Friends and Kids

Babah told me that a friend from Birmingham wanted to come to visit us on last Sunday. I suggested to invite Ariff and Dina too. They live close to our house, but we have never invited them for a proper meal yet.

Dina

Before going to sleep on Saturday night, I made a plan on what to do and cook for the next day. Our living room could do with some tidying up. I visualised myself tidying up the kids' toys, straightening the cushions, hoovering the carpet, dusting the surfaces and the bathroom needed a quick spruce up. By the way, it's difficult to hoover the stairs so I needed to use a broom to clean it up. I tried to remember to clear the garbage too. Of course every room needed to be spick and span, incase our guests would want to enter for prayers.

Then, I pictured myself cooking something extraordinary, from starters, main dish, desserts and drinks must be something special. I had lots to do!

I fell asleep while still planning for the next day. But I was soon woken up by "Mama... Mama..." the usual roll call by Sarah to make sure that I sleep next to her. Then she started to cry and coughed. Later Amar woke up too and started coughing. Both had a slight high temperature. That night, I just couldn't return to sleep. Not only that I felt like being sandwiched by two very hot heaters, but because Sarah and Amar woke up every 15-30 minutes because they were coughing, whining and couldn't breathe properly. Sarah constantly talked in her sleep too and vomited at 4.20 in the morning.

Sunday morning came. Both kids were down with fever. I knew then that it was going to be a challenging day. Still I tried my best to do a spring clean. Luckily Babah was at home, so he helped too.



At 1pm, Babah's friend - Joe called from Birmingham that he was already on his way. I haven't started cooking yet! It felt so much like "Ready, Steady, Cook" show where the chefs have to produce the meals in 20 minutes.






The menu just had to be easy and fast to cook. So I made something very ordinary nasi putih, home-made seafood tomyam, ikan bakar, air asam, ayam goreng berempah and salad timun as the main dish. Special sirap bandung and teh tarik for drinks. Unfortunately starters and desserts were prepacked from the shop: Chocolate cake and Ice cream with waffle.

Sarah, Amar and Uncle Ariff

All of our guests arrived around 2.30pm. Sarah and Amar, despite being unwell, both lingered around Ariff. During makan-time, Sarah watched a DVD lying down in the living room(!) and Amar had his midday nap in the room upstairs. We all ate and ate until Amar gave a loud cry from upstairs. He continued crying inconsolably wanting only Babah. Poor Babah had to stay with Amar for a good 40 minutes upstairs to tame him down. I don't remember Amar behaving like that before.

Sarah watching Aquamarine

We felt sorry to our guests too. It was very impolite of our children but I really hope our guests understand that they were ill that day.

Amar budak chempong

As I'm writing this, I'm being sandwiched by Sarah and Amar again. They are still considerably ill. It's heartbreaking to see them sick and there's nothing much that I could do to take their pain away. It is also sad when you see Amar crying struggling to tell you what's bothering him. I'm sorry you all. I prefer to bring good news only (especially because I try not to get the grandparents worry too much) but do please pray for them to be well again.