My Khadra, the Drama Queen

*from my other blog at Dilla Speaks Out

My heart welled up with pride and sheer happiness when she started to open her mouth. Couldn’t help the tears that started to trickle down my cheeks. There we were. Two proud parents in the audience. So proud of her. So, so, so proud of her.

Is that your daughter? She’s so good. How old is she? Look at her sing.

It was her first concert at school. 15 December 2005. I took leave on that day. It was a big deal for me. I had to be there. It was her FIRST concert ever. The Early Years Playgroup was having their Christmas Concert. Khadra and Naqib were having their concert. It was a big deal to many of us. Everyone was there: Azrul and me, Ibu and Encik, Achu Kira, Zizie and Nazz, Khaleeq and Nelysa, Aunty Shahrain, Nita and Ziad and of course our trusted bibiks - Lydia and Tibah.

The first number was for all the children. Khadra was in the middle of the front row. I can see why. She sings the loudest and in tune, of course. She does all the actions correctly and whole-heartedly. She’s not afraid of the audience. In truth, I think she loved the attention. She was soaking it in, enjoying it.

The second number was a special item from the kiddy class. The four of them was singing. Sasha, Khadra, Allistair and his twin Samantha. Songs were Itsy Bitsy Spider, In a Cottage, If You’re Happy and You Know It.

Her next appearance was in the Train parade. Everyone had to be a "professional". Khadra was the Train Conductor. She had the cap, the overalls, the walkie-talkie, the whistle and the train schedule/tickets — the whole shabang! No special reason - just that it was the only unisex outfit we could find at Toys R Us. There were also fire-fighters (Emir and Nawfal), Naqib and Violet were police-persons, Sufiyyah was a nurse ( a pretty one, at that), Daniel was a doctor, we had 2 soldiers (Noah and Allistair), a magistrate(Sasha), Sofea was the train driver, a ballerina (Milla) and many more.

In the finale, they were all dressed up in Red Indian costumes. Khadra had hers made by Aunty Liam. The skirt was too long, so I converted them into a dress by adding two bands on the skirt. (Pretty nifty, eh?) Miss Sharon, (her teacher) made her a little cradle to carry a little baby on her back coz she shakes the most. To add a little originality to it, everyone’s faces was painted, the teachers included - courtesy of Speckle & Sparkle, of course!

The moment was just so precious. Her first performance ever, and she shined like a star. To quote what my dad said,

A star is born.

-dillz blogging out-