What I learn from 'our Bali retreat (just the two of us!)'.

It was the first time for both of us to leave the kids at home and had a quick retreat. It wasn't an easy decision (at my part) but we believe it's a good idea for us to have a quick getaway and share good quality time together .

And so, after 7 years of marriage, 3 kids and a PhD (and another one to go, insha Allah) <-- (sounds like the script in the Amazing Race finale!!! Hahah), we booked our tix and hotels, left the kids with my ever so wonderful parents, and took a plane to BALI!!

Well, I won't bother telling the details of our travel itinerary =p - but I'll gladly share the things we've learned from the quick getaway.

• Getaways can help to refresh and revive relationships. It is like breathing fresh air into them, re-energizing them with greater intimacy and deeper love.This might sound kinky, but hey, as we're so absorbed in our responsibilities and roles at work and home, we could forget how we began as a unit. As vacation is time to devote ourselves to rest and relax from work or study, it's the best time to devote our quality time for each other! (Parents with small children without a helper will know that vacation with kids is not really a totally relaxing time, though it's important and special, too).

• The Bali retreat allow us to focus on each other, share memorable life experiences together, and simply have fun, with no interference from work or home. It focused on what we love to do together - we simply shared the moment! (However, during one of my phone call home, I confessed that I cried after talking to the children!! It was a big distraction leaving the kids for the first time, but hey, it's only for 2 days!)

• A couple's vacation is when you REALLY spend your quality time together. Hence it's important for both of you to talk about your relationship: where it had been, how did you go through the rough times, how do you plan to make it better - for yourselves and for the kids. When you communicate earnestly and discussed openly with your spouse, your objectives will be clearer and you'll work towards the same goals - and this will make you closer and happier with each other. And automatically, the kids will benefit from the healthy and loving relationship, too, insha Allah!

• Taking a vacation is the healthy thing to do! It's healthy for your mind, body and relationship. A getaway is like hitting the reset button (after saving all the important files!). Taking a retreat, vacating my mind off my research (just for the shortest period of time =D), improved my motivation and concentration! I don't want to risk myself into serious burnout. (And the vacation was a 'present' for myself for completing my CoS report successfully!)

• The retreat should be well within your budget. Hence, (budget and detail trip) planning is essential. Since we are the frequent flyer of AirAsia, we managed to grab the RM20 tickets to Bali, and booked the hotel through Hotel.com - and alhamdulillah, we managed to grab great bargains from both!

• It's super fun going out on a halal date with your husband! Trust me!

Kuta Beach, Bali.

I hope that I don't have to wait another 7 years and 3 more kids for the next vacation!! A present for another PhD in the house would be nice... (hint.. hint...)

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. 

~Mignon McLaughlin

Happy marriages are based on a deep friendship. By this I mean a mutual respect for and enjoyment of each other’s company.  ~John Gottman

A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. 

~Ruth Bell Graham

What I learn from 'post-SPM journeys'.

SPM results

Some did excellently, some did OK and some might be shameful to show their result slip to anyone. However, I must congratulate each and every SPM candidates (and their parents) who studied hard and smart, enduring loads of (unnecessary, which some could be) pressures and pep talk from tonnes of people. Whatever the outcome is, I pat you on your back for working hard and didn't use the 'Que-Sera, Sera!' mentality. You've conquered the first mountain in your life! Kudos!

I must admit, SPM is one of the biggest hurdles that I had to jump in order to do well in life. Though I worked hard and tried to understand the nitty gritty of all 9 subject matters, I did not get the result I wanted.

I was a student in one of the greatest boarding school in Malaysia, with superb teachers guiding me to excel in my studies, surrounded with extremely talented and brilliant friends, great infrastructure and disciplined lifestyle. I had it all, but in the end, I didn't do as well as my friends.

Why? A big question that was extremely hard for me to answer and comprehend when I was 18. 

What-people-want-me-to-be VS what-I-want-to-be.

At 18, most of us should have discovered our own interests as well subjects that we are dispassionate on. It is important for you to be sure the answer of a vital question, what do you love to do in long-term? 

I learned later that this was the answer of why I didn't do as well as I wanted in SPM. I learned it the hard way, which was after getting the result. I did not choose the correct path (or stream) that I could excel in. That was why I struggled to understand simple pure science concept when other friends could finish the Physics exercises in a breeze!

