Negara, sayang kita dekat Istana Perlis" confirmed that she is a very loving and caring person, indeed!

Of course the King didn't hold much conversation with me but I could see him 'lightened up' whenever he was telling stories about his army days. Quite a few times he had Dr Menon- his personal doctor, and my husband chuckling listening to his stories. The Royal Couple took in the sights of Cambridge - took pictures in front of MIT and entered Harvard Yard; walked on the cobbled stones of Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall; and also shopped for both family and friends. I really hope they had a sweet and memorable time while they were here.

"Ampun Tuanku sekiranya terdapat cacat-cela dan Menjunjung Kasih Tuanku dari kami di Boston."

4th of July in the U.S of A

Independence Day is the birthday of the United States of America and is celebrated on the Fourth of July each year. It is the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. That means America has celebrated 231 years of independence! In terms of age, my 'beloved country' seems a toddler when compared to this 'old' nation. I wonder what Malaysia would be like when she reached 200?!. If wishes could come true... I wish to see her growing old gracefully, preserving her natural beauty - forests, mountains, rivers and valleys , able to tap her existing resources & generate new, abundant in knowledge and wealth, practice positive values - culturally and spiritually. I also wish to see her safe, healthy and wise. It's sad to even think she would be infested with many negative values that America practices at her age today!

The Declaration of Independence signed by America's forefathers, I guess holds many meanings and may be interpreted however way that benefits anyone. Quoting part of it: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness".
Case in point : the recently passed law for Gay Marriages in Massachusetts! What will they think of NExt?

One event that's similar to all when celebrating Independence Day is the fireworks!. Quoting John Adams, one of the founders of this nation, said, "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty ( doa selamat la tuu..!!). It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore."

Back home, we normally 'sparked' after the midnight countdown of the day before. However, here it's held on the evening of July 4th around 9 or 10pm. That way, it won't be too late in the night and the whole family including babies can stay and watch the one hour spectacular show!. Boston's Independence Day fireworks is ranked 3rd BEST after New York City, so a group of us : 2 men, 3 teens, 2 children, 3 ladies + one 7 months pregnant :), decided to walk alongside others, thrudging through the 'drizzle' (which later turned to 'shower'!), towards Charles River just to witness Boston City Skies exploded & lit up like creations of art to the tune of the amazingly designed fireworks. It was a cold wet night but that didn't stop hundreds - some even setup tents!- to fill up the banks of Charles River. But, somehow like Shahmi, the 9year old who huddled close to me for warmth and kept me occupied with his knowledge of fireworks, we WISHed we were in front of the TV!

Rhode Island Air Show

What is it with Air Shows that fascinate men so much? I got the answer when visiting the Rhode Island National Guard Open House & Air Show with a few 'adik-adik' and 'anak-anak' on June 24th. I had never got the chance to see our own Air Show in Langkawi but was informed that the much awaited Blue Angels had once performed there.

You might have guessed, the 'Tarzan' on the left is NOT one of us! he..he.. He was seen looking around for his Jane..

The Blue Angels were of course, scheduled to be the grand finale of the Air Show. Almost 2 hours behind time , - ironically these people here are not particularly time conscious as they are thought to be! - the world's renowned pilots captivated many, with their speed and precise manouvres. However, the blistering heat of summer and the immense noise proved too much for us and even for the Mat Sallehs. Many were seen leaving, - including us, to catch the free bus ride to the parking field before the crowd - minutes before the air show was even over!. Nevertheless, I couldn't help noticing how well logistics and facilities were handled during the event. Although parking space was like '5 miles' away, visitors were transported quickly on 'old' but well maintained army buses. The waiting time passed unnoticed! Potties to relief oneself were plenty and easily accessible. Security upon entering was well understood by all. Ear plugs were given free to everyone. And.. the event was held at No Charge! On top of it all, a supply of clean, cool drinking water for everyone's taking. How do they do that!? (I see 'budding entrepreneurs' selling mineral water for double or triple its price at these sort of events back home!)
Could that be one of the aircrafts used to transport soldiers to Iraq?

Thank you to Captain(?) Hatim and family for their kind hospitality. Food was ready for us to dig-in when we returned from the air show.

The shores of the Atlantic Ocean at Rhode Island's beach...

