Remembering My Mom

Been a while since I last posted. Been busy with so many things around. hard to pin point about it.Anyway, today's post is about my Mom.

I had a moment right before my nap today as i was exhausted....remembering about a particular things my Mom used to do when I was growing up. Wanna hear the story?....here's anyway...

Being a single mother for most of her life, trying to make her ends meat wasn't easy I guess. But i want to concentrate on one thing that I used to do with her. She used to sell all the 'ulam-ulam' or local veggies,edible greeneries at a night market twice a week near a military camps in Sg.Udang in Melaka. I sometimes follow her but most of the time in one of the weekly night, she doesn't want me to go because it's a school night.But i do still go sometimes since i get my way crying to follow her. I think I was about 7-9 maybe...can't remember exactly.

So many preparations that she does before taking all of her finding around the villages to sell. She had a few friends that supply her the items that they planted or outgrown. My Mom herself planted several fruit plants and veggies for it too such as 'cili padi' hot peppers, 'daun ulam raja','petai','jering',lemongrass...that i can remember. She will get the 'beremi','pengaga' and other stuffs frm her contacts and finding including belacan and cencaluk that sometimes she will make it herself. She can also weave, you know what we called the beach weave mat? We in Malaysia use it to cover the concrete floors. If she have to climb the trees herself, she will do that too. She was a women with many talents now that I think about it. After gathering all of this stuffs, she will packed it together in a few bags and carry it to the bus station to catch a ride with the public bus. And with me sometimes helping what ever I can.More in trouble then anything but hey! I do help too especially carrying the light stuffs ;) Anything that can be sell and either she doesn't have to pay for it or pay it at a minimum frm her supplier weekly.

Once we get to the location, she will find her spot, using her weave mat/canvas...she will spread it on the road that was blocked for that time for the night market.Sometimes she had to squezze and ask permission to sit next to the stall but once a regular, she normally had her spot....sort off. Everything is fresh and locally grown with no pesticides, so we normally have to try to sell everything that night and trying to minimize the lost. The night market only open for a few hours frm aroun 5-8pm........but there's a lot of crowd so the possibility were exciting.It's business, there's a good night and bad nights. As always. I will sometimes ask a few pennies and find my bargain...I guess that where I got my skills huh? I will wonder around the night market and find my things or simply just buy Burger Ramlee for RM1 at that time or maybe less. I couldn't remember that details...but I know i always asked for burger for dinner if I go with her. Going home in a bus with that breezy night air, i always ended up sleeping in the bus or sometimes  not. But i always enjoy my time with her at the night market 'pasar malam'.

She also made some few friends around there with different businesses. I remember there 1 particular one who owned a restaurant near there and we always talk to her while waiting for our bus rides home. Everytime I passed by that place, I always remember my times with my Mom and how different it look now the last time I saw it. But memories was meant to last forever in your heart as long as you want to revisit it occasionally and not forgetting where you come from. It made be humble and appreciate for all her hardwork to make some $$ to raise and support me and my brother at that time with the best she can and I'm glad that I did studying hard forr her too and being the best that i can.Most of use who were still schooling at that time have a small government scholarship, so it help her a little.

I didn't experience the harder life like my sisters and older brother face earlier in their life as I was too young or not even born, but at least this memory is mine. We had a hard life, being poor and with no stabile income Mom. But the hardlife always help us push harder to some of us of coz and for that I thank you very much.

I miss you Mom.....very much. I know you are in a better place and I want you to know that Jeffrey will know about how great you are as a strong woman. I will tell him all the stories that I can remember without being a shame of my past. I never did.........I'm proud of my past and you make me who I am...strong  like you.
 I love you
Al-Fatihah.

Our year end Summary

Hello from The Sookram to you….

This year started very interesting, Mommy and Jeffrey gone back to Malaysia for 1 month and have a fabulous time with family and friends there. Went there for business conference for a few days but decided to stay for a few more weeks. Mommy ticket was paid for. How sweet huh? Jeffrey is such a good traveler and Mommy didn’t have a hard time with him. Can’t ask more from an almost 3 yrs old at that time but I think he did wonderful. He is great world traveler at a very young age J

In a Spring Mommy decided to take a few classes to get her real estate license. So she enrolled for class in June till August. It’s been a crazy summer. With night classes, exams and studying, we pretty much missed the beautiful Summer season this year . :(

Jeffrey started his Montessori class this summer and love going to school. We evaluated his speech too as he doesn’t speak that much in words before he started to go to school, but they OPS evaluators told us that he is fine. Maybe we will evaluate him again in a few months just to see whether is up to his age group in terms of speaking. No doubt that he is so much better since he started school. Getting much clearer with his words but we …I mean Daddy… still worries. Mommy don’t worry so much as he is already non-stop talking! He’ll be fine.