Hence, answering the question of 'what do I love to be?' is easy for some, but extremely difficult for others. Many issues will be involved, namely, your own parents, relatives, monetary issues, location of higher education institutions, etc.  

It is a HUMONGOUS step -  to choose your career choice carefully - because one wrong move will take you years and years to correct. Take your time, discuss with your parents, teachers, aunties, uncles, siblings, working cousins, or any other people that you trust. Don't forget Allah in this process. This is the best time to practice the istikharah prayers that you have learned theoretically in your Religious class (and you might get and A+ in your Agama Islam subject, too!) Ask Allah to guide your path to excellence, ask Him to help you to decide what's best for your life.

I sincerely pray that my cousin (Hani), cousins' children (Syirah, Aidil and Ain) as well as other post-SPM hopefuls will make wise decisions which will make them successful in their lives. I hope they will find a course that they really love to do. Earning loads of money from a career that you loathe is not cool, and you'll be far from being happy and contented in life. It'll be stressful and you'll end up to be less motivated. When you're less motivated, it's hard to grow professionally. Yes, you maybe rewarded materially but spiritually, you're a poor man. And I don't want you to be that.

So, all the best in living your dreams. Choose the best path for you (and for your parents, too) to live your life. Work hard and smart to achieve your goals. Persevere. Pray to Him. Remember, there are many ways to climb a mountain. If you're willing and passionate, you will overcome the difficulties. If you can dream about achieving it, the power lies within yourself to make it come true. So, persevere. Don't give up.

Our prayers are with you!

This piece is dedicated to 

Farah Hani Fauzudin

Iza Nur Ain

Tunku Aidil Idham

Syirah Zainal

SPM '10

What I learn from 'MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III: the Taaruf session'.

I hardly slept the night before the taaruf day. Though I felt that this particular way of getting to know someone, was over and above peculiar (it's the 21st century for Heaven's sake), but I believed that the decision I made was correct. 

(Have you read 1st and 2nd MISSION IMPOSSIBLE episode?) 

This meeting has an obvious objective. A crucial decision must be made afterwards. Could this man be my compatible partner FOR LIFE?

Looking at the question list for the hundredth of times, frankly, I was doubtful whether this set of questions could help me in reaching my objective. 

And the morning came, together with more butterflies in my tummy! 

Thus, I got ready and today, the Lothian Bus (no 30) was like waiting for me faithfully at the Nicholson Street bus stop. It never did for the past 4 years! Was it a sign? Am I over-analysing? Go away butterflies!!!

With the list in hand, I went to Kak Anis' place alongside the entire species of butterflies in my tummy. But when I thought about Kak Anis and Ustaz Azman, I got a bit calm. I knew both of them well, together with their 3 young children (which has grown to 8, now!). I've enjoyed several trips with them, I took care of their kids when they went for Hajj, I went to their place uncountable times - the bottom line was, I was comfortable with the couple and I was always being myself around them. I believed that choosing a good and intelligent intermediary was essential to make the situation a less-awkward, and not uncomfortable.

As I entered the house, I saw a huge pair of shoes (quick mental note, size 10, Timberland, mmm... nice choice. Haha!) Anyway, Kak Anis invited me inside and offered me some OJ in the kitchen. Then, Ustaz Azman called us in. And 'taraaa!!', I saw him. But the butterflies didn't leave, they multiplied!

Ustaz Azman, smiling in between sipping his hot tea, started the taaruf session by introducing both of us to one another. He then pointed to the other man in the room, living the ball on his court. 'So, akh, why are we here?'

The answer was simple yet very meaningful, 'Nothing builds a home better than faith and trust. Faith in Allah on one hand, and trust to one's partner on the other. And I'm seeking for the trust.'

And so, the ball bounced onto both courts, mine and his during the taaruf. The list was extremely helpful, even there were only seven questions, but they revealed a lot about a man (and a woman, too, I reckoned). A whole lot! The session took more than 2 hours and I must admit that it was very interesting, lively and informative.

Kak Anis then told us that we should share the information with our parents and discuss well with them. If possible, she advised us to seek more information (as discretely as possible) from close friends and relatives BUT no information given and taken from the room, should be discussed outside. This would ensure no violation of privacy to others who were not related.

