Goooooaaaallllll!!!!!

I’ve registered Raidi to the Subang Jaya Community Youth Football League (SJCYFL). So last Sunday, I took Raidi to Subang Jaya and he played his first ever league game! Hahaha….imagine this, when we first arrived, Raidi has zero knowledge about the football game. All this while he only knows how to kick a ball. So the first rule that I thought him that Sunday was you should not handle the ball. Goosshhhh…

With no knowledge of football, it was like throwing him into the rough sea and just let him learned to swim by himself! He didn’t know who his team mate was or which one is his opponent. At first I wanted to expose and slowly introduce him to the game. But the opposite happened. The coach decided to bring him on and I saw Raidi running up and down the field trying to kick the ball in what ever direction. And when he didn’t get the ball, he just grabbed the player’s shirt in anger. A couple of times Raidi just shouted at me that he didn’t understand the game at all. I understand Raidi’s feeling and I felt sorry for him. It was obvious that he didn’t enjoy the game. He was completely confused by everything and it was a tough introduction for him. His team didn’t win the game but it was not about winning or loosing. I just wanted him to enjoy the game.

After our first league game, I know what to expect already. Raidi must first know the rules of the game. I was surprised to see the level of understanding from other kids about the game. Raidi was in the 7-8 years old league. They not only play within the stipulated rules, but they play with passion! And not to mentioned the parents! Everybody was screaming from the top of their lungs, cheering away and giving out instructions to the kids! It was fun for everybody! Not to worry Raidi, I will help you play football and we’ll start from the drawing board.

Raidi is part of the Ranger’s team. So the Ranger’s lost their first game against the Hobbit’s. But we will meet them again in the return leg. The league will run until May. I hope by then, Raidi will develop some basic football skills. More importantly, I want to instill positive values from all this. The Youth League has its own broad objectives. But my objective is simple, to fill up our weekends with valuable quality time. But who knows, maybe this could lead to something else. Please visit http://www.sjcyfl.com/ to know more about this community league.

Malaysia Boleh!

The stadium was packed to the brim..

Syabas to the Malaysian pair who just won the men’s double Malaysian Open Title. It was amazing to see how this pair, ranked 119th in the world going against all odds to emerge as champions. Let’s just hope that they could win more titles for Malaysia in the future. This year, it was my first time ever watching the tournament at the stadium. I and Zaini joined thousands of other fellow Malaysian’s cheering the players at the Cheras Badminton Stadium and I must say, it was quite an experience. We just saw the quarter finals when Wong Choon Han lost to Boon Lai from China. It was a lethargic display from the world no. 2. Disappointment for many fans that came to watch him play. Nevertheless, we did saw and ‘learned’ a lot of trick shots and both of us can’t wait to try it this coming Tuesday! Hehehe. I’m definitely going again next year. It would be fun to have many other badminton friends joining us. Besides we want others to develop their game as well. Bukan apa, takut nanti aku dengan Zaini je makin terror! For full report refer to http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2007/1/22/sports/16642256&sec=sports

The calm before the storm... nasib tak bawak raket.. kalau tak dah masuk court dah,..

I’m 31….He’s 5…

One for him and one for me...

Zidani’s birthday is on the 10th and mine is 13th. So I guess every year we would have this combo birthday celebration. This year was no different. Bought some lovely cakes from Secret Recipe, light up the candles and let the kids do the rest. We finished the cakes in minutes. Oh yes, they bought me a present. Raidi personally choose the present and needless to say, it has to be some Star Wars toys. Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I hope there will be many-many more cakes for me and Zidani to belasah in the future!

Raidi’s 1st Day At School…

On the 3rd of January, Raidi started to go to school. He is now in standard one. On that day, he woke up really early and prepared himself. I myself was very excited. It was a jittery moment that I had been waiting for a long time. This is the year where all the Y2K babies start their first year of formal schooling.

Many parents were there to accompany their kids. All primary 1 students had to sit at the hall as the teacher’s briefed the kids about school rules and procedures. Raidi had to take this little test to determine which class he is supposed to be in. Parents were not supposed to be with the kids during this test. But heck…parents don’t care do they? Especially Kiasu parents. Everyone was standing outside of the class and tried o guide their kids to do this test. Ayu couldn’t take the pressure so she stood far away from the class where Raidi is sitting in.

Raidi in School Uniform....

When the teacher handed the test paper to Raidi I saw him just starring away. Obviously he didn’t’ know what to do with it! It was a half and hour’s test and Raidi did nothing for 10 minutes! It was funny looking at other parents trying to coach their kids and I didn’t know who was more pressured, the kids or their parents. I told Raidi to read the instructions which he did and suddenly he turned to ‘auto pilot’ mode. He finished the test himself in less than 10 minutes. Raidi, in that class you were in, you were the first kid to hand over the test paper to your teacher. I asked you to triple check your answer but you had the nerve to tell me that the test was too easy.

Today Raidi is in 1 Berlian. I told Raidi that I was in 6 Berlian before I left this primary school. Raidi didn’t know what Berlian means so he pronounced it as 1 Brilliant. Hahahahaha. What ever la Raidi, 1 Brilliant is also good. But at first he wanted to be in 1 Jed. Not because he has friends in that class, but it’s because it is close to 1 JEDI..hahahaha. You’re just full of it boy!

For the next 6 years, Raidi will be schooling in SKTTDI. I hope he will have great experiences here, greater than what I’ve experienced before. I will do my best to assist and guide him in what ever way that I can. I can help you to memorise the school song Raidi because I still know how to sing them! Raidi might have good friends at school, but I hope I will be his best friend through out his schooling days. I personally think that this is an effective way of parenting considering all the challenges that the society faces today. Stay close enough to the kids like a friend and at the same time make them respect you as parents. Good what...we can share hobbies and toys too!!

Ok Raidi, Happy Schooling!

Goodbye 2006...Welcome 2007

Happy new year everyone! I hope everybody had a wonderful and a safe new year’s celebration. Me together with rest of my family celebrated our combo new year’s and Hari Raya in Kluang, Johor. Guess how we ushered in the new year? No fireworks, or concerts or karaoke. Instead we played badminton in Kluang Johor. We booked two badminton courts for 3 hours and played until the year 2007! We even had our own mini countdown to the new year! Hahaha… I had my badminton racquet in the car but didn’t bring proper attire with me. So I had to play with my Docker’s pants on and I took Docker’s durability to the next level..hehehe. Uncle Hamid and Uncle Taufik beat me in the double’s game when I partnered my cousin Haziq who was in jeans! In addition, I was bare footed! Melecet kaki aku! We’ll play again next year!

Tthe kids really love the Eco Park and they had a splashing time at the swimming pool. Sejuk gila air dia because they source the water from the mountain. The park is actually at the foot of a mountain. We usually stay at this Eco Park whenever we visit Atuk in Kluang.

I expect many things to happen this year. My main target would be Zidani’s development, Raidi is going to start schooling, Tuesday’s night badminton game is going to get more interesting and intense, another Manchester’s United treble?, more work to be done with Telsoft, enroll in a post graduate course, invest in properties…just to note down some of the expectations. I hope it will be a prosperous year for everyone. Looking at how time flies, we just have to double our effort to meet these targets. But when there’s opportunity, just lay back and have a good cup of tea and enjoy the little moments in your life. It’s sometimes more satisfying to be ‘distracted’ with these little thing in life. It could put your thoughts into good perspectives. One thing is for sure…I’m getting older! And the signs of ageing are more profound!