We also lost Grandpa Beatty and that was really sad for the family. But he is in a better place and may he rest in peace. We are glad that we got to see him a few weeks before he passed and played dominos together for one last time.

Daddy is very busy at work as usual and have his up and down days. But he is strong and talented, and is tackling it day by day and try not to abandon us so much. He also moved to a new office building next to the main building. Nice place. We think he did a better job this year trying to spend more quality time at home and occasionally we will take a ‘Family Nap Time’ on the weekend together lol J

Mommy passed her real estate license exam on her 1st trial and she is currently working with NP Dodge Real Estate now at the Lakeside office with her own cubicle and all. Back to work after 5 yrs….kind of weird. She also sold her 1st house on her 1st mth. She needs some business right now, so hook her up with someone you know that need advice or help finding or selling home please.

Mommy brother Dali and his family came and visited us for 2 days during their trip to America. It’s a short visit but we have a good fun times at least when they were here. Glad they finally made it after a few years of planning and not being able to.

We closed the year with the sad news. Mommy beloved brother in law Melan passed away after a few months battles with medical problems at the hospital. And we also lost Grandma Ruth Beatty on Christmas’ Eve…6 mths after Grandpa was gone…she followed. We were glad that we got to celebrate early X’mas celebration with her at least a few weeks ago. May their souls being blesses by God and granted them a place in heaven. Memorial for her will be held in mid-Jan 2010.

We have been hit pretty hard with snowstorm after another at the end of this year. The most snow I’ve seen ever since I live in Nebraska. Christmas gatherings were pretty much cancelled everywhere since people cannot go out and go anywhere. Roads are bad to travel. So Ho…Ho…Ho…X’mas to some. White X’mas that is at least.

We are hoping that you and your family is having a wonderful year as we do partly. And hope that coming of the years will be even better for all of us. We wish you have a wonderful Holiday together with your family and if you are traveling during this festive season, drive safely.

My Brother Dali and his family visit

After waiting for almost 4 yrsf or them to come to our home, they finally did it. Very short trip of them staying with us but glad they made it safe despite some blizzard condition on the way to our home. Thanks so much to them for making it here and hope the short trip that they spent with us was fun. We went sledding and they play with a lot of snow as we got tones of it when they were here.More than a foot snow on the ground and they went out and played in the snow in the coldest day of the year. It was -16degree Celsius out there. They were not really well gear for the snow outfit but my nephew Danial can'tstop playing in the snow even when his butt is almost frozen...lol. It was too cold even to make a snow man that day...no one want to be out in the cold that long.

Wish i have more time to bring my sister in law and my lovely niece Nadia out for shopping around town, so much to cover yet so little time. Hope they will plan to stay longer the next time....come back soon girls! We need to have a girl's night out....more shopping that is... ;) wink...wink..

Jeffrey really had a great time with his uncle and play all day with his cousin Danial. He didn't even want to sleep  at night till almost midnite as he wants to be with them all the time. He will miss you guys and already asking 'Where's Pok Teh?'. After he went back to school, he was telling stories...in his own expression that is...not sure any of his friends really understood him that well but they glad to see some photos that I printed on paper for him to show his friend at school.His teacher told me that he was so excited to tell the story and went like a bullet train. hahahahha.

I organised a last minute dinner with my in law, his brother and Mahesh close friend to come and join us to meet my brother's family. Thanks Mom & Dad, Dev & Sheila and Vik & Sherri for coming. We appreciate it very much and I'm glad my brother got to meet some of the most important people in our live here in Omaha.

They left back frm LA to Kuala Lumpur tonite and hope they had  a wonderful trip. Next time bawak real camera OK? Hope my other family will soon following to come and visit us. ;)

My Brother in Law Passed Away

Taken last Feb'09 during our visit for a few days

Last Eid Raya in Melaka, our hometown and my old Mom's house.

His 7 kids

Al-Fatihah

to Sergeant Haji Melan Bin Omar's Family

Passed on 2 Dec 2009 at the age of 62

Just got news last night that he passed away just b4 midnite. The bad news that I never want to get eventhough I know it was coming. Feeling sad and helpless as I am far away but he is my  prayers and also for my nieces,nephews,his 3 grandkids and especially my sister Melah. Called them and wishes they will be strong and 'reda' with the situation.

He's been since for the last 2.5 mth since Eid/Raya Aidilfitri. He was having so many physical medical failure and his organs were failing one by one. He had lost so much weights frm the picture above that I took the last time we saw him in Johor Bharu,Malaysia last Feb'09, to left just skinny him that is unrecognizable than our normal very bubbly 'Pak Ngah'.

