Moments to share

Another new year

2012-01-20T15:45:00.001+08:00

Few more days we are going to say bye bye to Rabbit year and welcoming the year of Dragon. Rabbit year is a very challenging year for me. Big decision, major changes. There are lots of stress. And pains. But it also allow me to see who are true friends who are willing to give their helping hands and those who only know how to talk and instead of ease our stress, they are giving more pressure to us. One lesson learn for me is, no matter how protective and careful we are, we can't avoid not getting hurt by people around us. Unless everyone become nobody to us. But this is not always the case. Thus instead of getting protective, I should learn how to deal with the pain.

Rabbit year is also a year I have to deal with lots of "disagreement". In which, dealing all these things are stressful actually. Lots of time, people only see the surface but not knowing actually what's happening behind. Especially those people that like to make their own assumptions without asking the people involved for facts. Whatever happen is not my choice and the end results may look ugly, but I think it's the best decision and the right thing to do based on the options available and the situation at that time. I can't control if people want to talk bad about me. I can't possible please everyone. And I feel grateful for those who stand by us and share our thoughts.

In the year of Rabbit, I've becoming more active in baking. Main reason that I started baking is to have more varieties of food for the kids, as well as to save money. Cost of living is getting more and more expensive. It's always cheaper to bake ourselves except that baking do take some time depends what you want to bake. So in the past few months, I have been slowing down on reading books, as some of the time are spent on baking.

Despite those challenging events, the best thing that happen to me in the year of Rabbit is, the unconditional supports from my parents. They will not question our decision, just offer themselves to us without asking anything in return. They are hoping by giving us helping hand we get to spend quality time with our kids. I'm really feel blessed to have such understanding parents. Thus whenever possible, I'll bake something for them, to show my appreciation.

While Rabbit year is not a good year for me, and lots of people are saying the coming Dragon year is not a very good year too. I just wish things are not getting worse for me. And I wish all of us are having good health, no unexpected trips to hospital.

Happy Chinese New Year!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
May all of you have a prosperous and better year ahead.

Big sister and little brother

2012-01-04T01:38:00.000+08:00

This year Hao is going to turn 4. It'll be first year for him going to kindy, and last year for the girl. And both Lynn and Hao will be attending the same kindy. While it may be good that having a big sister around, but is it really good for the boy?

Lynn no doubt is a very caring sister. With her independent character, she can take care of others very well. Since she was 3 years old, she has been helping me taking care of her little brother here. When I started Hao with the semi solid food, Lynn always wanted to help feed the brother. In fact, she almost like wanted to take over all my responsibilities taking care of Hao, except she could not breastfeeding him. She can help change the clothes for the boy; she can wear the socks for him; wear his shoe for him; button his clothes for him; serve him food as they so used to sharing the food; pour milk for him; when we go out she would help me keep an eye for the boy, hold his hand; and lately she even help me to bath the boy!

I should be proud for her. I am. Except that, Lynn was so used to taking care of her little brother here, she has forgotten that he's no longer a baby; that he needs to learn to do things by himself too! Lots of time, me and hb have to keep on reminding Lynn, stop helping Hao, let him do it by himself.

And how about Hao? He was so used to having "helper" around, he prefer choose the easier way to ask for help, than try harder himself. Lots of time, me and hb have to remind him he's no longer a baby. Lots of time, me and hb have to refuse his request to help him, forcing him to try first. Lots of time, me and hb have to stop Lynn from helping him too.

Not only Hao, Lynn likes to take care of her cousin sister too. My niece also is in the same kindy with her. I was told that, when my father went to pick up my niece, Lynn would help to carry her bag to the door, then go to the shoe rack take the cousin's shoe and put nicely on the floor, ready for her to put on the shoe. While I think it's good that she's such a caring sister, but she is also taking away the chance for the younger kids to learn to grow up and be more independent.

So before the school reopen, we have been telling Lynn not to do things for the brother at school. Earlier in the afternoon, I called up kindy and asked how they doing. The teacher told me, during breakfast, Lynn carried Hao to sit on her lap to eat. While Hao did not really want to sit on her lap to eat, but she insisted the brother to sit on her lap. *Slap forehead* I always eat together with the kids, but such thing never happen to us! I really wonder is she treating her brother really like a baby? *shaking head* Anyway, I'm glad the teacher did not allow such thing to happen. They are also sharing the same thought with me that, the boy should not become too attach with the sister.

I feel blessed having such caring daughter. I would not reprimand her for taking good care or helping her little brother there. She's my great helper. But I will explain to her the importance of letting the brother to learn and grow up by himself. Just like how she learn it in the past.

How come you don't know

2011-12-29T09:12:00.001+08:00

There were some roadworks being carried out near our house, the place where we usually dine out.

1st time we passed by the place
Lynn: Mommy, what is people doing here?
Me: There are some roadworks being carried out.
Lynn: Why they want to do the roadworks?
Me: To make it better.
Lynn: Why want to make it better?
Me: To make it better for us.

2nd time we passed by the place the next day
Lynn: Mommy, why are they still doing work?
Me: Not yet finished.
Lynn: Why not yet finish?
Me: Sometimes it takes time to work.
Lynn: Why take so long time?
Me: Err I don't know. I'm not the expert.

The following week the roadworks still not yet finish.
Lynn: Mommy, how come still not finish yet?
Me: I don't know.
Lynn: When it finish?
Me: I don't know.
Lynn: Mommy how come you don't know?
Me: Because I'm not the expert......

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The kids like to see our wedding photos.
Lynn: Mommy, why you married 3 times?
Me and hb were shocked.
Me: Huh? 3 times? No, mommy and papa married one time only.
Hb: Yeah, we get married once only.
Lynn: But why mommy wear different nice nice dress one.
Me: Oh because mommy wants to look pretty. :)
Wah, one dress = married once??!!!

-------------------------------------------------

Some of the many nights when we reached home.
Lynn: Mommy, is papa's friend (referring to one of the Neighbour) sleep already?
Me: (look at the clock - 8pm) I don't think so.

On another night, we reached home late around 10pm.
Lynn: Mommy is papa's friend sleep already?
Me: I don't know. Maybe.
Lynn: How come you don't know?
Me: Because I cannot see them......

Another night
Lynn: Mommy, is papa's friend sleep already?
Me: I don't know.
Lynn: No more light, I think sleep already.
Lynn: How come they sleep so early one?
Me: It was not even 8pm. I think maybe they are not at home.
Lynn: Where they go?
Me: I don't know.
Lynn: How come you don't know?

-------------------------------------------------

I was going to meet my friends and taking the kids with me.
Lynn: Mommy, have I met your friends before?
Me: No, you have not.
Lynn: How come I never met her before.
Lynn: Your friend had bb or not?
Lynn: Where is your friend house? Is it near near or far far?
Lynn: Why you don't know how to go your friend house?

-------------------------------------------------

Mini toads-in-the-hole

2011-11-30T10:16:00.000+08:00

Made this the other day and a friend has requested for the recipe. Since I got it from recipe book and need to type it out, I thought might as well share it here for everyone. :)

It's very easy to make actually since I got it from Kids' cookbook. I normally use a 12-hole tartlet tin to make this. Original recipe is for making about 4. So I have slightly modified the recipe for my own convenient.

Mini toads-in-the-hole

The toads in this dish are little sausages, while the holes are made in a batter.

Time to cook: 20 minutes
Preparation: 15 minutes

Ingredients (for making about 12)

plain flour, 180ml/12 tbsp
salt, a pinch
eggs, 3
milk, 180ml/12 tbsp
cocktail sausages, 12 (original recipe is using 3 chipolata sausages)
vegetable oil, 5ml/1 tsp
baked beans and steamed green beans, to serve

Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt.
Make a well (hole) in the centre. Whisk the egg and add to the well. Gradually whisk in the milk, beating until a smooth batter is formed. Pour into a jug.
Preheat the oven to 220 C/425 F/Gas 7.
Brush the 12-hole tartlet tin with oil. Add one sausage to each, put in the oven and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Remove the tin from the oven and immediately pour in the batter. Return to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until risen and golden.
Remove from oven. Loosen the edges. Serve with baked beans and green beans. But we actually just eat it without the bean as breakfast. :)

Tips: To make sure you get lights, well-risen batter it is important that the batter is added to a very hot tin and then returned to the oven as quickly and carefully as possible. It is also necessary to avoid opening the oven during the cooking time.

I reckon it is best served warm. So I usually wake up much earlier if I'm making this for breakfast for the day. It's actually nothing to shout about but kids love it (yeah they love the sausages actually. Hehehe.) but it's something quick and easy to make (which is good for me.) And 12 of them will be gone is just one morning. ^_^ Sometimes if I have I will add some sliced mushroom and cheese to it too. You also can try make it a large one, using 8in pie tin and put fruits (e.g. strawberry , banana) on it. But of course, that one should call a different name. :)

Losing her first baby teeth

2011-11-17T14:57:00.001+08:00

*Back-dated post*

Date: Nov 3, 2011

Few days back, Lynn was complaining to me about her teeth "Mommy, my teeth is broken!". First thing that come to my mind was cavity. As this girl of mine does not like to brush her teeth. She would tell me she has brushed her teeth but in actual fact she did not. So I answered her right away "See, don't want to brush your teeth." But then when she told me her teeth was getting very loose, I was wondering is it time for her baby teeth started to drop?

I was not very sure of the age when the child would start to lose their baby teeth. So I Google it and found that, a child's baby teeth starts to loosen and fall out on their own to make room for permanent teeth at about age 6. And girls generally lose baby teeth earlier than do boys. Alright, so that explains what happen to Lynn and it's normal. Phew, not cavity! :D

I could not remember at what age my baby teeth started to fall out but I do remember for some of the baby teeth that were so "stubborn" to fall out, I had to get some help from my brother to get them out. We had tried tying thread to the loose tooth to door knob, then push the door to pull out the teeth; removed the loose tooth with a quick twist; and even using pliers when all other methods were not working! Alright back to Lynn, I told her not to play around with her loose tooth. I also gave her a small clean plastic bag to school, so if the tooth drop off she can put it inside the plastic bag and bring home for me.

2 days later, when I picked her up from school, she excitedly told me her tooth had fallen out. But as her friends requested her to show them her tooth, in the process of showing around, she lost the fallen tooth. I was kind of disappointed as I wanted to collect her baby teeth. But now it won't be complete anymore.

About a week later, I could see the new teeth is erupting. Told her she has to take good care of the permanent teeth as there would be no more new teeth after that. I hope she has a good set of teeth like me. *Keep my fingers crossed*

She was so excited about the teeth......

Kids' First Hike to Gasing Hill

2011-11-02T01:57:00.000+08:00

The 2 cheeky fellow!

2 weeks ago, we went to hike Gasing Hill. It was actually suggested by a friend who was running a Weight Loss Challenge, who wanted to organize some outdoor activities for the contestants to encourage them. It can consider as first hiking for the kids. We went to Sarawak 2 years ago and we went for something like jungle trek during that time. But Hao was just merely 1 years old so I was actually carried him on my sling throughout the whole journey. While Lynn was half walking and half being carried by hb during that time. But on that morning at Gasing Hill, both Lynn and Hao were actually walk with us all the way.

We woke up at 6am, I made an energy drink for all of us. I even bathed myself and the kids to minimize the chances of getting mosquito bite. We left the house at 7am to Gasing Hill. We met up with the others at the entrance. There were many people there. Roadside was full of cars parked by those that also went there for hiking. I remember it was not that popular when I went there few years back. But it always good to see that people are getting more health conscious nowadays.

The weather was good and the trail was not very wet. We took Trail 1. For parts that are too high for Hao as he is not very tall at the age of 3, hb would carry him. But most of the time he walked himself. After completing Trail 1, we rested for a while before continue Trail 2. The kids were enjoying themselves throughout the whole journey. Hao was running, skipping, and hopping around, enjoying the freedom. He even made the "Whoa" "Whoa" sounds, and "doi" "doi" when hopping down the steps. LOL! Other people who walked along the line with us, was commenting how can he be so energetic, shouting and running and jumping there while they have to stop talking to reserve the energy. Hahahaha! And guess what, after we finished hiking, the kids even went to play at the playground nearby! Yeah, they just have too much energy to spend! But as soon as they stepped into the car, both of them went to the La la land. LOL!

The kids requested to go Gasing Hill again last Sunday. So we went there again. And this time, we did not stopped after trail 1. We hiked all the way from the main entrance until we finished trail 2, and then took a slow walk back to where we parked the car near the entrance. I'm not too sure the distance of both trail 1 and 2, but the whole hiking (plus walking back to the car) will take slightly more than 1 hour if we did not take any long break. We are actually a little slow due to the kids. Gasing Hill is an easy place for hiking actually. You don't get very tired from it, and yet you get to sweat a lot. It's a good place for people just started to hike. From young children to old people, as long as you have a pair of good shoe that have good grip is sufficient. We have decided to make it every Sunday is the family exercise day, everyone get to exercise together. :) If the trail is wet due to rain, we will go jogging at the park. Me and hb like to exercise. And I feel happy that both kids like to exercise like us (I hope so)!

Toilet training - Completed!

2011-10-13T16:54:00.001+08:00

Hao is toilet trained since 2 years old + and since then he's off diaper during day time. But at night I still let him wear diaper to sleep. Occasionally he would tell me he did not want to wear diaper to sleep. But most of the time his diaper was full in the morning, so I thought he's not ready for it yet. It's not very easy to toilet train him. I could never imagine how am I going to train him go diaper-less at night. But I told myself to worry about it later.

About 2 months ago, during one of the night Hao woke me up from sleep, telling me he wanted to go toilet. I was surprised but I woke up anyway. I helped him to take off his diaper, switched on the light of the toilet for him. And after he was done, I put back the diaper on him and he went back to sleep after that. It happened twice in a week. Then I also noticed that in the morning when i checked his diaper, most of the time it was dry!

After monitoring for about one week plus, with dry diaper on every morning, I told myself that he's ready to go diaper-less at night. So I told him, that he's big boy now, no need to wear diaper to sleep. And asked him to wake me up when he wants to go toilet at night (he would like me to switch on the light for him). So from that day onwards, Hao no more wear diaper to sleep at night. Even when we went to Ipoh during Hari Raya break, I let him go diaper-less too and he would wake up himself to go toilet.

It's been about 2 months already, so far he has wet his bed twice. Most of the time he sleeps through the night. If he needs to go toilet he will wake me up. I'm glad that finally I don't have to spend money on getting diaper now. I remember when I tried yo get Lynn go diaper-less at night last time, I would wake her up in the middle of the night to go toilet. And I did it for quite a while. Thus I never thought of to let him go diaper-less at night can be such easy and hassle free! Well done, Hao!

Random and Updates

2011-10-12T09:04:00.000+08:00

Wow I have not been writing for more than a month! And this post has been sitting in the Draft for a month too! So what have I been doing all these while?

First of all my own schedule is changing. I have to find how I can write or blog with the new schedule. I also have been thinking a lot nowadays, especially on the people side. I met some new people; I also get to know some friends better. Due to some past experience, I actually don't trust people easily. I thought by doing this I can keep myself protected, not getting hurt by any friends. However now I realize that, no matter how careful I am, no matter how I protect myself, I will still get hurt as long as I treat them as friend because they meant something to me. I'm a very soft hearted person. I can do things for others if they request me to do it even though it may not be something that I would like to do, as long as it is within my capability. Because I find it's difficult to say no. But not when doing others a favor made myself not happy. It's kind of stupid to do something for others and at the end it does not make me happy right? Unfortunately some people are selfish enough that they don't care what you feel, they only concern on their own benefits. Due to this, I was feeling down for more than a month. I was shock, angry, sad, hurt, and disappointed.

