Girls' exam results day

I was so glad I took leave from work last Thursday and Friday to attend my nephew's wedding in Janda Baik. It gave me the opportunity to spend some quality time with my girls in a relaxed atmosphere. The resort we stayed in was really nice too -- I'll post some pics in another entry.

However, we only attended the malam berinai and akad nikah and missed the actual kenduri as I rushed back to KL Saturday morning to go to the girls' school for Report Card Day.

The Report Card Day! -- I was quite nervous and anxious to know how my girls did in their first exam for the school year. The previous week, Misha had been telling Maira and me about the possibility of her getting first or second place in class -- her teacher had told her so, she said.

As for Maira, she told me that she thinks she'll finish off last -- as she's not confident in the Arabic and Islamic Studies subjects.

So, off I went to their school without any high expectations (for my own sake, really!). I went to see Misha's class teacher first. Misha actually did very well, getting A+'s and A's. But she did not get first OR second place. She was fifth in the class. This could be due to the only B she received for Arabic - 68 marks. Nevertheless, I was very happy that the very manja little girl who whines about almost everything did well in her first ever school exam. And according to the teacher the difference between first and fifth placing was about 4 points.

Next, Maira's class. Since she had been telling me that she might finish last, I was hoping that she'd at least get no. 10 ke... janganlah sampai berbelas-belas, kan? She actually came out third in her class. Her teacher complimented that Maira is a very bright and disciplined student. Alhamdulillah...

I immediately called the girls up -- my spirits were up and I was so proud of my girls (even though they didn't get first place, but...). Misha especially had been so excited about getting the results of her first big exam and had been telling me to reward her with presents.

On the phone, I told Maira she got third place and she was happy about it. But when I told Misha she got fifth place, she kept quiet. Then I heard soft sobs. She cried!!! My poor girl was actually very very sad that she did not get first or second place as she had expected (kenape la her teacher told her that when it's not confirmed...) I told her that I was so proud of her and that her results were really really good and told her that I'm coming back home to pick them up to get presents and have lunch somewhere.

I didn't realise that not getting first or second really hit Misha hard. She kept quiet in the car on the way to the mall. I had to assure her many many times that she had done really well! Kesian Misha...

The girls had wanted new schoolbags as presents, so I got them that (they actually used their old-but-still-nice looking bags at the start of the school year. Not that mommy kedekut, but tak nak membazir!)

Misha also wanted new colour pencils (they have tons at home, but I layan je la...), so got that for both of 'em. By the way, did you know that Faber Castell's 36-pieces colour pencils cost RM36??? Sooooo expensive, so I got them Stabilo's 48 pieces @ RM22.90. Jimat sikit!! Hehe... still good quality what? And with all the rising cost of everything from petrol to rice, cost-cutting measures are essential for survival!

Later, we went to Chili's for lunch. It was our first time there without daddy. I had been keeping away from that place since he's gone as it was one of our family's favourite eating places and I didn't want to go through yet another sense of 'loss' by being there without him. Ironically, that afternoon, it was me who suggested the restaurant to the girls. I felt strong. It's as though I wanted to test myself, really. I felt that if I could go to Chili's with my girls and be ok about it, then I am on the right track of moving on. And I made it ;-)

Sure, sometimes (all the time, actually) I wish that he's still around to watch how our little girls have grown and how much they take after him in so many ways. But I know that he ain't ever coming back for now and in that sense find comfort in that he is in a safe resting place, insya-Allah. I pray that Allah accept our prayers for him and bless his soul always. And I hope he knows how much we love him and that we miss him always...

Maira and Misha @ Chili's -- pix taken through Hannah Montana's 3D goggles.