She then told both of us to repeatedly make alot of du'as, request from Allah through the application of istikharah prayers. Seek His help in  making a HUGE decision of your life. Then she looked at me, "In two weeks, I'll call you and ask if you have made your decision.'

I learn a few things during this taaruf process.

• WHEN: When both suitors are ready for another chapter in their lives; not being forced or provoked, it must be a willing decision from both parties
• WHAT: Come to the meeting prepared, i.e. dress appropriately, questions ready.
• WHO: It should be 'chaperon-ed' meeting. The chaperons must have good faith and that you're comfortable with. And don't forget to BE YOURSELF all the time.
• WHERE: First impression lasts very long. If two suitors meet at a club, it will always tell on the relationship. So, the best place to get to know one another is at Muslim homes, where much detail conversation can be discussed. 

To be continued...(I've got two weeks!)

Wallahu'alam.

'Bliss of love after marriage'  (photo from here).

What I learn from 'MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II: How do I know that he's Mr Right(eous)?'.

I was away from my parents, geographically, ever since I left home to further my studies abroad. Nonetheless, Allah has been super kind to me by introducing good friends who acts like 'positive' magnets, pulling me from doing shameful and harmful things to my imaan. One of them is Kak Anis (beautiful wife of Ustaz Azman).

One chilly morning, as I briskly walked from Moray House with Greggs cheese and onion pasties in one hand to the mosque (a wee bit late for work!), I received a call from kak Anis. Very politely and with well constructed sentences (as she usually spoke) she asked about my well beings, then informed straight to the point that there was an akh (brother in Islam) who was interested to get to know me better.

The forgotten cheese and onion pasties from Greggs in my hand.

An akh? Seriously?

'He met Ustaz and told him his intentions and hoped that Ustaz and Kak Anis can be the 'middlemen''.

'He said that since your parents are far, he wanted a proper channel to get to know you,' enlightened kak Anis.

What channel? Am I going to star a Blind Date show @ BBC?

 

However, Kak Anis was quick to assure me (since I must admit I was silently shocked since my mouth was zipped shut, which was peculiarly rare!) to do major thinking, to ask myself and Allah whether I was prepared for a relationship leading to marriage. Request from Allah through the application of istikharah prayers. Ask my parents. Talk to them. Make lots of du'a.

And I did all of them.

Among all of the things above, Abah's words of wisdom were the statement which cleared my doubts. I still could recall his short, precise advise to me;

'Only clean courtship leads to fruitful and successful marriage. If one wants to keep the courtship morally clean and escape immoral pursuits, then he's clearly a gentleman who has self-control, because he places this holy affairs in the care of Allah.'

Abah then added, 'Marriage is a lifetime journey and needs a lot of planning. So, you need to ask him his plans in life, what can he offer...'

Among millions of conversations that I had with Abah, I must point out that this particular phone call acted as a 'mechanism' which drew us closer. I am grateful to Him that I am one of the few whom He chooses to have super good relationships with my Abah and Mak. I must admit that before those days, it was difficult to talk and discuss with Abah since I must say that he always over-analyse matters, which sometimes made me feel uncomfortable, but now I realised, you know what, I needed someone to think critically for me, when I couldn't do it on my own (just yet. Hello, I was being a typical carefree lassie living abroad, away from my family! And having the time of my life, too!). Alhamdulillah for Abah and Mak. 

All three of us created 'the list' of open-ended questions that needed frank and straightforward answers. Those answers were personal, but essential for us to know the 'akh'. 

So, a date and time were set for a 'taaruf' session between the two of us, with the wonderful couple, Kak Anis and Ustaz Azman at Glendalough Crescent, Edinburgh. 

Though I must admit, it was still a super weird thing for me to do, but I always remember Allah's promise that prosperity and barakah wait anyone who follows the commendments of Allah and the example of Rasulullah. I prayed that this, out of the norm, way of getting to know Mr. Right(eous) would mould me to be a better muslimah, whatever the outcome would be.

For now, I'd just pray.

What I learn from 'the walk: KLCC-Chulan Towers'

I walked. It was a rather long walk. I took the LRT from Wangsa Maju to KLCC and determined to find my way to Chulan Towers, by foot. Alhamdulillah, I found the seminar room in Nottingham University, KL Campus, the destination for the day, and alhamdulillah, I arrived on time.