During this one month, I also witness some unpleasant things happen due to some childish adult. I find it hard to believe some adults, even already becoming a parent, will whine and blame others when met with difficulties and challenges. Some people get jealous easily when they think others are doing better than them. Instead of working hard, they started to attack or condemn others. But talking without actions will not make them become better. People can see themselves who is a leader and who is not. Time will tell.

I also met some nice people lately. Friendly, helpful and willing to share. So life is not that bad after all. :) I also have started do some baking for the family. So far I have tried making muffin, cream puff and my latest challenge is focaccia bread. Just want to add more varieties to our breakfast menu instead of having whole meal bread most of the time. :) Hb has a crazy working schedule since early Sept. He has been working 7 days a week, coming home after 12am every night. Whenever possible, I will try to arrange to meet up with hb for dinner. At least kids get to see him more.

We went for a family trip to Ipoh during the Hari Raya holidays. On Oct 1, I went for the Octoberfest for the very first time. And of course I won't miss the BBWS last week. Oh there are so much that I have not blogged about it! >.<

I guess that's all for now. Have a great weekend!

Buffet dinner at Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino, The Gardens

2011-08-16T14:05:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday, we went to Italiannies Pasta Pizza & Vino at The Gardens Mid Valley for a family occasion. The first time I came to this restaurant was for family occasion too, last year. Immediately I like the ambiance of this restaurant, not to mention the food is good with reasonable price too. Now, they are having this buffet in the evening.

The buffet is for appetizer and dessert only, excluding main course. However you can top up RM20 to add a main course dish at your choice from a list. For us, we did not add any main course. In fact, all of us including the small one were so full from all the delicious food being served. :)

3 different choices of crostinis - tomato basil pesto, tuna and grilled chicken pesto.

Any mushroom lover? The stuffed mushroom was great! The tart tasted much like egg tart, and very rich in "milk". If you like Portuguese egg tart, you probably will like this too.

Wide selections of salads and the salad dressings.

Yum yum! I love the olive. :)

Bread with butter and strawberry jam.

There were 2 choices of pizza available. And mushroom soup.

The mushroom soup tasted heavenly (alright, I admit I'm a mushroom lover. :D). It was rich and creamy. And it was definitely not from those instant soup powder if you know what I mean.

Selections of cakes and kuih for the desserts. As I was so full, I only tasted the Chocolate & Hazelnut Cake. It was very rich, and sweet too. :)

3 choices of fruits - water melon, honey dew and seedless grape.

Free flow of rose cordial and soya bean, with cincao and sago for you to add into the drink.

There was no seafood available, however with the price charged I think it was fair. And the staffs did a great job replenishing the food. As soon as the food was almost emptied, the staff would quickly replenish it. We had a good time there. Lynn was a little picky and wanted to choose her own food but Hao just walloped everything that I served him. Everyone was so full that there was no room for the birthday cake.

As far as I know, the buffet is only available for dinner. And advance booking is recommended.

Location:

Lot S209, Second Floor, The Gardens
Mid Valley city, Lingkara Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2283 3675
http://www.italiannies.com.my/

NOTE: This is not a paid post. This is solely my personal experience dining in this restaurant and it may not represent the truth.

My Big Book of Bible Stories by Phil A. Smouse

2011-08-09T13:37:00.000+08:00

Title:        My Big Book of Bible Stories
SubTitle: Bible Stories! Rhyming Fun! Timless Truth for Everyone!
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Imprint:    Barbour Books
Pub Date: 10/01/2011
ISBN:     9781616262372
Author:     Phil A. Smouse

If your kids love Dr. Seuss, they’re sure to enjoy My BIG Book of Bible Stories—17 favorite stories, featuring hilarious rhymes and bright, fun illustrations, for preschoolers through early readers. Brand-new from award-winning author and illustrator Phil A. Smouse, My BIG Book of Bible Stories includes clever retellings of key scriptures, from Creation, Adam and Eve, and Jonah through the New Testament stories of the Good Samaritan, Jesus and Nicodemus, and Peter. My BIG Book of Bible Stories is perfect for reading to younger children, while early readers will enjoy working through the brightly-colored pages all by themselves.

About the author

Phil Smouse has written and illustrated numerous books for children, including Jesus Wants All of Me, an award‐winning adaptation of My Utmost for his Highest. But, he says, “Despite my best efforts to fabricate an impressive résumé, other than the books, etc., I’m just Daddy.” Phil and his wife have two children and live in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

This is a paperback book with 256 pages. I would say each story is given sufficient attention and details that it is not too brief and yet not too much for the little one to understand the full story. Each story rhymes. So it is easy to read. I like the illustration in this book, big and clear picture with vibrant color. Usually half or 2/3 of the page is filled with picture. And yet the text is not too small. I enjoy reading it to my kids at night before bedtime. And they love the story too and fascinated by beautiful illustration. It is a good gift book to give to young children.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

OMG Pancakes!

2011-08-04T12:13:00.010+08:00

Do you like pancake? It was not my favorite until I met my hb and after we have got married. Pancake is not really one of my mom's menu in her kitchen so I seldom eat it. But after tasting the pancake that hb made for our breakfast, I started to love it. Hb was a scout. And he is the type that cannot go hungry. So die die also he would cook something whenever he went camping with the scout team. And the easiest thing to cook when you were camping? Pancake. That's how he started to cook pancake. And since he can make good pancake, why should I bother to learn to make, right? *Wink* (I'm sure you know what I mean, LOL!)

We used to have pancake for our breakfast every weekend. But not so frequent anymore. Our kids do love pancake. Sometimes hb will add raisins to the pancake; sometimes we eat with peanut butter and jam; and sometimes we just eat the plain pancake by itself. And since pancake is selling so expensive outside (I cannot understand a simple food made with the cheapest ingredient with just flour, egg, milk, sugar and some butter can cost so much?), we hardly buy the pancake to eat. I still love the soft yummy pancake made by hb. :)

And when I come across this book from Net Galley, I could not resist not to request it. I have never expect it can be so much fun making pancake!

Title:         OMG Pancakes!
SubTitle: 75 Cool Creations Your Kids Will Love
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Imprint:     Avery
Pub Date: 10/04/2011
ISBN:     9781583334430
Author:     Jim Belosic

When Jim Belosic started making pancakes in unusual designs, he was just trying to earn some cool cred with his daughter, Allie. Little did he know how happy he’d make her—and the millions of fans who eagerly await his latest creations on the Internet.

Pancake unicorns, beehives, and even bridges, ferris wheels, and construction cranes have all risen to life through Jim’s artful use of squeeze bottles, tasty and nutritious coloring and flavor techniques, and fearless creativity. Now—with a little help from Jim—everyone can turn breakfast into art. Filled with delicious recipes, four-color photos, and step-by-step techniques, OMG Pancakes! will be devoured by families and crafty foodies alike.

Note: The images taken are from the uncorrected advance proof for reviewing purposes and author may make changes on the final printed book.

The book covers the tools required for making pancake.

Recipes for making standard pancake and other types of pancake, for example pumpkin pancakes, banana pancakes. It also tells the natural food coloring used for the pancake.

The author also shares the tips and tricks, on adding juice coloring to the batter, how to draw with the squeeze bottle, guidelines on cooking etc.

For each recipe, it shows the preparation needed, step-by-step how to create the pancake shape, and how to fit those pancakes into the plate for the intended shape.

The author has divided the recipes into 5 categories:

Animals (Real and imagined), Insects, and Ocean Life (e.g. alligator, lion, caterpillar, crab)
Pancake Food (e.g. bacon 'n' eggs, spaghetti, ice cream cone, hotdog)
Holiday Themed Pancakes (e.g. pierced heart for Valentine's Day, Easter chick, ghost and pumpkin for Halloween)
Activities and Adventure (e.g. kite, football, tic-tac-toe, wand)
Just for Fun (e.g. balloons, earrings and bracelet, flower pot)

I think this book is a must for those dads and moms that love to cook for their little one at home. I'm sure kids going to enjoy eating those pancakes! And you can use your own imagination and creation to come out more pancake recipes for yourself! As for me, I'm going to ask hb to make some pancakes from this book this weekend. :D

Additional info about the Author

Jim Belosic is an advertising and marketing specialist and founder of Belosic, ADG, a boutique advertising firm in Reno, Nevada, where he lives with his wife and two children.

www.JimsPancakes.com has 25,000 Facebook fans and has received more than two million views there and on YouTube

Jim and his pancakes have been featured on Rachel Ray

The perfect gift for the winter holidays and Father’s Day

Note: Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Removing Stitches

2011-07-29T12:44:00.001+08:00

After the accident, Lynn was behaving well for quite a while. I did not let her go to school. Doctor said we should not touch the wound, and keep it dry at all time before removing the stitches. She should not do any sports for now too. We know most children are very curious. Instead of worrying her friends at school may want to touch her wound, pushing around while playing etc, I do not want to burden the teacher to look after her at school. So before removing the stitches, I took leave to stay at home with Lynn. She was very good girl for that few days. We spent some time watching TV in the morning, then I made sure she took a nap in the afternoon after lunch. She complained her hand was pain from the needle. So I did not really get her to do any writing. Just want her to relax and rest at home. She also did not touch the wound as being told by the doctor. (But for that week only! *facepalm*)

Soon 5 days had past and I needed to take her back to hospital to remove the stitches. We reached there slightly past 9am but the parking lots were full already. I parked at the side, waited for more than 30minutes for a parking lot. Since we were not waiting for seeing doctor, we did not need to wait long for getting the stitches to be removed.

I took a picture after the nurse had removed the plaster, but before removing the stitches

Lynn cried seeing the nurse holding a scissor. After the stitches were removed, the nurse put a new plaster on it. And this one she said let it comes off by itself. The plaster is water proof too so less worry when washing her hair.

The wound bled a bit after the stitches were removed. But there is no infection. She told me it is not pain anymore. Her next appointment with the plastic surgical clinic is January next year. Lynn has back to school as usual, but I still refrains her from joining the sports activities until her wound is fully healed. Until today the plaster still has not come off yet.

Many thanks for everyone concern! I do hope her wound is fully healed soon.

A Trip to ER

2011-07-25T17:57:00.000+08:00

Since young, Lynn always has this tendency to show interest to do things by her self. Thus when she shows the sign to learn, Hb and I always teach her and let her do things herself. Before 2 years old, she can eat by herself, wear her own shoes. Before 3 years old, she can change her own clothes, bath herself, and even help me to feed Hao eating porridge. Since then, she and Hao have been bathing together. While I apply soap for Hao and she applies soap for herself. If not mistaken approaching end of last year, or maybe early this year, Lynn requested to bath by herself. And I think maybe it's time to separate them from taking bath together. However as she is not tall enough to turn on the water from the water heater, so I will make few trips to the bathroom to check on her as well as turn on and turn off the water for her.

The weekend before last, after I have bathed Hao, it was Lynn's turn to shower. As usual, I went to check if she had finished apply shampoo and soap. And seeing her still applying soap to her body, I came out. Within few minutes, I heard a loud "bang" and followed by a loud cry. I dashed to the bathroom, and to my horror, I saw a very big cut right above her eye brown and blood flowing out like pipe water. I quickly called hb for help. I was actually panic not sure what to do with her. She was standing there with whole body full of soap and blood on the floor. Hb quickly gave her a hug to calm her down. Then I quickly wash away the soap and shampoo for her. I dared not touch the wound. It was very deep cut. I did not take a picture; do not want to take a picture also. Trust me; you won't want to look at it. It is as big as her eye, exactly same size. She told me she fell down and hit the tile edge below the shower screen. (Later she admitted that she was twisting there and thus explained the fall.) Hao was frightened seeing so much blood.

After cleaning up Lynn, hb tied a tower over her head, trying to stop the blood. Seeing Lynn in this condition, I did not want Hao to distract us in the hospital. Luckily our neighbor was at home and they were willing to help us looked after Hao for us while we attended the gal. It was past six o'clock in the evening. Traffic was smooth. We did not take long to reach the hospital. We went straight to the Emergency.

At ER, Lynn was attended immediately. The medical officers put a bandage on Lynn's head to stop the blood. Then a nurse came to take her blood for testing. The doctor said the cut was very deep until can see the bone. Thus they wanted to do an x-ray on her skull. I was very worried and prayed it was nothing serious. I also want to thank the friends who were praying for us too. I could not think of anything besides praying for her safety. Right before going to the x-ray theater, the cut was bleeding again. And thus another round of wound cleaning and bandaging.

Lynn while waiting for x-ray to be taken. She has stopped crying before we left the house.

See the needle on her hand? Poor gal, she was poked twice (one on each hand) as the first one, the needle was out of position after the nurse took the blood, thus the injection did not get through.

They took 2 x-rays in total. One from the back view and one side view. After the x-ray, we back to ER to wait. Not too long after that, the doctor came told us the x-ray results. Thank god nothing happen to her skull, so they were arranging Plastic Surgery doctor to come over ER to do stitches on her cut. We felt a little relief upon hearing this but still we were worrying. It breaks our heart when we thought about the nasty fall. Hb said the amount of blood that Lynn had lost was equal to the amount of blood that I lost during giving birth.

Due to Lynn's young age, they wanted to sedate Lynn for the stitching process. Unfortunately, this gal has strong will and fight to fall asleep. Eventually she did not sleep at all throughout the whole stitching process. They wanted me to accompany her at her side. For the first time in my life, I watched how a stitching done on human skin, on my daughter some more, right in front of me. And how I wish Lynn does not have to go through this kind of pain. The plastic surgery doctor first stitched the inner layer, using absorb-able thread. And then he stitched the outer layer with not absorb-able thread. I did not count and did not ask how many stitches were done for the inner layer. But there were 10 stitches for the outer layer. Since Lynn did not sleep at all, she knew something was done to her. But she could not see it. I asked her to close her eyes; the doctor also put a paper to cover her face and head leaving only the forehead visible for him. There were moments where she complained pain and at one time, she even lifted up her arm trying to stop the doctor but we managed to grab her arm and calm her down. Whenever she was complaining, I would talk to her trying to sooth her. Despite some complain of pain, she did not cry at all and did not struggle or give any hard time to the doctor. I should feel proud of her for giving full cooperation to the doctor. But my heart was so heavy at that time. I really wish this whole thing never happen. :( If I did not let her bath herself, then this won't happen. But then, should I take away her wish to be independent? This is so contradicting. I remember my mom stopped bath for me before I reaching 5 years old. And I did warn both Lynn and Hao that they should not play inside the bathroom with wet floor. It is dangerous. That is another reason I separate them from bathing together because they tend to play together while bathing.

Waiting to go home after the stitches. Doctor put back the bandage as there was a vein at the wound (which explain why she bleeds so much), the bandage is to help to stop the blood.

This was taken the next day after removing the bandage. I have to take good care of the wound. Cannot touch it and cannot make it get wet too.

Doctor gave antibiotics for one whole week and fever medicine to stand by. The antibiotics do not have nice smell and after 1 day, Lynn started rejecting it. She would stare at the medicine for very long time before having the courage to swallow it. At one time she even threw away the medicine and told me she had taken it. But I did not get cheated by her. I told her that it is very important for her to finish the antibiotics. Since then she obediently finished all antibiotics, and I also make sure she took it in front of me giving her no chance to cheat.

We spent total of less than 4 hours in ER and it costs us RM 55. We are required to go back to hospital to remove the stitches after 5 days. And there will be a follow up appointment with the plastic surgery clinic 6 months later.

Next post: Removing stitches

Are you a risk taker?

