Brunei royalty at Chinese New Year celebration

27 January 2008 (Part II)

Yesterday the Chinese community all over the world celebrated the annual Chinese New Year. Here is a photo published in the local newspaper today, showing some Brunei royals paying visits to some prominent Chinese figures in Brunei. More news? Click [here].

Picture shows HRH the Crown Prince, HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah and HRH Prince Abdul Muntaqim (courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

Busy, busy, busy!

27 January 2009 (Part I)

Apparently our life in Brunei is not as relaxed as we were in Brisbane. Mummy used to have free time since her university lectures were only a few hours a week. As for myself, I went to school only two days a week, each day spending 5 hours or so learning and playing.

Now, mummy spends most of the week at her office (and of course daddy too), and her only free time are weeknights, Fridays and Sundays. As for myself, I go to school from Mondays until Fridays from 7.40 in the morning until 2.00 in the afternoon. However, due to the distance as well as daily traffic jams, we have to leave home as early as 6.45! Though, having said that, and despite the tiredness, life could never have been better... hehehe...

Anyway... what has been happening so far? Here are some memories to remember...

Last week on Tuesday, our stuff shipped from Brisbane has arrived. Unfortunately, mummy had to pay extra costs since the government only covers door-to-port expenses. Mummy also had the option to pick up the stuffs personally from the port, but decided to leave the work to paid couriers due to the bulky items. Her decision turned out to be a good one, looking at how messy our living room became!

The day after, Brunei was shocked by non-stop heavy rains throughout the night, and natural disaster seemed to be happening everywhere. There were flash floods, landslides, fallen trees as well as road accidents. Even sadder when the news reported two unfortunate deaths that day (our condolences to the victims' families). That morning, both mummy and I arrived late for school and work since most roads were heavily congested with traffic. On our way, we witnessed flooded areas in the Mulaut area, and mummy even had to drive on water for a few metres. A new experience!

At night on the same day, daddy, mummy and Safiya attended a birthday doa selamat at the residence of HRH Princess Hajjah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, a younger sister to His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei. I didn't attend since I had to go to bed early for school the next morning. Daddy has long been a close acquaintance to the royal family ever since his study life in the United Kingdom and we are very fortunate that the relationship continues on until now. Thank you Your Royal Highnesses for the kind invitation.

And finally, yesterday afternoon we attended a birthday celebration of our cousin, Dubais Shah who turned four. There was a barbeque, and best of all, a bouncer slide to play on! I was afraid at first and even cried after few attempts sliding from the top, but later noticed that it was actually lots of fun! Hehehe...

Nazrah's Mandi Belawat ceremony

Last Sunday afternoon, we all went to Ngangah's in-laws in Kampong Perpindahan Lambak Kiri to attend baby Nazrah's Mandi Belawat ceremony. We may have explained about this earlier when posting cousin Lizam's ceremony, but basically this ceremony is especially for first time mothers. A group of people are invited to recite the 'zikir' prayers while family members and friends sprinkle 'bunga rampai' (Malay potpourri) to the new mother and her baby.

We are very glad to see baby Nazrah wearing the gown and headband that mummy bought for her from Brisbane.. but with new looks after Ngangah and her hubby added on beautiful beads on them! Both mother and baby looked beautiful. Congratulations Ngangah and family!

Happy New Year 2009

9 January 2009

First of all, a very happy new year to all our blog followers! We are sorry for not updating the blog for quite a while... the whole family was down with the fever, accompanied by cough and cold! Talk about a bad start to the new year!

Well, like every year, we always start fresh with our lives. As for myself, my study life has begun. I did mention before that we have attended an interview session at Yayasan School, but mummy and daddy decided to turn down the offer. Why???

That's because I have managed to get a place at the Jerudong International School or better known in Brunei as JIS. I started my school last Tuesday (I had the fever on Monday) in Term 2 at Reception level. If everything goes well, in the next academic year which will start around July or August, I'll be in Year 1. If mummy and daddy had chosen to send me to the other school, I'll be studying in Kindergarten 2 and will only start Year 1 in the year 2011. One more reason why JIS is a better option.

For now, here are pictures from my first day at school. To my former teachers in Brisbane (Miss B and Mrs Miller), we miss you lots! Thank you for all that you have taught me last year, and the portfolio really comes in handy! Thank you and Happy New Year!

