Annual Family Day 2

21st September, 2009 - Bukit Tinggi Colmar Tropicale was our next destination. After a light meal of plain teochew porridge with fried kembung fish, salted eggs, hash browns, off we went ... It was rather chaotic actually ... the kids were all scattered, so much so we soon lost track of where they are!

In fact, as we were leaving the Japanese Garden, I received a call asking me if I have lost a child!! Oh my, yes, by then, I realised that Bob was nowhere to be seen and after asking around thinking that he is with one group of the other especially with the other kids yelling that he is with the other group! We actually left him all alone at the Rabbit Park, some 15mins drive away!!!

By the time I got to Bob, he was with this security manager having Chicken Chop, smiling away! That night, as I got Bob to bed, he related his ordeal ... he was helping the other tourists bring out the rabbits since he is the smallest sized and could squeeze into the rabbit dens, hence, when we made our last calls to gather our family members before departing to our next destination, he didn't hear us whereas we thought he is in another family car together with his cousin. When he came out, he saw none of us and started walking to the bus station where we alighted earlier. There he saw a security guard and when asked, he told the security guard that he is lost. Somehow he was lead to the security manager and was asked to use the manager's handphone to call his mommy ...

Well, well, well .... ended well with not a scratch but a lesson learnt! Count my blessings, thank you for taking care of Bob for me and boy, am I glad that Bob knows how to communicate well and is brave enough to not break down but ask for help ^_^

Annual Family Day 1

20th September, 2009 - Selamat Hari Raya! Gee ... this year's celebration was rather a special one. 33 family members gathered for BBQ dinner and slept overnight at my humble house!!! It was also a much anticipated big birthday celebration for 8 family members : 19th to 30th September 2009.



Happy Birthday to you ....

Happy birthday to you ....

Happy birthday to Jgan,

Khai Jie, Jordan, Janet, Thomas, Bob, Dash and Siew Peng's daughther ....

Happy birthday to YOU........

Chilled Out @ Cameron

22nd August, 2009 - School holiday just started. Been a while since I took the kids for a holiday, so this time round, we took a short one up to Cameron! Got a real bargain from a client, had the whole 3 room apartment to ourselves, just the 8 of us, so all had plenty of comfortable space and room.

All the kids were given RM50 as pocket money and well, only 1 catch, that is for each of them to keep tab of their spending and note them down in a piece of paper. Of course, the kids were thrilled as they plan how they want to spend their money. For a start, they wanted KFC for lunch (oh yeah, of all things!!!), so they were excited as they browse through the menu and made their choices.

On occasions, the boys even started trading their money for interest woh... and during the pasar malam spree where the hawkers offer buy 2 free 1 kind of bargain, the boys calculated and figured it is better to take the offer and then sell the extra one to the other siblings at a small profit! Oh my, it's rather exciting to see how these young punks deal with money!

The other unforgettable memory : we were at the Sg Palas Boh plantation and for the first time in the kids' life, they sat on the tea trees with their feet off the ground. In fact, they also lied down on those trees with protruding branches on their backs ... he he he ... thanks to Odelia's ingenuity lor ... ha ha ha

Letting Go

I had this housewarming gift in the form of koi fishes when I moved into this house. In fact, those koi stayed in my house for about 2 years before we shifted in. I love to spend time sitting by the pond, feed them and yes, just enjoy relaxing moments, observing and sometimes I would day-dream ... yup, thinking about life as a fish, for instance. By the cascading water fountain, I would sometimes sit for hours and feel the breeze, the calming effects of nature relaxes me. So, no doubt, I grew to be rather fond of my koi.

At first, they would panic whenever my kids are around, playing 'fish catching' or dipping their little feet into the pond, wading away. Ha ha ... that would certainly make any live beings in the water look for hiding space ya. Anyway, soon, they became used to the noisy crowd and the occasional chaotic environment especially when the children got adventurous and would literally swim in the pond!