2011-07-04T16:10:00.000+08:00

** This post is solely personal thoughts and not directing to anyone.

Just now during lunch time, when I was taking the lift I overheard 2 Chinese men talking loudly inside the lift. Not too sure what exactly the things they were talking about, but related to buying things. One man was saying he has no money. The other man was saying sometimes we have to take risk. Buy first, after that think of getting more money. For example the property value has increased lately; those people who bought the second property few years ago are making money now. The first man replying his friend saying it is not possible for him as he's a coward. He won't think of getting a house if he can't afford it.

When talking about spending money, I'm a coward too. Buying things out of my capability definitely is not my style at all. And I'm glad that is not my hb's style at all too. When come to buying things, both of us definitely will budget for it. And we don't spend if not necessary. For example, both of our old hand phones that we bought more than 4 years ago had been giving us problem for months. So we thought of it was time for us to get a new phone. We spent months on researching what phone we wanted to buy, comparing prices, features, phone plan etc. We wanted to get a phone that we can enjoy and yet within our budget. And I never regret getting a smart phone as I fully utilize it to track my monthly expenses, my monthly cycle, checking email, accessing social networking websites, create and track my To Do List, appointments and more frequently, I use it to read eBooks. Unlike most other people, I don't really play games using my phone. I also don't allow my kids to touch my phone to minimize any risk the kids may spoil it. As I intend to use the phone for a couple more years to come. However those do not know us well thought we are one of those people who follow the trend of high-tech gadget and always spend money on getting the latest gadget in the market.

We don't buy things on an impulse. We plan and we work hard on it. Both I and hb are not from wealthy family background. We practice thrifty lifestyle. We believe spend within our capability. Whatever that we are enjoying now is all from our hard work. We seldom go shopping. Since I have to take off my shoe in the office, so there is no reason I need multiple pairs of shoes to match with my clothes. Thus I only buy a pair of shoe a year. I rarely buy new clothes for myself, not to mention any accessories. I can go to work wearing jeans and t-shirt. So I save a lot from buying different sets of clothes for leisure and for office wear. Ever since I give birth to my first child, I have stopped visiting beauty saloon. I also only visit the hair saloon once or twice a year to get my hair cut. I also don't buy expensive toy and clothes for children. We desire for a family trip but we have been holding back of it. The only thing that we are more willing to spend is spending on good food when there is any celebration with the parents. But those are budgeted as well.

Once I read from a Financial planning section in a parenting magazine, it is strongly recommended that we should have cash reserve that can support at least 6 months expenses on stand by, in case anything happen. While we are still working hard on building the case reserve, early of this year we had been hit real hard on it. I'm really glad that we manage to survive this long without asking money from family and friends, or getting personal loan from bank. Although at times both me and hb are feeling very stress and worry over the financial issue as our reserve are depleting month by month.

While we did not ask for any money, do not mean we have extra cash to lend or make any investment. Despite hb got a new job and steady monthly income, but we are depending on his single income now which barely enough to cover our monthly expenses. Though we did not ask money from anyone, but I also do not expect some of them who know about our situation, approach us asking us to lend money to them.

Both hubby and I are the type that prefers to rely on ourselves than borrow money from family or friends. If we want to start any business, we prefer to get our own capital from our savings, or get a loan from bank, instead of asking family and friends. I'm sure everyone save some money for the rainy days, to standby. How many of us really have the surplus to lend money to others? Like my case here, I really cannot imagine what if we have lend our cash reserve to others, how we going to survive in this half year. Sometimes I just wish people stop thinking that we are rich.

When come to money, I'm definitely NOT a risk taker. How about you?

My Happy Boy is turning 3!

2011-06-29T15:02:00.000+08:00

I always telling myself and telling people that Hao is a gift from God to me. He came earlier than we have expected. He came when I was not expecting a baby during that time. He is the one who made me believe things happen for a reason. He accompanies me going through the worst time in my life. He made me strong. He made me grow. However he himself does not have an "easy" life when he's still inside my stomach and at the infant stage which I'm not proud of it at all.

Hao at birth.

I was having depression when I was pregnant with Hao. I was worried if that will leave some side effects on him. Instead, Hao was a happy baby. He always made me smile; he gave me strength to come out from the depression. Despite I have experienced breastfeeding Lynn that does not make my breastfeeding journey with Hao much easier. I still remember I had to nurse him every hourly and sometimes every half hourly during second month and it drained all my energy. Even my mental state was at the weakness too as I was very much stressed up and depressed during that time. I almost gave up breastfeeding him. The thoughts came into my mind several times but as I feared I may regret later, I did not give up at the end. And I'm glad I did not give up.

Guess probably this is the only photo I was breastfeeing Hao..... Hao was 7 months old.

I have the most un-forgetful confinement month with Hao, a month full of pain. Before giving birth, baby was pressing at my perineum, causing much pain, even when I was not walking. After giving birth, the pain did not go away immediately. The pain remained with me for another one week, causing me difficult to go up and down the bed, not to mention walking and climbing up stairs. Before I was discharged from the hospital, I was tested super low on iron and the fastest way to boost up the iron in my body was to take the venofer. In total, I had to travel to the hospital 5 times for the dripping. I'm not a person who is scare of needle and injection, but let me tell you to let them poke the back of your hand with a 2 inches long needle into the blood vein is not fun at all. In fact, it was very painful. Especially if the dripping did not flow into the blood vein and the nurse had to poke and poke again to get it right. Each time after the dripping, the back of my hand would be swollen. So after 5 dripping sessions, both the back of my hand were swollen for many days. Each dripping session was about 1 hour, plus the traveling so I would be away from home for at least 2 hours. Since I was fully breastfeeding Hao, I had no choice but to take him along to the hospital if I was expected to nurse him soon. I feel blessed that I received no complain from the confinement lady. She accompanied me to the hospital, helped to take care the boy when I was not required to nurse him.

Hao @ 1 year old.

But I guess whatever pain that I had gone through, cannot compare to his pain when he was merely 2 months old. He scared the hell of all of us when we found out his femur bone was fractured. I would not forget the 4 days spent in the hospital with him. The interrogations from the doctors and nurses; numeral tests that Hao had to go through; and the sleepless night in the super cold hospital ward was like a nightmare to me. I could not imagine the pain he had to go through and he was just a baby. Regardless what's the cause (it's not caused by us or the babysitter), I feel grateful that Hao is healthy and normal now. It did not seem to have left any side effects to him. Although he started walking late, but he can run and jump as other normal children.

Hao @ 2 years old.

Unlike Lynn, Hao did not have a very good babysitter (not in my eye). Hao was not a very friendly baby at the beginning. He would cry when I brought him back to my parents' house. His social skills get improved after I sent him to child care after having enough dissatisfaction with his babysitter during that time. Now Hao is extremely friendly with any adult, to the stage that I got very worry and we have to constantly remind him not to talk to any adults that are not papa and mama's friends. On the contrary, he's friendly to selective children only. He is quite protective when any children get near him.

Hao @ 3 years old.

He likes to smile, but recently he also likes to cry for small little thing. *roll eyes* When come to doing things, like wearing socks by himself, he always lack of confident and require us to give him lots of encouragement and pushing. He's still mostly converse in English but can understand Mandarin and Cantonese very well. He can eat quite a lot if he's in good mood. He loves to jump, always jumping around. He loves to read book, and will repeat the words after me. Of course there will be times he has his moments and will make me start pulling my hair. Anyhow, I just wish he will remain healthy and happy!

Homemade Yogurt

2011-06-22T16:33:00.001+08:00

Many years back, one of my Indian colleagues during that time taught me how to make yogurt at home. But I did not make it very often until recently, after all these "no added-sugar" awareness from those formula milk companies. Besides, it is cheaper to make it myself too. :) Both hb and Lynn are huge fans of yogurt.

It is very easy to make yogurt at home.
What you need: -

Fresh milk (low fat or full cream also can). Or if you can use milk powder also.
Plain yogurt - any brand.
Soup bowl, or whatever size that you prefer depending on how much yogurt that you want to make.

Steps: -

Pour out the fresh milk, with the amount of about 2/3 of the soup bowl (about 400-500ml), to a small cooking pot. Heat up the cold fresh milk using small fire. No need to wait until the milk is boiled, just make sure it is not cold. **If you want the yogurt to have some sweetness, you may add some sugar into the milk.
Transfer the milk from the small pot into a bowl. If the milk is hot, leave it there for a while until the milk is at room temperature. If you are using milk powder, you can directly mix the milk powder with warm water in the bowl.
Add one tablespoon of the plain yogurt into the milk. Cover it and leave it overnight (about 8 hours) at the counter.
The next morning, the milk now becomes yogurt. The texture should be something like tofu fa. If it is still watery like milk, leave it at the counter for longer hours. Once you are happy with the yogurt, keep it inside the fridge. The longer hours you leave it at the counter, the more sour it becomes.
Scoop up one tablespoon of yogurt to keep it for your next round of yogurt making.
Before you serve, add some fresh fruits to the yogurt for flavor and sweetness. We found that banana and mango are the best. If you don't have fresh fruits, you can add some honey and raisins, or Ribena into it.

This is the bowl that I use to make yogurt. This is a little too much milk actually.(This picture is actually showing the milk has already become yogurt. But the level of milk won't increase or decrease after becoming yogurt.)

This is after becoming yogurt with tofu fa texture.

Fresh mango cut into cube. For the amount of yogurt that I made, a medium-large size mango will do.

This is after adding the mango into the yogurt. It's too full, that's why I said I have used a little too much milk here. :) Serve it on cup or small bowl and keep the rest back to the fridge.

This one is with mashed banana and raisins.

It can last for days inside the fridge. But so far I have not kept it for more than a week. Usually we finish it within 3 to 5 days.

Hope you enjoy the homemade yogurt as much as we do. :)

Early Father's Day Celebration at Han Lim Seafood Restaurant

2011-06-17T14:18:00.000+08:00

This Sunday is Father's Day. However since my parents have to attend a wedding dinner on this Sunday, we decided to have the celebration last Sunday. My SIL brought us to this seafood restaurant in Cheras.

We reached there about 7.30pm. And I was surprised to see the restaurant already full house, with some people waiting for the table too. We waited half an hour for a table for 10 of us (6 adults and 4 children).

There are various type of fish, prawn, squids, crabs available. Choose what you want to eat from here. Put your selection into the basket available. Can you see how big is that garoupa fish?

After that get your selection to be weighted. And tell them how you would like it to be cooked.

We waited one hour for our food to arrive. These are what my parents and my SIL had ordered.

Steam crabs. My parents are not eating crabs, so they ordered 3 crabs only. 600g here and cost us RM27.

.

Curry fish head, with long beans and brinjals. The Garoupa fish head weighted 2.5kg and it cost RM113. It tasted very good and not very spicy. The kids had been asking for it non-stop.

Steam ikan bawal (dou dai chong). It was a little over cooked. Rm35 for 500g.

Squid stir fry with salt and pepper. The taste was not bad but a little tough for the kids. RM18 for 500g.

Steam tiger prawns. The prawns were Very fresh prawn and not over cooked. Too bad only 4 tiger prawn left if not we would get more. I like this dish most. RM81 for 900g. Expensive?

Steam garoupa (the belly part) with bean sauce. RM28 for 500g. The sauce is a little too salty for me.

Fish ball soup. My mom wanted the la la soup but no more la la. So she just ordered this for the kids. I think Hao drank the most of it. Hahaha. RM12 for the soup, which can serve about 10 small bowls.

Stir fry choy sum. I like it very much. All young leaves. RM10 for this one.

We were very hungry after waiting for long. Plus the food was tasted good. We eventually finished all the food above, including that big pot of curry fish head. Hao had a very good appetite that night and kept on asking fish from me. Lynn was not picky on the food too and she ate quite a lot. Despite long wait, we were satisfied with the food. Everyone went home with tummy full and a smile on their face. :)

Han Lim Seafood Restaurant
No. 12, Jalan Midah 12,
Taman Midah, Cheras,
56000 Kuala Lumpur.

Happy Father's Day!

This is crazy!

2011-06-14T17:57:00.000+08:00

When my office moved to the current location 3 years ago, I started frequent this Chinese Shop to do my groceries. Since then I hardly shop at hypermarket anymore. I could get butter spread, fresh milk, cheese slice, vitagen, yogurt, baby cereal, jam spread, even those muesli like Dorsett brand one from there. And the price was reasonable too.

However since the shop changed ownership mid of last year, I only buy the fresh milk, vitagen and occasionally yogurt from there. Other products no more available or they are not the usual brand that I used to buy. For example, they only have Mr Potato but no Pringles at all! There are many 3-in-1 drinks available but I could not find Milo powder. And I notice their stock turnover for non-perishable goods are low too. The biscuits that I bought from there were not that crispy and crunchy. Once the snack that I bought from it was already expired! And recently I'm making my own yogurt, so I have stopped buying yogurt totally after they have increased the price. Another reason that I don't like to shop there anymore is unlike the previous owner, the staffs are not friendly.

The only reason that I still go there is they offer good price on the fresh milk, way cheaper than other place. I used to buy Farmhouse brand for the fresh milk for kids. However since after changing ownership, the price of Farmhouse fresh milk had increased RM1 per liter to RM7.90, thus I have switched to buy Dutch Lady. They used to sell Dutch Lady Fresh Milk at RM5.50, while Speed99 sell at RM5.75, not too sure the price from hypermarket but I guess close to RM6.

Last week, as usual I went to this shop to replenish the fresh milk supply at home. I was shocked to see the new price is now RM6.20, 70cents more! Straightaway I walked out from the shop and went to the Speed99 near my home and tried my luck there. The new price offered in Speed99 for same fresh milk is RM5.99, from RM5.75. I think this is much more reasonable increment. However the supply of fresh milk in Speed99 is very limited and they don't have new stock coming in as often as compared to that Chinese shop. So it's really has to depend on luck.

I did not survey what's the new price in hypermarket but to me, 70cents increased is too much. My office is going to move soon too, guess no more reason for me to buy anything from that Chinese shop anymore. And I also foresee more fresh milk hunting for me from now on.

Charming Pirate vs Strong Panda

2011-06-09T18:00:00.002+08:00

We seldom visit cinema. Mostly just about 2 to 3 times in a year. Both kids do not really like to watch movie. They don't mind sit in front of the TV watching the same Dora or Sleeping Beauty or Barney or other children programs again and again, but not on watching movie that last more than an hour. Usually approaching 60 minutes, they will start telling me to change to another one. So it never comes across us to bring them to cinema. Since not taking them to cinema, means if me and hb want to go for movie, we have to arrange someone to take care the kids. Putting the kids with my parents while both of us go for dating is something that I like to do. I feel guilty about it, instead of taking my parents to cinema, I leave them with responsibility to take care my kids. So we only go to cinema to watch those movies that we really like to watch from big screen.

However early of the year during CNY, we watched Kung Fu Panda at my parents' house. Surprisingly the kids enjoyed it a lot. So I guess maybe it's time for me to bring them to the cinema. Thus early last month when I know that Kung Fu Panda 2 is going to show in the cinema, I told hb we must bring the kids for it.

