Desert to Desert

Someone asked me if our postings were to DP only? Have we been posted to other places? Indeed, we had :) Twice to the Deserts and once to the Land of Pagodas. 

In the early 1990s, RY was posted to Kuwait. After two decades, we are posted again to the Desert where for the time being, we are happily residing in Oman. In between the two decades, we were blissful to experience the exotic tropical weather in Myanmar and later to a country where its soil was fully covered with snow in winter but beautiful tulips and cherry blossom during Spring season. 

I am blessed and truly grateful to be posted to these Oil Lands, both K and O.  The landscape is totally different from each other. If the former seems to be more flat with sandy desert and beautiful coastline, then the latter is well protected by rugged Hajar Mountains and also a very long coastline stretching from Musandam in the north towards the south near Salalah and also the Gulf of Eden.

Both countries are equally beautiful Arab nations, surrounded by date trees and the people are very hospitable. They also have their own unique attractions including musics and traditional cuisines.  Most of the ladies wore abaya (black robe) but they also have traditional costumes which differ from region to region. 

Since I have been residing in both countries, I am also of the view that the latter's land mass is much bigger than the former, and it has more scenic views and landscape, with rocky and rugged mountains, and also beautiful wadis. 

But, above all - I'm truly blessed to be given the opportunity to reside in this blissful Arab nations not only once but twice. Alhamdulilah. 

Dunhill Postings

All diplomats and their spouses from my beautiful nation M look forward to Dunhill Postings (DP). It is in everyone's dream. So what is DP?

Perhaps, I could sum it up in the following words (they're just my view and how I feel):

Dunhill Postings ...

A well known phrase or places of an A Listing

To diplomatic corps people it means everything 

Also a strong statement with a partial hinting

Have you been posted to London, Paris or New York, my Darling?

As for me ... 

Posting to London is lovely but a real chore

Paris - the place for designers' goods and all diplo-spouses are praying for

Yet, New York is the place for law and to me, it is interesting but to some, it is a bore ...

In London, apart from duties at airports, I love Harrods and the Liberty

From Paris, I received a gift from HH a classic and beautiful scarlet LV 

Also I enjoyed playing snow in New York aka the Big Apple City

But, of all the places, I still love London

It is the place of sentimental value where I fell in love and met my hubby ...

Indeed, I have been fortunate to not only being trailed by my better half to some of the DP places, but also was able to visit the neighboring nations of the DPs. It was a great opportunity to explore the beautiful landscapes as well as meeting their people and understand their cultures and traditions. Alhamdulilah, all my gratitude to Allah SWT for His grace and the great opportunity He gives me. 

Amin. 

(Note: As a trailing spouse, I have also been to other places - the Middle East and Southeast Asia).

Gratitude ...

From Dr TIM ...

I happily received and accepted this beautiful message from a friend Dr TIM. Big TQ Dear Dr. Your kind words and doa, insyallah brightens my day :)

On this special day of Isra' Mikraj, I love to extend a doa for you, too. May you and your loving family RIIR be blessed and fully protected by the Al Mighty Allah SWT always. May your career path also bloom and blossom beautifully as your dream. Amin. 

Conversations with DIL

When we are far away from each other, only prayers or doa connects us. But, in today's virtual world of Internet where we could interact through various means such as Skype, Wassap, BB, We-Chat,Tele-Conferencing and many others, I prefer to chat with my newly wed DIL via FB.

Since she is married to my son, and now officially become part of our RFamily, I wish to have more conversations with her - just to say hello and once in a while to share tips on marriage life with someone I love and care :)

MIL - DIL conversation 1

MIL : Dear D, Big Welcome to RFamily. We love you. M just arrived the City of MO. Insyallah, with some rezeki, you'll visit us. Our love to RDR.

DIL : Dear M, TQ for welcoming me. Insyallah, we will visit M & A one day. Please take care M.

MIL : Great Dear D. Please also look after L for us. She needs a friend like you.

DIL : Will do, M. L is my sister, will take care of her. Love you, M.

MIL -DIL Conversation 2

MIL : Dear D, Good morning ...

DIL : M, I miss your voice :) Every morning (when you are in SA Town), I hear you knock the door and now no more huhuhu sad :(

MIL : Hihihi, Now M passing over the baton to you, no need to knock the door for RDR to wake up, instead use the pillow to knock his head ;)

DIL : I'll accept the challenge M. But, Knock the head with pillow doesn't work! He still wakes up late. Hu hu hu and What shall I do?