Then one day, the friend who gave me the koi made a request. This friend had just shifted into a bungalow, done up a big pond and felt that my kois are too big now for my small pond.... I was upset but I braved myself to say 'ok' and when the day came for the koi to move out, I thought I could handle it. Alas, I broke down and cried. I just didn't realise how strong was the attachment I had for those koi. At first, my friend took only the 3 bigger ones. Then, I noticed that the rest just didn't want to eat and I thought, OMG, they are depressed! So, with a heavy heart, I got my friend to come and pick up the rest of them ... with only one request : that may they be well taken care off, feed well and live happily in their new pond .... metta ^_^

When the kois were with me, this friend of mine would come and visit sometimes. Many a time, this friend would comment on how precious and valuable the kois were, which somehow, made me feel uneasy. I felt as though I "owe" this friend of mine something even though, as per Chinese customs, I had given this friend an angpow, signifying a note of thank you in return.

Of course, this friend also bought me some smaller koi in exchange, however, those died within the next day. Perhaps, it's fated to be that way. In the end, I bought some medium sized ones from Sentul Koi where they were having a clearance sale. Thank God, these survived and seem to be happy in their new home, feeding well and my, you should see them swim ... speed is their name! Alas, I am thankful that I let go, cos now, those koi in my pond are truly mine and they are growing up to be such beauties!

Healed

14th September, 2009 - Wow!!!! That's more than 3 months since my last post here. Oh well, looks like I have a lot to catch up, so I think I'll have to engage the reverse gear! Ha ha ...

All is well, now that last Thurday morning the eye specialist performed a surgery to scrap off the epilatum layer of my injured right eye and had to rest at home with a patch, spotting a One Eye Jack thingy. So glad that it is healing well. Went to work after 4 days' of complete rest, although I had to force myself to just work for less than 4 hours. Thank God for this beautiful world ya ^_^

A close friend quoted : our eyes are our window to the world, gotta take very good care of them! How very true, certain things we really took for granted until the unexpected mishap happens.... Ever since my eye injury I tried not to strain my eyes too much, especially when it comes to facing the computer screen! (but then, what to do? I needed to face it in order to earn a living leh... sigh...) Diligent application of eye drops and eye gel helps, sometimes in the middle of the night where the excruciating pain just inflict ifself onto poor unprepared me! Just couldn't understand it. For 2 weeks, all seem to be well and suddenly the pain just appear out of nowhere ... and it went on and on until I finally got to the 3rd doc who explained to me in plain English. Aiyo ...

Anyway, it's with a sigh of relief, really, that I made the decision to cure my eyes once and for all with this surgery ^_^

Never Work Again

28th June, 2009 - We took a the AirAsia flight to Singapore on the 24th, stayed at a backpackers inn on Joo Chiat Road called Betel Box, right in between the night clubs. Nice little place where we bunk in double deckers together with my 2 sisters cum best friends as well as 5 other girls who came and went. For SGD23 per person per night, it's really a cozy place, no complaints. Came with breakfast too ... with free-flow of bread, assorted jams, fruits and coffee. All in all, had a rather satisfied 5 days' stay.

Why Singapore again? It's the Never Work Again seminar, the fourth one from the T Harv Eker's Quantum Leap package. My girlfriends used to chide me for getting "conned" into parting with hard earned money .... should have used the money to put as down payment for a car or even a house, something like that. Ha ha ha ... maybe it's the mid-life crisis thingy where I am standing at a cross-road, something of that sort ^_^ Oh, by the way, I managed to sell a complimentary ticket for SGD1,000 .... so okaylah, got some money back, thanks to 2 friends. You know who you are ^_^

Anyway, at least for a change in the way I think and exposing myself to a lot of new ideas and opening up my mind, it's just one of those things that happen to interest me, giving myself a pinch, a wake up call perhaps? Hmm.... Just not for everybody huh, certainly not for many people my age, my gender, my culture? One thing for sure, this learning is much better than obtaining an MBA lor ^_^

It sure beats attending the seminar by myself. I have 2 like-minded sisters who are just as keen and I find that as I embark on this journey of pursuing the never ending financial education, I have also created a special bonding with my sisters.... Not many sisters are as close as us, certainly not many who would share the same interests ya. In fact, on numerous occassions, people actually commented on how they envy us! Yeh! Good to know huh. I count my blessings in this respect every now and then. Metta.

When I shared some of the information or news relating to these seminars, many would cringe and many would reserve their comments albeit thinking that I am idiotic enough to be listening to craps, yadi yada yade ....