So 2 weeks ago, we had a chance to visit the cinema. I did not manage to make any booking online. So I expected to wait long on the queue. However to my surprise, they have a priority lane for online booking and Citibank card holders! One family was at the counter and there was nobody queuing in that line! So I happily went there to wait for my turn. And very soon it was my turn. :) Citibank is running a promotion to its card members now - buy 1 get 1 free ticket for weekend show. And weekdays show only cost RM10. However cannot book online, must come to the counter to buy the ticket yourself to enjoy the discount and this is for TGV only. I got 4 of us 2 adults' tickets and 1 child ticket. For 3 tickets I paid RM21 only. Feel so happy! Hehehe. Oh btw, we were not watching Kung Fu Panda 2. Only first row left and the next show was quite late. So I gave Lynn 2 choices - 1. We go home or 2. Watch Pirate of the Caribbean (hb told me earlier of the week that he wanted to watch this movie). I'm sure you can guess what she will choose. ^_^

There was more than 1 hour before the movie. We went to have our dinner, and we even had some time to hang around book shop. Before entering the cinema, I told both of them that it has very big screen inside cinema, and it may be a bit loud. They cannot make noise, cannot tell me halfway they want to go toilet or go home. It is always better I let them know in advance what to expect. We bought a regular size pop corn and 2 mineral waters. I brought them to toilet before the movie started. I tried to persuade Hao to wear diaper just in case as I really do not want to come out in the middle of the show. It is not easy to come out also seeing the seats are quite narrow. But he refused to wear the diaper. >.<

Both kids shared one seat in between me and hb. The starting was quite loud. I saw Hao used both his hand to cover his ear. Lol! Both of them were munching the popcorn. And they seem enjoyed the movie! I noticed Hao kept on focus on the screen (which seldom happens at home!). And maybe due to the popcorn, he kept on asking for water. >.< I was so worried he might need to go to the toilet soon, I was actually trying to stop him from drinking a lot of water and I did not feel good about it! As expected, Lynn told me she's scared. I told her the people won't come out from the screen, it's just like reading story book but this is "watching" the story from the story book. So there was nothing to feel scare about.

Finally the movie finished. Phew! We made it! LOL! The kids said they enjoyed the movie very much, and they wanted to come again. So last week, we brought them for Kung Fu Panda 2, hoping this time we won't miss it. We went to different cinema which less crowded, hoping we could get the tickets. However, front row again! >.< And the next show was 4 hours away! At the end, we decided just get it as hb would not like to come again. This time I did not ask Hao to wear diaper.

Sitting at the front row is not really that bad, as it is not that closed to the screen. However maybe still consider not a very good choice for the kids as they are much shorter than us. Anyway, Hao fell asleep towards the ending of the movie, though it is shorter than Pirate of the Caribbean. Lynn? No change. Told me she's scare. LOL! Scare but still want to come again. Hehehe. Now, whenever we drive pass the big Pirate of the Caribbean poster, Lynn will tell me "Mommy see, pirate! pirate!"

In summary, it was a good family outing. Finally we can enjoy the movie together with the kids, except that me and hb cannot sit next to each other. >.< Maybe I can bring my parents for the next movie outings. ^_^

Read and Share: The Ultimate DVD Bible - Volume 2

2011-06-01T12:25:00.001+08:00

Book Description:
A Bible storybook with DVDs to help you share the joy and wonder of God’s Word with the children in your life.

These bite-sized vignettes in book and DVD presentations are perfect for the attention span of little ones, and give parents maximum flexibility to fit any time frame. This volume contains more than 100 beloved Bible stories, including time-honored favorites like Joseph, Moses, Balaam, The Promised Land, Solomon, Elisha, Daniel, Jonah, The Boy Jesus, Miracles of Jesus, Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, and many more.

We actually watched the DVD before reading the book. There are 26 stories in the DVD, all selected from the book. The animation is simple, accompanied with a voice narrating the stories, using simple language. At first I thought the kids may find the DVD dry with hearing the narration most of the time. However they love to watch it again and again. As for the book, I find the story is short and simple, but not too brief. Instead of having one long story, they break it down to many short stories make it easy for young children. Most of the stories are from Old Testament. All pages are accompanied with colorful illustration, with the right font size, the book is very attractive to young children.

So far this is my favorite bible stories for children. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Note: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"I'm five!"

2011-05-27T13:03:00.000+08:00

May is a busy month for me. First we have Mother's Day celebration, with mother from both side of the family. Then we have Lynn's birthday, our wedding anniversary and my niece's birthday too.

For the past 4 years, we celebrated Lynn's birthday with family members from both side. For her 1 year old birthday, we held a party at our house inviting families and friends coming over. For her 2 years old birthday, we had birthday celebrations separately - one day with family members from my side, and the next day with family members from hb side. Lynn was so happy she got to blow the candle and cut the cake twice! For her 3 years old birthday, we held a small party at Pizza Hut, inviting only close family members from both side, about 11 of us excluding the children. Last year, we celebrated her birthday at a restaurant serving western food nearby our house. This year, initially we wanted to have separate celebration with our family members, during our regular weekly meet up. However last minute I got a SMS from my MIL canceling the weekly meeting. So I took the chance to have a day out for only 4 of us. And I'm glad that hb did not reject the idea as he just got back from a business trip at 2am that morning.

First we went to BookXcess. Because this kiasu mommy here could not resist the RM3.90 coloring and sticker books that were being offered during that time. Hehehe.

These are my loot! Hehehe. The paper quality is slightly thin but I can't resist the nice pictures. 16 pages per book and 2 full pages of stickers. The stickers are of same picture with the coloring pages. So if they want the kids can follow the color of the sticker to do their coloring. I get Lynn to give one coloring book to my niece.

Lynn requested me to get this princess book for her, so I bought it for her birthday present. :) It is hardcover with very good paper quality, big fonts and colorful pages. There are stickers at the end of the book too. She loves this book very much. Since then I have been reading the princess stories for her every night.

After we left BookXcess, we went to Critterland. We had fun 2 hours inside.

And the kids just love to bury themselves inside the pool of balls! LOL! We had so much fun that day!

On Sunday, my mom asked us go over for dinner. I thought just a normal family dinner cooked by my mom. I did not expect she went to order so many food to celebrate Lynn's birthday. Thank you mom!

Mee hoon cooked in Thai style. My mom was craving for this. This much costs RM20. It is very tasty and appetizing!

Yam cake and Pumpkin cake. RM1 for each piece. There were 10 each so total RM20. I found the yam cake a bit salty but the pumpkin cake taste good. And fried meehoon for the kids. My mom ordered for RM5 only but she gave us this much!

Fried chicken and stir fry vegetables by my mom. The fried chicken was the kids' favorite! Yum yum! ^_^

Ang Ku in green and red. RM0.80 each. A litle pricey for such a small size.

Chinese dumpling. RM0.80 each.

Lynn chose this cake herself - heart shape chocolate ice cream cake. I forgot to take the picture after cutting it. There was a thick layer of ice cream inside, just a thin layer of cake as the base.

My favorite pic of Lynn for the day! :D

So now Lynn is officially five years old now. She can be very sweet like an angel, but she also can be very evil too. Lynn is a rebellious child since she was a baby. So it is a challenge for me to deal with her on the behavior modification strategies. Nonetheless, I feel blessed that she did help me a lot when come to taking care of Hao. Lynn is a happy child. I wish she stays happy and healthy always!

Falling in love again

2011-05-19T00:15:00.025+08:00

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person" - Mignon McLoughlin

I learn about this few weeks ago on a friend's wedding.

I think if I come across it 6 years ago, I won't be able to understand it. I thought I was mature at that time but apparently I was not.

I made mistakes.
I was in pain.
I learn my mistakes.
I paid expensive price for it.
I finally got my lessons learn.
And I changed, as I don't believe in changing others.

I believe - Whatever happened to me, there must be some reasons for it to happen. I may not know the reasons now, but I for sure will learn about it when the time is right.

It's this belief that keeps me moving on one after another challenge that I have been facing.

I also started to think more and more, especially after finish reading a book. Sometimes even a simple romance story also can teach me about forgiving.

My dear husband,

Thank you for trusting me and having faith on me.

I always amazed by how we feel connected, how we can chat for hours, how we always want to order the same food.

I feel blessed that we are on the same side when come to parenting.

The only regret that I have is unable to love wholeheartedly the other person that you love too, no matter how hard I try.

Thanks for giving me full freedom to do things that I want to do.

Thanks for never complain I do not really put much effort on the household chores.

Although we hardly celebrate any anniversary or birthday, not to mention receiving gifts from you on those days; however whatever that I asked from you, you always happy to fulfill my request regardless the price.

Most important is I feel appreciated.

I love you.

Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary. ^_^

Sumptuous Mother's Day Lunch at T.G.I. Friday's

2011-05-09T15:55:00.001+08:00

I think this is probably the most expensive Mother's Day lunch that we ever have. :) I was craving for western food and thus we decided to go to TGIF for the celebration. Since there were 3 mothers altogether (my mom, my SIL and me) so I guess the 3-in-1 celebration make it worth it? LOL! Unfortunately there was no kids eating for free on that day due to their Mother's Day promotion.

We went to the Friday's in Sunway Pyramid. We did not have much problem trying to get a parking but not my brother. So me and hb waited 1 hour for them in the restaurant, choosing what do we want to eat slowly! LOL!

As usual, Lynn wanted to sit with me but I said, the chair next to me was reserved for my mommy! It's Mother's Day! :D

Me and my mom, with the kids. The kids refused to leave both of us taking picture alone.... Hahahaha!

My mom and my SIL both were having this Ultimade Mudslide (A chocolate-laced avalanche of Kahlua, vodka, Baileys Irish Cream and ice cream). It tastes heavenly!

My mom had this Tennessee Glazed Ribs, one of the signature dishes from Friday's. The meat was well marinated and it was simply delicious! Imagine my mom seldom eat beef and yet she was commented the meat was so good.

My dad had this Garlic Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops. The meat was perfectly grilled, don't have those "lamb" smell. :)

My brother had this Tennessee New York Strip and Shrimp. There were 6 shrimps so he gave each of us one. The shrimp was very fresh! And I love the Tennessee sauce. :)

My SIL had this Sizzling Chicken and Shrimp. Did not get to taste it and I was also sit quite far apart from her. So not sure good or not, but definitely not to my liking as I don't eat cheese. :)

Hb was not feeling so well. So instead of ordering steak, he ordered the Chicken Caesar Salad and the Spaghetti Marinara from the kids menu. The salad was good, both Lynn and Hao kept on asking for more until hb was complaining not enough. LOL!

This is what I was having - New York Strip with some pesto sauce. Nothing too great about it. I like the generous amount of the beans but I wish there was more pesto sauce on the steak. I think next time I should just order the Tennessee steak since I like the sauce. :)

These are what we have ordered for the kids - Grilled Cheese on White Bread and Chicken Fingers for Lynn and Hao, and Fajitas for my niece. The grilled cheese tasted very good, same for the chicken fingers. The meat was very tender, just right for the kids. I like the mayonnaise sauce. It goes very well with the chicken and the fries.

I wanted to order some desserts but everyone was very full and could not fit in more food. :) Anyway we had a good time there. Everyone enjoying the food although it burns a big hole on our wallet. Hehe. :)

Adjusting to New Schedule

2011-05-03T13:33:00.000+08:00

I know I have been very quiet for these 2 months. Not only I write less, I also blog hopping less. One of the reason is I don't get to access internet outside my home. Another reason is the change in our schedule.

Last month, hb has changed job to work in new company. For the first time after 9 years, we are not working at the same place. So no more going to work together using same car, no more doing crochet at the car on the way to work, no more resting or reading in the car whenever there is traffic jam, no more having lunch together too. It is totally a new schedule for all of us, including the children.

Since the workplace is farther, hb has to wake up much earlier than before. Kids also have to wake up early as hb will be sending them to school on the way to work. At first, I was worried if the kids will get sleepy in the school. However I received a very positive feedback from Lynn's teacher. Lynn is a slow person in the morning. She needs longer time to "warm up" after waking up. So waking up earlier means by the time the class started, she will be fully awake and become active. :) Since they need to wake up early, I'm trying my best sending them to bed as early as possible at night. Depends on the time we reach home, the kids may go to bed as early as 9pm, or latest by 10.30pm. And they have to wake up before 7am. Mon to Wed, there is no change for us. My parents will go pick up the kids and we will have dinner at my parents' house. Thursday and Friday me will go pick up the kids and then I will take them for dinner near our house.

After hb started new job, we hardly have dinner together during working days. He works much longer hours in this job. He always come home late and has dinner by himself before coming home. Sometimes he even reaches home after 12am. So now left I pick up the kids myself. Whenever I go pick up the kids, for sure they will ask me where is papa. They are so used to both of us go pick them up together. But now they are used to papa always working late. Instead of asking me where is papa, they will say is papa still working? So most of the time when we are at home, I'm alone with the kids. Not only kids, I'm seeing hb much less nowadays too. Sometimes when he reaches home, I am so tired that I want to sleep. I started missing having lunch together, I miss the time we can chit chat in the car on the way to work and back home. I'm sure the kids miss their papa come pick them up from school too. Because every time when I go picks them up, first thing they ask me is where papa is. And I feel bad that every time I have to tell them papa is working late today. And they don't understand why last time papa doesn't have to work till so late and now has to.

In the past, we hardly call each other as we don't need to. However now, every night I will call him once for the kids to say good night with him. Other time I will sms or skype with him. In the past, we see each other almost 24 hours everyday. Now, sometimes we just manage to see other less than 1 hour in a day excluding the sleeping time. Many times after he comes home, he go to bed right away. If he's not that tired, he will tell me about his work during the day. Sometimes he needs to work during weekend too.

As for myself, temporary I'm helping my friend to prepare the financial statements for her company. The only challenge is I have to use MS Excel to do the bookkeeping manually. It is tedious and very high human error. Anyway, this is just temporary. My schedule will still change. Hopefully I get to settle down soon. And be more active at blogging again.

THOR Charity Movie Fundraiser for Japan - "Sharing Hearts, Sharing Hopes"

2011-04-13T00:22:00.005+08:00

I was an active Leo Club members before I started to work. I joined the Leo Club after joining the Lions Club's Youth Exchange program to Japan. It was an eye opening and very good experience for me being in the Leo Club. And I get to meet a bunch of good people from there. And now they are having this THOR Charity Movie Fundraiser for Japan - "Sharing Hearts, Sharing Hopes", so I just want to help spread the words around.

In Leo, we are taught to serve. Our Leo pledge teaches us to extend our hands to help those in need, our ears to hear another outcry, our eyes to see the plight of others and for our hearts to reach out and be touched.

With this in mind, the Leo Club of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (Omega) is seeking to raise funds in our bid to spread hope to the survivors of the 11 March 2011 Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami disaster in Japan whom have lost almost everything and is still struggling to cope with their daily lives.

Now, thanks to the charitable souls at Cathay Cineplex, we have been given the privilege to hold a special Charity Movie Fundraiser for the blockbuster movie THOR!

Date: 30 April 2011, Saturday
Time: 9pm (Pls be there by 8:30pm)
Venue: Cathay Cineplex, E@Curve
Price: RM30* for students / RM45* for working adults
(* Inclusive of 1 drink + popcorn set)

ONLY 328 SEATS AVAILABLE for this awesome special charity screening of Thor just 2 days after its premiere on 28 April 2011!

All proceeds would then go towards Japan through Lions Club International via our sponsoring Lions Club of KL Cheras and the Lions Club in Japan.

We hope by initiating this project under our "Sharing Hearts, Sharing Hopes" umbrella, we can do our part in giving, sharing and caring for the brave survivors in Japan.

So, let us share our hearts and put a smile on their faces. Together, we can make a difference.

ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!

If you are interested, you can drop by the FB page and leave a comment there. If I can manage to get someone to help take care the kids, I will be going for this movie on that night with hb. So if you are going, let me know so we can meet up!

What helps healing my back pain

2011-03-22T17:06:00.002+08:00

Since mid of last year, I always complain about back pain. It was not due to coffee, it was not due to I twisted my back, it was not due to carrying Hao. I did not go to see any doctor. But Uncle Lee's comment did remind me that - I do stop taking Vitamin E for a while during that time. So after I resume taking Vitamin E, it really does help reduce my back pain. Then the back pain does not bother me much, until recently.

