Happy Fathers' Day!

Happy Fathers' Day! ILY!

Piece of Cake.

I have just recovered from a bad case of the flu.

I'm on the verge of losing my voice.

My throat is sore and I have a painfully dry cough.

I am one step short of going to the doctor's clinic again.

I didn't know organizing a wedding was a hazardous job.

And I don't think I'd want to do it again.

It started out pretty simple. My uncle was getting married in Muslim rites and we had only about a month for preparations. My grandparents had put down a list of names as principal sponsors to the wedding, but with my grandmother's handwriting, one's eyes would bleed first before actually deciphering whatever was written on the paper so I thought I'd extend a gesture of kindness by volunteering to have it encoded to make things easier. Realizing that my grands are too old for this sort of thing, I told them to take a chill pill and leave the invitations to me.

So, I did my part. I put down the names and decided on the wordings as to how my uncle's invitation would come out. I was the one who chose the paper and the look of the invitation, of the envelope and of the RSVP cards. But no one would accompany my uncle to the printers, his fiancee couldn't take time off from work because she was due for promotion and was supposed to take this bunch of tests. So I was left with no other choice, so I went and we had the invites ordered.

Then Tita Yasmin and Tito Boy invited us to lunch at the Diamond Hotel where the wedding/reception was to take place. Of course where there's free food, there's tag-team Hamza and Jodi with sidekick Raja! (LOL) I knew we were going to check out the place, have an ocular inspection of the ballroom, but I didn't know that I was going the contact person of the events coordinator of the hotel. Imagine my horror...hahaha! All the food I devoured on the buffet, the feeling of fullness all went away the second my Tita pointed the finger at me when asked who was in charge of the wedding.. My God. What do I know about organizing weddings? I didn't lift a finger when I got married, and there I was, "organizing" a high-profile wedding for my uncle. And to make matters worse, it was only about three weeks to the decided date.

I spent the next few weeks making lists, editing and re-editing lists of the people to invite, looking for contacts and asking quotes for the photo and video coverage, and the bouquets and arranging the seat plan. It was quite hard because I was working on these all by myself and I didn't know how much my budget for the expenditures were supposed to be because no one told me where to get them. Aside from not knowing where to get money for spending, I had people barking directions at me, complaining, inquiring, and what-have-yous...I had a marathon migraine the whole time this was happening. I was spending less and less time with my family and was missing them and I was literally losing my hair! I bet I could have made a wig with all the strands that fell or broke off. I was like a cat shedding fur. It was like going through chemotherapy... Believe me, it was scary. In fairness, I didn't have to worry about what the bride's maids, the groom's men, the kiddos and the bride had to wear because I'd probably lose my mind if they gave that task to me. I didn't even had time to prepare my outfit--I wore a blouse I had custom made a year before and just matched it with an old skirt. The only new clothing article I had on me was the obi belt that was a tad tight for me. Que horror!

So the wedding date arrived, I had butterflies in my stomach and was expecting the worst. We bumped into a detour when we were just a couple of kilometers away from the hotel. Who knew a parade was going to take place that afternoon?

I gotta give props to Lola Zenaida P. Gania for her decorating genius. I only had her to turn to, and she didn't let me down. Besides, her friends were also sponsors at the wedding, and they also knew of her expertise in this part. The ballroom looked really great, but my seat plan was "mutilated" because she re-arranged the tables. Still..the ballroom did look pretty amazing.:)

Guests started to trickle in, and my nerves were all a wreck. Ya Allah, Ya Allah! Please let this event flow without any glitches! I was running around barking commands at the groom and his groom's men, and to the bride and her maids up at the 29th floor. I was welcoming guests, talking to the crew and was struggling with this 'sibling/parent' encounter that we were supposed to execute (it's a whole different story, can't blog about it, sorry). When the ceremony started, I went with the groom to fetch his bride, downstairs 'directing' and all that. I was everywhere. And it was hella tiring!

