The Tale of 2 Cities in 2 weeks

Leeds City

Inside the Magnificent Victoria Quarter, Leeds.

Our 2nd home, Lister Court, 19 Cunliffe Road.

What's this boy up to now huh?

Leeds City for a quick stroll..It took us around 20 minutes by train to get to Leeds city from Bradford Foster Square station..Too bad, it was pouring when we arrived, but the crowds were still swarming the streets like little ants crawling for work..Guess drops of rain doesn't stop their endeavour at all. Poor Nuryn and Zeidan had to endure this with only a small umbrella, and there's no point when we had to walk in an open street and wind came blowing right on!!

We didn't take that many picture of the city due to this, but we had a good time eating and shopping..We went to Dixy chicken, now we can taste the real Peri-peri sauce,splendid indeed!!

Manchester City

GOING to Manchester was not our initial plan. But , we had to deliver some of Mummy's cousins stuff from Brunei here instead of going to Norwich..So, we did and it took us about an hour by train from Bradford Interchange Station to Victoria Station with only 19 pounds for 3 adults and a child..That's the beauty of purchasing your ticket in advance, online!!..good job Ayah!!Once we reached the station we were being greeted by two friendly faces, Mummy's cousin and her friend who was very nice and charming he is..we walked passed the city, where we saw alot of street performers who many had reached stardom in the show biz..

Then we hopped on a bus to the Trafford centre, the biggest shopping malll in town..the bus ride took another 30 minutes or so, and there Mummy's eye start to popped out to witness the arrays of shops and stores.. WOW, just so breathtaking she thought silently...

Watch out you're my NEXT shopping haven

Just passing by Old Trafford Stadium, sorry not a big fan of football..Manchester Eye

Mummy's l'il cousin who goes to Manchester University

First, we pop in tonnes of balls, it works like a sucking vacuum cleaner

Then it followed plastic tubes and flopped on this thing, where u pull a trigger and it landed back to where it came from..Need someone with Physic to explain this!sigh!We had a BALL in the Child centre called Chere, just next to Nando's where we had our lunch..we ended calling the day after fully combing and scaling the stores from one end to another..Just to get the sweet aroma of shops and shoppers buzzing around!!

Yacht atmosphere inside the food court

Intan with Aleef & Zati our tour guide for the day

NOT just me n kids anymore

Week 1

In the ferry's wheel aka Bradford eye

Strolling down the city

Our winter food

It's our 1st week in Bradford, and the weather is always cold and chilly..Kids love it, we love it though it can be painful when u stand out far too long..

Bradford is a small town and practically quite..Mummy on the other hand , is adjusting to the smaller place and thirst for shopping..It's purely her thing to shop at any deals she can get eventhough the prices are doubled here due to our currency exchange of approximately

BND$1 = 2.20pounds...

Everytime we leave the house, Mummy will ensure that kids are well dressed..Hat, scarf, gloves, winter jacket,fleece jacket are the main gears that could still be a challenge for Mummy and Ayah..Oh well, it takes time to adjust to a new habitat!

Our very first trip was of course grocery store Tesco...We get around the places by taxis and bus..Not our ritual back home, but it's a breeze and convenience though!!The fares for each trip ranges from 3-4 pounds..still cheap and everywhere is within 5-10 minutes distance.

There's a park called Lister Park nearby, butcher house and pharmacist are also within walking distance.It is surely indeed a stategic living area..

Having coffee and pasty at Bradford interchange..

The house that needs to be cleaned up but will only maintain its structure for barely 30 minutes or less..
Little help from the messer himself..

3 days, 10,000 miles later, +8 hours GMT

Looking happy at departure hall in Dubai, leaving for London

Thursday, 4th Dec 2008, 8:15 pm...

Time to leave my family and friends to join my other half for a new adventure in England. we landed at Dubai ariport 8 hours later, 4.30 a.m Dubai time. Did'nt have much time, but to change Zeidan and ready to catch the next connecting flight.

