Opinion Columns Archives - The Fabulous Rat

The Fabulous Rat’s Back!

The Fabulous Rat — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 11:54:10 +0000

It’s been a while, to be exact, slightly over a couple of years, almost. Over two years of having been drowned in writer’s block, due to many reasons, with uncountable lessons, learnt along the way.

So much has happened and changed – work, family, health, lifestyle, to name a few. Oh well, such is life. Nevertheless, being two years older, life has definitely instilled a whole new level of outlook and focus, to live and let live.

One sure thing, life is short, fragile, unpredictable, and should be lived to the fullest. The past few years of recovering after the loss of two very loved ones has been a tough, learning journey, with seeking solace means solely turning to HIM. Like a raw wound that keeps opening up and scarring when it’s just about to heal, I pray that HE keep my beloved Grams in the best place, IA.

Reflecting on a jetplane, heading back to a place I call my first home, different moments of 2018 flash across this head. 2018 has been another year of sweet, bitter and painful moments. Of seeing new places, losing loved ones, building on relationships and more. It is also the year that I realized the fact, that I was never born to be thin. Not being a sore loser here, just keeping it real. I am after all, born and bred into a family where food binds us together. One of life’s greatest blessings! Above all, being in the pink of health is key.

As 2018 comes to a closure, TheFabulousRat supersedes am-suhaila, making a comeback, starting afresh with God’s will. May this comeback be a consistent one, with the aim of, ‘Keeping It Real.’

Meanwhile, Season’s Greetings everyone. Enjoy all the merry delicious food! Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year’s!

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One Year On….

The Fabulous Rat — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 03:32:26 +0000

5th Ramadhan 1437, a year on in the Hijri Calendar…..

5th Ramadhan 1436 – A date I will always remember.

It was the day you held on really tightly and then you let go. Forever. The first time I saw you on your sickbed. I fought my tears back so hard, I failed. You asked why I teared. I didn’t answer. Not that I didn’t have the answer. More of, you were too perfect to be in so much pain. Your kind soul did not deserve that much amount of pain. You had the kindest and gentlest of souls. It was as though I could feel, only part of the pain you were feeling – that was enough to leave me bursting into tears.

Nevertheless, I was happy when you called my name. I am consoled to have been able to spend your last 5 days with you. As much as I silently wished you were still around, I am consoled you left us in the blessed month of Ramadhan, this time, last year.

A matriarch figure, you led the family in your own way, a way only you were capable of. You were the last of the Dadis I ever had. You were a daughter, a wife, a mother, a mother in law and most importantly to me, you were my Dadi at birth. You were also my dearest, my best and my most perfect Dadi. The saying goes, “Nobody is perfect”… Nevertheless, looking back, I can only think of you in a manner, so perfect, so positive and flawless. Couldn’t ask for more. Maybe I’m biased. No I’m not, I beg to differ.

A person of few words, you were always filled with warmth and respected others, in your own quiet, gentle way. Often, when I came around with my maternal cousins or friends, you treated everyone nicely, with lots of love and warmth, your way. All my friends had very good and lasting first impressions of you. The fact that many remember you despite only having met you once, speaks for itself.

When it came to food, you always shared your food, every single bit of it, regardless of the amount. You always made sure everyone had something to eat. Even when in pain, on your sick bed, one of the things you would ask visitors would be, “Minum air..” (In English: Please have a drink of water). Your Iced Milos, Tehs and Samosas were the best, leaving me unsatisfied when I had the same things elsewhere.

It was, and is still, such a privilege to be your grandkid. When we were younger, every school holidays, you took us out to the then dream kids hangout, Parkway Parade. You introduced me to Funworld. You never failed to buy each and everyone of us a toy each. Our outings will end with a round of toy shopping. You somehow knew I wasn’t a toy person as a kid. Once, I decided on a walkman instead of a toy, and you simply agreed. Others would have said I was too young to own one back then. You spoilt all your grand kids, in your own good way. You taught us life lessons, in your own gentle way too.