I learned a few lessons during the walk:

1. It's not near! I thought the walk would take around 10-15 minutes, but I actually walk, from KLCC LRT station, across Suria KLCC, heading to KL Convention Centre, across Jalan Pinang and using Pavillion and Royale Chulan Hotel as landmarks, I arrived at Chulan Towers after 25 minutes of brisk walking (with drenched and soaked blouse!). The lesson is, do wear good shoes which wouldn't kill your feet. And from my 'little' experience of shoe shopping, good shoes will usually cost more. So, invest in buying good shoes, and wear it. Those shoes which are expensive and comfortable are meant for wearing, not collecting dust on the shoe rack!
2.  If it's a new route, PLEASE make sure that you have ample time for your 'experiment'. Please bear in mind that difficulties in finding the place and getting lost or hurting your feet or even out of breath might be some factors that could make you late (or verrry late). Thus make sure that you spare some minutes for those circumstances. 
3. I learned that the guards working in KLCC do have good instructional discourse. If I didn't meet the first man who actually had given me a precise set of instructions on how to reach Pavillion, I might have changed my mind and took the cab during the peak-and-crazy traffic jam hours! But 'Latiff' (name on the shirt) and his other two mates that I met near Aquaria and another one, at KL Convention Centre lobby were very helpful in giving clear and concise directions. Well done. Plus, they helped me with genuine smiles on their face. Fab isn't it?
4. Don't be shy to ask. Since GARMIN cannot help me in finding directions that morning, I asked, and asked (4 times) anyone sensible.
5. On my way, I saw office workers in their working attire changed from high heels to sport shoes to jog and brisk walk at the beautiful KLCC Park. I applaud these ladies since they took an initiative to take care of their health, though they lead pretty hectic lives in KL. Bravo!
6. That brought me to point number 6. I need a regular exercise regime to stay healthy and in shape! If they can do it, why can't I?
7.  The other great thing that I learned from my walk that morning another healthy lifestyle of some city citizens. Two young ladies took out two Tupperware containers from their tote bags and gave it to the hawkers at the side of the road and said 'Macam biasa, ya Mak Cik. Terima kasih.' (The usual please, thank you). And the street hawkers packed her breakfast (or lunch) in the container and said 'RM2.50 please'. It was RM0.50 less since she uses her own container! I knew this because I was standing near the hawker, waiting patiently for the 'walking green man' so that I can cross Jalan Pinang safely, and the other friend said, 'Aisey, need to pay RM3 today, left my Tupperware at the pantry!'

I learned 7 things from my 25-minute walk. I enjoyed the walk!

 Alhamdulillah.

What I learn from 'APAC LSP Conference 2010' feat. Zee Avi.

I soaked a lot of fabulous experiences, fresh thoughts and wonderfully bright ideas during Asia Pasific Rim - Language for Specific Purposes & Professional Communication Conference in PJ Hilton last week (15-17th July). One of the most interesting and eye-opening presentation was from Andrew Moody (PhD) from Macau University. His presentation was on 'English and Language Mixing in Asian Pop Culture'.

At the beginning, I was not so sure whether to attend his talk, or to choose other research presentations, but his art of opening of presentation was super! There was Steve Job's aura in the air, so I stayed.

Andrew Moody presented me with a case of 'leaking languages', whereby multilingual language use in professional context. When English and Malay are used in the same sentence in meetings, institution emails, business phone calls etc.. Some called it 'Manglish'.

I question myself, 'How healthy is it? How healthy is language mixing and 'purposeful' code-switching?

A sample used by Andrew Moody was 'Kantoi' by Zee Avi, a well-known Malaysian artiste who is currently based in the US.




Question 1: Why do we mix and alternate languages (i.e. Bahasa Malaysia and English)?

1. It's trendy and cool.
2. There's not enough vocabulary of either language in the mind.
3. People nowadays have lazy brains to dig the embedded lexis and vocab.
4. A tool to clarify clearly in order to achieve accuracy in sending message.
5. To show creativity.

I choose numbers 2, 3 and 4 for the use 'Manglish' among educated Malaysians. But Zee Avi has actually alternated the languages for the purpose of numbers 1 and 4. Fascinating to see how different minds work! As Trudgill (1983) asserted, alternating languages represent generation groups. And I have to agree with him, there are generation gaps in the case of alternating languages.