This time, the back pain is worse than last year. Again, it is not due to coffee, not due to I twisted my back, not due to carrying Hao, but due to spending long hours on reading. (Maybe someone wants to say "Padan muka". LOL! ) And this time, I found something that help reducing my back pain.

Not sure what do you call this? I heard some people call it "washing board". I actually wanted to get one of this long time ago. I asked my mom to get one for me from morning market since last year but she said no more selling. My father has been using it for quite some time and he said it is good for him. Right before CNY, I saw he got a new one at home. So I asked him to get one for me too. However instead of getting a new one for me (he said that one is a gift from his friend), he gave me his old one which is the one showing in the picture above. Maybe it looks ugly to you, but this special "washing board" is handmade by my father, using recycle materials from my old reading table (my old reading table, was handmade by my father also). My father is a real DIY person. He's not a carpenter, but he can make many things from scratch. From reading table, wall cabinet, display cabinet, to the gate, grill etc. Many things at my parents house, handmade by my father.

Alright, back to this "washing board". What you need to do, is to stand on it, with perfect posture. Your leg and your back has to be very straight. At the beginning, you will feel your calves are pain as they are being stretched, until you get used to it. The more steep is the board, the more difficult to stand straight on it. Every day, I spend 15 minutes standing on it. Even just 15 minutes, it makes my whole body sweat a lot. And after stepping down, I can feel a relief on my back muscle and my calves. I used to have leg pain, so I do a lot of leg stretching too. Standing on this "washing board" definitely helps a lot. And let me tell you, no matter how pain my back is, by standing there 15 minutes just for one day, I can feel the different - No more back pain for next few days! It's like an instant cure to me. But once I stopped using it for a short while, and my back pain coming back to me! So cannot be lazy. Hehe.

I heard from my father, standing on this "washing board" is a very good exercise especially for the elders. I think it helps the blood circulation of our body. It is not very costly too. So do consider this especially if you have back pain problem like me. :)

P/S: Sorry for my silence during these few weeks, something has happened so I was a little depressed for a while. Thing is not fully settled yet but I'm feeling much better. Thanks to those (you know who you are) who care about me and trying to help. Thank you very much!

Hao at 2 years 8 months old

2011-02-23T19:46:00.001+08:00

My "good"+"nottie"+"fatty"+"sexy" boy!

And.I.just.can't.stop.loving.him

99.9% of those who has met him personally will say this "Wah, he looks like angmoh."

This boy of mine, unlike me, hb and his sister, all three of us our hair color is very black, but this boy has blonde hair! His hair is fine and smooth also, made me so jealous! He also has rosy pink cheek. Hb said if I comb his hair very neat, he really looks like an angmoh boy!

I think boy is really a boy. Hao likes to jump around, run around and climb around. And he still likes to be carried, always ask me to carry him.

Beginning of this year, he has stopped using milk bottle totally. At home I never give him milk bottle. Since 18 months when I started to give him fresh milk, he's always been using the cup to drink. Only at child care he will use milk bottle. However at child care, all children at age 3 will not be given milk bottle. So now I can throw his milk bottle away. :) I also have stopped bf him 4 months ago. So he is fully on fresh milk now.

Hao is an easy child especially when come to food. He's not very choosy, as long as the food is easy for him to chew, he will wallop everything. This boy can really eat. As long as there is food still available on the table, he won't stop asking for it. As he is not a very talkative child, he pays full attention on his food. He can finish half bowl of rice, plus the meat and vegetables so it's about one full bowl of food. Sometimes he will still ask for more. Not much change on his preference on food. He still loves butter, cheese, bread, rice, yogurt, ice cream and biscuit. But I notice he does not like jelly. He's gaining weight, getting bigger in size, rounder face, and almost going to have double chin. Sometimes I like to tease him "fatty boy". Hahahaha! He looks so sexy if I let him wear shorts that very short and fit. And I like to pat his buttock. LOL! So sometimes I call him "sexy" boy. :) The last time I weight him few months back, he's about 15kg. Can't remember what his height is though. It should be between 90-100cm, but I can't remember the exact number.

Hao has very different character as compared to Lynn, but they have common thing too - stubborn. And Hao is the more stubborn one. Being hard on him usually does not work very well with him. I have to be soft to him, and persuade him until he's willing to corporate with me. Sometimes I walk away and return to persuade him 5-10 minutes later, and sometimes I need to repeat this several times before he gives in. Sometimes I use Lynn to trick him as he likes to imitate the sister. Playing ignore is not that effective to him as compared to Lynn.

Hao still pretty much a cry baby at this stage, which annoy hb very much. This maybe also related to he cannot express himself very well yet. His speech development maybe slower than his peer. Sometimes we could not grab what he's talking about too. And he's also not a talkative child. Many times I have to encourage him to speak up and answer me. On the opposite, Lynn is talking too much. Hao can speak English, Mandarin and little Cantonese.

Besides can eat by himself, Hao can wear and take off the shoe by himself, wear the clothes by himself with some assist, can take off and wear the pants by himself, know when need to go toilet, willing to sleep by himself without me (together with Lynn on the same room). When I shower him, he started to show sign want to shower by himself. He would like to apply the shampoo to his hair himself, and will ask for body shampoo for his body too. However he will give up quite easily. Like he wants to button by himself, but after a short while (like one minute or maybe less) if he still can't, he will give up and tell me "I can't" and want me to button for him. Maybe he's the last born; he is less initiative and give up easily. He's a child who needs lots of encouragement. Or maybe he is too well taken care by Lynn, until we have to ask Lynn to stop doing things for him, let him learn to do by himself. Because sometimes Hao will get annoyed with Lynn on helping him also. Not sure what's in his mind, but recently lots of time he rejects Lynn helping him, he wants me instead.

This boy, despite Lynn always share food with him, always share the toys with him, lots of time he refuse to share his food, and share the toy with her. He even not willing to share his food with me! I'm still working hard on this part.

Hao is a very friendly child, especially to adult. Sometimes I think he's too friendly. When we go to the regular shop to buy groceries, even though it is his first time meeting the Bangladesh or Pakistan workers there, he won't be shy to greet them, or even go hug them! *FAINT* Sometimes I feel so worry that he may follow any stranger to go home. However, he scares of crowd. When we go shopping mall, seeing lots of people walking around, Hao always ask me to carry him as if he panic seeing so many people.

Hao is going to be 3 years old in 4 months time. I won't say he's giving me a "terrific 2" or "terrible 2". He's not a 100% good boy all the time. But I won't say he's very naughty also. There are times that I do get mad at him, but there also lots of times that he made me smile. He gives me a totally new challenge. Not sure why, I get less irritated with Hao. Of course I will be firm with him when I need to. I treat both children equally. I love both of them.

p/s: Boy I really wish you can learn sharing and be more loving to your sister!

(Ops, did not realize such a long post. Did not feel like I have so much to talk or write about. >.< )

My Best CNY Dinner!

2011-02-17T22:56:00.003+08:00

Today is Chap Goh Meh, we suppose to meet up with some family members and family friends for dinner. However last minute MIL informed us the dinner is postponed to Saturday. So this gives us a chance to celebrate Chap Goh Meh just us and the kids. I always enjoy eating just 4 of us. Kids usually more behave with us, and also no disruption from other kids, means play less. We definitely can eat in a much more relaxing way!

Earlier in the week we wanted to go Puchong for shabu-shabu for Chap Goh Meh dinner, but then we so used to heading home after picking up the kids. We already more than halfway reaching home, so instead of turning back I suggested to hb going for the steamboat not too far from home. We pass by this steamboat restaurant all the time on the way home from office. I think it opens a year ago. There are few other restaurants there too but so far we only have visited the Japanese noodle house once. Hehe.

We went to this Yummy BBQ Steamboat Buffet 任意唰唰屋

There are 3 types of choices available - Steamboat with BBQ, Combination of 2 choices of soup base, or Milk as soup base. We have chosen the Steamboat with BBQ as it has been a long while since I have this!

There are many choices of food available. These are the meat for BBQ - pork, chicken and beef. Some are marinated and some are not.

Various types of meat balls, kids' favorite!

Seafood corner. Mussels, prawn, clams etc. They have crabs too!

More fish balls, for my kids only. As me and hb don't fancy fish balls. Hehehe.

Mushrooms, taufu, vegetables and noodles.

Free flow of Chinese tea and soft drinks.

Don't have finger food like nugget or fries, only have fried chicken, fried rice and fried noodle. Not too sure taste good or not as we did not take any of this. :)

Dessert is ice cream and jelly. Only one type of jelly available.

Many types of sauces.

We were given 2 this kind of trays for getting the food from the buffet table. And each table has this small basket for the collecting the bones, prawn skins, shells etc.

Hb managed the BBQ while I took care of the steamboat. The food are yummy and fresh! Except that the bowl and plate given are plastics. And there are some burn marks on it from placing it too close to the hot pot. The table is not too big for a table for 4 considering 2 are children. The environment is quite good, clean and I feel comfortable and quite relaxing eating there. There were not many patrons, maybe it's a working day. There were only 3 tables including us, and then 2 more groups of people coming after 8.30pm. So the food is more than enough for all of us.

The price is quite reasonable, considering the choices of food available and fresh too.

Adults: RM 23.80

Children (Age 5 - 12): RM 11.90

Free for children below 4 years old.

We enjoy the meal very much. We will definitely come back again. :)

Name: Yummy BBQ Steamboat Buffet 任意唰唰屋

Address: 2A, Jalan Alam Damai 1, Taman Alam Damai, Cheras.

Opening Hours: 5pm - 12am, Monday to Sunday. Closed on Wednesday.

It's all started from 10 years ago...

2011-02-14T13:20:00.000+08:00

Today is Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day brings me lots of memory, both good and bad.

10 years ago (Wow time flies, I feel that I'm so old now! LOL!), hb and I went out for the first time on Valentine's Day. It was my very first so-call Valentine's Set Dinner at a hotel, together with another couple. And that was also the only Valentine's set meal that I ever have. And coincidence, the other couple and we get married on the same year and same month.

3 years later, on V-day too, hb and I registered with the Registrar of Marriage at Thean Hou Temple. We paid RM150 for the group registration.

Few years back, our relationship was at a very rocky state. It happened right before the Valentine's day. So the V-day of that year brought me lots of pain. But eventually we have survived.

Can't remember is it last year or 2 years ago, we had the worst V-day meal. It was a working day. Both kids were with us. We did not particularly go for anywhere for the celebration. We wanted to dine at the western restaurant near our house, but it was fully pack. Both of us did not like to wait long for the food. So we went to another restaurant, serving western food too for our dinner. We have been to that restaurant few times only. Usually this restaurant had very few patrons, as the food were so-so only. But that night, the food was terrible. Hb and I swear that we won't go back there again. And not too long after that, the restaurant closed down.

This year, earlier I was thinking where should we go to dine for the V-day, and was hinting hb I have not received V-day gift for many years. However something unexpected came up last week making us on a very tight budget. We decided not to buy any V-day gift. Tonight follow the usual schedule; we will be having dinner at my parents' house. So it will be just another normal day for us. But more important is we are still loving to each other, we still care for each other, raise our 2 kids together. Nonetheless, we still wish each other

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Brotherhood Book Review and Give Away

2011-02-04T03:23:00.003+08:00

Boone Drake always wants to put away the gang members. This is the reason he become one of the Chicago Police Office and working hard rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, so that he can land in the Organized Crime Division.

Boone has a beautiful and supportive wife, and a young son. When his probationer period is over and his raise kicks in, he proceeds to get his family a house. Everything is going as per his plan, everything seems so perfect. Until one day, a tragedy destroyed his perfect world. His personal life destroyed and his career and future in jeopardy. Boone buries himself in guilt and bitterness as his life spirals out of control. Then he started to search how to communicate with God, he started to pray.

The Brotherhood is a realistic fiction story. It could happen to any family. It is also a story about healing and letting go. Boone did not give up his life, his career. He was struggling to let go what had happen to his family, and find ways to reconnect back with the God. He was sad but he did not let the sadness overtake him. The book reveals many Boone’s feelings and thoughts. It made me view the world through the eyes of Boone Drake.

Again, the book made me think a lot. I was crying when I read what happened to Boone. I cannot imagine if same thing happen to me. But I always believe things happen for reasons. It's our destiny. And if it happens, I will learn to accept it and move ahead. Life still needs to move on. The way how Boone reconnect back to God, to have the faith to God again actually intrigues me. And also how the God affects the most vicious gang leader Chicago through his mother telling me that God can change the hardest heart and forgive the worst of crimes. The Brotherhood is the first in a police trilogy. I'm looking forward for the second book.

The Brotherhood is written by Jerry Jenkins. Jerry B. Jenkins is the most prolific and highest-selling evangelical novelist of our time. He is the author of more than 175 books, including the 63,000,000-selling Left Behind series. Asked how he is able to write so much, Jenkins says, “I don’t sing or dance or preach. This is all I do.” Jenkins moved to the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village as a teen where his father served as police chief from 1963 to 1979. In addition, Jenkins has two brothers who were career law enforcement officers. His knowledge of a cop’s life and his familiarity with Chicago has enabled Jenkins to write his first police thriller with a voice of authenticity. He himself actually worked briefly as an undercover narc in the early 1970s. Jenkins and his wife Dianna now live in Colorado and have three grown sons and six grandchildren. Visit Jenkins blog and website at www.jerryjenkins.com.

Win yourself a copy of The Brotherhood

Good book is meant for sharing, right? I'm hosting a giveaway for a free copy of this book (courtesy from Tyndale House Publishers). To participate, leave a comment to this post that you want to join the giveaway. This giveaway is open to all readers (international included)! It will run until midnight (12am GMT +8) on February 20th. Winner will be picked randomly from Random.org.

You may also purchase this book from any consumer site such as Amazon.com or ChristianBook.com. For more information please visit www.tyndale.com.

Note: I received the eBook free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Mission "Almost" Accomplished

2011-01-31T12:04:00.000+08:00

Every year, I started the spring cleaning and preparations for the CNY towards end of December. I always have a checklist for it, so that I won't miss out anything. 3 years ago, when Hao was still a baby, I got a cleaner to come helping out. But last year, she was not available. So hb was helping me. This year the cleaner is available again, but I thought maybe we just manage it ourselves too.

However this year I started very late. I actually wanted to do spring cleaning early January, but we went out. So one week end is gone. Then the following week I was sick, lying at the bed most of the time. So another week is gone. But hb did help clean some of the grills on that weekend. Finally last week, the last weekend before CNY we finally did our spring cleaning together. Even though I did not manage to do the clean up part for the house on past weekends, but I did manage to wash some curtains. Feeling grateful finally we bought a new washer during the Hari Raya break last year, which save me lots of time after that. Prior to that, we were using semi-auto washing machine, which required lots of human interaction since it is not fully automatic. But with the new washer, I can dump the curtains into it at night before I go bed, set the timer, and then next morning I can hang it to dry. Very convenient!

Since hb already cleaned some of the grills the week before, so the spring cleaning last weekend was very relaxing and effective too! Most of the items on my checklist are marked by the end of the day. Moreover, both me and hb did it very leisurely! We still manage to find some time to relax. I was reading for few hours in the morning before I start work. Hahaha! I don't really feel tired, no muscle sore, but at 10ish I already dozed off.

While both me and hb were busy cleaning the house, the kids were busy with the CNY Songs too! LOL! They were watching the CNY DVD the whole day, until I complained! Normally I will encourage them to do something else instead of watching TV the whole day, but since they won't come disturb us cleaning the house, and Monday has no school, so I just let them be. Not only Lynn, even Hao will request for the CNY Songs too! And what surprise me more is, he even trying to follow the songs to sing! To be more accurate, he only sings the last note of the sentence. Hehehe.

