International Cultural Day at Mariya School

Date : 10 February 2017 (Friday)


Yesterday, was the international cultural day at Mariya International School. My children are required to dress up in our national costumes and also had to prepare for a short speech about something important in the country. Need to also bring some traditional delicacies of the home country - which for us is Malaysia. 


The thing is, the school gave instructions 1 day before yesterday, which was on Wednesday requesting for all the above. The traditional costume and the important picture part is definitely easy as we can just print out from google and my children do have Baju Melayu and Baju Kurung as their traditional dresses during last Eid 2016. Here are my children yesterday with their traditional attire. Fatini had already outgrown her Baju Kurung and thus she is wearing dress in this picture. Faiq is wearing Baju Melayu a traditional malay dress for men. The weather yesterday was warm and cosy around 16 degree c. It has been very cold around 9 degree c these past days but luckily yesterday was warm enough.

But the traditional food part, oh mannnnn I am not good with cooking especially those traditional deserts. So, I quickly searched the internet for some sweet traditional desert in Malaysia  and decided to make Seri Muka. Saudian like sweet deserts that one I know for sure thru my interactions with my Quran class which I attended since 1 and a half year ago ( will blog about my Quran Class later as this is new this blog). Referred to the following food blog for my kueh seri muka.

http://aziejaya.blogspot.com/2014/09/kuih-seri-muka-istimewa-azie-kitchen.html


Since I only have the steamer but do not have the plate called 'talam' to make kueh seri muka, I started to google for easier recipes which is sort of similar but I can use oven. Found out that BIngka Bakar is of the similar taste as kueh seri muka minus the glutinous rice part layering underneath. Asked my neighbour for the talam but they have yet to reply me. I need to act quick or else I will have enough time to cook. Here is recipe for kueh bakar:


http://aziejaya.blogspot.com/2016/06/kuih-bakar-pandan-mudah-dan-sedap.html


So, I decided to make kueh makar instead of the famous Seri Muka. The soaked glutinous rice I planned to do 'Pulut Kuning'  for our meal at home since my children loves the dish. Half way thru making the barter for Bingka Bakar, my neighbour sent the talam. since I already made double the size of barter for Bingka Bakar, and really want to try making seri muka, I have to split the pandan layer into 2 sets.


So here are the traditional delicacies that I made, Instead of 1 dish, it became 2 dishes. Alhamdulillah the trial cook was successful. 

 Kueh talam baking in the oven

Kueh Seri muka in the steamer 

The end product after cooled

Straining off the pandan barter to make both talam bakar and kueh seri muka.


The children came back from school very happy. Faiq said that at school he was filmed for this speech about the Petronas Twin Towers - KLCC which is the tallest twin tower in the world. Happy children makes a happy mommy. Signing off now as it is already 4 am in the morning.


Lot's of Love,
Nor Farihan Mohd Yatim
Jubail, Saudi Arabia



  

Medical checkup for School Registrarion

Backdated post Date: 6 June 2015


We went to the nearest hospital for the children medical checkup. By the way, we also did our medical checkup for iqama here too. So, since our records are already there, we just maintain the same hospital then. It was a rather an easy test of blood check and a simple medical check ups. Maybe because the children had gone thru a more thorough test for Iqama earlier and their info are already in the system. 


Easy peasy. School Medical Check-ups done!


Lot's of Love,
Nor Farihan Mohd Yatim
Jubail, Saudi Arabia 

Baby cried for the prick blood test

Registering our children to Saudi School - Registration Form at Mariya International School

Backdated post Dated : 3rd June 2015 (Wednesday)


So, we finally received our children's assessment result and alhamdulillah they have passed the test. So now, time to register. We went to school to get the registration form and seek the necessary information that we need to know with regards to the school, our children's needs, school requirements, etc. 


There are a few part of the form which as usual the Letter of Undertaking, parents and children's particulars, medical report, school bus (do not have to fill this up if the children is going to school by private transport i.e by parents etc.)


After all the information are ready, we then submitted the forms together with medical reports. I will share below the registration forms and what not for references. Will also share the medical procedures taken for school entry undergone by my children.


Lot's of Love,
Nor Farihan Mohd Yatim
Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Assessment Test for School Admission

Backdated post dated : 3rd June 2015


Since we are new to the school, my children had to be put under assessment test before they could enter any International school here in Saudi. After the result of pre-screening is out, then only the children will be allowed to register for the school.


We initially pre-select AL-Moattasem to send our children and wanted to book for screening test. But since their pre-screening test was supposed to be the week after. We then went to Mariya International school and get to book the screening test a few days after going there.


My children's assessment test at Mariya International School was scheduled at 10.50 am. Went out as early as 9.30 am from the house to make sure that we reached the school on time.  

Faiq was put thru Level 1 test even though he should by right be place for level 2. Why? because remember that we arrived end January and we get to have our Iqama in April. Since Faiq did not have any Level 1 school certificate, so he had to go thru Level 1 test instead. Schools in Saudi, similar to the ones in the UK starts in the Autumn around September each year.   

Fatini was put thru for Level KG3 (kindergarten 3) assessment test. Note also that children who is born after June will be put on higher level compared to  their peer who was born on the same year but before June. I am not sure is such rulings applies but that too took part on the selection of school children's level. In Malaysia school system starts in January and finishes around November each year. 


The differences between Saudi and Malaysia is the one that made Faiq loses 1 year. Well, if he is in Malaysia he is still the same as his peers since schools starts in September but unlike Fatini, she is advanced 1 year than her other peers of her same age in Malaysia. What the heck that I am mumbling about?! It is just levels. As long as the children gets to learn at school it is fine already, right? Which school, what level that they are admissioned into does not matter as long at the are doing OK and blends well at schools. 


Here is the scene at the screening hall and registration area. Parents were waiting outside for the children. I also observed that there are lot of Saudian parents at the registration area. It is good that most Saudis are more open now and start sending their children to International schools to tighten up the English.


Result are out the week after. If the children passes the test, then their parents could come to the Admission and Finance office for fees payment and register straight away. I will update in my next post on the registration part.


Lot's of Love,
Nor Farihan Mohd Yatim

Inside the screening test hall where Faiq and Fatini took their assessment test. 

Baby's 1st Day at Playschool - Smart Zone Jubail

Backdated Post Date : 3rd May 2015


The other day after her 1st shooling day at Smart Zone. Where's Faiq? Sleeping. And those scratches on her face was when she played with faiq. It was minor actually but my Fatini keeps on touching the area and the scar widened.


Was it hard for Fatini to go to her school? Yes, initially especially when her brother get to stay at home and she had to go to school. But later on as she enjoys her school, plus she get to play with schoolmates, learning new things; getting her up early for school is no longer difficult.


May you grow up to be independent, genius, pious, successful, knowledgeable leader dear child. Lot's of love from mommy.