For the Manglish case, I don't think I belong in this group. And if people labeled me as 'archaic' and 'old-fashioned' for this, I wouldn't mind a bit!

Question 2: When don't we 'leak' the languages?

From my observation, most of us will write in full-Bahasa Malaysia or English when we write official letters, whether being addressed to the government officials or head of the company. Formal emails to VCs, Deans, and CEOs. That's it? Is that it?

Do you think it's enough to be an articulated and eloquent English or Malay speakers and writers if we only use the 'proper' language during those times, only?


Question 3: What I learn (indistinctly) when we mix our languages?

1. By mixing languages when we speak and write, we are actually projecting and portraying our image to the respondent. People do judge us from time to time, if not all the time; and choosing how to speak and write will determine who you are in the eyes of others.  
2. The damage to the languages when we mix them is horrific. I believe, one of the reasons why people are lacking in fluency in either of the languages is caused by language mixing.
3. How tolerant can I be as a language educator/mother when my students/children mix their language purposely? This is not a code-switching issue. For me, it's the lazy brain syndrome. I'll leave this as a question.

What I learn from my Penang trip.

Alhamdulillah, I have great pals.

Allah grant me fantastic friends, those from my childhood days in Convent Seremban (and one who now bakes special cookies for me!); my unforgettable teenage years in TKC; my nearly-7 incredible years in Edinburgh (and all around UK); my studying-working years in UKM; my wonderful 3years-and a bit in Perth; my young and experienced 'Ganu-kite' colleagues from UMT; my new researcher friends in Nottingham Uni (Malaysia and UK campuses) and; not to forget, more friends whom I met along my way in life. These are precious people who make my life colourful and super interesting. I learn a lot from them. A lot.

A fabulous touch of Ila. Her iPhone cookie was super fancy and crunchy!
(Source: http://swirlofcolors09.blogspot.com)

What I learn from my Penang trip, is the need to keep in touch. Yes, there's FB and YM but I'm a kind of person who needs human touch. And meeting dear friends heals the soul. Spending a bit of time with Rais MBA-to-be, N MD, Jua PhD-to-be, Kak Hafiz Phd during my trip in Penang was subhanallah, utterly wonderful. I purposely enclosed their titles to highlight their achievements in their lives that motivates me to strive for excellence.

When I first knew them, for example Jua, we were the fourth formers in TKC. We have nothing! Just our Pelangi and Sasbadi Text Book for SPM! But now, she is researching on Halal chicken productions and will be able to answer my questions: 'how halal are those chooks in Mydin, Tesco and Giant?' What I learn from Jua, though there were hurdles back then in Newcastle, she jumped over it and works towards her goals, harder!

Jua with her son, Emien Rais.

N was my housemate for four years back in Edinburgh. We shared too much! And now our daughters share clothes! Hahahha.. I learned and still learn alot from N. Her patience, care and thoughtfulness towards others are limitless! Her heart is huge. I pray that Allah eases her journey (and Minn's as well) becoming Specialists. Aamin.

N and Minn (Photo source: Minn's FB!)

The ever-cheerful Kak Hafiz who loves the yellow smiley, never fail to make me laugh! From my super short visit with her in Borders, Queensbay Mall, Penang, I learn that, whatever you face in life, chin up and smile! What's the use of crying and mourning? Subhanallah. Allah has been teaching her to be strong, from her PhD years in Edinburgh University and now, she needs to utilised the lessons she has learned to be a tough and wonderful mother of two young sons. Through kak Hafiz, I learn that Allah has beautiful ways to teach us. Hence, be grateful to Him.

Happy, chirpy kak Hafiz. We share the same birth date!

And not to forget a colleague, who was one of first to greet me as I arrived in FPE, UMT, Abdul Rais. What I learn from him is that take one step at a time, and you'll overcome your hardship and the success will follow suit, insha Allah. He reminds me of a song by Zain Bhika and Dawud Wharnsby Ali, Allah Knows. Anyway, we will never forget his kindness in Penang. His dinner treat was fabulous! I declare that I love Penang food! Thanks to Rais' recommendations!

Thank you Allah for my friends.

What I learn from 'Cinderella's shoe story'.

