Take it from me it is a tough job. How do I know? I just did it for two weeks recently when I had to take care of my 3 months old grandson Adam Hakimi. Adam's mum Ijjah had to attend a compulsory 2 weeks induction course when she missed doing it earlier when she was in her late stage of pregnancy when she was carrying Adam.
His dad had to work as he had almost utilized most of his annual leave. But he will be around to help me look after Adam during the night when he is back from work. I also had the option to send Adam to his day minder in the nearby housing area of Shah Alam but the prospect of having to bundle Adam in the car to take him to the minder was too cumbersome.
The day's chore start from 5 AM or thereabout when Adam wakes up after soiling his diapers. The diaper had to be changed otherwise Adam will feel uncomfortable. After washing him up and a new change of diaper, a small bottle of milk will put him back to sleep. The problem was Adam was not fully weaned off his mother's milk and put on powdered milk. Thought he wasn't breastfed all the time, he was fed with his mother's milk which was kept in the fridge after being expressed. Adam had yet to acquire the taste of powdered milk and never suck with gusto whenever he was fed with it. It is always a game trying to get him to suckle the whole 5 oz of milk per feed. Sometimes he would even throw them up.
Should he go to sleep, I would use the available time to wash up the used bottles before sterilizing them using the recently bought sterilizer. Prior to this sterilization was done by immersing the bottles an nipples in freshly boiled water which I disagree as it was inadequate. So we bought the sterilizer from Kedai Annakku at the Giant Supermarket closeby. I was hoping to buy the smaller sterilizer which could be put into the Microwave oven and heated up. They didn't have the stock and had only this stand alone sterilizer which cost my son almost RM200. Anyway it was money well spent as the unit could sterilize 9 bottles plus all the peripherals in one go. Luckily they had received ample number of quality feeding bottles as gift so 9 bottles were available for use thus reducing the need for frequent sterilization.
While the sterilizer is doing it's work I will do my Subuh prayers. There is no need to shut off the sterilizer unit as it will automatically shut itself off.
Next on my job will be to prepare breakfast for myself as my son Azuan will have breakfast at the office. My breakfast was a simple one as I kept ample stock of bread or cereals handy. Then only will I handwash Adam's clothes which did not really require much scrubbing, followed by my own clothes which needed abit more use of the muscles. They will all be put to dry in the shade of the corridor.
Adam will usually wake up around 9 AM having wetted his diapers and perhaps soiled it too with his poo. It is time to bathe him. A small tub of warm water will be prepared and when the temperature is right, Adam really enjoyed his bath. By the way do you know how to check the water temperature in the baby's tub? Many parents including mums do not know. We use the elbow to test the water temperature so that it will never be too warm for the baby. Why the elbow and not the fingers? Try both methods and you will know the reason.
After drying Adam with his own towels, he will be rubbed with baby's oil, followed by baby's powder. A dash of Amway's baby liniment will be applied to the stomach, back, behind the ankle and soles of the feet will ensure that he will not suffer from bloat. He will be given another feed after being dressed up in fresh clothes. Adam will have another siesta and it is during this time that I will cook lunch.
Since young I was brought up with ikan singgang as 'lauk'. The ikan singgang will be heated up daily to prevent it from going bad however long you keep it. I guess the asam keping, salt, galanggal and gula Melaka in place of MSG are great preservative and the dish not only will last but also acquire a better taste. The ikan singgang can later be fried to give it a most exquisite taste. Only those who have lived on such food can tell or relate to the heavenly taste of fried ikan singgang. Make sure that not much of the gravy is left on the fish otherwise it will result in the popping of the hot frying oil from the kuali.
Should Adam feel comfortable enough and sleep longer, I will use the opportunity to paint.
When the sun is setting down and the evening heat is bearable, I will take Adam down in the pram to the ground floor from the 13th floor where we lived. Adam seemed to loved the outdoor as much and will often go to sleep at the end of the walk.
Dinner will be a simple affair too. Sometimes my son will bring home food for me eliminating the need to have dinner on ikan singgang all the time. It will now be his turn to look after his baby. I can have my rest.
So that was how I survived daily.
Midway through the stay, Adam developed nappy rash. Raw flesh was detected on his bottom. I had never experienced this before with any of my children or grandchildren. He seemed to be defecating too often too which worries me to no end. Could he be having diarhoea? It was time to take him to the clinic. When Azuan returned from work, we took Adam to a clinic somewhere in Shah Alam. A lady doctor by the name of Dr. Indra was on duty. We told her that the baby was suffering from rash and she confirmed it was nappy rash and will be giving the medication for it. The next problem of the suspected diarrhea was a bit hilarious. Dr. Indra wanted to know the frequency of the baby's daily poo and the color of the stool. Since Azuan had been leaving that part of the duty to clean his baby up to me, Azuan looked up to me for answers. When I tried to answer, Dr. Indra wanted the dad to answer as she thought he was the one looking after the baby. When told that I was the one doing it, she started questioning about the where about of Adam's mother and since the mother was not available, where is the grandmother?