I got the CNY shopping done last week too. I also have received all my orders of the CNY biscuits. Small notes for the ang pow money also are ready. Few more items on my spring cleaning checklist, that will get it done by tomorrow. I just hope the weather is good for tomorrow and Wednesday! It was raining the whole day yesterday. I still have laundry to do!

Looking at the clean house, and the store room that full of CNY goodies, now I can feel the CNY mood. Hahaha! This year, I'm determined to make myself happier during CNY. :)

Happy Chinese New Year to you.

Gong Xi Fatt Chai!

Coffee o Coffee

2011-01-25T18:28:00.000+08:00

I'm not addict to coffee. Coffee is not a must for me. But I do enjoy drinking coffee and usually I would like to have a cup of coffee in the afternoon in office, enjoying the aroma and the taste. While I enjoy drinking coffee, I also aware the fact that I can only take it with the following condition:

1. Must not be empty stomach
2. Must not take it after breakfast no matter how heavy the breakfast is
3. Take some food after taking the coffee

Not sure why, drinking coffee made me feeling hungry. So if I drink it with empty stomach, I will feel very weak later as if I have not had food for the whole day. The feeling is terrible! So the only time I will have a cup of coffee, is after lunch.

Recently, I discover one more thing - I can't only drink certain brand of the coffee! I usually buy 3-in-1 only, white coffee most of the time. Usually I buy the same brand. But once a while, I would like to try something different. And see if I like it. The first time I encountered this, I did not realize it's the coffee that did not suit my stomach. I thought I have eaten something wrong with the food, causing my stomach not well. Same thing happened for few days, before I realized I had changed to different brand of the coffee. I stopped immediately. Then the next day nothing bad happen. So I know I could not take that brand, because the coffee tastes stronger. That was sometimes last year.

2 weeks ago, I bought a different brand of the coffee. I tried it on Sunday - did not taste very strong to me. So I guess I could take it. For last Mon to Thursday, every day I had a cup of coffee after lunch. Monday morning, I had a pack of nasi lemak. Then in the afternoon, I started to feel my tummy not well. I thought is the nasi lemak. Same thing happened in Tuesday, but very mild one. Wednesday too. And then Thursday also. So cannot be still the nasi lemak from Monday right? Then suddenly it hit me - the coffee!!! Argh, looks like my stomach cannot tolerate the new coffee also! I was sick and staying on my bed the whole weekend. Fever and stomach upset. Hungry but no appetite to eat, thus ate very little. :(

I don't think I will try other brand of coffee anymore. I will just stick to that one brand from now onwards! *sob sob*

I read, I think, I share

2011-01-24T00:43:00.001+08:00

I have been reading really a lot lately. PC time has been reduced to minimum and most of the personal time I have is spent on reading books. Usually I can finish reading one book within 2 weekday nights. I read after sending the kids to bed.

With internet, it is very easy to get free eBook to read. However some of them come with condition - writing review. I do not want to flood this blog with many book reviews, whether it is due to obligation, or just because I want to share a good book. Except those that I must post here, I have decided to write the book reviews on another blog - I read, I think, I share. It is also serves as a record, of the books that I have read (though not all). Since I read mostly eBook, if you are interested on any of those, welcome to ask a copy from me.

Pre CNY Get Together

2011-01-20T17:59:00.000+08:00

Since five years ago, every year before CNY he will treat all of us a sumptuous meal. It started when he received his first big bonus. It becomes like an annual event for us and now even without receiving bonus, he continues to treat us a nice meal. Despite I don't enjoy CNY as much as before I got married, but I do welcome this small gesture from my brother as it does help enlighten me during this time of the year.

Normally, my brother will arrange for Chinese set meals from the Chinese restaurant. This year for a change, he decided to take all of us for a Japanese buffet lunch at Umai-ya, Puchong. Some of the food that we have that day:

Sashimi is my favorite! And their sashimi is fresh and delicious! Most of the Japanese restaurant does not normally serve the squid and octopus sashimi in the buffet menu as they are more pricey, but not for Umai-ya. And their chawan mushi has quite a lot of fillings inside, unlike most other Japanese restaurant where mostly just the eggs. I like their tempura too. Unagi fish also is my favorite. The hand roll is just perfect! And free flow of Tiger beer!

Including the family members from my SIL side, total there are 13 adults and 7 children. The price for adults is RM48++, children age 3-12 is half price and children below 3 is RM10. Baby is free. It is definitely worth the price! Just the sashimi alone already worth the price. :)

Bro, thank you very much for the lunch. I enjoy myself very much. :)

Housekeeping

2011-01-18T19:14:00.000+08:00

I was exceptionally hard working, doing housekeeping on my PC at home last night. Earlier I copied some movies from my brother; which took most of the hard disk space. Last month, I bought a portable hard disk online through my colleague, for extra storage and also served as backup. Ever since my PC at my office was attacked by virus around mid of last year, I always wanted to back up some of my personal stuff at home to a separate place, especially those photos. Earlier I did back up some photos into the CDs. But that was quite a long time ago. So it's time to do the back up again.

I transferred all the movies into the portable hard disk. One thing to free up the disk space of the PC, another reason is I probably will watch it from the TV downstairs at the living room instead of from the PC. Using the portable hard disk I can just connect it to the media player easily. The movies are easy. Just copy and paste the folders. But it is not as simple for the photos as I also intend to make a copy to the CD as well. Long time ago, I bought the CDR in bulk and still have lots left. Each of them is only 700MB. Luckily all my photos are already categorized in different folders based on the content. So I just need to drag the folders, but I have to make sure they add up not more than 700MB. At the end, I have 13 CDs of the photos. I also copied another set to the portable hard disk. So now I should not worry if anything happen to the CDs or the portable hard disk, at least I still have another copy. These photos are invaluable. If I lost them, I won't be able to travel back to the past to recapture them again.

Phew feel so good after the back up is done. Although I do not go to porn site, but you will never guess when and how the virus can come to our PC. I notice some of the blogs, whenever I visit the blog there are always pop up ads which actually made me don't feel good about it. During the virus attack in my office last year, even though the IT personal in the company managed to save the hard disk of my PC at work, but for precaution they still wanted me to switch the hard disk out. When I copied the stuff to new hard disk, I did not copy all. I left out those from old projects which were done many years back, which I regretted now. I don't have many documents at home, those photos are the most precious one. Argh I just remember - I need to back up my tax related documents too! They are equally important!

How many days

2011-01-07T18:34:00.000+08:00

Monday
Lynn: Mama, today got school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: How many days school?
Me: 5.
Lynn: After school go po po house?
Me: Yes.

Tuesday
Lynn: Mama, today got school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: How many days school?
Me: 4.

Wednesday
Lynn: Mama, today got school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: 3 more days school?
Me: Yes.

At night
Lynn: Mama, tomorrow got school?
Me: Yes
Lynn: Tomorrow 4 days school?
Me: Yes, tomorrow is day number 4.

Thursday
Lynn: Mama, tomorrow day 5 school?
Me: Yes, tomorrow is the 5th day.
Lynn: Then no school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: Yay!

Friday
Lynn: Mama, tomorrow no school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: How many days no school?
Me: 2.
Lynn: 2 days no school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: Mama, tomorrow can we go kai kai? I want to go kai kai.
Me: Go ask your papa.

Saturday
Lynn: Mama, today no school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: Mama, me good girl? Can I go kai kai?
Me: Go ask your papa.

Sunday
Lynn: Mama, today no school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: Tomorrow got school?
Me: Yes.
Lynn: How many days school?
Me: 5.
Lynn: Then after that how many days no school?
Me: 2.
Lynn: Why every week same one?
Me: Err, because every week same.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible by Sam Butcher

2011-01-07T00:46:00.001+08:00

This is a very nice children book - hardcover, beautifully illustrated, and large print. It is a very beautiful keepsake. It has a presentation and family record section, where you can write your name, family tree, church record and My favorite things. It has 4 sections - Favorite Bible Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom section, More Stories of the Faith section and lastly is the Songs and Prayers section.

The stories are taken from the International Children's Bible. All stories are simple and easy to read, and mostly not more than 3 pages including illustration. It is great for morning devotions, nap-time, or bedtime stories. This book is recommended for ages 4 to 7. Besides the children, I myself like this book very much. It helps me to understand bible in a much simpler way.

Note: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

2011-01-05T19:34:00.000+08:00

Title:        The Iron Queen
SubTitle:    Book III in the Iron Fey series
Publisher:    Harlequin
Imprint:    Harlequin TEEN
Pub Date:    01/25/2011
ISBN:        9780373210183

This is the 3rd book from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The story continues from The Iron Daughter. It has been about one year since Meghan Chase steps her foot to the faery world. She'll be seventeen. But now she cannot go back there anymore. Meghan is being exiled by Summer King Oberon from the faery world due to Winter Prince, Ash. Robbie and Ash are being exiled from the faery world too due to Meghan Chase.

Meghan thought it was over - the Iron King is defeated, the stolen item is back to Winter Court, and she no longer can go back to faery world. That she thought she can back home, back to school, back to her normal human life. But an army of Iron fey is approaching the faery world, with the intention to destroy both Summer and Winter Court. Someone claims he's the new Iron King.

The Summer and Winter Court finally has united to defend the iron fey army in the faery world. However only Meghan, the half faery princess and half human; can save them. To get Meghan to help the faery world, Summer King Oberon and Winter Queen Mab has lifted the exile for Meghan, Ash and Robbie to allow them go back to the faery world. Once again, Meghan, Robbie, Ash and Grimalkin get together and begin their journey to the iron realm.

At the same time, the false Iron King is hunting Meghan Chase too; which make her in a much more dangerous position. To save the faery world, Meghan must win the battle against the false Iron King.

As expected, the story is full of actions and this time, it has more romance element as compared to previous books. So far this book is my favorite for the whole Iron fey series. Again, Meghan Chase shows how brave she is. A little too brave I would say. The ending is good but bitter. Lots of things are out of our control. Even if we were given a choice, sometimes it's not a choice. It's either what you need to do, but not really what you want to do. I can't wait for the next book - The Iron Knight. Wonder when it will be available.

Note: I receive the ARC of the eBook from the publisher Harlequin Teen through Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Many thanks to Mamarazzi for sharing Net Gallery with us. If you like to read ebook for FREE, go register yourself with Net Gallery.

2010 and 2011

2011-01-05T12:44:00.001+08:00

Year 2010 finally has over. It is not a very good year for me, but not the worst. I have been struggling a lot, learning a lot, self healing a lot, and holding a lot of guilt too. Forgive and let go, something sounds so easy and yet so hard to do. Instead, more grudge is building up.

I'm glad that, whenever I was feeling down, there are people around me who cheer me up and give me support, made me fee better, made me feel I'm not alone. I lost some friendships in year 2010, but I also made some new friends and their friendships are invaluable.

In year 2010 too, I pick up back reading, something that I love to do when I was very young, but did not do much since I become a parent. I find that reading helps me to de-stress and made me feel calmer. And because of it too, I come across books with spiritual content and get to know more about God, which as a results made me ponder a lot. I am a Buddhist actually. However ever since my grandmother passed away more than 10 years ago, plus hb is not a Buddhist, I seldom go to Buddhist temple anymore.

In year 2011, one of the things that I wish to achieve is forgiving and letting go on some issues that keep on happening. I have done it before but doing it again is actually becoming harder as there is greater resentment and disappointment now. Since the adjustments that I have made so far do not made me feel less unhappy, I hope by forgiving and letting go will make me feel better, and reduce the self healing time.

As for the kids, I achieved only part of the things that I want to do with them for year 2010. I hope to cover more in year 2011. I hope I will have more energy to spend more time with the kids, and be more patient with them.

Year 2011 - another mission begin.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

2011-01-04T18:11:00.001+08:00

This is 2nd book from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The story continues from The Iron King. After Meghan Chase has defeated the Iron fey, as promised she follows Prince Ash back to Winter Court. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, Meghan is a prisoner to the Winter Queen Mab.

During her stay in Winter Court, one very important item has been stolen by the iron fey. Since no one except Meghan and Ash has seen iron fey before, no one believes them. Queen Mab blames the Summer Court on this issue and declares a war to them.

Knowing the threat of the iron fey to the faeries world, Meghan realizes that she must get back the stolen item from them. Together with Robbie, Grimalkin and an unexpected ally, they begin their journey through the faery and human worlds to find the stolen item.

The starting is rather slow but pick up towards the end. Meghan is torn between Robbie and Ash. One is her best friend and one is her enemy, but both risk their life to protect her. The ending of this book sets the stage for the third book in the series.

I personally prefer Book 1 The Iron King over this book. If you are the impatient type, you can skip this book 2 and straightaway jump to book 3. I actually read this book last. Will post the review of Book 3 The Iron Queen tomorrow.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

2011-01-03T18:21:00.000+08:00

Sorry for another book review. I have no intention to turn this blog into book reviews blog but I find this book very interesting and would like to share it.

Do you like Harry Potter? Do you like Narnia? If you do, you may like to read this Iron Fey series from Julie Kagawa. It is in the category Fiction for young adult. Book 1 from the series is The Iron King. So far there are four books written for this series.

Meghan Chase is turning 16 years old. When she was 6 years old, her father has disappeared. After that her mother married another man and move to different town. Her mother gives birth to a boy from the second marriage and he is 4 years old now. Despite her stepfather does not treat her very well, Meghan loves her half brother, Ethan very much.

Meghan does not fit very well in the school. However she has a very good friend, Robbie who always stay by her side and protect her.

One day, Ethan acts very differently and Robbie told Meghan that it is not Ethan. The real Ethan has been kidnapped by someone from the faery world. Meghan wants to go to the faery world to bring her brother back home. And it changes the rest of her life.

There are two courts in the faery world - Summer court and Winter court. There are faeries in the mortal (or human) world too. But human cannot see them. Meghan actually is the daughter of the King of the Summer Court, Oberon. And her identity made her the most wanted person in the faery world. Robbie is Oberon's servant whose duty is to protect Meghan.

During her journey to save her brother, Meghan met with a cat, Grimalkin and Prince Ash, third son of the Winter court who wants to take Meghan to the Winter Court Queen. They found out that Ethan is captured by a mysterious faery Iron King, who is not from neither Summer court nor Winter court. Meghan has to face him alone in order to save her brother, as no other faery can do that.

The whole book is full of actions. Things happen one after another. Meghan is a smart and very brave girl. And she does not hesitate to sacrifice herself in order to save the people that she loves. Her adventures with the faeries made her dull human life much more interesting but it is also a very expensive price to pay.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Note: I have the eBook version of this book. Leave a comment to this post if you are interested.

Possession by Rene Gutteridge

2010-12-28T10:31:00.000+08:00

In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, police detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife, Lindy and his son, Conner to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure that his family’s new beginning is not ruined.

When Vance deals with the movers on his belongings, he is undergoing a lot of stress. Vance actually is having post-traumatic stress disorder without himself realizing it. Very often he has migraines, nightmares, seeing scenes of those days when he is awake and he can’t stand in open spaces. Vance has limited resources since he has already quit the force and he knows no one in the new place.

Thing has become worst when the mover threatens Vance with the secret of his past. Just when Vance realizes who is behind all these there was a corpse in his new house. Vance was being charged and held up in the prisoner while Lindy and Conner are being held by the person who wants to take away everything that Vance has.

There are some spiritual content in the story and mostly comes through Conner, who become a Christian by watching a televangelist. And his innocent faith brings hope to this family.