Here's to our next financial education journey .... The Warrior Enlightenment Camp in October 2009! AH HOI!

nEW pET pUPPY ... SPOTTY!

4th June, 2009 - Oh yes! Today I adopted Spotty and brought her home. She was with her 3 other siblings at my gf's house. When I took a first look at all 4 puppies, I kinda got hooked with this one. These puppies were actually rescued by my gf's gf who witnessed the birth of 8 puppies, of which 4 died due to a demolition at work where the mother gave birth. So, this friend took home the remaining 4 whom she worried would also die should they not be taken away.

They were all so cute and adorable. Each of them look different, 1 black, 1 brown, 1 look like Jack Miller and well Spotty looked spotty of course, lol .... Well, I suppose all puppies are cute and adorable. Importantly, if they are well taken care of and loved, even the ugliest puppy would turn out pretty, right?

sLEEPY hEAD

Here's to a happy Spotty !

Jessica's Birthday

29th May, 2009 - A surprise birthday celebration for Jess was thrown, brainwork of Cat of course, who else! A week well ahead of her actual birthday ... After which, we all moved on to Fullhouse, a quaint Korean restaurant in Ara Damansara at Ding's suggestion ... It was quite a distance and by the time we reached there, we were all starving!!!

Loved the ambience, it's a house full of whites. White paint, white accessories, white clocks, white tables and chairs, almost everything was white!! It also houses a clothing line for shoppers and it's mostly white and black, set-up in a bedroom theme. Something pleasant and nice for a change. I tried on 2 bare-back black top and bought 1 with sequin coz I looked good and well ... if I may say so, sexy ^_^

With great company, we all enjoyed our food too .... with these bunch of friends, well, laughters were a plenty lor :-) Just look at these photos of food servings taken ... yummy !!!!

Seafood Spaghetti

Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab

Alfredo Spaghetti

Wok-Sear Chicken Chop

Smoothies Fruities Fish

Mashed Potatoes

Teachers' Day

29th May, 2009 - Today was an important day at school. It's Teachers' Day celebration ... why is it an important one? Well, it's the first time where the kids got to perform and showcase their talents in BM/English in the form of short songs/poem recitals. Despite the short time in rehearsing, they did well though some fumbled a little along the way. It was the kids' enthusiasm and willingness to participate in a language in which they are not familiar/comfortable with that made this morning's event an important and memorable one ^_^

Bob and his year 2 team rendered the famous "Rasa Sayang".

Dash and his team gave a poem recital "My Own Little World".

Jasmine did a solo Malay pantun.

I applaud you kids .... so proud of you all ya ^_^

National Achievers Congress

26th May, 2009 - Last weekend was spent at the National Achievers Congress (NAC), 2 full days of Robert Kiyosaki and his Rich Dad team. Then, another full day of Wealth Expo 09. So, it was an interestingly mind-boggling weekend, ended up with me signing up for next year's NAC as well as for a Forex trading course. Ha ha ... again, I surprise myself. Sometimes my friend just cannot understand why I would 'stinge' on certain stuff and just splurge on courses.

Somehow I find myself learning and improving along the way, so be it. Guess if I do not keep myself abreast or diligently expose myself to positive environment as well as important financial education, Iife would be mundane, huh ^_^

So, I had to leave my kids with my mom for the 3 days and guess what? The day before they went over to stay with my mom, Cheeky escaped and went missing! That little hamster just could not be found anywhere the morning after they first came to stay with us. So, Bob was upset and well, it was him who took Cheeky out of its nest and by the time he put Cheeky back, he forgot to lock it up properly! So... Cheeky went missing for 2 days and I decided to leave some food for him while I am gone for the day, hoping that he'll know how to feed himself. When the kids came home on Sunday, lo and behold, Cheeky sneeked up to my maid and nibbled on her toe!!! Cheeky is really smart ya, lol ... Thank God that little fella survived!

The little hamster story didn't end here. The other 2 hamsters, Mickey and Vicky went to my mom's place together with their little owners, Bob and Jasmine. While at the seminar, my mom called me to ask me what to feed the 2 hamsters! Well, what surprised me was that my mom sounded excited and happy over the phone regarding the little pets, you see. Alas, guess what happened? Jasmine's Mickey went missing at my mom's place too and till today, no news about whether Mickey survived or managed to find his way home ...