You loved dressing up as much as I do. You always had the most sincere of compliments on my outfits at occassions. We could talk about lotions, make- up, fashion, tv dramas, almost anything and everything. You loved dining out at fancy places, as much as I do. You were just one cool Dadi anyone can ever have.

A year may have passed. At times, it all still feels like it was just yesterday. Still feels like it all happened so fast, too fast. Dadi dearest, with your very refined mannerisms, you were the epitome of kindness and love.

You left me, us, with many life’s lessons. Important ones. Above all, you taught and showed us the importance of being human, the importance of good mannerisms, the element of respect, which society today lacks. Big time.

Many remember you in a manner so positive. I miss you. We miss you. Badly. Still learning to live without you, we move on with the guidance of life’s elements you always emphasized on.

Best we can do, is to always remember you in our du’as (prayers). To my Dadi-dearest, the late Hajrahbee Binte Ahmad, May you be granted the highest level of Jannatul Firdaus, Inshaa Allah, Ameen.

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2015, looking back….

The Fabulous Rat — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 16:08:14 +0000

Sitting on a flight, with the passenger behind, placing her ~~foot~~ super smelly foot stuck in between my seat and the window (how rude and uninspiring), I looked at the calendar and just cannot believe that it is December, 22nd December, to be specific. 3 more sleeps to Christmas, 10 more sleeps to 2016. Where did January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November go? 2015 has been a year that has somehow zoomed past physically, yet somehow long, emotionally.

Having been a bit of an emotional roller coaster year, with testing and trying times, and at the same time, filled with sweet memories, 2015 has been a bittersweet year to be exact. The year I lost my beloved grandma, my Dadi-dearest of over 30 years. The year, I learnt, we learnt as a family, to learn and only keep learning, to live on without her physical presence.

January & February

Moments of decision-making. Trying moments of huge adjustments returning from halfway across the world. Bittersweeet.

March & April

Settling into reality being back in Aussieland. 48 months of being with the Mister.

The Nation (Singapore) lost its founding father of 50 years.

I still vividly remember that look on my Dadi-dearest’s face when she was first hospitalized. The uplifting moment when she saw the mere bouquet of flowers I got her, as she was in the hospital bed. BitterSweet.

May

Back to the other place we once looked upon as home, realizing how we missed it so much but as always, “We gotta do what we gotta do…” So near to our hearts, yet so far physically, we have to be.

Another close family member has been diagnosed with Monster-C.

My Dadi-dearest: I vividly remember how we had our video conference session. We joked, you smiled. I said I would come to see you soon. You said, when I come, you will eat. You smiled. BitterSweet.

June

Ramadhan. A huge part of Ramadhan was dedicated to my late Dadi-dearest. We met. I realized it may be our last moments together. I got to spend your last days with you, in fact up till your last hour. The moment came. You returned to HIM. A very trying month for me, for us all. BitterSweet.

July

Eid. A very different Eid. We missed you badly but we try to remember you in our various ways, reflecting upon the happy moments. Caught up with family over Eid. BitterSweet.

August

40days prayers for the one & only Dadi-dearest.

Expired lease = re-settling in.

SG50, without the nation’s founding father. BitterSweet.

September

Decided to surprise the Sissy with a crazy Garfield birthday cake. Mood uplifter.

Eiduladha.

Spent sometime with a lil friend whose Mom went on pilgrimage. Reflected on our many sacrifices. BitterSweet.

October

100 Days prayers for Dadi-dearest.

Bea’s Birthday.

Preparations for the Brother’s wedding began. BitterSweet.

November

The Big day has arrived – when it all happened. Bro’s big day after 33 years. Moments of reminiscing brought back tears, memories were made. BitterSweet.