Just when we're ready to take off, the aeroplane came to a halt..Technical diffculties..we watied for update from the captain , feeling anxious and miserable for we've been dreading in our seat for mroe than 3 hours.. everytime announcement break the air, my hear stopped..Then the final annoucement , the UNthinkable, we had to disembark the plane at 7a.m.and hopped on a no-seat bus, argh!!kids are restless, infact they were still sleeping when we moved them. And the weather was cold!

Friday, 5th Dec , Story of our life

At the arrival terminal, we waited with patiently but somehow it really tested mine..There were no food or drink offered, and we're stranded like some fugitive..kids are feeling agitated coz from my watch they haven't eaten a proper meal for more than 12 hours..Finally, a representative told us to aboutt he situation, there were 2 options..1) To fly with emirate at 4.p.m. same day or 2) Fly with RBA at 2.a.m. As much was I wanted to see my other half, i chose to fly with RBA considering that they are few Bruneains on board with us..OUr saviuor of course these two ladies, they've been very concern about us especially the kids. They are like our guardian angel who look after our well-being..

Heart-warming Saadatena Abdullah n her kind niece Nurul, who make everything possible

At the arrival terminal for 3hours

Can feel their excitment after a long morning at the airport..

Inside a bus heading to Flora Creek Apartment in Dubai

The hotel provided us rooms and food.It's a blessing at least to have place for them to rest and clean up..We also didn't miss a chance to go to the mall of Emirates, and it was spectacular..hundreds boutiques, 2 department stroe and ski dubai all under one roof.. although excited it didn't stop my mind thinking about the agony of being stranded and scared about what to come.

A glimpse of Burj Al Arab

Inside the Mall of Emirates, too tired and weary

Delicious meal for dinner before take off

Our dinner fillet Mignon

Living room

After dinner, a bus picked us at 11.30 pm to the airport..the next road block is to get us all seats on RBA, our very own national carrier who didnt bother to booked us any seats. My GOD!!Have they forgotten about their responsibilities..Only few of us had thier seats available,we tried to push hard and negotiate but they only have seat for the two ladies, myself n kids but not my sis-inlaw and other 7 Bruneians.I can't leave her and knowing this I burst into tears and start questioning god..Why does this all happen to us, i asked for more strength to succumb this..The nice ladies however, sacrifice their seats to join us and fly with emirates witht rest of BRuneains and we have one hour before the next flight..

Saturday, 6th Dec 1.300a.m. Dubai

We hopped on to another bus in the cold and windy morning to the Emirates terminal. The adrenaline just keep on pumping, the staff forgotten to bring along paper document to acknowledge our transfers from RBA to emirates..We still started to feel agitated and depressed..Poor Zeidan tucked on Mummy's arm for a long 3 hours not knwoing what's goin on..Nuryn has been a superstart for being abnle to cope with all this, but it;s still unfair to them not to my kids my precious..Their sleep deprived, restless, tired, jet lag etc...and all Ican tell her is we're going to see Ayah very soon..She looked as if she can't wait much longer but she's really a star..

warm n cosy in Mummy's arm

At the Emirates terminal, for another hour

As soon as we get our names checked in, we rushed to the passport checkpoint and to my despair Nuryn does'nt have her boarding pass. Without hesitation Nurul rushed back to the check in counter and dash back again to get Nuryn's boarding pass...We have at least 15 minutes before take off, and it's a long run inside the terminal..Everyone ran hysterically, panting without breath afraid that we'll miss the flight..We reach the point in less than 6-7 minutes and its 10 minutes to take off!!It turned out that check point is still pact with other passengers, which is a great relief..

back to back entertainment, all aired at the same time

Nuryn is not camera friendly lately

Saturday, 6th Dec, 3.45a.m. Dubai

We took off behind schedule, but what the heck we're all on board and going to London at last
Nuryn is just so glorious, seeing her Ayah.

At 7.50 a.m we touch down at Heathrow Airport London..