I would like to think that it turned out okay, because the people enjoyed the whole thing. I had fun too, I was hob-knobbing with people I usually see on tv. Senator Gordon even pulled out his own camera and told his aide to take a picture of him with my sis-in-law and me! Well, it sucked a little because I didn't get to entertain my in-laws properly (but they knew what I was going through) and more importantly, I didn't get to eat! Of all the darnedest things! I didn't even get to have a slice of cake! And they said the food tasted great too. Boo.

Hmm...summing it up..I think it went all right. I learned a lot of things during those weeks I was running around like a headless chicken (or a HAIRLESS chick, if I may). I have made new contacts and I have learned new stuff It was enjoyable... But next time... next time someone asks me to help them out with the wedding preparations... I'm gonna have to get a crew and ask for some sort of fee, a "thank you" simply just won't do for me! JUST KIDDING! LOL XD

-->for wedding pics check out this link:

http://johannah.multiply.com/photos/album/35/Pangandaman-Nusug_Nuptials

11.17.07

Dear Hamza,

Another year has passed. At least for both of us. It has been a year of trials and errors, of difficulties, of sacrifices. We've gone through a lot but we didn't falter.What we have together is a lot stronger than we think. Technically, the paper says we're four years old. But in our hearts, it has been far longer than that. And it's still you and me.

There have been times in our earlier years that giving up and letting go is the easy way out. But as the cliche goes, 'it is easier said than done.' There were minor glitches, people who objected, but in the end, it all turned out okay. More than ok, we both thought. And we were blessed with a son, a son we both dote on and love so much. And then another came, but he was taken away before we even saw his face. That was perhaps, the most difficult time for us. But we're still together. Stronger than ever.

The years after that seemed to have passed by like a breeze. Just like any family who go through the motions of ups and downs, we had ours, and we've braved it all. I know there are those who think that we're just taking things easy, but we know better.;) It's been one hell of a ride. But as long as you're on my side, let it roll, let it slide!

Thanks hunny, for all the good and bad memories. The funny moments that we've shared, the serious talks we've had. Our petty fights and big arguments that I so thankfully say were few! Thanks for letting me keep your secrets, as you have mine, the jokes that we two only know, our share of big appetites and "this-is-my-last-harabas-meal-i'll-do-that-diet-thing-tomorrow", our love for movies, and dvds and dvdrips, and our movie marathons that end up into foodtrips in the kitchen and sharing childhood stories.

Thanks for having the patience in my sloth-like ways, my short fuses that go off any time, any day, my sudden bursts of craziness which I myself do not know where they come from. Thank you for loving my cooking and my oc-ness, my ability to find your things when they're right in front of you or otherwise, and my silly collection of flipflops that you too are starting to like.

I also would like to thank you for cheering me up on days I feel down, for turning my scowls into grins, and for making me laugh when I don't even want to smile. Thanks for the jokes, the corny and cheesy gestures, the funny dance moves only you can pull off, and for the "poppin!" songs I will never forget.

Thanks for all the flowers, the cakes, cards and gifts, expensive or not, immaterial and material alike. They all mean alot to me and will treasure them forever, dried petals and all.

Thank you for pointing out my mistakes and helping me correct them, for accepting my other flaws and personal issues which I am still trying to overcome, for the times when I cannot understand myself and for loving my scars as these help me become the person I am. For all of these and a whole lot more, thank you.

Lastly, thank you for coming into my life, for sharing yours with mine and for giving me Raja as these are gifts that have made me complete.

Happy 4th Anniversary!

I love you.

Forever yours,

Jodi.

Words From My Not-So-Old Wise Man.

Date : November 10, 2007

Time : 2:10am

Mood : edgy.