Until next time, enjoy the year 2009

Best wishes from us
Syafi & Safiya

Recipe inherited from our late grandmother

28 December 2008

In the morning today, we happily went to Wawa's house for a family lunch together. Exclusively on the menu is a recipe that we have inherited from our late grandmother, who is a Chinese. If we are not mistaken, the recipe was originally learnt from a very close relative of ours in Seremban, Malaysia. We refer to the special soup as 'tepung' (flour in English) because the basic ingredient is basically kneaded flour! The dough is then rolled and pulled apart to form thin strips and cooked in a soup containing chicken, prawns, dried anchovies and 'cangkok manis'.

Especially for Wawa and Ngangah, enjoy these pics!

The dough.. We usually leave the kneading part to Wawa who is an 'expert'.. Hehehe

The other ingredients

The condiments

Ngangah was in charge of the rolling process

She even made a map of Australia!

Then, everyone helped with the pulling apart process, including Safiya and my cousin, Adam

The end result... Yummmm!!! We have been craving for this for months!

My cousins; Sasya, Nazrah and Zara

Preparation for the new school year

27 December 2008

It has been a while since we update this blog. Apparently mummy and daddy have been very busy spending the long holiday focusing on our [new house] that we didn't really have time to enjoy leisure family times together.

However, a day before Christmas, mummy and daddy accompanied me to attend an 'interview' session at one choice of my school; the Yayasan Preschool. The teacher was amazed to see me able to colour neatly and play with puzzles and blocks. I have been used to all those in my long year in Brisbane, and all that Miss B and Mrs Miller had taught me really helps! I will be put in Kindergarten One if we finally choose this school.

At night on the same day, we attended a Doa Selamat ceremony at our mate from Brisbane's home in Sengkurong. Auntie Lina is one of our close acquaintances down under, and we were happy to accept her invitation. Unfortunately nini laki and nini bini could not join us, since they were enjoying a vacation in Kota Kinabalu.

That night, we enjoyed a wide array of delicious menu... sizzling noodles, soto Brunei, chicken rice, satay and 'rojak' (mixture of squids, cut vegetables and ground peanuts in a thick sweet sauce). To auntie Lina and family, we really had a good time. Thank you!

Oh, in case you are wondering, Safiya did attend the ceremony with us, but was soundly asleep the whole time in Auntie Lina's bedroom. It must be really cosy for Safiya!

Getting used to Brunei...

22 December 2008

Currently, Brunei is still having the end-of-year school holidays. I will be starting school early next year, so I still have around 2 weeks or so relaxing! Sadly, mummy and daddy had to go to work immediately the day following our arrival from Brisbane. As such, I only have time to spend with mummy at home on Friday (a non-working day in Brunei) and on Saturdays with daddy since daddy is working with Shell.

Anyway, here are pictures of what we have been doing so far:

Last Saturday, I spent the whole day with daddy on his hunt for some more things for our [new house]. Safiya had to stay home because she might get tired from all the driving, after all, we only went home late in the afternoon. At noon, we stopped by mummy's newly refurbished office and later went out for lunch. Mummy was craving for soto Brunei, so we went to enjoy the famous "Soto Rosmini" in Gadong. Mummy said that the lady has been in business for more than 10 years and the distinctive taste of her soup still remains the selling point. Her daughter started up a similar business (Soto Tini's) but we still like the mother's version.

Mummy took our picture from her office at the third floor.

It's nice that mummy's office is directly opposite the SOAS mosque, the most famous landmark of Brunei. Look at my hair...

The famous Soto Rosmini. This is the special version, with additions of fried egg and fried chicken.

I enjoyed the chicken fried rice


The same day at night, mummy and daddy decided that it's time for my haircut. Hehehe... Mummy is tired of thinking that she has two girls instead of a girl and a boy! We didn't go to the barber while in Brisbane, and my hair has grown so long that I started to look like a girl... hehehe... As usual, getting a haircut is a very ticklish moment for me, but everyone likes the result in the end. The long hair was difficult to maintain anyway, especially when I'm tired and sweating!

Mummy was happy and said "Yes, I have a son!"

Yesterday, after attending a cousin's wedding, we paid a visit to Wawa (daddy's elder brother) who has recently moved in a new bungalow. Safiya and I had a blast playing with our cousins Adam and Sasya. We were so loud that 3 month old Zara couldn't get any sleep! Sorry cousin! Hehehe... To Wawa, congratulations on the new house. It's really beautiful and truly a home sweet home!