HAHVAHD Unofficial Tour

On Tuesday June 12th, my children and I with Mega and her mother, took the unofficial tour of Harvard; which was organised by Unofficial Tours - a recently Harvard approved, Student-Run, Student-Owned company. Go to their website at http://www.harv.unofficialtours.com/ and take a look at how the company was started; the beautiful pictures in their on-line brochure and the graphical image map of Harvard Square will give some idea of the route taken during the one and half hour experience. The tour time sounds long - especially on foot! - but the Dual Tour Guide System managed to satisfactorily highlight Harvard hot-spots through their in-depth knowledge, exciting history, side-splitting jokes, and exclusive accounts of student life; making the unforgettable journey oblivious to passing time. Without even using hailers our Tour Guides captured all of their 'followers' attention with fluid flowing 'scripts' on Harvard's (pronounced as HAHVAHD) lingo & terminology, Harvard's buildings & architecture, Harvard's known rivalry with the City of Cambridge and last but not least Harvard's Student Admission and their life in the historic campus. To get enrolled in Harvard is of course not easy; one must be either a top A student, or obtained incredibly high SAT scores, or musically inclined, or.. having very rich parents with none of the above! (The picture on top right with the Memorial Hall behind us was taken by Tom - the bigger size Guide, from a secret vantage point buried deep in Harvard Yard!). The tour starts immediately outside of main Harvard MBTA station, by the Cambridge Info Kiosk in the middle of Harvard Square, and ends in front of the gate along Massachusetts Avenue. As a note: the Tour Guides do not have regular income from the company - I guess because it's 'Unofficial' - so, they get paid through the visitors sincere contributions ( an amount mentioned as an equivalent to a movie show with popcorn ) at the end of the tour. So, if ever you're in Boston, don't miss strolling through Harvard Square & experience the Unofficial Tour of Harvard - which is said to be by far better than the officially run tours!

Salam Pantun - Tunggu Padi Jemoq

I am very honored to have received an autographed copy of Siri Pantun Nusantara, TUNGGU PADI JEMOQ - Serangkaian Pantun Kedah from the Editor of the book himself; none other than Professor Muhammad Haji Salleh - Sasterawan Negara Malaysia. He is currently here, being invited by Harvard to work on a project. I am glad we got to know Prof & family and it seems like we've known them for ages. Juita, Kasthuri & Mega's well mannered ways just captured my heart, despite briefly meeting them, when they were here visiting their parents. If you want to know, there is a whole website dedicated to Prof Muhammad at http://www.geocities.com/ayahanda_m/ . There we can find a wide ranging field of his involvements, his literary contributions and achievements. I am amazed at the number of awards & prizes he had obtained over the years. Well, I KNow he's one of our Sasterawan Negara ( National Laureate ), but reading through them increased my respect for him even more. Such an unassuming, softspoken person and a loving father as well.
Would like to share beberapa rangkap pantun from the above mentioned book Tunggu Padi Jemoq - Serangkaian Pantun Kedah which was compiled by En Ramli M.I ..........

Sekalung Budi

1. Anak didek di ataih papan,
Padi tumpah di bawah tangga;
Anak adik abang dok pesan,
Buat baek oghang pun suka.

2. Anak itek terlentek-lentek,
Anak angsa terenang-renang;
Buat baek tak boleh baek,
Saja bangsa tak mengenang.

3. Ayam hutan terbang ke hutan,
Mati tersangkut kerana duri;
Adik bukan abang pun bukan,
Mati tersangkut kerana budi.

4. Dalam guni ada padi,
Nama padi, padi pulot;
Baek hati baek budi,
Dia mati oghang sebut.

5. Pokok mengkudu di kaki bukit,
Banyak rumpot darilah dia;
Hidup besatu budi yang baek,
Sama-sama menimbang rasa.

6. Tenang-tenang ayaq di laot,
Sampan kolek mudek ke Tanjong;
Hati terkenang mulot tersebut,
Budi yang baek rasa nak junjong.

Malaysia's PM & New First Lady

At last, after 2 years of being a very eligible 'bachelor', Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi fondly known as Pak Lah re-married recently to Jeanne Abdullah. His first wife, Datin Seri Endon passed away due to breast cancer and is rumored that she entrusted Jeanne Abdullah, her ex-sister-in-law to look into his well-being. See how happy he looks!

All other hopefuls out there..eat your heart out!




Thought of sharing his family portrait..

The First Masjid in Boston...