My gums are still hurting from yesterday's extraction, and for someone who can tolerate a great deal of pain, I have to say that I am a blink of an eye away from banging my head to the wall to numb the pain. It wasn't so much of the tooth saying goodbye to my mouth, but the trauma my gums are going through right now that's bugging me and leading me to write just to block the pain. Yeah. Write something gross to freak out your readers. Want a blow-by-blow account of my trip to the dentist's chair (of doom)? Hehehe. Block. Erase. And start over.

Hmm.. Dad dropped by the house pretty late tonight. He usually comes in the afternoons to relax a bit before he hits the sack in his flat. Anyhoo, sometimes I just leave him be in the company of his brother and cousin and they talk about the daily happenings in their lives or of other peoples'. Tonight though, I thought I'd stay out with them by the backyard and listen in on their "chismis". When my uncle left to get something, he turned to me and asked how life was doing... I said it was fine, and gave him accounts of the things that has happened that I hadn't had the chance to tell him yet.

So I ask him how his projects were doing and he goes on to talk about it. But first he talks about his early years and the things he's gone through, the career he chose and the name that he's made. He has certainly gone a long way and I commend him for being such a man. Jeez, if I could only be a quarter of the person that he is! Why on earth, did I not inherit his mathematical genius? I could have taken up civil engineering like he did! hehe. I let him talk about his projects in Mindanao... He's handling road and bridge projects funded by Saudi-Kuwait, and they're mostly located in risk-oriented areas. The last batch of projects that he handled were those funded by the ADB, and that took him years to finish because it was a whole bunch of projects funded at the same time. Now that was a deadly position. Two of his predecessors had to do early retirement and one died three months after he got that job before dad was appointed to that position. It was that toxic. But my dad... He finished the whole thing. So all the beautiful roads and bridges that you see and actually tread, from Luzon to Mindanao were parts of his projects (the foreign-funded projects, local projects aren't his). The ADB people actually cried when he finished the job, coz that meant he won't be with them anymore. And they even reacted when the Saudi Kuwait got him to do their projects in Mindanao because ADB is preparing a new batch of projects lined up for the country and they want him to handle it. He is that good. And I'm damn proud of it.

What makes my heart more prouder is the fact that the people I meet who know my dad have nothing but good words to tell me about him--professional, straight-forward, doesn't get intimidated by high-browed sleazebag officials, especially when he knows he's right and highly principled. The one word I hear most from them is that he's kind. Mabait. At times it surprises me when I hear stories from other people whom he'd helped; usually from small people and those who really deserve to get a break from this I-have-a-strong-backer-and-you-don't professional world. It's surprising because he doesn't tell us the things he does--stuff like that, anyways. Yes, he helps those he thinks are deserving and in need. His contractors like him alot because he's not one to demand anything from them (I can super attest to that--if that were the case we'd be super rich and I won't be living in this country anymore!) That's why officials who demand percentages for projects do not come to him because he doesn't believe in such. Takot sila sa daddy ko.

Some people wonder why I don't work for my dad. Why I don't use him to get me a high-paying job in his office or any of his kumpare's. I can't. Because he won't. Because he's not one to pull strings for his kids. He wants them to make it the way he and mom made it on their own. He wants us to get what is due us, what we deserve. Without pulling anyone down. Without stepping on other people's toes. That's how professional he is. There had been times it made me angry because he wouldn't do that for us, while others do anything and everything just to land their kids a great, stable job. But at the end of the day, he comes out right and on top.

So, he goes on to tell me that I'm lucky because my family and I won't have to go through the things he and mom did (and I know it was hard--I was there, too), and I'm super grateful for that! He went on to say that if things went my way and I let it pass by without doing anything, it wasn't meant for me (coz I told him about the job offers I've had the past years that I declined), that we were still young (he thinks?!) and we've still got a long way to go. He also told me not to rush things (joining politics--at least not yet, or whatever we want na hindi pa namin kaya gawin), because it will all just come at the right time. Better to take things gradually, slowly rise up rather than be placed somewhere on top and tumble down and fall flat on your face. Take care of your family, especially your parents (and I can clearly see that in the way they take care of lolo, lola and ina). And be mindful of other people that you do not step on their toes or offend them. Do not be impatient, ever. Because if it's your destiny, if ALLAH wills it, no matter what you do, where you are, if something is really meant for you, it will happen. Hmm.. true that, true that. Words from a wise man.

