What A Celebration!

Ibu celebrated her 45th birthday two weeks back. Another 5 years to half century, how fast time flies. With social network, facebook, twitter and all kinds of apps to remind you of one's birthday, wishes kept pouring in into Ibu's mailbox via sms,watsapp, fb and e-mails. That's how advance the technology that we have nowadays. Unlike ten twenty years back, people struggle to remember birthdays of their loved ones and when you received birthday cards, messages and gifts, you know that you are genuinely remembered and treasured by that person. Well, regardless of the apps that keep sending reminders to you of your family and friends birthdays every other day, the thoughts of someone remembering and making the effort to send greetings and wish you is all that matters. It just mean that they think about you.

This year, Ibu had wonderful birthday celebrations. Three days in a row! It started a day earlier as her birthday falls on Saturday. Her colleagues treated her to a buffet Japanese at Suki-Ya and Shabu Shabu located at the Tokyo Street, Pavillion on Friday. It's a japanese steam boat with a choice of two types of soups out of three offered, Shabu Shabu, Kimchi and Sukiyaki. You are given unlimited slices of lamb, beef and chicken and a whole range of vegetables. They also have sushi and ice cream to supplement the steam boat. It was quite good actually and worth the price of RM29.80 for lunch and RM33.80 for dinner. Thanks Su Yean, Amanda and Shanna for the lunch treat.

After work, it was her BFFs turned. This time it is at the Redbox Pavillion for Karaoke and Dinner. Pavillion again! The last time we celebrated birthdays in Redbox was in 2009 and it's been four years now. We celebrated Ibu and Along birthdays this time as Rynne could not make it at the last minute. Our birthdays are close to one another and it's worth to combine the celebration. We were there from 6pm to 10pm and had great time testing our vocals and showing off our talents with the oldies and the eighties. We even suggested Along to go for the Kilauan Emas audition since she is the best among us and used to be one of the school singers those days. Thanks to my BFF for the lovely purple swatch...they even created a watsapp group to discuss the gift they wanted to get for Ibu, how sweet. Thanks gals for such wonderful time and fabulous gift.

The next day, the actual birthday we were busy with the kids as usual, fetching them from schools and did their laundry. Adik called Ibu right after his subuh prayers to wish Ibu, Abang called much later in the morning and Kakak sent a video message via watsapp. In the evening, Ibu received a bouquet of flowers, of course purple in colour from the family in Hartamas. How thoughtful of them, was touched by their thoughts.

That night, we had another celebration, this time with the Gombakclanners who celebrated their birthdays in February and March, Tok Nani, Tok Onn, Tok Wan, Zarith, Qistina and Ibu. As usual, Tok Mami was the one that organised everything and she grabbed the 50% off for buffet dinner at Taming Sari, Istana Hotel. Smart move and great savings by Tok Mami as always. Both Abang and Adik managed to get off for the weekend to join the celebration, Alhamdulillah. The place was quite packed and the food was not that bad. After the cake cutting, it was time to exchange presents. This time, Ibu gets four recipe books, Jamie Oliver, Nigella from her dearest cousin and a special cupcake tools from the Royal Carribean from Tok Mami and a nice telekung from Tok Nani. Thanks so much for the wonderful gifts. Now, Ibu has no excuse not to cook for the rest of the year!

The celebration did not end there. The next day, Sunday Ibu had another surprise from TLG. They prepared a little cake and as usual sang the birthday song plus a special gift Channel No 5. Alhamdulillah, that was so thoughtful of them. It was a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by people that you love and care and you know that they feel the same way towards you. Thank you to all that made me feel special on my birthday and I am thankful that Allah swt has bless me with such amazing people in my life. Abah and the kids, although this year no cards or presents from them like always, but they are the best gift Allah swt has given me, they are always there for me. Alhamdulillah.

Syawal yang Pilu...Al-Fatihah

Cerita Syawal kami masih belum berakhir. Setelah cuti raya berakhir, Abah kembali bekerja dan Kakak, Abang dan Adik kembali bersekolah seperti biasa. Ibu masih bercuti seminggu lagi kerana terpaksa menghabiskan 10 hari cuti tahunan secara berterusan (block leave). Ibu hanya kembali bekerja pada hari raya ke 14.

Hujung minggu sebelumnya, pada hari Sabtu, 12 Syawal, kami dikejutkan dengan berita kematian Tok Andak, biras Tok Gombak yang menghidap kanser paru2. Kami masih ingat akan ziarah kami ke rumah Tok Andak di Lembah Keramat pada raya yang lepas dan Tok Andak masih sihat dan ceria. Kami sempat menziarah aruah sebelum dia dikebumikan pada petang harinya.