MIL : (Speechless!!!) Ha ha ha ...

Desert Rose

Although I'm residing in this hot climate country, my life is not as hot or as bored as the climate. Instead, it is full of events which I cherished and enjoyed. One of the beautiful moments was, when I attended the AWG event at City Hotel. While we were chatting with new found friends and having our refreshments, my name was announced and from the AWG President I received a pot of 'Desert Rose' as one of the lucky winners. TQ AWG!

I took the lovely plant to my residence and it was carefully tendered by our gardener Mr J. Alhamdulilah it grows well and gives it's first bloom after one year, and I named it Miss El. Every time I look and touch Miss EL, my desert rose in my garden -  it reminds me of someone who is far away yet so closed to my heart  ...

My Desert Rose ...

You also blossom in hot summer times

When other flowers are weakling and dying

The pinky rose in you catches my eyes

You're very strong and never stopped trying

Unlike normal rosé, you've little fragrance

Yet, you're very bold and could stand alone

Also, you're full of zest and self confidence

Oh! Desert Rose, you remind me of my own ...

On the surface, I see strength and power

Yet, deep inside, you're soft and fragile

But, you never show you're tired or weak

You are my pride, attractive and full of style!

Keep it up, my Desert Rose!

Solemnisation

My son RDR took his oath of marriage (solemnisation) to NFH last week. It was on a blissful Friday morning and was held in the bride's home. All families from both sides witnessed the event which was headed by an Imam. But, I was truly blessed by Allah SWT that my loving mom and my two sisters also came with their children and saw the event. 

On the momentous occasion both bride and groom wore a set of an off white Malaysian Baju Melayu and Kurung Moden, a special gift from me for them on their special day. They really looked gorgeous in their 'nikah' costume. Alhamdulilah the solemnization went well and smooth. And, now they are truly bonded and we happily welcome our DIL to our RFamily. Alhamdulilah to Allah SWT for the lovely happening :)) May the newly wed be blessed by HIM.

Before and After

Before ...

You were my students

Way way back in 1998

You were in your first year

LLB Program at UiTM

Fresh from high school

You later joined my class

I taught you 'Legal Process'

Also as your LLB course tutor 

I followed your progress

And prayed for your success

It was an awesome feeling

Student-Teacher Relationship 

Before I could see you on stage

In your robes and mortar boards 

Holding your hard earned degrees

With a heavy heart ...

That pierced like a dart

I had to leave you again

I followed my better half 

As his trailing spouse ...

To a country ruled by a junta

But I've never regretted 

For I pray and always believe 

That we shall cross path again

After nine years ...

With grace from Allah SWT 

We met again in 2007

While you pursue your LLM

And I became your Dean

So we met weekly in the evening

Truly, I'm glad to see you both 

You were still sweet and young

And hunger for knowledge 

We had lots of fun time in class

Together we learnt about LRM

About research proposals, etc

Also issues on Law of the Sea

Baselines, delimitation and others

But, alas ...

Time flies so fast

I could not witness your graduation

Because I had to go once more

To a country covered by snow

Again to follow by better half

And to pursue my dream

Yet, I did not feel any regret 

Instead I'm feeling euphoric and glad

Because I believe we'll cross path again

Sometimes and somewhere 

With His Al Mighty's grace

So today, after seven long years 

We meet again @Nyonya Kitchen

Over sumptuous meals and desserts

Full of congratulations and hugs

Also lovely stories to share ...

About marriages and children

Also work and other long lost  friends

Looking and chatting with you 

I'm truly proud of your achievement

Now, you are full fledged lawyers

Proud owners of your legal firms

Yet, you're still the same persons

Addressing me as your teacher

Full of respect and special treatment 

I'm touched by your words and deeds

And I could feel the bond between us 

Still sturdy and gladly getting stronger

The awesome feeling of real friendship

No more student-teacher relationship

Instead a loving feeling of true sister-ship 

Full of love, sincerity and honesty

To both Normah & Haniza ...

My special prayers of best wishes 

Also good health and happiness

Will surround you and your family 

Today, tomorrow and in the future

And I still have faith in Allah SWT

That we will all cross path again ....

Ameen.