On 7th August 2021, Brunei Darussalam was stunned by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. From day to day, the daily cases have increased rapidly until today. All schools and learning institutions are closed down, and everyone is encouraged to stay at home except for essential workers. Please stay at home and leave only when necessary to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Every school holiday, my parents will bring me to visit my grandmother who lives in Seria. She is 80 years old now. A caring and hardworking woman. My grandmother has black short curly hair, wrinkles on her forehead and a thick pair of purple spectacles attached on her nose. Her house may be small, but it's beautiful. The house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a huge backyard full of fresh green healthy vegetables. Planting vegetables is her favorite. Every time we visit her, I will help do her house chores first then only will I help her with the gardening. I love my grandmother so much.

It is mango season! That is when most mangoes are fully grown and ripe. The mangoes are now ready to be picked. My grandmother has a mango garden in her back yard. She called my family and me to help her pick the mangoes. My brother and I were so excited because it was our first time. It was a very interesting experience for us.

Kampong Ayer, or the water village, is an area of Brunei's capital city Bandar Seri Begwan that is situated over Brunei bay. 39,000 people live in the water village. This represents roughly ten percent of the nation's total population. The sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien is the landmark of Bandar Sari Begawan, the capital city of our country, Brunei Darussalam.

On Sunday, October 28, my father took my big brothers and me to Seri Kenangan Beach, but we didn't go swimming. My brothers played soccer, and I played in the park.

Negara Brunei Darussalam is my country. I really like living in my country because we have lots of traditional games and recreation that are fun, like the board game congkak, spinning tops, and flying kites. Congkak is my favorite.

When my parents and I made visited Kampung Batu Marang Village, we saw traditional boat races for adults and children. The boat race for children was by the river bank, and I liked it better. The spectators cheered the rowers on to the finish line.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque:
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is in Bandar Seri Begawan. I visit this mosque a lot to recite my prayers, including every Friday night. I thank Allah for giving me the chance to recite my prayers in the most beautiful mosque in Southeast Asia.

This morning, my mother and I went to the Ah Moi Minimart. She bought some retail items like cooking oil, sugar, salt, flour, bread, detergent, and others for our daily use. She often reminded me not to touch the things that were on display.

I am very sad today. Our domestic helper, Bibi Barkah, went back to Indonesia after working for us for 12 years. I gave her a bag made out of beads that I did at school. I pray for her welfare and hope that we can meet again.

Everyday I wake up around 5:00 AM in the morning. I take a shower and brush my teeth. After I perform my ablutions, I dress in clean clothes and prepare for prayers. My father invites me to say the Subuh (dawn) prayer together. After finishing my prayers, I greet my parents and my elder brother.

Every evening I do my revision at home, then I watch television programmes.

I'm really bored so I decided to paint something with my new paints. This is the first time I used them.