Dr. Indra shook her head in disbelief after getting the answer that only the grandfather is avaialble to look after Adam as the mother and grandmother were teachers and couldn't get away from work.
As to the color of the stool, I did bring along a sample in the form of a soiled diaper for the doctor to see. It wasn't necessary as at that very moment Adam did pushed some fecal out with a small grunt. When a nurse took over Adam from his father, she couldn't help noticing and making a remark that Adam's booties didn't match.
The doctor couldn't confirm as to whether Adam was having diarhoea or not and asked us to bring him again if the frequency of stooling was too often. She must have been out of touch with babies as she couldn't tell how many times is too many times.
Anyway since Adam wasn't feeling uncomfortable with the frequent stooling, we didn't bring him back to the clinic and took them as normal.
On another occasion, Adam was having nasal congestion. His discomfort was partly eased by the application of Vicks Vapour Up which eased his discomfort somewhat only to recur after the effect wore off. It was during such times that we our self had to suffer the stress of not having enough rest and sleep.
However happy I was at having my grandson to look after, I was even happier when his mum returned from her course and I did not have to look after him more than the agreed two weeks. During that two weeks I lost 4 kg of weight. A good enough reward for me.
Doing a woman's job is indeed tough job. Just imagine if you have to conceive as well and carry the baby for 9 months!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
It Is Tough Job Doing A Woman's Job
Thursday, November 12, 2009
I Need Your Contact Numbers
Thief (thieves) broke into my house in the early morning of 11th November 2009. I lost my handphone and all the contact numbers in it. To all of my friends please sms me your contact numbers to my 0199125647 so that I can rebuild my phonebook. Please don't forget to include your name otherwise I may not be able to discern your name unless you include it.
We didn't lose much as the thief only took away a copper jug we bought from Mecca in 1997, my Seiko Kinetic watch, two old handphones including my Motorola and a bottle of water. Well those are the few things we could discern as missing.
Thank you.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Pahang Artists Art Exhibition @ TV3
After almost a week from it's opening on 21st October 2009 that I managed to get to TV3's Sri Pentas to see the art exhibition by Pahang Artists. Since it was being organized by a fellow blogger Datin Mamasita of the famous blog Mamasita Mamamia, I felt compelled to attend the exhibition not only to lend support for her monumental effort but also to learn a thing or two about arts from the many works of the many fine artists of Pahang. I promised to attend the show on the previous day but a mini gathering of my classmates from the class of 1968 Sekolah Menenggah Sultan Ibrahim Pasir Mas at a friend's house somewhere in Ampang had consumed the better part of the afternoon leaving me with little time to visit the exhibition.
It was a blessing in disguise really as visiting the exhibition on Tuesday 27th. of October 2007 had better offerings than the previous day. For starters Datin Mamasita had promised that other fellow bloggers such as Dato' Jaffar Lamri of Jaff Points and Puteri Kamaliah of Kata Kama would be attending too. I was anxious to meet Dato' Jaffar as my last meeting with him was the first meeting at Kinokuniya KLCC where Awang Goneng had his GUiT book signing which was almost two years ago. Puteri did not attend today's event for some reasons or other, after all she had attended it earlier on the first day. Dato' Jaffar came to collect his precious Ayam Serama painting which he had purchased at his first visit on the opening day.
I was one of the early arrival for the afternoon and Dato Jaffar came shortly after. Here we posed for a photograph with Datin Mamasita being the organizer and one of the prominent artist from Pahang, Osman Limat.
From left to right: Pak Zawi, Osman Limat, Dato' Jaff and Datin Mamasita.
The lobby of Sri Pentas where the exhibition was held.
Dato' Jaff was taking his duly wrapped Ayam Serama to the car when I pleaded to see the painting before he took them home. Dato' Jaff he willingly obliged.
Such is the beauty of the painting of the pair of Ayam Serama which Dato' Jaff bought.
Another great piece at the exhibition was Melombong by Osman Limat or Pak Man as he is affectionately known.
Melombong carried a tag of RM15,000.00. It was later bought by The Malaysian Ambassador to the United States YB. Dato' Jamaluddin Jarjis.
Another exquisitely beautiful piece being displayed. I had requested another beauty from TV3 to pose beside it. See how they complemented each other.