Possession is a very good book. It is not slow-paced. I find it very intriguing and just want to keep turning the pages well into the night. This book also makes us think what really matters in our lives. It’s so easy to get caught up in the extras of life that were intended as blessings but become harmful when we elevate them over what truly matters.

I rate this book 4 out of 5.

Note: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sales season

2010-12-23T20:54:00.000+08:00

I think most of the shopping malls are having sales now due to the festive season and school holiday. Since Chinese New Year is less than 2 months away, this is just the right time to buy Chinese New Year clothes while the sales is still on. And of course not to miss out for a new pair of shoes too. I have been looking for a pair of high heels for formal occasion. However I still could not find anything that suit me yet. Most of the high heels on the market are too high for me, more than 3 inches. It won't be good for my back too especially since I get back ache easily. I also need to get new shoes for the kids. They have started complaining about their shoes getting smaller again.

Getting shoes for the kids is not an easy task too. Whenever I walk pass the shops selling children shoes, it is always those cute baby shoes that catch my eyes. Buying shoes for baby is always much easier. I don't have to bring the baby along with me. However for Lynn and Hao, I can't shop for them myself. I have to bring them along to try on the shoes themselves to make sure the shoe is the right size for them. And ever since Lynn has watch this video, she has been bugging me to buy a pair of buckle-up shoes for her. I wanted to get for her few months back but we could not get one for her size. Hopefully we can buy one this time.

Hao's Toilet/Potty Training

2010-12-20T18:51:00.000+08:00

It has been a while since I last update about Hao. Just few months before Hao turned 2 years old, we started to potty train him. I'm not too sure is it due to each kid is different, or because Lynn is a girl and Hao is a boy. The process of potty training him is not smooth at all as compared to Lynn. But of course the environment is totally different for both of them. And Lynn plays an important part in Hao's potty training.

Lynn was potty trained before she turned 2 years old too, by her nanny at that time. This was before we went her to child care and before Hao was born. This was not difficult to potty train her at all. Accidents seldom happen as long as we reminded her to go potty. And very soon she could tell me when she needed to go potty and did not require us to remind her at all. That was until Hao was born. The first month after Hao was born, lots of accidents happened at home. Even though I was mad about it but on the other hand I knew that I could not blame her at all. She was coping with the new family member at home. She probably was having stress about it too. Luckily the accidents part did not last long. I think on the 2nd month she improved a lot and slowly went back to normal.

As for Hao, as we are sending him to child care, so those children about his age are potty trained at the same time. However Hao is the slowest to cope amongst all children. As we did not spend time with him during weekdays, I only get to potty train him during weekend which is very limited. During first two months, accidents always happened. Sometimes I was so tired that after few accident happened on the same day, I gave up and put him back on diaper. I recognized it as he's not ready for potty train. But next day I would still try to make him diaper less and see how it goes. And at the same time I always reminded him to go potty. In child care, the comment that I got is he won't tell when he needs to go toilet. So when they did not remind him to go toilet, accident will happen. At one point, they almost want to give up on him. But I continue to make him diaper less at home, despite just twice a week.

After few more months, accidents still happen but were getting less and less. But still need constant reminder to ask him to go toilet. I noticed that when he is so concentrate on doing one thing, even if he's just playing, he won't remember to go toilet. When we go out, I would bring him to toilet too despite he was still wearing diaper (I dare not let him go diaper less outside the house yet). Just want to make him a habit to go toilet instead of relying on the diaper. And despite child care told me that he won't tell them if he needs to go toilet, but at home he would tell me, or Lynn. I did not specifically ask how they potty train him (I did not want to sound as if I don't trust them). At home, each time after he goes to potty by himself, I will sure praise him and he will give me back a big smile on his face. Accidents were becoming less and less, almost down to zero but not entirely.

About 3 months back, when we go out for a short trip, I let Hao go diaper less too. I want to try force him not to rely on diaper. That means I have to be hardworking taking him to toilet. And that's another problem. Public toilet is definitely not as clean as home toilet, especially if we go to those Chinese restaurants for dinner. That was same problem with Lynn last time too, before she get used to those public toilets. For Hao, at the beginning, he told me he needed to go toilet but when we were there, he told me no. So we returned to the seat and 5 minutes later, he told me want to go toilet again. And again, he said no when we were in the toilet. Only at the 3rd time, finally he was able to pee. And that was probably because he could not hold back anymore. Hahaha. Can't remember exactly how long, but I think he get used to it after several times. And with this small achievement, I requested the child care to let him go diaper less when we go pick him up. And at the same time I constantly remind Hao to tell us if he wants to go toilet.

Accidents happened few times when we were outside. First time was on my car. He did not tell us he needed to go toilet. Second time was in a shopping mall while I was carrying him. Again he did not tell us he needed to go toilet. And despite this, I still insist he go diaper less when we go out. Because I fear that once I let him go back diaper, the toilet training will become more difficult. Third accident happened in my car too. But this one I could not blame him. We were stuck at the traffic jam on a highway on the way back home. He told us he needed to go toilet. But he could not wait for us to stop the car near any drain for him to unload.

Another person who plays an important part in contributing to Hao's potty training is Lynn. My this little girl, is like my spy on the boy, without me telling her to be one. Hahaha! She would "report" to me, when Hao peed on the floor. However if Hao went to potty himself without being told, she would praise him "Wah Hao good boy, shh shh in the potty" and then "reported" to me too "Mommy, you see Hao very good boy. He go to potty shhh shhh!" As if she's so proud of him. :) And when Hao requested to go toilet, Lynn will take him there. As I notice, Hao would prefer someone take him to the toilet. He would be glad if either me or Lynn take him to toilet, even though we are at home. Thus I think without Lynn, probably he's still way behind when come to potty training.

Oh yeah one mistake that I made when potty train him, is I did not ask him to pee while standing! >.< So used to "sit" potty. LOL! Until the people from child care reminded me.

Now, whenever Hao is with us, he will always go diaper less. Regardless when we go out for short or long period, I make him go diaper less. He will tell me or we will ask also, if he needs to go toilet, whether for big or small business. I know in the child care, he is on diaper when he takes the afternoon nap. But not at home as I can never impose their afternoon nap time at home. He just will not take the afternoon nap when I ask him to but he will go to sleep by himself when he get tired later. So I just let him go diaper less since I do not want to wake him up just to change diaper. I think it is about 7 months since the potty train started. It's a long and slow process, but I'm happy what he has achieved now - diaper less during day time, whether at home or outside. My next goal is zero accidents. :)

Perfume

2010-12-15T18:08:00.000+08:00

My very first perfume was bought when I was 20 years old. I was making a trip to UK by myself and on the way back to KL, I bought this Clinique's Happy from the duty shop in Singapore. Ever since then, whenever I have chance to travel to overseas, especially Europe, I never fail to buy some perfumes back home because they are so much cheaper. I like the scent of the perfume. It makes me feel good and refreshing. Even my 4 years old daughter found the perfume smell attractive too; "Mommy, you smell very nice!"

Perfume is a luxury item to me. I would not buy it unless I really like it so much and within my budget. Other than the nice smell, the shape of the perfume bottles can be attractive too. I remember I wanted to buy this perfume from Jean Paul Gaultier so much because of the perfume bottle. It is a crystal ball with a lovely female doll in black evening dress inside. My other favorite perfume bottle is from Moschino. Since most of my perfumes are bought in overseas, looking at each of them reminded me where I have visited. Some perfumes are limited edition, some could be no longer available in the market. Thus perfume bottles make great collectibles. There are many types of perfume bottles - antique perfume bottles, vintage perfume bottles, new and stylish perfume bottles, in crystal, in glass, in many beautiful and decorative styles. I think getting one of these beautiful crystal perfume bottles make a perfect Christmas gift for my perfume lover friends.

Good luck? Bad luck?

2010-12-13T09:58:00.000+08:00

Read this story from an article from Choices and Illusions by Eldon Taylor. Like it a lot and would like to share with everyone.

An old rancher back in the Civil War days was just barely getting by. His wife had died giving birth to his only son, and he himself was somewhat crippled with arthritis. His son, therefore, did most the work around the ranch. Now, this rancher was a really nice man, and everyone in town liked him.

One day, the boy was out tilling the ground when lightning struck near the mules. The mules bolted, and the old harness could not hold them. The harness broke, and the mules ran off. Without the mules, the rancher and his son would not be able to get their crops in, and they were barely making ends meet as it is was. The whole town turned out to commiserate. "Such bad luck" they said. But the old farmer said, "Good luck, bad luck; who knows?"

The next day the mules came running home, and behind them came a whole herd of wild horses. The farmer and his son seized the opportunity because horses were worth a lot of money. Armies on both sides of the Civil War were paying a lot of money for horses. They ran outside and opened the corral gates. When the horses and mules were inside, they closed the gates. This time the whole town came out to congratulate them. "Such good luck!" they said. But the farmer just said, "Good luck, bad luck; who knows?"

The next day the son went out to break the horses, as nobody would buy a horse he could not ride. However, the very first pony he mounted simply sunfished and switched over. This means that he went up facing west and came down facing east, and then reared completely over backwards. The boy was lucky he wasn't more seriously hurt, just a broken arm and collarbone. This time the whole town came out to say, "Such bad luck." The old farmer simply said, "Good luck, bad luck; who knows?"

The very next day the army marched through town and conscripted every able-bodied man. Of course they did not take the farmer's son, because his arm and collarbone were broken. The whole town turned out again: "Such good luck." The old farmer simply said, "Good luck, bad luck; who knows?"

The army was heading to Shiloh. Not many lived through that battle. You just never know what is good luck and what is bad luck. But when your bones are broken, you tend to think only of the pain, the inconvenience, the discomfort and so on.

The point of this little story is obvious--and I think of it as just simply, "Stop and smell the roses." Every moment is precious and when we take advantage of each one--our concerns and worries disappear. May you know peace this holiday season and treasure every moment of love and joy that you experience and share!

Reading eBook

2010-11-29T20:08:00.000+08:00

Hb gave me a smart phone recently for my last year's birthday present. Yes for last year birthday even though it came one year later. LOL! Alright won't talk much about why it came one year later, back to this smart phone. First thing I install is an eBook reader app.

There are lots of free ebook readers app out there. I got the one with more free fiction ebooks for the readers. Hehehe. I just don't feel worth it to pay USD$5-10 for an ebook. Not to mention some are even cost more than $10. I rather buy the paper copy from BookXcess with much cheaper price and more selections. Hehehe. Alright back to eBook reader, after comparing a few, finally I decided to install Kobo ebook app on my phone. And right after register an account, I download one fiction book to read (will blog about this book in another post).

I have few ebooks in PDF format but I never complete reading any one of them. Why? Because whenever I open it subsequently, it always back to page 1. Zzzz.... Don't expect me to remember which page I stop reading previously. And sometimes I may need to leave my place halfway when reading. Upon returning, I have to search through the whole page to search where I stop. So after few attempts, I just gave up.

However reading ebook from smart phone is totally different experience. First there is bookmark. And it will always open back the same page where I stop last. As compared monitor screen size and smart phone screen size, obviously it is easier to look for the paragraph where I stop last much easier. Most cases, I will finish reading the whole page before I stop because it won't take you much time to finish a page (the screen is so much smaller). Some readers come with dictionaries feature, so you can check out those new words easily. Some come with night reading mode. You can also set the font to be bigger or small size. You can also read more than one ebook at the same time and switching them as you like to. More important, I can read whenever I go without carrying a book with me! I can read when I'm waiting for my food to come at the restaurant, in the car during traffic jam if I'm not the one who drive etc. Basically I can make use of the waiting time to read. But the down side is, the phone battery run out very fast if I keep on reading non-stop. Hehehe. But so far can last until I finish reading the whole book. Anyway, I'm happy to find another source of reading without spending money. ^_^

Btw, even if you don't have any smart phone or iPad or other ebook readers like Kindle, you still can install most ebook reader application on your desktop and read the eBook from your PC too! Some ebooks are in PDF format where you can read without the ebook reader. Some only available in the specific format for that you need to reader for it. So if you want to get some free books to read, you can always install the ebook reader app on your PC and download the ebooks to read. Some you can just read from the website too without having to install the app. But then you have to stay online to read. Most of the ebook reader apps are free. You only pay for buying the ebooks. Since it's free, you can always give it a try and get a free ebook to read. I have not tried install one on my PC at home so I can't share on this part. But if you don't like it, you can always just uninstall it.

My colleague asked me "How come you are not playing games on your phone?" Oh I have no interest on the games. I prefer to read! And yes, I'm still reading the paperback books the old-fashion way! I still enjoy reading the "real" books. :) I have bought quite a few books from BookXcess and BBWS recently. I definitely want to read all of them. Btw reading eBook from phone can be very addictive, even more addictive than reading paperback. Because since it's not a physical book, I won't realize how much I have read and how much more to go. I will just continue reading and reading, until I did not realize it's been hours since I have started reading. LOL! eBook is another way that I can read anytime and anywhere. And I wish there are more fiction books available as free ebooks! :D

Happy reading!

I've raised my hand. How about you? Let's Get on board!

2010-11-28T13:39:00.002+08:00

Early last month when I went to BookXcess to get some books, I was stopped by a lady halfway when I was in a hurry to leave (hb was waiting for me at the roadside since it was a quick 15mins shopping for book). I thought she was trying to ask me to sign up for new credit card, as I was in a hurry I did not really want to stop. But instead she told me I just need to enter my name, email and contact number for the Stop the Child Abuse campaign by UNICEF. Oh just that simple? OK so I filled up the details without asking much details of the campaign and left.

Few days back, I received an email from UNICEF. UNICEF has started a nationwide movement called "Get on Board" to provide the public with the information, insight and resources to stop child abuse. This knowledge will empower everyone to protect the children in our families and communities. The more people who raise their hand to be counted, the stronger the campaign becomes to deter an abuser from hurting a child.

Average of 7 children in Malaysia were reported to be victims of child abuse each day in 2008. Statistics show that there has been a rise in reported child abuse incidents. Moreover, these numbers could merely be the tip of the iceberg because many cases are believed to have gone unreported. Some may even have been reported to the authorities but remain unproven. Neglect is the most common form of child abuse in Malaysia, followed by physical abuse and sexual abuse. Failure to provide care and supervision has become the most frequent cause of death among children. What is most disturbing is that many child abusers are parents, immediate family members, relatives or foster parents of the victims themselves.

Child abuse distorts and destroys a child’s development and has serious consequences that affect the child for life. Unchecked, child abuse leads to a disturbed adulthood. At worst, it ends in the death of the child. In between these two possible consequences, many children live their lives neglected, unwanted, unloved, fearful and without hope. Evidence shows that the physical, psychological and behavioural consequences of child abuse have a serious impact, not just on the child and the immediate family, but on the community as a whole.

Child abuse is not someone else’s problem. It is OUR problem. We can do our part to help and make a difference: By learning more about abuse. By talking about it and raising awareness. By asking questions and staying alert. By minimising opportunities for abuse. By getting involved and reporting abuse or any suspicion of abuse. Children need love and support if they are to grow and develop to their full potential. They need protection from abuse which can distort and destroy their lives.

Get on Board is a "peoples' campaign" by UNICEF to provide the Malaysian public with the knowledge, insights and resources to stop child abuse. The digitally-driven campaign, a first by UNICEF in the region, aims to unite 100,000 supporters to raise their hand in support of children. We hope the Malaysian public will embrace this campaign as their own, and support and promote it in their own unique ways to ensure a safe and protected childhood for every child in Malaysia.