Upon arrival the Unthinkable thing happened again, what a jinx I might say..We lost ALL our luggage..5 bags, 2 boxes and a stroller..And we're the only passengers who experience this. At this point I couldn't bear at any more, tears streamed down my face and left the area to see my better half..The person that I've been longing to see..The most precious item in our lugga is Zeidan n Nuryn like ppwder..In London, we stayed at my cousin's place for the night.

Sunday, 7th Dec, 3.a.m.

Kids had their good sleep after the whole catasthrope, Nuryn had 12 hours sleep and woke up at 3.a.m. followed by Zeidan an hour later.Through out our journey, we're blessed and thankful that we arrived safely..and extra thankful for not having to carry our luggae.

The journey took three taxis and 2 trains, starting from airport to Cousin's house, then taxi again to Kingston Station..We catch 11.15 a.m. train to reach Leeds Station whick took 2hour 15 minutes before interchange to Bradford, which took another 10 minutes.

IN the train going to Foster Square, Bradford

4.30 p.m. we reached the place our home for the next 6 month..Miracle happen..we receive a text from delivery express saying that our luggage will be arriving in hour time..Alhamdullillah, our pain and burden just subsided when receiving this message..

Finally, it;s a blessing in disguise for my husband..not having to carry all these all the way from London..

After what had happen, it really wasn't a great start for me and the kids, but I believe that things happen for a reason...only HE knows..

0 week / 3 days

AT last, the long awaited week has arrived..Why? Coz we're going to see our loving Ayah in United Kingdom..Yey..Boy, have we got alot to do before we go..There's been so many activities in the last week, starting from preparing documents like passport to a 'nice' walk to the park..Having to sustain too much energy, Mummy pull off evertyhing with pride.



Mummy has been weather spying every afternoon, and when 1 afternoon luck is on her side..She rushed back home to bring us to tasek lama...It was considerably late, but she's persistent to bring afraid that they won't be another chance..Nuryn was almost running for marathon to keep up with Mummy's stampede mode..But She enjoyed it every step. Zeidan on the other hand, enjoy his mini cruise inside the stroller..We can only stay about 1o minutes, for it was alrady getting dark..Pray it won't rain..

Somebody was not ready to leave..

Yes teacher..

This is just a few shots on the little teacher at work..Nuryn just love to teach and be taught..SHe love it more when she get to direct her 'little' student, who's actually 4 years older than her..Her face will gleamed with satisfaction everytime she get to be the fastest.

Mummy went down to see our atuk down in KB. We had initial plan to pay visit too, but due to our limited time and flu break, Munny decided to give us a rest at home..Don't worry, we'll see her again when we return.



Visit at My dear beloved Nini's house..

Atuk's house, Mummy grew up here since she was about my age.

I like to MOVIE MOVIE, Move It...

Still have time to catch a movie. It has become a routine for this little Movie buff..

1 week / 10days

Our little STAR




Our little princess 1st concert, the moment that we've waiting for the whole year..Sadly, Ayah was not there to witness Nuryn, he really wished that he was there..

The Van Gogh Nursery class 2008, were among the little stars that night..It was held at Manggis mall, Friday 21st Novemebr at 7.00p.m. Though it was pouring heavily, it didn't even stopped us to take a detour at the saloon for Nuryn hairdo earlier on..

We were just in time for the first show, the first performance was from pamper group age 2-3 years where they represent the world and its continent..My little cousin's son was one of them dressed in a lion costume representing Africa..






There were twist and shout group from Nursery class, Cheerleader squad with Mickey Song, Angels theme with Alphabet song, Chinese troops, Bollywood dance from KG class,violin performance by the principal herself with her son, and finally the graduating class all dressed in red and white prom attire for an ever heart beating High School Musical dance. Everyone pull out their best show, performances were vibrant yet amusing , and Mummy's jaw dropped with amazement to have seen all the little people acting confidently on stage at a very tender age.

This doesn't exclude our very own little star, we're all so proud of her..Enjoy the show folks..