A bit later another great painter by the name of Yusof Gajah came with his wife Puan Zakiah. We adjourned to the cafeteria for some teh tarik. I made the most of the situation to learn a thing or two from the master himself whose single painting could fetch a whopping RM100,000.00. I would be more than happy to receive one hundredth of that for my own painting, let alone RM100K!
Pak Zawi listening attentively from the master himself.
Datin Mamasita took care of Puan Zakiah, the wife of Pak Yusof Gajah. Puan Zakiah was the pillar of strength that supported Yusof Gajah's career as a painter. Read Mamasita's blog to learn more of her contribution to their success where Yusof Gajah had risen from the brink of failure.
The discussion between Dato' Jaff and Yusoff Gajah was so interesting that I had to bring myself closer to know what it was all about.
Dato' Arif Sabri of the popular Sopo blog Sakmongkol AK47 is Datin Mamasita's other half. Here he was seen holding court while Dato' Jaffar, Yussof Gajah and yours truly listened with interest. Dato' Sak as we affectionately called him was the man behind the exhibition as he was keen to help budding Pahang Artists to succeed.
My son Azrin who had been acting as my photographer had a shot of himself with such luminaries as Dato' Jaff, Dato' Sak and Yusof Gajah. Thanks to him because without him I would hardly have any pictures of myself.
At 5 PM we gathered at the entrance to the TV3 lobby to wait for the Bigspender in the form of the Malaysian Ambassador to the United States of America YB. Dato' Jamaluddin Jarjis who happened to be a close friend of Dato' Sak. They had grown up together in Pekan. It was at the invitation of Dato' Sak that Dato' JJ came to the show. Such is the influence of Dato' Sak, the man with the AK47.
Dato' JJ shaking the hand of Osman Limat, the painter of Melombong
Datin Mamasita doing her level best to get Dato' JJ to buy as many paintings as possible. She must have suggested that Dato' JJ buy the most expensive one as a gift for President Obama himself.
Azrin's hand must have trembled so much having to photograph the Malaysian Ambassador with the guests that the camera shook. He was so awed by the moment that a few other guests and even his dad were left out of frame.
Before leaving for another function at Sri Pentas, Dato' JJ mentioned about the possibility of holding a similar exhibition in the US! Wow, that will be great. That gave Datin Mamasita the idea of holding a similar exhibition for The East Coast Artists ( Pahang, Terenganu and Kelantan) in London at Malaysia Hall. Please pray for us all that it will materialize one day. We will need sponsorship from Malaysian Tourisms and other governement agencies of course.
Before I left the premise of Sri Pentas, Mat Noor, the host of Jejak Rasul passed by and I asked for a photo with him which he and his friend obliged. My wife Fatthiyah is also an avid follower of the Jejak Rasul series. Mat Nor is the host of Jejak Rasul.
I left Sri Pentas with a contented heart as on that day I had met so many fine artists from Pahang and learnt so much from Yusof Gajah, another world reknowned artist from Pahang.
The next blog will be about another visit to a private Gallery of En. Hilmi Yusoff, the son of the famous artist from Kelantan, the late Yusoff Abdullah. I had the opportunity of a lifetime to be allowed to visit the private gallery which I did on the previous Saturday in Shah Alam, courtesy of another blogger friend Wan Asmadi aka Sangkelate who is a cousin of Hilmi.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Blogging From Shah Alam
Azrin picked me up at KL LCCT and he sent me to my other son's place in Shah Alam where I will be taking care of Adam Hakimi. Azrin and family was on his way back to his in law's place in Taiping. Anyway I wanted very much to view the semi D house that Azrin wanted to buy at Subang Alam. Since it was along the way to Shah Alam from Enstek Labu, it was quite convenient to stop and view and perhaps give an idea on whether the place is really worth the lifetime of repayment that he will have to endure.
Subang Alam is a new housing area being carved out of a former oil palm plantation. The developer had maintained the undulating landscape and not resort to flattening of the whole area as is sometimes the case. It was tastefully done befitting a medium end living. Houses in this twenty acres of low density housing area cost anything upward of RM800K.
The signboard infront of the sale office and the show house.
The house that Azrin is buying is the one in the middle.
The proud new owner to be.
When the helicopter hovered to take an aerial shot, I took a shot at it (with my camera of course).
The grandchildren were eager to blow out the candles and they did just that before going back to their PS2 games which Irsyad had just acquired using his duit Raya to pay part of the cost. They didn't even bother to eat the cake though it was bought from Secret Recipe. Well even the elders didn't eat up much.
The grandchildren just enjoyed singing the birthday song and blowing out the candles, after that it was the PS2 games for them.