I've been calling my sister every now and then since he was admitted and the last I called he was very ill and I know I won't be able to see him again.He is in a better place as we don't want him to suffer like what he did the last few months. He can't really eat at all as his body can't process any food at all. His liver just failed. We always loves him and known him as a guy who loves to eat. And seeing him at the end of his life not been able to eat and pretty much starving till his past away, are heartbreaking. He never complaint about food not being nice, he is always eat what was served to him with such pleasure.

I remember when I was young and how he will drive me and his 1st son Ijan with his Vespa scooter,( which by the way they still have it in front of their house-non working but have so much memories with that scooter to pass it on as junk) around his place at that time and sometime pick us up frm the bus station / airport when me and my Mom visited them. I will sit right in front in that foot rest scooter area and just enjoyign the breeze wind that come on my face. Love that moments. He was like a father really because I was so little when he and my sister got married and treat me like his own when he was with me.The age gap btwn me and my nephew his 1st born is just 1 year. So we played well when we were little. It just that they moved and travel a lot as a Military family. Been to JB,Kuching and Pengkalan Chepa as their based of home before settling down in Kulai, Johor. He was a medical assistant in the army before working as a medical assistant/pharmacist in the Univ. of Technology in Skudai. He was always travelling with lots of different type of pills.....that we know we can always count on during family vacation/events. We know who to ask because 'The Doctor' was in the house. And he knows more people in my village than us too sometimes especially the 'masjid'/mosque people as he always prefer to pray at the mosque as it is vey close to our home. We will missed you dearly Abang Melan...very much so.

I am chocked while writing this. You don't know how much you will miss someone till they are gone.

December is a month that is very unfavorable to me right now. Too many family members passed away during this month for the last few years.

To my sister Melah, my nieces and nephews, be strong and don't be so sad. He was a wonderful father to you and remember him always in your heart and what he believe in and what he wants best for the family.

Al-Fatihah.

My Son..The So Sweet Boy

He can be soooo sweet sometimes, he would notice anything that catch his eyes and compliment it. He will say "You look beautiful Mommy" or "That's nice" is he sees me wearing something nice. How sweet is that? Even his Dad sometimes didn't say that and not as much...Sorry Daddy...no offense..I guess the Montessori education really blossom him to a nice proper toddler.

Yesterday, he asked me earlier to cook him ramen noodles while I was busy in the kitchen. I did cook it after a few minutes and then called for him as he was playing and trying to read by himself at the sofa, when he saw i cooked the noodle for him and ready for him to eat it, he run to me, hug me and told me this             "Thank you Mommy, Thank you" ...like estasticly and so happy that I did that for him. I never sees him that grateful and excited...especially over ramen noodle! Mee maggie lah...I wish i have my digital video/camera at that time....PRECIOUS!!!! so precious!

Of course he will acts like a 3 year old.....give me a hard time. But I'm glad he is a normal boy and is actually a Happy Boy. He teacher told me that he sings all the time while doing his work at school. hahahaha...even at home too sometimes and non stop talking now!His speech is still not as clear but waaaayyyy better than early this year. So much progress and the most difficult word that he can say is "kalamari" seriously. He eats it too...I let him till he knows what he is eating...hahahahaha...but hey..I love 'sotong'!Kalamari that is.

Bead in his Nose

Jeffrey's teacher called me at work today and told me that he had an incident at school. He put the bead that he was supposed to count  with others beads up in his nose. The teachers can't pull it out and he is crying asking for 'Mommy'. So i rushed there as soon as I can but on the way there I guess they managed to get it out after a few big blow and by the time I get there, he is find. So I hug him, kiss and a few mins after say bye2 as I have appointment that I need to go.

What a day, almost admitted to ER....close....but not that bad yet. hopefully never!

Mommy a Realtor now... ;)

After a looooong few months of going back to study for real estate...Finally it's all done and done. No more exams. Passed and got my license and I'm a Realtor now. Thanks for my family and friends who wished and prayed for me to get tru' this.

Now I have to start working daily and go to the office now when Jeffrey is at school. Wish me luck for this new career. Now a different stress will linger I'm sure on the bad days. But it would be ok. I know I always have you guys support. Muaaaahhhhh!

Thanks to my husband for hanging there and helping to be home when I need to study. Love u hon!

Paid Swimming Lesson

We started sending him to swimming class last weekend for 30min every Sat and will last for 10 weeks for only $22...can't beat that!!! but i had to que in line weeks ago at 7am in the morning just to enroll him. 1st come 1st serve and space are limited.