The grandfather's clock strikes a quarter to twelve and dad takes this as his cue to leave. He gets up and says goodbye, and that he'll be back the next morning. As I clean up the mess (cigarette butts, glasses, leftovers) I ponder on the things he's told me. He's right, you know... parents always are (like I am..wehhh!). It's just that it gets irritating sometimes when the world seems to pass by right before your very eyes and you're just standing there, wondering why you're not part of it... and being the impatient person that I am, it leaves me frustrated, you know? But yeah.t.when it's not for you, it's not for you. *sigh*breathe*sigh* Just gotta stay positive, and hella lot more patient. Rome wasn't built in a day. I mean, his career is thirty-plus years old, I certainly don't think I could surpass what he's accomplished with a blink of an eye. You really have to start somewhere. Maybe that somewhere is here, now.

Jeez, dad... why'd you have to be so great? hehe.

Time : 3:23 am

Mood : a bit calmer now.

Hmm... I can't say if it's the blogging that's calmed me down that I've now forgotten the pain in my traumatized gum...

But then... that could be the painkiller working its magic.

I'm calling it a night... or a morning rather...

There's a box of Krispy Kreme still in my fridge though. Hmm.

Haha!

I'm out.

Picture, Picture!

Sheer luck? I say it's just coincidence. We were supposed to go visit my grands, but the weather made it quite impossible for us to get out of our jammies and the room. I was contemplating on walking to the internet cafe in Timog (which was only a block down from our new place) inspite of the weather to contact my Havaianas dealer (I pre-ordered some pairs, hehe!) when lo and behold, the guys from the phone company came to install the landline. Coolness! After awhile the guy who was gonna install my internet connection came. Coolness times two.:) Anyway, I just wanted to post some pics here... not of me, but of Rashad. Just when I thought that I had it all, I find out my card reader's smashed...something inside it is loose and it won't read my memory card.Raja, bad boy! >:-/ So, I'll just make do with what I have... good thing Che lent me her cd. I'll just post more pictures of Rashad when I got a new reader.:)

p.s.

he's so like his father... laging nakakunot ang noo. lol

Welcome, Khalil Rashad!

If only my computer had internet access, then I would've posted his picture here. Soon, when I've completely settled in our new residence..naks!
I'm talking about the newest addition to the family, Khalil Rashad De Guzman Diron, my nephew.
Yup, my NEPHEW. One of my brothers' kid... Amir Hassan's.

WHAAAAT?

Yeah.
It's his.
He's married.
And he now has a kid.

Shocked with the revelation, huh? Don't be. It's his destiny. And he's happy.:)

All I can say is that the baby looks like his daddy.:) Another future heartbreaker in the family. hehe! I'll post the pics one of these days... I haven't quite figured out if I'm gonna subscribe to my old provider or get a new one.

Until next time... Ciao!

(In)Dependent

I'm the type of person who values one's independence. Not in the sense that prefer to spend hours (or days even) away from my family and friends, but independence in the sense that I'd like to be able to be on my own every now and then, to be able to reflect and do certain things by myself.

When I got married to my husband, I slightly said goodbye to my independence. I was with him all the time... or shall I say he was with me all the time... well except when he was at work and I was at school/work. It was fun, and I enjoyed his company thoroughly (I wouldn't have allowed my parents to have me married to him if he had the humor of a dead toad!), although I sort of longed for the days when I could go mall-hopping-slash-shopping-slash-food-tripping by my lonesome. I used to do that; go mall-to-mall from Makati to Ortigas to North Edsa in one day. I knew he wouldn't allow that. Aside from the fact that it was impermissible for an unmarried Muslim lady/woman to go about town without a mahram (a male relative or husband if married), he was the type who loved to do things together. hehe!