After all that was done we crammed into Azrin's SUV and headed for Pantai Dalam for an Open house at Su's flat. Su is a close friend of my daughter Azura. After parking the car it rained heavily and we had to take shelter at the police's block of flats.
I can't resist taking the picture of five of my grandchildren sitting on a bench. Right across the road there was an Indian Resotoran with this peculiar sounding name. Hopefully somebody may not mispronounce it's name.
When the rain subsided, we walked over to Su's flat to enjoy the food served at the hallway of the flat which was abit cramped with the number of guests. Under the circumstances city flat dwellers will have to make do with whatever is available when you are 10 storeys above the ground.
Su in lighter shirt with my Azrin's wife Yanie in black T shirt.
While on the way to Su's flat, we noticed the beautiful murals on the walls of the flat starting from the lift. This is the work of one of the flat dwellers to cheer up the mood of the dwellers on that floor. With that kind of murals, vandals are deterred from defacing the walls with grafiti. The guy who did it must be a formidable artist.
Fatthiyah had her photograph taken with Azura, Lis, As and Irsyad with one of the beautiful murals in the back ground.
We returned to Shah Alam.
It was Saturday night and we were invited to yet another Raya open house at En. Termizi aka Pak Abu and his wife Puteri Kamaliah of the famous blog Kata Kama. The family lives at the Sri TTDI condo in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail not far from Shah Alam. We were abit late and the parking area was already full of cars. Since the function was held at the poolside area, it was easy to locate the place at it was immediately at the entrance to the condo.
Though this is my first meeting with Puteri and Pak Abu, they were such gracious host that we felt so welcome.
The family with Puteri Kamaliah.
Yours truly with Pak Abu in the dark red baju Melayu.
Kay Leeda of the blog Sembang At Kay's was the other blogger at the function. The others who had confirmed attendance such as Raden Galoh, Elviza and Jaflam were unable to do so due to reasons of their own. Elviza was having a Deepavali dinner with a client, Raden may not be feeling well and when I called Dato' Jaffar, he was having a sore throat.
Another picture of the guests at Puteri Kamaliah's open house.
Sunday morning in Shah Alam means Pasar Pagi near the Stadium Shah Alam. This Sunday's Pasar Pagi will be more meaningful and crowded as it is also the second day of Sua Rasa. Fatthiyah wanted to go to the Giant Supermarket next to the Pasar Pagi so we drove over and parked almost near the supermaket. As usual the pasar pagi was crowded with the added attraction of Sua Rasa. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
The police showing their more powerful new cars, the Mitsubishi Evos. Hopefully they will be fat enough to catch the many snatch thefts that are occurring almost daily all over the country.
TV9 staff cajoling the crowd to join them for the poco poco dance. Many did and they seemed to enjoy themselves while having an excercise.
The power gliders hovering over the area.
A baby fast asleep while the mum was busy selling her wares.
That eveing we sent Fatthiyah to Enstek Labu. She will be catching the first flight back to Kelantan at LCCT on Mondayand had to be at the airport by 6.45 am the latest. Sleeping over at Azrin's place will be the best way to get her to the airport on time as it is a mere 15 minutes drive away.
While in Shah Alam, I did find time to paint. This is only possible when Adam Hakimi was having his sleep.
The first painting I did was of the white tulips for a friend's wife in Johor Baru follwed by the Flowers of Sanserveria. The second painting is on a 20" x 30" canvass and not meant for anybody yet. Any takers for this painting?
The painting of an autumn scene on the top of this post is a small painting of 12" x 18". It was done in preparation for a painting for Kak Teh of a Choc A Blog fame who promises to send the latest autumn picture of London showing all the golden hues imaginable.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Milik Siapakah Tulips Ini?
Who owns these tulips?
Sometimes it is hard to part with something that you create. Though it was created for someone else, you feel it is a part of you that you are giving away. No doubt you can create another one but a new creation will not be the same anymore.
The above painting was created for a friend who wanted me to do an abstract. My own understanding is that an abstract should only be done by a experienced painter who has done everything else other than abstract. After accomplishing all the other forms of paintings then the painter deserve to do an abstract. Pak Zawi is a new painter though quite old in age so Pak Zawi doesn't dare attempt an abstract, not just yet.
Now let us see the following paintings.
Do you like them? Can we consider the above creations as abstract paintings? Don't expect the painter to be able to tell anything about their creation as they are my grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 5 years old with the youngest being Syakirah, elder sister Ayen who is 3 and half years old and eldest brother Irsyad. Maybe I should learn from them on how to do an abstrart painting as they seem to be very good at it.