Well, that's my story for today ......

Hamsters

21st May, 2009 - Today, I was at the eye specialist and the verdict is that my eye condition do not need serious treatment. Thank God for that and I am happy to return for a follow up check up after 2 weeks. In the mean time, I'll have to continue applying the antiseptic drops, the natural tear drops and eye gel diligently ... well, can't complain. The doc asked if I need a MC and for that, well, I am kind of grateful 'coz I do not have a boss to report to ^_^

This morning, I woke up with a recurring eye pain, so, after my visit to the doc, I took time off from work and just relax, went to the fish shop and bought 2 pairs of mini-koi (very nice platinum and gold colour). Oh yes, I also ended up buying 3 hamsters, 1 each for my 3 kids. The kids were very excited, especially Dash who has been pestering me for ages! So, now we added Mickey, Cheeky and Vicky in the family :-) Now, the 3 hamsters have a home-made nest made of a paper box filled with shredded papers ... gee ... they certainly look contented, snuggled up against each other now ^_^

At the end of the day, I do enjoy these little back-to-childhood fun !! Sometimes, I do wish I could turn back the clock ... Oops! dreaming over here ...

Yet Another Books Warehouse Sale

16th May, 2009 - Yesterday, I was at this books wholesaler warehouse sale and went on a crazy book shopping spree! Everything was so cheap, I ended up buying 86 books and bought another 10 books today. As soon as I got home, Dash immediately started reading Archie's Digest without even taking off his school uniform! Well, that was so like him. Bought quite a number of Enid Blyton's story books for him and this round, it's all about adventures (he he .... thought it's about time he enjoy some of the adventure stories such as the Secret Seven ... hmm)

As for Bob, well, he attacked those paper model books and started on the handicrafts project which was meant for him to do during this coming school holiday! Anyway, since he is interested, nothing can stop him lest he'll throw tantrums ... that's my Bob ^_^

Jasmine also kinda caught up in my book-attack fever and chose the Amelia Jane series, also by Enid Blyton. She's not a good reader when it comes to the English language but she's interested enough to let me guide her reading while we were in the car this afternoon. Well, well, well ... so their enthusiasm made my day, really... happy ^_^

As for myself, well, I caught hold of a classic Hans Christian Anderson's stories as well as books by Deepak Chopra and some others. That will keep me occupied in reading for at least 2 months! OMG! I'd better not get near any bookshop for the next 2 months then ... lol

Dinner Got Creative

14th May, 2009 - This is what my kids have been up to during dinner time ... ha ha

Mothers' Day Trip

9th May, 2009 - Today, my whole family went for a day outing to Tg Sepat ... in 4 SUVs, about 26 of us, we visited a dragon fruit nursery, a mango farm, a mushroom farm and the Bagan Lalang beach resort. Ended with a steamboat dinner at our aunt's place, another 15 of them, that makes a merry 41, that's how we celebrated mothers' day ...

You know what, all of today, I was suffering from my eye irritation! My, my ... I have made an appointment with the cornea specialist the day after tomorrow morning after a visit to the Tun Hussein Onn Hospital for a recurrent corneal abrasion on Friday. So, I might need to do an eye procedure, hopefully, that will end my eye irritation that had me tearing on and off these past few days ... sigh ... it was so painful, I could hardly drive on friday and had to call a friend to drive me to the hospital actually. Am grateful to have such a friend when in need ya :-)

Do pray for me. I'd be needing more blessings now than ever before. My mom is worried for me, she kinda scolded me for keeping this eye injury incident from her till today when she found out! Anyway, things happen for a reason and this time round, it's just God's way of telling me to rest ya ^_^

Girls' Day Out

2nd May, 2009 - It was a fun Girls' Day Out for me. I had lunch cum tea gathering with my 2 best friends at Desa Park City, a postponed one actually coz I took a raincheck during the Chinese New Year week ... It was fun catching up with each other. Ping showed her latest photos taken in Japan recently while Aster just started her new job about 2 months back. Recollected some school days' memories and shared about children and family lives, not to mention some funny jokes and gossips ....

