A note of thanks...

A note of thanks to:

1. Kit – for her unending support and for sending me Dina Zaman’s “I am Muslim” as a combo belated-birthday-and-congratulations-on-new-baby gift. I finished reading the book the night of the day I got it. I have started to enjoy reading Dina Zaman’s writing back when I was still a teenager, chuckling over her musings in Din’s Dalca. Have always been a follower of her blogs before they went defunct and currently a follower of her column in The Star. I have read parts of “I am Muslim” when Malaysiakini began allowing readers to read Rentakini without having to pay subscription fees. Like Kit I found the book refreshing and an eye-opener. Unlike Dina, I don’t know any murtad person(or at least someone who openly declare him/herself to be murtad), I don’t have gay friends, I never exchange e-mails with tudung clad possible lesbian-wannabe and I don’t think any of my friends lost their virginity before marriage. So yes, reading Dina’s writing enable me to see Kuala Lumpur and its people differently. Her writing has always been “refreshing” as I gasped, gawked, chuckled, nodded and shook my head in due course. Not that I agree with everything that she has to say, but then again – that is exactly why I read her writings – to get a different viewpoints. And learn new things. And learn to appreciate differences so that I could learn and think about ways to bridge gaps between Muslims in different forms (than the ones I am used to.)

2. DPA 2001 colleagues undergoing JICA training in Tokyo – Joe, Zaini and Kak Wan - for taking the time to visit our family in Asakusa despite their tight schedule. And I thank Fary for being the guide. Joe obligingly brought a bottle of Gripe water for my colicky baby and 1 kg of Milo for the Milo-holic parents, while Kak Wan generously presented me a bottle of Kimball chilli sauce and some packets of instant santan. Loved how they gushed over my masak lemak cili api, sweet-and-sour salmon and ayam goreng, as they were going for a 2 weeks course in Tochigi and knew that it would be some time before they could eat Malaysian food (or at least food cooked a`la Malaysian style – because I know I would never cook sweet-and-sour salmon in Malaysia. Bawal is more like it). A note to Tini - I am sure I have invited you to my home before, but in case I haven't made myself clear, please come visit us anytime you are free :-)

3. DPA 2001 ex-classmate, Amal, who had offered to bring a lot of goodies from Malaysia (although I have to pay for them - but these things are a lot cheaper in Malaysia and some could not be found in Japan). Am going to ask him to bring back some stuff to Malaysia on my behalf too... Amal with his usual 'poyo'ness (which I never really minded because whatever else he is, Amal could be a reliable friend) earlier remarked that if we couldn't find to meet up, then maybe he could ask some lower guy to send the stuff direct to my place, now that he is an M48 officer (and yours truly have not even sit for PTK 1 yet - but have already signed up to sit for it in December). But Shah, another ex-classmate who is currently studying in Tokyo too - has told me that he is going to take Amal to visit Asakusa on Saturday. Should be interesting to hear Amal's take on this and that as it has been quite some time since I last listened to his poyoness...

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Special thanks to Hubby for being so accommodating when Humaidi turned 3 month old yesterday.

We went to Shibuya to register Humaidi’s birth at the Embassy as well as make his passport. I have called the consular office before, to find out what are the documents needed. I thought we had them all, but turned out the copy of birth registration that we got from the hospital (which we paid over 4000 yen for) was not the one the Embassy wants. Hubby offered to take care of the kids at the Embassy while I took care of other matters.

So I went alone to Ueno to get a copy of the wanted birth registration form from Taito-ku Ward Office (where I submitted the original in order to get a “birth certificate” label to be pasted in my/Humaidi’s boshi techo). As well as getting hubby’s and my certificate of alien registration (not to be mistaken with the Alien registration card that we carry everywhere). While I was already at the Ward office, also managed to fill up tax form, confirmed that both hubby and I are not eligible to pay tax, as well as got a discount for health insurance installments. We got a huge discount – we only need to pay up until July and no more until March next year since the amount we already paid is sufficient for the whole fiscal year (which begins in April).

As we were in the mood to celebrate Humaidi’s 3-months birthday, and the weather was gorgeously sunshiny, we went to Ebisu Garden Place after leaving the Embassy. Bought a 5 flavor Special Day ice cream (only on sale on the 5th, 15th and 25th) at Haagen Dazs shared by Huzaifah, hubby and I while the birthday boy drooled.

Next, we went searching for Hiroo Mosque (also known as Arab Islamic Institute) which is actually closer to Roppongi than Hiroo. Had some difficulty to locate it at first, until we met a florist who gave the right direction. Funny to note that so far we had found two different mosques (the other being Otsuka Mosque) with the help of florists. Prior to that we tried asking a patrolling policeman and a security guard at an apartment block but both were ignorant of the mosque’s existence. In fact the security guard asked back in shock “Nihon ni mosuke ga aru?” (There is a mosque in Japan?), to which I laughingly answered “Atta yo. Ippai mo” (Of course. A lot too). Wonderful sights (Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Tower), modern (with elevators and vending machines inside mosque plus great sound system), big, clean, nice-smelling toilets and ablution area (even equipped with diaper-changing fold-out table) - it goes without saying that Hiroo Mosque is of of the nicest mosques in town, perhaps second only after Tokyo Camii. Hubby waited until Isyak there, but by then it was getting more difficult to control our ever active Huzaifah.

Noticing that I was already tired and walking with a slight limp (my right calf hurt like hell), hubby sportingly suggested dining out. Thus we went to Roppongi and had dinner at Aladdin Restaurant. It is more exclusive (read: expensive) than most halal restaurants we usually frequent, but I love the fact that there was no alcohol served there even though it is located right across a liquor store. Hubby too got to practice his rusty Arabic as he chatted with the Egyptian restaurant staff.

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Internet connection at home is currently in limbo between cancellation (of Softbank BB) and new installation (of @TCOM). Am posting this (and the previous) entry from school, but I don’t go to school often now (just once a week). So please bear my temporary hiatus until we get it all sorted out and I get a proper 24/7 broadband connection at home again.