Anyway I didn't do the abstract as requested but did a painting of the tulips. The first one is with the focus on a single flower while the others are blurred out. The painting was sent to the owner by courier today and hopefully it will reach the owner by tomorrow or the latest day after.
The next painting of tulips is done impressionist style. The earlier attempt was shown to the intended owner and he was very happy with it. Now with one oh his request done, there are two more to be done for him. This is a special project as he had requested for a bigger painting of 24" x 30" which is much larger than the usual 18" x 24" or the 20" x 24" as done for the tulips.
The painting below will be sent to the ultimate owner when the other two are ready.
Colorful Tulips.
Tulips are beautiful colorful flowers. There are so many hues and colors of tulips and newer varieties with a multitude of colors are being bred all the time. They have even managed to breed the black tulips.
Do we know that some tulips are being grown locally? They are grown on Maxwell Hills near taiping where the temperature is quite cool, but the bulbs are still imported from Holland though.
As to the owners of the paintings, I will reveal them in due course.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Nannying Duty In Shah Alam
Monday, October 5, 2009
Paintings Available
The Sanserviera (Lidah Jin) (SOLD TO RADEN GALOH)
I have been working very hard to fulfill the request for paintings by my friends. Financial factor has made me broke my own ethics by not adhering strictly to the order of request. For that I unreservedly apologize to you my friends who has ordered paintings from me.
These are the list of people who had expressed their desire to have one or more of my paintings and I will refresh the list to show who have received their paintings and who haven't and the reason for the delay.
1. Zendra Hassan.
She wanted Pak Zawi's first painting and she got it.
2. Mek Yam.
Deferred delivery to January because she wont be back in New York till January.
3. Oldstock
Two paintings Delivered by courier. Should be receiving them today or tomorrow.
4. Zakrey Mohd Nor.
Collected when he came for Raya.
5. Wan Nordin (GUiKP).
Collected when he came to Raya.
6. Tuan Haji Ariffin Mamat (Pakpayne)
His 10 paintings are in KL to be displayed at the coming PESENI Kelantan's Exhibition at Balai Berita KL in November.
7. Dato' Jaffar Lamri.
Delivered.
The following people's request have yet to be fulfilled:
1. U Lee
2. Awang Goneng/Kak Teh.
Waiting for confirmation.
3. Aminah Harun.
4.Dilla Seri Kembangan
5. Zaiton Ghani (Zaitgha)
Still scratching my head on what to draw for an abstract)
6. Teoh Yew Aun.
7. HJ Angus.
Hope you can bear with me for awhile. All orders by my family members has been cancelled as they can wait until all other people's orders are fulfilled.
New orders:
1. Pakpayne - Traditional Kelantan Fishing Boat
2. Zainal Siwar (JB)
The order is for 3 paintings of sunset and flowers of 24" x 30". These size is much bigger than the usual paintings that I have done which are of 18" x 24" and lately of 20" x 24". Need to do new stretch frames for it.
The following paintings are now available. Those who are interested to buy the following paintings please email Pak Zawi at mohdzawi@gmail.com. I have problem in deciding who to offer the painting to. So just put in your request and Pak Zawi will consider who to give. As to the price, just offer whatever you can afford. This is not a an auction so there is no need to outbid each other. It is just a way for me to determine which painting goes to whom.
All paintings are of 20" x 24" except for Heliconia 3 which is 18" x 24".
All paintings will be accompanied by a brief note about it upon delivery to the subsequent buyer.
The Pink Lotus
Sunset At Likas Bay.
The Papayas.
Heliconia 3 (18" x 24")
The White Cockerel.
The Sanserviera
This painting is being framed as I want to use it for the coming exhibiton. It was earlier painted for my son Azuan. He has decided that I should sell it to fulfill some of my friends requests. Should there be a buyer for this painting, it must be agreed to allow it to be shown at the exhibition in November and the price must include an extra RM100 for the frame. Since it is being framed with a double frame, the cost of shipment to an overseas destination will be prohibitive and so only those who are residing in Malaysia is encouraged to buy this painting.
Recently Pak Zawi was given some oil paints by Tuan Syed Halim Jamalullail, a close friend of Pak Zawi. Tuan Syed Halim is also a painter. As a token of our friendship, Tuan Syed or Ayahku as I call him gave me 3 tubes of oil paint of the brand Rowney Georgian which was made in England. Ayahku had been keeping it for more than 2 decades since he bought it when he was living in Penang. He had also lent Pak Zawi The Book of Art to help Pak Zawi to produce an abstract painting for Zaitgha.
Ayahku, thank you for the oil paint.
Hopefully the above paintings can fulfill some of your requests.