After the session, I went on to IOI Mall to meet with another close friend and did some shopping, bought 2 V-neck fitting shirts and ... YES ! Tried on some evening gowns !! I gave away some of my gowns about a year back and thought I'd better stock up at least one or two, just in case I need it :-) Wow ! So so tempting ... I looked elegant in the mirror ! Was that me ?? Ha ha ...

The one that I really like was a maxi empire-waist dress in bluish greenish colour which shows off my silky smooth right shoulder (ahem!), one that is sure to fetch a few stealing glances or may I say, stares? Hmm .... the one that my friend said looks very elegant on me was another long piece with spaggethi straps, black netting-like material on the outside, sheer white on the inside that makes the whole gown glow with a mysterious shining-gold effect. Low front cut, could imagine myself being overwhelmingly self-conscious if I were to wear this one out to formal functions ^_^ It was good fun, nevertheless ... and ah ... inspired me to sign up for yoga classes for a more tonned up body ....

Posters

1st May, 2009 - It's Labour Day and it's a public holiday. Years ago, after Form 6 graduation, a bunch of us students of Setapak High School actually made a pact to celebrate together every 1st May at Titiwangsa Seafood Restaurant with buffet lunch. That was 20 years ago and we only had 2 or was it 3 such gatherings during the first 5 years. Talking about promises we made to each other during teenage years ... sigh... Anyway, at least we do still keep in touch during Chinese New Year gatherings ^_^

This year, I stayed at home for a change and sat down to draw and paint. This time, it's for the school's Star Program. All posters had roughly the following message :

1 Join Afternoon Class
2 Earn Your Stars
3 Get Your Reward

Couldn't remember when was the last time I did such posters. It's something I enjoy doing very much. It's like the song that goes ... such a feeling coming over me ... ohhhh ... So, I didn't mind a wee bit for having spent the whole morning till dinner time to finish off 10 such posters. Even Jasmine and Bob got hold of a brush and poster colours and painted some. Good for them^_^
And the end result .... ta da ....

Malaysian Hospitality

28th April, 2009 - This evening, I played Malaysian host to a special friend from Singapore, someone whose reference when in this part of the world comprise only the airport, hotel and clients' offices. So, it was with a growling empty stomach that we braved the traffic jam from Hotel Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa (Jalan Pinang)situated in the middle of busy KL town! The Hotel concierge remarked that we would be lucky if we can make it up to Bukit Tinggi in 2 hours! Oh Gosh! I nearly changed plan but then my craving for the food there just couldn't be resisted. He he he ... Luckily we made it all the way up to Bukit Tinggi in really good time (1 hour). Once again, my gut instinct triumphed ^_^

Nice cool ambience, coupled with good food and good company ... what more could we ask for? He he he ... my guest was kinda uncomfortable I guess, well, it was like ages since my guest actually had to use all fingers to eat dinner ... another finger licking good meal. We only ordered 2 dishes and that was more than enough, really ... didn't really get to chat a lot, both of us were so busy savouring our food !!! lol ...

Check these out : Steamed Seafood

... in Cantonese "Fei Sui Pat Lau Pit Yan Thin" meaning, fertile water doesn't flow into other people's land. Just gobble up the prawns, crabs, la la ... then, fresh vegetables are thrown into the boiling steamed leftover soup and hey presto, another sumptous dish.

We also had Chillies Fried in Chillies

... looks spicy heh? Very delicious, craved for this one since 2 weeks back leh ... just talking about it makes me salivate alreaday ^_^ Even my guests had to nod head in agreement oh ...

After a hearty meal, we made our way down hill back to KL and dropped by Naili's Place in Sentul. Had a big bowl of Ice Kacang topped with Ice-cream !! Ha ha ... just after a full stomach? Oh dear, have to exercise hard to shed off ya ^_^

Dad's Birthday

26th April, 2009 - This evening, we celebrated dad's 69th birthday ... simple steamboat at home with family members. It's a first birthday celebration for dad actually, wonder why we never bothered until now. Hmm ... just like our grandparents, we only celebrate their wedding anniversaries! Guess, it's a traditional cultural thingy ^_^

Dad is a quiet person by nature. Everyone who knows him call him "Ah Kong" as in "Grandpa". Education-wise up to primary 6 and started his career by following his dad, ventured out to sea as a fisherman. Been to many 'territories', so to speak. So, in a way, a tough guy ^_^ Remember imagining his life as "Sinbad the Sailor" from the cartoon movies in our then black and white tv! I could not resist reading "Sinbad" adventures! Years at sea made dad a dark-skinned fella, old photos showed him a skinny handsome guy. Oh yes, the way he squatted in those photos, there is no mistaken identity ... ha ha ^_^

So, dad met mom in the same village where they grew up and after a brief 'courtship', they got married when mom was 18 and dad, 22. Soon, after, he became the papa of 4 girls and 2 boys ...