December

Reflecting on 2015. Life is short indeed. Always try to fill it with love and appreciation. Remember to always be thankful for what we have. Have that feeling of content, that feeling of being grateful. Each breathing moment means a moment closer to the day we return to HIM. Regardless of our beliefs, we are living in a borrowed world. Life is short, live reasonably to the fullest, we seek for happiness and that element of inner peace. Whatever your belief may be, there is only one God, from him we come from and to him we return……

Dear 2015, you have been a BitterSweet year. Nevertheless, it has been an invaluable learning journey. Thankful for 2015. As we usher in 2016 in the upcoming calendar year, may we all be given all the strength, patience and lots of happiness and peace in all that we have in store! Have a lovely 2016 everyone! Here’s one of my favourite shots of 2015

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2014 – A Reflection…

The Fabulous Rat — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:07:01 +0000

In this last post of 2014, let’s take a moment to reflect on what has been an eventful year….2014 has been a hectic, eventful year, not only on a personal note, but also with the various happenings around the world – a year made of many pleasant and not so pleasant memories.

2014 has not been a pleasant year for flights, particularly, with the disappearance of MH370, the shooting down of MH17 and the crash of Air Asia QZ8501, amidst several other smaller plane incidents around the world. To all those involved in the crisis management of all these incidents – well done and thank you!

The Ebola virus epidemic also made its return in early 2014, and went on a rampage till late 2014. Likewise, the Israel-Gaza conflict deteriorated.

Of course, on the other hand, not forgetting the pleasant moments of 2014. 2014 is also the year that has brought the world together, as the world cheered on the FIFA World Cup which Germany won. The iPhone 6 was released.

The last days of 2014 has indeed become more challenging for the World, particularly Southeast Asia, with the crash of Air Asia QZ8501, the Malaysian floods kept worsening, not forgetting the storm in the Philippines. Many on board QZ8501 had intentions of heading overseas for New Year Celebrations but to no avail, simply heartbreaking…

As we bid goodbye to 2014, it is inevitable to reminisce on the various happenings of 2014. Some of us may have had that new addition to the family, some may have lost their loved ones. Regardless, another year’s of life’s lessons has been learnt. Above all, 2014 has been an eventful year, a year which we, as humans have heaps to learn from, a year to make us remember the basics of humanity with the occurrence of the various natural disasters, diseases and accidents. 2014 has indeed been an educational year that has taught us several of life’s lessons, the hard way for those directly involved in the various unpleasant incidents; a reminder to the rest of us as the audience.

One thing for sure that we have learnt from 2014, “what we have today may not be ours or with us anymore within a matter of a few seconds if HE says it’s not meant to be anymore.” This brings us back to the elements of appreciation. Let 2014 be a reminder for us all to appreciate our loved ones, appreciate what we already have and everything around us, for health, love and life can be lost in a matter of seconds. Being ecstatically happy right now may not necessarily mean that things would be the same the next moment.

In this ever crazy busy, competitive world, it is important to always remember to set aside time and efforts for that moment of appreciation – appreciation for ourselves and appreciation for others. Lesser complaints, lesser arguments and just be thankful may sometimes be the one easy key to sanity! At times, in the midst of our busy schedules, we may fail to notice that a simple “Thank You” makes a big difference and goes a long way.

As we sum up 2014, and look towards 2015 with all positivity, amidst all that 2015 New Year celebrations, we ought to remember the less fortunate and those in grief.

To those who have lost loved ones in the various unpleasant plane incidents (QZ8501, MH17, MH370), may HE give them strength to move on for the better no matter how painful it may be, the road to recovery may not be a smooth easy one but what doesn’t kill will only add on to that inner strength eventually…

Goodbye 2014, may 2015 be a better year for us all, a year filled with positivity and happiness. Thank you to the Almighty for allowing the rest of us to remain in this borrowed world for a bit longer. May we all have a better year ahead, a better 2015, InshA….

Happy New Year 2015 Everyone!

What the future holds, only HE knows…

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