so we didn’t manage to catch the fireworks. well, we *almost* did, but the little one had a little spewing incident in the car just as we arrived (we’re starting to think he’s got motion sickness… or morning sickness ha ha), so we had to turn around and watch the terrifically terrible countdown at home on tv.

despite that tiny glitch in our plan, a bunch of people more than made up for it earlier that day.

the complete 77clan, finally!

the birthday girl and hostess made us dress up for the occasion, so we did. not that it took much persuasion, we’re always looking for excuses to dress up anyway, heh.

there wasn’t talk of new years’ resolutions, but everyone has something exciting to look forward to this year.

and well, i guess you can more or less tell what *i* have in store in 2008… :p

and no, that’s not from eating the entire high tea buffet that day, lol!

let’s end off the year on a positive note.

ahh, the birth of a new life. full of joy and promises – something i wish to all of you in 2008!

“why, hello Tahui Brudder #2! mimmy, why are you making him cry??”

and to us too.

“ahh, that’s better.”

anyone seeing the fireworks today?? not sure if we should stay up outside with the little one for that eight-and-a-half minutes of spectacular sky action, or stay snuggled up indoors catching up on those shows we’ve recorded on Smart TV.

ahh, we can do both, right? tomorrow holiday you know!

the sisters i never had. (coz i’m deprived like that.)

for their teary calls late that night, their hugs, their girly company, for being there.

and for ‘luring’ me out for our traditional “AGM“, i needed it.

ps: on another happy note, congrats to the neos on the arrival of another Tahui Boy! one more ‘brudder’ for aniq’s future clan hehe.

… is what u are.

a quick trip to the airport in the evening to let his little legs run free (and this time, even barefooted, seeing how totally people-less terminal three was). just one of our ‘let’s-get-him-totally-knackered-before-bedtime’ ruses.

*********

on another note, it struck me as we left the airport that i probably had the most memories of him there, where he used to work, the many years since i can remember of us travelling in planes. for some reason, i had an image of him sitting by the pick-up area at the arrival hall, waiting for us to fetch him home.

the last he said to mum was, that the plane had arrived and was she going to follow him or not…

something to bring back a smile on the face after what seems like a gloomy week for us.

i used to visit the cemetery with my brothers and father every friday after prayers at masjid sultan to maintain my mum’s and other late family members’ graves, as well as to recite prayers. however, since aniq was born, i have been going less frequently. i decided to bring him along on friday, the day after hari raya haji. it was his first time visiting his late grandma’s grave. she has been gone almost six years now.

he always enjoys being in the company of his uncles and yai. he was comfortable despite the sombre atmosphere and weather. he helped pluck out the weeds, sprinkle the flowers, and brought smiles to an otherwise dreary place.

and who knew he was going to visit it again the very next day, this time to bury another grandparent…

it’s been a surreal day, but don’t worry, we got through it ok.

i guess we’ve been prepared for it for some time, you know? it’s been a long-drawn-out battle, after all, and there was little else we could do when one’s body deteriorates like so. once again, thank you for all your thoughts and concern. (and especially to those who dropped by, we really appreciate it!)

aidiladha, the day before his passing, we had the opportunity to qurban two sheep for him. a last minute thing arranged by a close family friend.

believe it or not, it was my first time looking at sheep at the mosque and collecting the meat. don’t ask me why, i was never asked to go before! i didn’t get to witness the actual act, though. most of the animals sacrificed were already hung up and the fleece were being stripped off them.

this boy, on the other hand, is luckier. my, what round eyes you have there! i do wonder what goes on in his head when he saw all those baa baas without any heads.

we still have some administrative things to do over the next few days. not even sure what they are or how to go about them. guess we’ll have to figure them out along the way, with help and advice from family members (especially izad).

yeah, this IS also my first time at this, after all.

in the meantime…

GET YOUR GRUBBY HANDS OFF THE LIL LADY, MISTER!

and so we watched as he gasped for his last breath of air, life slowly ebbing away from his body.

2334hrs, his soul left with his last pulse.

thank you for all your calls and kind words.

al-fatehah.

one of the rare few weekdays we get to bunk in together, laze around, and bathe at *looks at time* noon. oops.

Man with Womb = Woman

Bat with Womb = Wombat?

(ah, the things an idle mind produces…)

somebody, help me!

*counts the seconds till holidays begin*

ok let me think of something to distract myself.

to-do list says: ‘buy xmas gift for $10 to exchange at year-end party’.

how come during hari raya nobody has a party to exchange small envelopes with money ah? ok ok, nevermind.

was thinking of conjuring a gift hamper courtesy of items from those $2-dollar shops, like Daiso. hmm, clothes pegs… Magic sponge… mini manicure set… large bag of twisties… how much is that already? ok, let’s throw in a seat cushion. i sure could do with one myself here. butt is definitely sore from all this sitting in front of the computer. and coming up with loser $10 gift hampers.

can i just give a small envelope with money?