All the best, Syafiq

Last Saturday was an historic day for my second child, Ahmad Syafiq. It was the day that he started out on a journey to higher education, the essential beginnings towards becoming a professional.

At 18, he's a grown up young man now, Syafiq. Standing at 5ft 10 and half inch, he's far taller than I was at that age.

But to me, he will always be the ''manja'' one.

Not that my three other children are not manja, of course. It's just that Syafiq is always the one who'd go to great lengths to call attention to himself.

Since finishing his SPM, he was a constant presence at home. He made himself useful by becoming the ever-willing un-official family chauffeur, my riding buddy and being the man-about-the-house (whenever I'm outstation). So, I will miss him a lot, now that he's in college.

But don't worry about Abah, Syafiq. Instead, cast your views to the future. Pursue your dreams of becoming a successful landscape architect.

Draw useful lessons from your five year experience at your MRSM. And take it to the next level.

Remember, excellence comes with hard work. As you always like to say yourself: NO PAIN, NO GAIN!!

All the best at UiTM Sri Iskandar, my son. Diiringi do'a Abah dan Ummi.

We love you very much.