Then came our little boy. When Raja came out (unwillingly, I might add), I bid with finality, goodbye to those days. I had a feeling I'd be stuck with this little critter until the day comes that he finds it remotely gross to hang out with his mother. So he and I spend countless hours doing completely almost everything: watching cartoons and soaps, kiddie shows and documentaries, playing with cars and choppers, or singing songs. When Hamza's free from work, we all go out together, visiting our favorite haunts, watching movies and gorging down on food. Sure, there were times when he and I would part ways for a while so I can shop in peace and he can go gymming, but only for a while (and I'm not complaining, ok!). But still, it'd be nice if I had a day completely all to myself and not worry about my kid's cute a**, or my husband asking me where his stuff were. *peace, hun!*

That day did come one time, though. I think it was last week, when my mother-in-law came to visit Raja. She went to Mindanao and didn't see him for over a month... so the day after she arrived, she together with her kids dropped by our place to visit the little boy and to update us on the latest news regarding last month's election...the dirtiest ever. She didn't really ask if they could "borrow" Raja; I think it was me who told them that Raja could spend a couple of days with them. I think Raja was excited too; well, they told him that they'd be going to Timezone first so he was so ok with the idea. hehe. I was too, although in a different way. 'Coz, once and for all, I'd finally have time to myself. And I have longed for that for the longest time. And it was here. I was free. Finally. Yes.*sigh!*

I was excited the first few hours after they'd left. But after a while, when all my hype on freedom has died down, when Hamza had finally called it a night (he works graveyard shift), I was left to my lonesome. And my initial thought of freedom and independence and doing all the stuff that I haven't done in a long time didn't seem so fun anymore... I realized that I miss the little critter and was bored.

I was bored and I missed my family. I mean, there I was, with all the time in my hands, with Hamza upstairs snoozing in the room and Raja with his Mommy Lydee and titas, and I didn't know what to do. I was so lost. I was just sitting on the couch by the living room, blankly staring at the tv (which wasn't on, by the way). I caught myself feeling reminiscent... recalling those days when he was a completely behaved little gentleman and the times when he just drove me nuts ("Raja put your toys away, puhleeease!").I guess I had been doing this for so long now that I do not know what else to do.

I didn't know how to be alone anymore.

I know that there're a thousand other things that I can spend my time on, but I've been a wife and a mom for quite a while now that I didn't realize I wasn't the same person anymore. I dunno if I should be happy about it or not... perhaps the former. We're all so together that we're practically joined at the hip.

Well, to make the long story short... Hamza and I went to visist him at Las Piñas the day after and spent the weekend there with Hamza's mom, sisters and brother. hehe.

Now that I'm back to my old grind (Raja and I're together again, 24/7) and I'm wishing I had my temporary freedom back, I know I'd be missing him terribly if I "lend" him to my mom-in-law or my own mom...He's part Hamza and me... without him or my hubby... I wouldn't know where I'd be.

Just Because

Two more weeks and it's Valentine's Day.

So what? It's not like we celebrate Valentine's Day. No, we don't... Muslims do not have such celebrations. But on February 14, we will be celebrating that day. Only slightly differently.

Last year, when the world was busy literally painting the town red and celebrating hearts' day, we lost someone very dear to us.

Emilkhayr Punzalan Pimping-Benito passed away.

She was Ate Tatanie to us, bubbly, frank and outspoken. Fierce, loving, passionate. It's a description of contradictions, but yes, she was all that. All that and more. Everyone looked up to, adored and loved her. It was sad. No, it was tragic, how we lost Ate Ta. She went away so unexpectedly. It was like the Angel of Death stole her away from us when we weren't looking.

