Our beautiful ballerina

29th September 2010

Last week on Wednesday to be exact, Safiya came home crying heavily. Mummy knew what was coming, since just before noon, Safiya's teacher had contacted mummy asking whether Safiya is allowed to attend the ballet class being held at school after class. According to the teacher, Safiya insisted that mummy gave her permission to do so.

However, the matter was never discussed between our parents and they have never made any payment for the class. Adamant to join her friends, Safiya has been begging our parents and finally last night she got what she pleaded for. Mummy bought a pretty ballet dress with a pink tutu, complete with ballet leggings and shoes.

Safiya was smiling and she probably even danced in her dream last night!

Happy Teachers' Day

23rd September 2010

A special poem for all teachers in Brunei
and especially to our current and previous teachers at JIS

The Teacher Gets A+
I look forward to your class
When I come to school.
You're an awesome teacher;
I think you're very cool.You're smart and fair and friendly;
You're helping all of us.
And if I got to grade you,
From me you'd get A+!By Joanna Fuchs
HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY!

International Peace Day 2010

21st September 2010

"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."

~ United Nations ~
Courtesy of internationaldayofpeace.org

As with the other parts of the world, today our school celebrates Peace Day as our yearly event. Similar to previous years, its casual clothes day for us and each student donates $1 - $2 for good cause. There will also be a $1 white ribbon sale as well as other activities which will be organised by the elder students.

This year, all money raised by JIS will be donated to two Cambodia charities: one supports landmine education and clearance, while the other is an orphanage that many of JIS students have volunteered in during Activities Week.

Here is a bit of information about Peace Day:

The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. Among its objectives are raising the awareness of peace and encouraging a day of cease-fire in conflict-ridden countries.

"Say Yes To World Peace!"

Hari Raya in Kampong Ayer

19th September 2010

It's the final weekend before all public and private schools in Brunei reopen after the Hari Raya holidays. I guess that's why we received quite a number of invitations for open houses. That means one thing for sure... there are lots to eat! Hehehe...

The first house that we visited was that of a friend of daddy, i.e. his housemate during his study years at the University of Nottingham, UK. Apart from the lovely house, there was also our favourite menu ~ kebab tortilla wraps, hot from the grill! We ended up munching 5 pieces for the whole family (including the maids), in addition to some briyani as well as satay.

Since it was windy outside, we decided to sit at the porch. While at it, we took some pictures.

Hmmm... Look at the pictures below. Does baby Safwan resemble mummy or daddy? Up to this day, we still get conflicting views. What do you think?

Anyway, after our feast, we headed for an interesting experience. Mummy's friend from Kampong Tamoi Ujong (one of the villages in Kampong Ayer / "Water Village") invited us to her open house. Our parents thought that it would be a great opportunity for us to experience walking on the wooden bridges on stilts. After all, it has been years since our parents visited Kampong Ayer itself.

Hehehe... As you can probably see from the above picture, Safiya and I were intimidated by the height as well as the river underneath! I kept imagining what would happen if my shoe falls down below ~ how will I get it back? Hehehe...


Despite the anxious feeling, we did walk up to a jetty and took pictures with the opposite Kampong Ayer as the background. Old, but definitely fascinating!

To uncle Sharifuddin & family and auntie Shahrol, thank you for the invitations!

Safiya's Raya party

17th September 2010

Safiya came to school with a different look today. It's because her class was having a Hari Raya party! All students from her class were allowed to wear their own party / Raya dresses and Safiya chose to wear her purple "baju fesyen". As for her headscarf, it's an on and off thing for Safiya, and today she decided not to wear it.

Safwan starts to eat

15th September 2010


Alhamdulillah, at exactly 6 months old today, our baby brother, Safwan, finally has his first meal. For this first time, mummy prepared pureed rice porridge with chicken and carrots. As advised by the doctor, the porridge is not seasoned since a baby's digestive system still cannot tolerate salt and sugar until he reaches 1 year old (from what we've heard).

Nevertheless, the natural flavour from the chicken and carrot was able to overcome the bland taste and our baby brother seems to enjoy his meal very much. Three tablespoons seems to be enough for this first day, and mummy plans to increase the volume gradually to suit Safwan's needs.

Before his first meal though, mummy gave him cooled rice water, taken while the rice was still boiling (in Brunei we call it "air didih nasi"). According to our elders, this may help the baby to start talking faster. We are still not sure if it is true but mummy decides it's not a harm to practise the tradition. If it does work, then baby Safwan will end up being talkative like Safiya and I! Hehehe...

Being curious and active, baby Safwan reaches out his hands everytime mummy wants to feed him, and on several occassions managed to get hold of the spoon.

During his lunch time, mummy utilised a baby binder and the trick worked. Although Safwan looks sad in the picture below, he surely enjoyed his meal and kept wanting more!

Another step forward

14th September 2010

Unlike government and other private schools, JIS opens today. As such, when other kids are still enjoying the Raya festivities, we are stuck in our classrooms learning new lessons. It's alright though, since we already had the first four days of Raya off and we still have the weekends to visit family and friends.

During the fasting month, I attend class from morning until 2.15 pm since Ugama classes for small children like myself are closed. Starting from today though, I will attend Ugama classes in Pre-Primary level (Darjah Pra) and my school hours will be extended until 4.15 pm, also at JIS. In Brunei, Ugama classes will go on until Year 6, and by that time I'll be in Year 8 in my morning school, InsyaAllah.

Although the school does not require us to change into complete Ugama school attire, mummy bought for me the outfit so that I feel more enthusiastic. Thanks mummy!

Eid Mubarak

10th September 2010

To all our Muslim viewers, Eid Mubarak!

Minal 'A-idin Wal Fa-izin

From Syafi, Safiya, Safwan & family