He seems to enjoy if for the 1st class, so hopefully he will show some progress.

Thanks Daddy for being with him in the water. ;)

Gatal Tangan- Scissor's incident

I started giving him a small scissor that is curve at the end so he can start leaning to cut the paper and keep stressing to him."Scissor only with paper".

He did well for days but then he can't resist to do this.....memang gatal lah tangan tuu...

So no more scissor for him for now...

Selamat Hari Raya /Eid Mubarak

We missed the Eid prayer again this year. I tried so hard to make it and actually looking forward for it to meet my friends there and still.........too bz trying to prepare for the Potluck Gathering for the Malaysian & Indonesian. I didn't cook that much this time, just Beef Rendang,Ketupat,Lemang, Nasi Lemak,Sambal and Kuah Kacang/Peanut sauce. The rest that was on the table was brought by some of my Asian guests. Thanks girls! Love ya!

Time and time again I sometimes ask why i keep doing this? but if I don't , it won't feel like Eid. So I'm just not doing this for my family, I'm doing this also for others and sharing the beautiful cultures and food of the authentic Malaysian & Indonesian food this time.

Thanks for all who made it and created the memory with us. We highly appreciate it.

I do miss the Raya celebration in Malaysia very much with my HUGE family, It's been 4 yrs since I last celebrate it with them, we hope to be there soon for the Raya celebration in the near future :(

Series of video

Happy 3rd Birthday Jeffrey!

early celebration in his class

He did that all by himselves while we were watching tv

No party today but will be doing alittle one next week during Husker game day. Since it's fasting month, nothing much that we can do for him in a day time. Bought a great gift...his 1st laptop. Hoping we would love it. Mommy and Daddy wants him to be advance a little of letters and number. It's time Jeffrey...to be smart. Today, we will be visiting Grandpa & Grandma to celebrate his birthday and also to attend his 2nd cousin 16th birthday in Lincoln. That's why we couldn't have any party this weekend.

Since yesterday, he started to ask 'Why'. Oh dear...here we goes....those questions of why about every single things. He is more talkative now but still need to work on his pronounciation. Getting better for sure and his vocabulary is expanding rapidly.

He is getting hard to control and very naughty lately. Didn't want to listent to Mommy and act and like to scream or talk loud in public. Always get into trouble. Now not so fun going shopping with him anymore. Sigh.....there goes my baby...now becoming a big boy. But still want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy...cheh!

Anyway my boy...Happy 3rd Birthday frm Mommy and Daddy and we love you very much my prince!

Wow!!! Been a Long Time!!

I haven't get on this for quit a while due to a very bz days for the past 2 months. Things getting better but not over yet with my exam. I am determined to get my real estate license by the mid of September if i can. Right before Eid if I possible. Pray for me that I will pass this exam. It's a very difficult exam and most people have to take a 2nd one to pass.

It was a great summer weather wise. Unfortunately, I didn't able to really enjoy it with my family as my crazy schedule. We did a few things that we can, went to The Wiggles concertin KAnsas City, The Aerospace Museum, Zoo, Children Museum, but that's pretty much it. Didn't really enjoy the outdoor activity that much.

Mahesh on the other side did manage to spent some quality time with Jeffrey while I was bz by bringing him to fly kite and play at Zorenski's Lake nearby. Great quality time they had I presumed.

Summer is over I think. It's been a realy nice weather lately. Looking forward for the fall

With this too, I'm wishing Selamat Menyambut RAmadhan for my family in MALAYSIA and all of my friends around the world. Yes it's that time of year again...fasting month. Meaning the Eid Celebration will be on the 20th September overhere in America.

Till then...

Grandpa Ralph Beatty's Funeral

Jul 9, 1921 - Jun 27, 2009

Lee's Summit, MO, formerly of Peru, NE. He was born in Adams, NE.

Ralph served with the Navy SeaBees during WWII.

Survived include his wife, Ruth of Lee's Summit, MO; children, Sharon Maynard of Omaha; Karen (Lilchandra) Sookram, Lincoln, NE; Rex (Kathy) Beatty, of Auburn, NE; James (Barbara) Beatty, Lee's Summit, MO; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grand-children; brothers David Beatty of Vail, AZ, Cecil Beatty, Tucson, AZ, Carol Beatty, Peru, NE; sister Lois Eller, Simi Valley, CA; other relatives and friends.

It was sad....he was almost 88 yrs old next week. But he is in a better place and doesn't have to suffer anymore as his physical was starting to fail on him.

He was actually the only Grandpa that I really known and spent time with.Love his bigand very strong hugs and will missed that for sure.

May you rest in peace Grandpa Beatty.

We all love you and will always remember your legacy.