First week of February last year, Ate Tatanie, her husband , in-laws and parents flew in to Manila. She suddenly fell ill and they all agreed to take her here for treatment. They were giving her all sorts of tests and shots and was constantly on painkillers. She was in pain but tried not to show although her eyes said otherwise. But still, she didn't let the pain beak her down. She had a warrior's spirit...wouldn't back down from a fight. And then, that fateful day. No one thought it would happen so soon. No one thought it would happen, period.

We were distant relatives, my dad said, but I was only close to one of her younger brothers, Zaad, who was my age, as we both went to the same university when i went off to college. We only became close when we got married to our husbands (Hamza and Kuya Cocoy are first cousins). Although they lived in Mindanao, and us, here in the metro, the proximity didn't hinder us from being close.

I remember whenever we had the chance to go to Mindanao, we'd make time to visit their food place, Pastel Tats, the one in Mindanao State U (Marawi), and we'd find her there, busily taking orders from customers, chatting with the cousins and friends, managing the crew and taking care of the register. She did all that, and then after a while she'd disappear, only to find her managing the meatshop next door which she and her husband owned as well. They were a young, successful couple, and they had it all going for them. When the scene at the resto would die down a bit (which was rare), we'd find a spot and just talk about life. She'd give me unsolicited advice about marriage, about taking care of oneself, or what-have-yous. But I liked it best when we talked about her love life, how she and Kuya Cocoy fought for their love. I didn't mind hearing about it again (I wouldn't ask in the first place), because I just never got tired of it. It was like a novel, or even a complicated soap opera; you wouldn't believe the things they went through for each other. It just makes you stop and say to yourself, 'Now, THAT is love'.

December 2005 was her last reunion with the family. I can still recall how she and the rest of the cousins decorated the house with tassles and such, to make the house more festive. And then she ran off to the kitchen with Ate Ling to finish her cooking. She didn't seem to get tired doing things...such a busybody. And to think she had Rayhaan (six y/o) and Tanisha (four m/o) to take care of, too. That was one of our best reunions, and sadly, our last, too, since we welcomed 2007 with our respective families.

Every now and then, when I'm doing something or nothing at all, she would cross my mind. I'd remember all the times we were together, all the stuff that she taught me, and the advice she gave me. And then a wave of sadness would wash over me and my eyes can't help but get misty over the thought of her. Sometimes I still can't believe that it happened; like it's all a bad dream.I still miss her, and I'm sure everyone else who has been touched by her does, too. If only I could thank her for all the kindness she's shown me. I can only do so through prayers... du'as to you, my cousin.

Why am I writing this entry?

Just because... I miss her. Still.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi raji'un.

"Verily we belong to Allah, and to Him we return."

October 26, 2006

So what.. It's about 4:51 in the morning and I can't sleep. Well, I'll sleep after Fajr, but that'll be around six in the morning the latest (an hour after prayer pa..hehe!). So what's new? It's not like i haven't done this before..not sleeping early, I mean.

Hmm.. We bought tickets earlier this evening. Be leaving for Mindanao on Thursday. Yey! I get to see my mom, my brothers, my ina (i hope you get well), my cousins, aunts and uncles..Everyone i haven't seen for the longest time! But we're not going there to vacation, really. My sister-in-law's getting married on Saturday, the 28th and she's really dissing that day. I guess when you're going to get married to some complete stranger then that wouldn't feel right, right? If that happened to me... I don't know... I probably would've ran away or something. I think it was brave of her to hang in there and cooperate with the whole thing. But then again, I don't think she had any choice either.

I love being a Muslim. I am grateful to be born into this religion. But it's more of the culture that I don't like really, I guess. Well, some of it. Sure, it is said in Islam that parents may choose for their children who they will marry. But in Islam, the daughter has a choice to accept or decline whoever it is they have chosen for her. The difference of the religion to that of our culture (Maranao), is that irregardless of what the daughter feels, the wedding will commence and there is nothing that she could do to stop it...unless maybe if the parents were understanding and considerate enough of the girl's feelings.