Tiga hari selepas kematian Tok Andak, iaitu pada tanggal 13 September 2011 / 14 Syawal 1432H kami dikejutkan dengan berita yang amat menyayat hati, Tok Gombak akhirnya meninggalkan kami buat selama2nya diusia menjangkau 90 tahun. Kami langsung tidak menyangka Tok akan menyusul Tok Andak secepat itu. Tok langsung tidak menunjukkan tanda2 akan pergi meninggalkan kami. Dia hanya demam dari hari Sabtu dan tidak dapat menziarah Aruah Tok Andak. Hanya pada hari Isnin, demamnya semakin teruk dan kami sepakat membawa Tok ke Pusrawi. Ibu, Meer, Tok Onn dan Tok Tot menghantar Tok ke hospital dan Tok terus dibawa ke wad kecemasan untuk diberi drip dan diambil darah. Setelah beberapa jam, kami dimaklumkan mengenai hasil ujian darah dan diberitahu bahawa Tok mengidap demam denggi. Platelet count agak rendah dalam 55 dan gula dalam darah pada paras 8.5. Sambil menunggu untuk dihantar ke wad, kami berbual dengan Tok dan dia kelihatan ceria walaupun itu pertama kali Tok dimasukkan ke hospital selama hidupnya.

Tok ditempatkan di wad As'Saadah, bilik No 9, tingkat 4. Lin, Nisam, Acap, Shasha, Tok Papa, Ira, Tok dan Tok Wan sempat menziarah Tok semasa di wad. Za tinggal di hospital menemani Tok pada malamnya. Keesokkan pagi Chop, Haz dan Tok Mamie sempat melawat Tok dan berbual dengannya sebelum doktor datang membuat pemeriksaan lanjut. Pada pukul 12.26pm, Ibu mendapat panggilan dari Pusrawi memaklumkan bahawa Tok sedang nazak dan meminta Ibu datang ke hospital segera. Ibu bergegas ke hospital tetapi takdir telah menentukan yang Tok pergi hanya beberapa minit setelah Ibu sampai, tepat pada jam 12.47pm. Allah swt sahaja yang tahu betapa sedih dan kecewa Ibu kerana tidak sempat berjumpa dengan Tok buat kali terakhir. Ibu memang berhajat untuk ke hospital pada waktu makan tengahari untuk membawa bubur trigu. Hajat Tok untuk menjamah bubur kegemarannya yang dimasak Nenek tidak kesampaian.

Doktor yang memeriksa Tok juga tidak menyangka sama sekali Tok akan pergi secepat itu kerana hanya beberapa minit sebelum Tok menghembuskan nafas yang terakhir, dia nampak sihat dan bersedia untuk ke bilik x-ray untuk pemeriksaan. Hanya Za yang ada disisi Tok ketika Tok mengucapkan dua kalimah syahadah. Alhamdulillah adalah perkataan terakhir yang diucapkan oleh Tok sebelum melelapkan matanya. Innalillahi wainnailaihirojiun. Alhamdulillah, Tok pergi dengan aman dan tenteram. Wajahnya tidak ubah seperti seorang yang tidur dengan lena dan tenang sekali.

Berat rasanya melepaskan Tok pergi, hanya airmata dan doa yang tak putus2 mengiringi pemergiannya. Kami terharu dengan perkhidmatan yang diberikan oleh Pusrawi. Semasa Tok sedang nazak, hampir kesemua staff yang bertugas bergegas ke bilik Tok membacakan surah Yassin dan setelah Tok pergi, merekalah yang menenangkan kami untuk redha dan menerima ketentuan dari Allah swt. Kami mula memaklumkan semua mengenai kematian Tok dan semua bagai tidak percaya mendengar khabar tersebut. Kakak, Abang dan Adik terkejut apabila Abah menyampaikan berita mengenai Tok. Abang dan Adik sempat menatap wajah Nyang buat kali terakhir tetapi Kakak tidak berkesempatan kerana tiba dari MTS keesokkan harinya.

Setelah agak tenang, kami berbincang untuk menguruskan jenazah dan Tok Wan mengambil keputusan agar jenazah Tok dimandikan di Pusrawi dan dibawa balik ke rumah untuk disolat. Tok Wan dan Tok bergegas balik ke Gombak untuk menguruskan rumah bagi menerima tetamu yang datang menziarah. Ibu, Haz, Lin dan Tok Nana berpeluang memandikan jenazah Tok, Alhamdulillah. Setelah selesai, jenazah Tok akhirnya dibawa balik kerumahnya buat kali terakhir dan disolatkan. Tok dikebumikan di tanah perkuburan Danau Kota dimana Arwah Aunty Munah dan Uncle Ipin disemadikan. Segalanya berlaku dengan pantas, kami meninggalkan tanah perkuburan jam 6.30 petang setelah selesai pengkebumian dengan hati yang berat.

Terasa bagai mimpi, dalam sekelip mata dan tidak terduga, Tok telah pergi buat selama2nya. Pada malamnya, kami menerima kunjungan yang tak henti2 dari saudara mara dan rakan taulan, mereka yang mengenalinya selama hidupnya yang datang menghadiri tahlil. Hari2 berikutnya, kami masih terus mengadakan tahlil.