Last Saturday June 9th, we went to the first ever 'big' Masjid to be built in Boston! It is located on Malcolm X Avenue, Roxbury - tempat yang mostly inhabited by ramai African-Americans di Boston! I heard (if it's true..), Governor Deval Patrick wants improvement to that area & he believes it can also be done through Islam. Of course the building of the masjid is not without problems, issues, hindrances & slanders from the enemies of Islam - I believe it took 7 years to get this masjid approved and be erected, and even now it's not completely built yet! Construction is halted due to insufficient funds - the contractor needs an additional of US500k just to continue on with the development. It seems that the committee had to resort to internal/private contributions ( which is kind of slow ) as funds from outside is stopped and cannot be channeled in. Too many negative speculations! Anyway, everyone was there for the placement of the minaret and for the first athan to be heard. Can you imagine the athan 'berkumandang' di udara mat salleh!? You have to be here to experience the feeling.. perasaan macam kat Mekah pulak! Syahduuuu... We were told that the minaret could not have been built, if not for an old lady who 'sedeqah' all of her inheritance & belongings - may Allah shower her with all of his blessings. There were quite a few 'sobs' and 'sniffles' I heard coming from those around me (including yours truly!), amidst the 'ameens' during the do'a done by the Imam. Well, it was in English and everyone understood the message. Actually, there were also talks of 'trouble' likely to happen, instigated by people who tak suka tengok orang Islam hidup senang! We were a bit apprehensive at first of going, especially my husband, who doesn't want us to be caught up in any conflicts - but, upon seeing throngs of Muslims coming from all walks of life, berbagai bentuk dan rupa..the young and the old, with children & babies...walking like one mile away towards the masjid...we were pulled along! Tak ku sangka macam Hari Raya pulak! Fortunately nothing major occured..except for the incident when the tow truck wanting to pull our car away for having the boot a few inches beyond the 'yellow line'!. Alhamdulillah, if not for a few 'brothers' who not knowing the owner of the targeted car, quickly donated US5 each to make up for the 50 dollars requested by the tow-ers, our car would have been compounded. Now that would be another story to tell! They turned down my husband's request to re-pay them and gladly, I witnessed one of the teachings of Islam being practiced here. We are gratified by their sincerity and willingness to help - semoga Allah kurnia lebih banyak rezeki kepada mereka!

Don't Ever.......Stop Being You!

A new blogger friend of mine, Lindaj , sent me this message today..Of course hers was more interesting and eye catching - full of animation & background music. Anyway, thought the words are worth sharing..

DON'T EVER...
Don't ever be reluctant to show your feelings when you're happy, give in to it.
When you're not, live with it.
Don't ever be afraid to try to make things better, you might be surprised at the results.
Don't ever take the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Don't ever feel threatened by the future, take life one day at a time.
Don't ever feel guilty about the past, what's done is done.
Don't stop learning from any mistakes you might have made.
Don't ever feel that you're alone, there is always somebody there for you to reach out.
Don't ever forget that you can achieve so many of the things you can imagine..
Its not as hard as it seems.
Don't ever stop loving, don't ever stop believing, don't ever stop dreaming your dreams.
....... STOP BEING YOU!

'Aqiqah' for little Hazeem...

Last weekend we were invited to attend a small Aqiqah feast for 3 months old Hazeem (hope the spelling's right) in Dracut, MA. The invitation came through a Muslim sister who knows Hazeem's Grandma & family very well. Not knowing Hazeem's family, we were a bit apprehensive at first to accept the invitation, but I guess 'ora ng Melayu memang kaya dengan budi bahasa' so we felt at home in no time at all. Hazeem's father is El Salvadore-American and Hazeem got best features from both his mom and dad. So cute! Comel sangat! The nasi minyak & roasted lamb cooked by Hazeem's mom, Yohanna was delicious. After Maghrib we did some form of Marhabban & it was kind of funny to hear the different international versions..The Malaysian version, the Moroccan version, the Indian & Pakistani versions. Even the do'a was done in 3 languages - Malay, Arabic & English. Whatever it is, what matters most was the meaning - for Hazeem to be a good person, good to his parents & good to his creator; to have all the blessings from Allah. We had a nice time & didn't realise that it was almost midnight when we left - much to Atiqah's dismay who had a test the next day!

A bit on Aqiqah which I picked out from the net.
The Laws of Aqiqah
The performance of aqiqah is sunnah muakkkadah ( highly encouraged ).It is to be performed by the parents or the guardians of the child.
Prophet Muhammad and his companions used to perform aqiqah when they were bestowed with a new born.

To offer the aqiqah or sacrifice for a newborn child is the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). An aqiqah involves the sacrifice of two animals for a boy and one for a girl, with a portion of the meat to be distributed to the poor and needy. An aqiqah can be offered at any point after a child's birth, but it is recommended to perform it within the first week (and ideally on the seventh day). In addition, it is the recommended Sunnah for parents to give sadaqah of equal value to the weight in silver of their baby's hair (when it is shaved on the seventh day after birth).

The purpose of Aqiqah
There are many benefits in the performance of aqiqah and some of them are :
1. Announcing the blessing of Allah with the birth of a baby.
Being bestowed a baby is a great blessing from God.It is only with God's grace that a couple could enjoy the joy of receiving a baby. Thus to show gratitude and joy to God for this gift,blessing and great occasion, an animal is slaughtered and the meat shared amongst friends and relatives.
2. Making known the baby's genealogy and his family.
Aqiqah is also an occasion to pronounce the birth that has taken place in a family.This is to inform friends and relatives about the new member in the family and to avoid misunderstanding or gossips that could arise from that birth.It is also to confirm the baby's rights to the family's wealth and name.
3. Promoting acts of benevolent and promoting kinship and friendship by giving meat to family, friends and neighbours.

Gathering families and friends on this joyous occasion would promote better relation, understandings and love.Even the poor is not left out from this festivities as they are also entitled to the food and meat served on this occasion.