That's probably the only thing I don't like in my culture...Arranged marriages. I mean, sure, it worked for some, and I respect that and I'm really happy for you, but it's just not my cup of tea. It's not like I'm saying that you go and run off with the first guy/girl you find and ride off the sunset, but at least I want to have a say on matters like that. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, and I wouldn't want to spend it with a complete stranger. Or jerk for that matter. Just because he/she comes from an illustrious family that everybody wants to be a part of doesn't make her a god or a goddess. I wouldn't want my child to be wed to someone he/she barely knows. I've seen families come together and then later break apart like fallen legos because the guy's and girl's parents don't get along anymore and it's just sad. I mean, weren't they the ones who made the arrangement in the first place? And then they break up their kids' marriage (just when they have fallen in love with each other) because they belong to opposing parties in politics and have decided to run against each other or simply because they don't get along anymore? This isn't something that I'd want for my child or future children (assuming that Allah (swt) gives us more than one). I'm lucky that my parents didn't force me into doing something (or anything) that I didn't want. Mom, dad..love you to pieces!

Wala lang.. just made me think.

And I guess it's because it's almost, almost five in the morning and I'm still awake.

Oh well... du'as to you sister... you'll get through this...

We got your back.. We love you!

First Movie Date

Last Sunday, I went out with my family and my in-laws to Mall of Asia (which was Raja's and my first time) for a movie... it has been like this ever since; my in-laws are movie buffs and so are the kids, so everytime we go out, it's like a field trip because there's about ten to sixteen of us (sometimes with cousins in tow) watching altogether. One big happy family. hehe! But there're times too, where we split up and watch different movies then just meet up after for coffee and go home. This was one of those days... but only a tad different. We took Raja to see his first movie. COOLNESS!

We had initially planned on seeing Pirates of the Carribbean II or Lady in the Water but I couldn't shake off the thought that Raja was going to watch a movie on the big screen for the first time without us, so I changed my mind and told Najah I'll be watching The Ant Bully with her,Raja and Kazim. Shortly Hamza followed suit. I knew it was bound to happen... besides looking like peas in a pod (Raja's looks exactly just like Hamza when he was a baby), those two are joined at the hip. *sigh!* Bye-bye Johnny Depp and Keira Knightly, bye-bye Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas... guess we'll see you when the DVDs come out!

The movie wasn't so bad. It was really made for kids. Kazim was behaved throughout the whole screening; it was his fourth time. Somehow I couldn't concentrate on it though; I kept looking beside me... I was watching Raja watch the little ants and little Lucas on the big screen. He was chillaxin' on his Abi's lap, happily sucking on his "dee-dee" and watching intensely. He seemed to take in the whole thing--the giant screen in front of him, the sound system, the hundred or so seats of the cinema, the blue light lining the stairs--everything was new to him, and he seemed to enjoy it. He was a behaved little angel for the first hald of the movie. Yep, the first half only. The next half was CHAOS. UTTER CHAOS.

Well, I guess it was an exaggeration. It wasn't really like that. You can't hold a one year and eight months' attention the whole time, he's bound to get restless and distracted with other things around him. So, for the second half of the movie, Hamza would get up then down the stairs, seat themselves on the de luxe section where few people were watching and then go back up to get his "dee-dee". He wouldn't go to me, so he was with Abi the whole time (let me reiterate: they're joined at the hip). We joined them downstairs when the movie was over.

It was a good experience for us. At least we know our kid's not a monster inside the movie house. I've gone to theaters where there are kids who whine and are loud and kick the backrest of the seats (hate when that happens) and the parents look helpless and embarrassed. But I can't make a conclusion on a first experience. Besides, he's just a toddler, it's too young to tell how he'd be like when he's older. I just hope he doesn't grow up to be like that. I be so embarrassed that I'd probably leave the theater with a bag over my head. Heehee!