I lost a shoe, my favorite brown shoe, on my way to Penang. I realised it as I was leaving the car for our destination, Vistana Penang, searching frantically for the left side of my brown shoe, and it was just not there! The last time my left foot was covered was during a photo shoot, somewhere near Grik, there was an elephant signboard... yes, a sign to warn us of elephants, and we're not in the zoo! That was the last place I wore both sides of the brown shoe.

Luckily, at 12 o'clock that night, my car didn't turn into a pumpkin, the kids were still kids, and not mice (though they were a bit monstrous since we were still enjoying our pasemboq and laksa penang at Padang Kota), and I didn't turn into an elephant!! (But at the rate we were eating in Penang, we could be one!)

Hence, what I learn from this Cinderella shoe story is, firstly, bring an extra pair of shoes in the car! If not, you'll be walking bare footed-ly into a 4 star hotel. Super embarrassing. Secondly, what I learn is, especially as a mom, while taking care of the kids and my husband, I need to take care of myself, too! Who else will do it for me? Thirdly, never forget to thank my husband for being patient. I did spend a good 15 minutes rummaging above and under the seats of the seven seater car for a brown shoe, while he patiently took care of the three excited and tired kids. Thanks again, bang!

p/s: As we drove along the same elephant sign spot on our way back, there was no sign of brown shoe. Sob. On a happier note, I got an approval to buy a new pair of brown shoes!! Thanks again, bang! =D

What I learn from 'Petronas stations'.

Al Fateh's 6.5 hours journey from Kuala Terengganu - Penang.
(Location: Penang Bridge.)

For a frequent long-hours car-riders like us, Petronas station is an essential stop, not just to fill up the tank, but also to pray and do some 'jajan' shopping for the kids. We love Petronas, especially with the ones with good Mesra shops. I'm going to highlight on three Petronas stations that have super service, 1) Merang, Terengganu (in front of Aryani Hotel) 2) Jeli, Kelantan (with the SUPERmarket-size Mesra shop) and 3) Jalan Pantai, Seremban (near the long-queue car wash place).

What is super service? My definitions:
1) Extra clean (toilets and prayer rooms)
2) Polite (the workers greet us with Salam and 'Selamat Datang' with smiles not forced.)
3) Cash machine (that works) and there's even a post office in Merang Petronas Station!
4) Concern (when they ask us how can they help?)

Source: http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3849/24381681.jpg.
Accessed on 27.6.2010

I'm embarrass to admit this, but I always choose to do my Jamak and Qasar prayers during the long journeys in the Petronas stations, rather than the mosques. Why? I know where the wudhu' and praying areas for the ladies are, not having to 'tawaf' the mosques 7 times to find my way and sadly, these stations are always cleaner, compared to some of our mosques.

What I learn from my extensive visits to the Petronas stations, firstly, it's not hard to offer a smile and be polite, not just to my neighbors, colleagues at work or visitors in my home, but more to my husband and the three munchkins I have. Secondly, keep clean. It's sunnah, anyway. Keeping myself, the kids, the inner and outer house clean and presentable all the time, it's a must. You never know when the angels plan to visit! All the time, hopefully.

What I learn from 'my priceless collection'

What's the priceless collection?

Leather bookmarks. 

Why are they so special?

It's lovely to see them day and night - reliving the memories I had during the fantastic years of my carefree undergraduate. Each has it own significant story... it's like a history of my journey when I was in the UK.

Where did I get them from?

From all the places that I went during the years of 1997-2003, namely;

• Most of the universities I visited in the UK, from the student unions.
• Various places of interest in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Countries I visited using my cleaner wage: Italy, France, Switzerland, Egypt, Turkey, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Spain. 

Why bookmarks?

Back then: It was the cheapest item I could grab in a souvenir shop, and the lightest, too! It's long-lasting and durable. (But the real reason I bought it back then was because it costs me only 99p!!)

Nowadays: I actually have a story time with the kids - telling them where did I buy the specific bookmark, when did I buy it, with whom I traveled with, what's special about that place, and surprisingly, there were more to tell when the kids asked the details about the visits. (And subhanallah, with the technology of Google Earth and great images in the net, it makes the story time real and more meaningful and vivid for the children!)

So, to my friends who are fortunate enough to be in the UK, I strongly suggest leather bookmarks for a long lasting memory of your days there!

My priceless collection: aged 7 - 11 years old.
Kept them in 5 IKEA frameless clip frames.
(low quality pix were taken using my Nokia 3.2mpixel, sorry!)