Dad loves to bring the whole family out for all sorts of outings. Many a times, we would all squeeze into his little saloon car with one of us sleeping on the back dashboard! We would go places, as far as Singapore where we have relatives there. Oh yes, not the mention our favourite eat-out nights ... steamed cockerels and fried la-la ... yummy!!

Well, I have great respect for this man who, despite his poor background, became a successful enterpreneur and taught us many great lessons in life. From a wooden hut, to a rented flat, to a big brick house in KL ... from a bicycle, to a mini, to a Volvo, to a Mercedes ... admirable ^_^ The way he trained his staffs, one by one, they learned the trade and ventured out to become their own boss.

Today, at the age of 69, he still drives out everyday to the shop and kept himself active, still earns his living his own style.

God bless you, Dad. May your days be filled with metta loving kindness, may you be blessed with good health, good fortune and above all, love :-)

Happy birthday, pa !!

Pixie of the Moon

26th April, 2009 - This morning, I woke up to the recurring pain in my eyes and that kinda forced me not to look at the computer screen at least for the day ... another day of rest??? Goodness gracious me! Been neglecting my eyes, how can??? Well, well, let's just hope it's just a passing recovering phase :-)

So ... during the kids' Buddhist learning session, I took the opportunity to sneek in to the temple's office and rest comfortably in the lazy rattan chair with the fan blowing. Ahhh ... reminded me of those carefree days in the village when I was a small girl ^_^

After a hearty vegetarian lunch at the temple, off we went to Petaling Street, in anticipation of a great theatrical experience. Uh uh ... we were too early and so, to idle away 2 hours with a bunch of 8 to 13 year old kids, my my, I didn't feel quite like walking the streets of Petaling Street! So, we ended up in Purple Cane Tea house ... Ahhhhh ... this place reminded me of my College years back when my friends and me would throng to this place for tea and its famous Mushroom Noodle on weekends, just for chats and jokes. Those were the great memories of yester years! Wow! Today seem to be 'walking down memory lane' day ya ^_^

The kids had fun playing some card games like Happy Family and UNO. After another hearty meal : Black Pepper Chicken Chop, Nasi Lemak and Herbal Tea Eggs ... aiyo, what to do, with these kids ... hmmm ... Happy to see their smiling faces, no doubt, though sometimes I tend to spoil them :-)

Pixie of the Moon is a play choreographed and acted out by teenagers, with a 9 years' old as the youngest actor and 19 as the eldest! The story depicts a rich-spoilt lady, Mrs. Money who throws away "still new" things, an Indian (poor) couple who recycles stuff into many useful things, 3 pixies of the moon with magical powers but chose to help recycle things using their bare hands. So, the story had it that the pixies taught the wasteful Mrs. Money a valuable lesson in life, that is not to waste!!

It was pure fun, giggles were aplenty and well, we enjoyed the show very much. Such talented lot. Oh yes, met Miao Cang Fa Se and exchanged hellos ^_^

Yoga For Me???

22th April, 2009 - This evening, a close friend brought me and another colleague to Seri Kembangan to experience YOGA ... he he ... not much coaxing needed as she has been relating to me about the wonders she has experienced from just a once a week session at the centre.

Got myself a yoga mat at Guardian, so ... here I come ... soon ^_^

Bob Triumphs

17th April, 2009 - This morning, as reluctant as I was, I had to leave at 8:40a.m. from the school field where the kids are having their Sports Day ... but not until I took some photos and videos of the opening ceremony ... and Jasmine in her smart new school band uniform, playing the drum :-) Luckily, I left my camera with a friend who took more videos and photos in my absence and I was able to watch the replay of triumphant scenes of the kids in action ^_^