Kesedihan kami tidak berhenti di sini. Genap seminggu pemergian Tok, kami menerima berita kematian sepupu Tok, Mak Nab di Lahar Minyak, Pulau Pinang. Mak Nab cedera parah dalam kemalangan di Sg Bakap bersama anak, menantu dan cucu dalam perjalanan pulang dari Gombak setelah menziarah Tok. Mereka tiba agak lewat lebih kurang pukul 10 malam kerana perjalanan yang jauh. Walaupun kami cuba menahan mereka dari balik dan tidur saja di rumah Tok, mereka bersungguh2 ingin balik kerana cucu Mak Nab sedang menduduki peperiksaan UPSR.

Mereka akhirnya bertolak balik pada jam 1.30 pagi. Keesokkan harinya, kami dikejutkan dengan berita kemalangan yang berlaku jam 4.30 pagi di Sungai Bakap. Kemalangan berpunca dari sebuah kereta savy berwarna hitam yang terbabas ditengah2 lebuhraya akibat lari dari dikejar polis. Oleh kerana kawasan tersebut gelap dan kereta pula berwarna hitam, anak Mak Nab tidak menyedari kehadiran kereta tersebut hingga ke saat akhir. Kesemua mereka mengalami kecederaan patah dan retak tulang. Bertambah kesedihan kami mengenangkan kejadian yang menimpa mereka sekeluarga dan malang tak berbau apabila genap seminggu di hospital Seberang Jaya, Mak Nab menghembuskan nafas yang terakhir. Innalillah...hanya ucapan takziah dan doa yang dapat kami utuskan pada keluarga Arwah Mak Nab agar tabah dan redha menerima dugaan dari Allah swt.

Sesungguhnya, inilah Syawal yang Pilu buat kami. Firman Allah di dalam Surah Al-Anbiya’ ayat 35:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

Maksudnya: Tiap-tiap yang bernyawa pasti akan merasai mati. Dan Kami akan menguji kamu dengan keburukan dan kebaikan sebagai cubaan, dan kepada Kamilah kamu semua akan dikembalikan. Al-Fatihah buat Arwah Tok, Tok Andak dan Mak Nab, semoga roh2 mereka dicucuri rahmat dan ditempatkan dikalangan roh2 para solihin.

Gombakclan - The Third Entourage to the Holy Land

Time flies so fast since we first brought Tok to perform Umrah in June 2009. Last year in June, the second group of Gombakclanners went and last week, the third group had their chance to perform Umrah. This time Tok sponsored another seven family members, Tok Nana, Mili, Eezan, Lin, Nisam, Yana and Budin. We are so fortunate to be given this opportunity. May Tok be blessed by the Al Mighty for her good deeds and may Allah swt reward her with a place in Jannah and grant her with good health, strength, patience and happiness.

As usual, everyone will assemble at Tok's house to bid farewell to her before they left to KLIA. Those who could not send them off at the airport would say goodbyes here. After everyone sought forgiveness from Tok, Tok Wan recited a short doa and we left in four cars to KLIA. They departed last Monday, 14 March 2011 and due to return on 25 March 2011.

They are currently in Makkah and has performed Umrah several times, alhamdulillah. May Allah swt protect them, accept all their doa and grant their souls with taqwa and purify them with iman.

Tok Gombak 90th Birthday @ Istana Bambu

Last Friday, 24 December 2010 we celebrated Mak/Tok/Nyang's 90th birthday at Istana Bambu Restaurant @ http://www.istanabambu.com.my/. It was a last minute affair organised by Tok Mamie. Everyone including Noni's family were there except for Chop's family, Uncle Lan's family, Yana and Tasha.

We came a bit late that night around 9.00 pm and the place was already full. The Gombakclanners have started eating and enjoying the food when we arrived. The food must be really good we thought, otherwise the place would not be so packed! It was our first visit and we really look forward to dine in a natural environment of padi field surrounding us. All the furniture and fixtures are made of bamboo. Cool stuff!!!

As we were about to start eating, the lights went off!!! The whole place was dark and people started rambling. We thought it was a TNB problem when we suddenly realised that the neighbourhood was fully lighted except for our place. We continued eating with the lights from handphones and Tok Nana's Ipad. After about 15 minutes, the waiter brought some candles to our tables and we were told that they couldn't prepare the food we ordered. Apparently, the problem couldn't be fixed immediately and they did not have any back up generators. OMG!!!

All of us were disappointed. The cake remained uncut, birthday presents have yet to be given away to the birthday granny ...so we decided to carry on with the celebration at TLG (That Little Gerai). We managed to take a group photo in front of the restaurant before we leave. For us, we did not go there immediately but went to Stadium Bukit Jalil instead to look for Malaysia jersey for Adik. As usual, if he wants something, he just doesn't have the patient to wait. By the time we reached TLG, the cake has been cut and everyone was chit chatting and at about 12 midnite, we bid farewell.

To our dearest Mak/Tok/Nyang....Happy 90th Birthday to you and may you live to celebrate your 100th birthday. Our prayers are always with you and may you be blessed with taqwa, iman, happiness and good health.

Makan2 @ Istana Bambu

Sambung makan @ TLG