You can become a Campaigner for Children by hopping on the bus, and rallying others to join us on our journey to end child abuse in Malaysia. UNICEF has prepared materials for you to use to help spread the word and to get as many people as possible to sign up for children. Here are some of the things you can do to promote the campaign for children:

Blog about the campaign.
Donate your Facebook status message or change your profile picture to the picture of your designed hand.
Email you friends. (We even pre-made an email template for your convenience)
Create conversations on Twitter.
Send a letter to the Editor of your daily newspaper.
Organise a sign-up at your company, college, place of worship.

Every choice we make on behalf of children today, impacts their tomorrows. With appropriate attention and guidance, children can flourish in safe and protected childhoods. Get on Board and help us spread the word to stop child abuse today! What will you do today that is more important?

Jealous? Or possessive?

2010-11-25T18:42:00.003+08:00

Wherever we go, eat dinner at parents' house or outside in the restaurant or walking in the mall, most of the time Lynn will say

"Mommy I want to sit with you"

"Mommy I want to hold your hand"

"Mommy sit here (point at the chair next to her)".

She will definitely choose her beloved MOMMY. The only time she wants papa is to ask papa to carry her. Hahaha.

How about didi? This boy usually won't choose or maybe still don't know that he can choose. He's fine with either papa or mama.

-----------------------------------

Back at home......

"Mommy I want you to switch on the light for me."

"Mommy I want you to go down take for me."

"Mommy I want you to take."

"Mommy I want you to sleep with me."

"Mommy I want you......"

She's not saying please, because all those things she can do it herself but instead she wants me to do for her. I think, this is her way of feeling me loving her if I fulfill her requests.

----------------------------------

It was a lazy Sunday morning; me and hb were lying lazily on our bed. Lynn climbed up our bed to join us, lying between both of us. Hao saw it and came up too. Hb caught Lynn and hugged her tightly.

"No no, boy boy friend and boy boy friend. Girl girl friend and girl girl friend. Papa with Hao. Me with mommy."

"No, boy and girl. Not boy and boy and girl and girl." Papa said.

Whenever hb hugs me...

"No, papa you cannot marry my mommy. Only me can marry my mommy."

Not sure where she get the idea hugging = getting married? LOL!

"But Papa and mama already married." Papa said.

"Cannot. You cannot marry my mommy."

And then she will try to push papa away from me. LOL!

Oh my dear Lynn, whether mommy sits with you or not, whether mommy holds your hand or not, whether mommy do things for you or not, mommy always loves you!

My Favorite Wife by Tony Parsens

2010-11-23T12:55:00.007+08:00

I'm a book lover and I love reading. Many thanks to Smallkucing and Cleffairy who inspire me to go back reading after entering parenthood. :)

I bought this book from BookXcess when I went there to shop for some children books for the kids. Attracted by its title but then later I regretted buying it and reading it.

My Favorite Wife is the story of a lawyer, Bill Horden who brings his young family from London to Shanghai, China. He will be made partner in a couple of years so that he and his family can have better life.

However not everything in Shanghai are what they have expected. There are farmers have their land ripped away from them, babies being thrown into trashcans, and there are women selling their bodies to earn a living.

Their lifestyle also has changed a lot. Bill always leave the home early for work and come back after his wife Becca and his daughter Holly have gone to bed. He spent very little time with his family and most of his time at work, entertaining the clients after working hours.

After Holly's sudden asthma attack, Becca shock at finding a baby in the trash, and at the same time worrying on her sick father back home, Becca demands to go back to London. Leave Bill alone in Shanghai.

In Paradise Mansions, the place where Bill and his family are staying has a group of young women being kept as mistresses by rich married men – some local, some foreigners. After Becca and Holly went back to London, Bill gets lonely and strikes up much more than a friendship with the beautiful JinJin Li, one of the ladies from that group of young women. And you probably can guess what happen next.

The second half of the book mainly talks about Bill being alone in Shanghai and his interactions with JinJin Li. I dislike the fact that he knew he should not do it, he knew it is wrong and yet the next minute he has forgotten about it and go all out with her.

The story of the book made me in low mood for quite a while and made me have a good thought about myself and my own marriage. I feel dissatisfied about the ending of the book. Not that I don't like the ending but I feel it is a bit rush. The author jumps to the ending without talking much about the interactions between Bill and Becca on this issue. In fact this book mainly focuses on Bill. There is no much mention about Becca after knowing her husband has betrayed her. There is no much details about her feelings and how she can forgive her husband on this matter.

I won't say this book is not a good read. In fact it is a very interesting book because it’s a Westerner’s point of view of Asian life. But it's not a book to make you feel comfortable, not for me.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Matching

2010-10-28T17:56:00.001+08:00

Lynn likes to wear clothes in matching set. If she chooses a green color top, she will choose a green color pants and green color panty too! Yes the inside one also she wants to be the same color. LOL! Not only that, she will also choose the same color series for Hao! Normally I will ask her to choose and take her own clothes. Usually she will choose and take for Hao's too. If we are going out, let say she chooses red for her, she will also take red t-shirt for her beloved didi!

Last weekend, she had chosen a white dress for herself. This girl of mine likes to wear dress. Then I took a white color Chinese style costume for Hao. My parents bought it when they went holiday in China. All 3 grandchildren got a set of it. It was getting smaller so I thought let Hao wears it while he still can fit into it. Seeing her didi was going to wear that, immediately she said "I want to wear that same one with didi! Mommy I want that also!" "You sure you don't want to wear this dress then?" Just want to assure she wanted to change her mind. "Yes, I want to wear that one, that one same with didi." "OK." So I put back the dress, and take out the same Chinese style costume for her. When we reached MIL house later, she was so happy to tell her grandma and uncle "See, me and didi same!"

Yesterday after picking up the kids from my parents' house, on the way back home, Lynn told me that she had given her blue color dress to her friend. I asked her why and she told me because her friend did not have the same dress so she wanted to give it to her. Lynn has the same dress in three different colors - blue, red and pink. I usually pack two sets of clothes for her in her bag and normally only one set is used. Another set is for back up just in case she may dirty her clothes. Her intention to give the blue dress to her friend was so that she and her friend can wear the same dress at school! After reaching home, I checked her bag. Yes the blue dress was not inside her bag. And the panty also not there (I packed two sets of clothes with two panties). I asked her why she gave her friend her panty also. She told me "Because she does not have the same panty also!" *FAINT* I'm not sure what will the mother of her friend will think and react. But I think maybe I should buy few new t-shirts of the same design for her and her friends. She has few good friends in her school that she always tells us about them.

I did not scold her for giving away her dress to her friend. But I did tell her next time she should ask me about it first. Sometimes kids just like to give us some surprise. :)

Cheeky papa

2010-10-19T00:57:00.000+08:00

Last Thursday, while on the way home, I asked hb to stop by the Chinese shop near our house as I needed to buy milk for the kids. Lynn asked for lollipop. I did not want the kids to get down from the car to the shop with me as I wanted to make it quick, so I asked what lollipop she wants and I would buy for her. She was happy that I agreed to buy the lollipop and did not insist to come down with me. So three of them (hb, lynn and hao) were waiting for me in the car. This happened while I was inside the shop and hb told me about this the next day.

While waiting for me, Lynn saw there was a ride in front of the Chinese shop. Immediately she asked hb to take her for the ride. There was no parking space and hb stopped the car at the road side. So it was not possible to let the kids to have the ride.

Lynn: Papa, I want to sit that one. The kitty cat!
Papa: Er... why do you want to sit that one? The one that you are sitting now (referring to the car as all of them were sitting inside the car waiting for me) is better! It's bigger and can move. That kitty cat cannot move.

Obviously Lynn did not know how to answer papa. She asked for one more time and get no response from papa. Then a while later, she told hb "So sit this one is better-la, bigger and can move, that one just sit there shake shake shake and cannot move."

LOL LOL LOL! I wonder next time the same cheat still work on her or not. LOL LOL LOL!

Big Sister

2010-10-15T18:43:00.005+08:00

Lynn and Hao, when Hao was 6 months old.

Few weeks back, I was reading some old post dated 2 years ago, the time when Hao was just born. During that time, Lynn gave us lots of headache due to the jealousy over the brother. I did not and I could not blame her. She was merely 2 years old at that time and she is the first born. She was so used to having full attention from all of us. And now she had to learn to share. So what have she learn over the past 2 years?

The very first thing I trained her was to sleep by herself. I was the one used to put Lynn to bed. Actually was more on she needed me to be there with her before she fall asleep. She has her own mattress. I used to sleep beside her until she had fallen asleep. She would cry if I left her before she had fallen asleep. She also rejected hb to get her to sleep. When Hao was born, I was still accompany her to sleep, but not on her bed. She would sleep on her bed, while me on my bed in the same room. Not long after that, I let her fall asleep by herself. I would leave the room after I had done with nursing Hao. To unpack and pack Lynn's bag for next day, to clean and sterilize the breast pump and bottles for next day, store and milk according to date etc. I was glad that she did not make much fuss about it and the whole process went on very smoothly. Today, she would give us good night kiss and go to bed together with Hao. As for Hao, as long as I have spent some time with him on the bed, he never needs me to accompany him until he has fallen asleep. I used to let him sleep on my bed, and I would carry him to his crib later when I sleep. Now after we have switched him to sleep on the floor next to our bed, maybe he used to see Lynn sleep by herself on the floor also, I never have issue asking him to go to his own mattress to sleep after finish nursing him on my bed. He would obediently get down from my bed and go sleep on his mattress with his bolster. And if I did not remind them to sleep, they could continue playing after I step out of the room. Yes, they like to play. :D

Lynn was feeding Hao ice cream. :D

Whenever we dine out, sometimes we would share our food with both of them, sometimes we would order another set and let both of them share. As for the drink, we usually let both of them share one drink. And Lynn would not finish the whole cup. After she drank some, she would go over to Hao and offered him the drink. Whenever she asked for food at home, she would take some for Hao also. Let say for yogurt, she would take 2 spoons, one for her and one for Hao. At the beginning, before Hao learn how to self feed, Lynn would feed Hao to eat. But, after she finish feeding Hao and wanted to eat her own yogurt, Hao would cry for her share of yogurt too! LOL! Poor Lynn. To avoid that, usually I would feed Hao so that Lynn could eat together with Hao at the same time. :) When they share the ice cream, Lynn would take turn to feed Hao and herself the ice cream. One spoon for Hao, one spoon for herself, until all ice cream finished. She hardly rejects sharing food with Hao. She would just ask for more! Hahahaha! Just one thing, they will never let mommy to eat alone! They will always want to eat the food from my plate!

She learns to play together with the brother, including sharing the toys. And she enjoys playing with him. Why? Because this little boy listens to whatever she said! LOL! She taught Hao to sing song; she taught him to dance; she taught him to somersault (only on our bed and not on the floor); she taught him how to play the toy etc. Basically Hao would just follow Lynn for everything. Of course if Lynn did something naughty Hao would follow also. So have to keep an eye on what they are doing.

They learn to "share" papa and mama. 1 year ago, whenever I let Lynn or Hao sit on my lap, the other one would get jealous and sure come to me and asked for sitting on my lap as well. Now, when Lynn or Hao sits on my lap, they would make space and call the other one to come over to sit on my lap as well. So one sits on the left; and one sits on the right. :) Papa likes to play with them carrying them on his back. They would take turn to be on papa's back. Instead of saying "me me me", they would say "my turn, your turn". They stop fighting for papa and mama anymore. :)

Lynn loves to play the role to take care Hao. Whatever I asked her to do, let say go take Hao's water bottle, take Hao's clothes for change, take Hao's handkerchief etc, she would happily do it for me. She would also take Hao to the potty or toilet, take off his pant, help him to wear back his pant, comb his hair, serve him milk, wear his socks for him etc. She's my little helper when come to taking care of Hao. ^_^

I would say from a jealous sister, Lynn has become a caring sister. Sometimes she would still fight with him though. For example when Hao was not listen to her that he should not play the remote control; when Hao took away her color pencils when she was coloring; when Hao took away her school books. Does Hao like Lynn? I think so. One day, while I was taking my shower, I heard some quarrels and Lynn was crying came look for me in the bathroom.

Lynn: Mama, didi beat me.
Me: Why didi beat you?
Lynn: Because didi want to eat the cereal, and I said cannot.

Right before I took my shower, Lynn did ask me if she can eat the cereal. As it was very close to dinner time, I rejected her. Hao must be seeing the cereal and wanted to eat too. And Lynn knew that I won't allow it. So she disallowed Hao to eat the cereal too.

Hb went to check Hao and scolded him for beating Lynn. Hao came up to look for me too. So now 2 crying kids outside the bathroom! Hao cried because papa scolded him.

Lynn: (now got papa back her up, she talked loudly to Hao) Cannot beat Jie jie!
Hao: (still crying) Mama.... mama.....
Lynn: Say sorry to jie jie.
Hao: (still crying) Mama.... mama.....
Lynn: Say sorry to jie jie.
Hao: No! Mama.... mama.....

Finally I finished taking my shower.

Me: Hao, cannot beat jie jie. Say sorry.
Hao: (Crying) Mama... mama.....
Me: Say sorry to jie jie.
Hao: (Crying) Mama... mama.....
Me: (In a very firm voice) Say sorry to jie jie.

I insisted that he should say sorry to Lynn. But he just refused and was still crying there. I get annoyed and scolded him for crying so long and yet it is him who beat Lynn. Guess what? He turned to Lynn and still crying, saying "jie jie.... jie jie.... "; asking comfort from Lynn! Hahahahahaha! Just few minutes earlier he was angry with Lynn because Lynn disallowed him to eat the cereal. And now he seeks comfort from Lynn because mama scolded him! And what was Lynn's reaction? She gently pats his head! She was not angry at him now! LOL!

Lynn: It's ok. Jie jie sayang. Why you beat jie jie?
Me: Say sorry to jie jie and sayang jie jie.
Hao: (Hugging Lynn) Sorry jie jie.

It's a nice feeling seeing both of them becoming more loving to each other. Two weeks ago when we had problem with the cars, we were so glad that we have 2 kids to entertain each other instead of come bugging us for carry or whatever! Of course they are still not perfect yet. Hao has to learn to listen to Lynn when Lynn reprimands him for doing something not right. And also learn to share and be more caring to Lynn. Nowadays whenever Lynn say something, he will sure say "No!" back to Lynn. LOL! And Lynn also has to learn to talk to Hao in a more gentle way, when Hao is doing something not right. I feel so blessed having both of them with me. ^_^

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado

2010-10-13T17:28:00.000+08:00

One hand, two hands,
Five fingers, ten.
God, thanks, for my hands.
Please, use them again.

After waiting for almost 2 months, finally I received this book on last weekend. The beautiful illustrations straightaway captured the kids' attention and requested me to read for them on that night.

One Hand, Two Hands is written by Max Lucado in rhyming text and illustrated with the charming art of Gaby Hansen. The language is very simple, plus the interactive illustration, it is very easy for the children to understand. It teaches what wonderful things our hands can do from clapping, scratching, latching, squeezing, waving and petting a pup to washing dishes with mommy and putting toys in a box. As I read along, the kids will actively follow along doing all sorts of fun activities using their hands. Besides that, Hao is also attracted by the beautiful and sweet illustration of the book. This is one of the few books that he will sit with me listen to me finish reading the whole book without running around. :)

I like the message of the book - To encourage the children to help others with their hands, and to encourage them to be creative and think about other ways they can use their hands to be helpful. I rate this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Unlucky but Lucky

2010-09-29T18:34:00.000+08:00

This week did not start well for me. Some unlucky things happen, but seem like God pity us and give us some good luck though. It started with Monday morning, when we wanted to leave the house heading to office and drop by the kids to kindy and child care along the way, my car could not get started. After a few tries, the car alarm system was triggered and could not stop! I called up the service center; he taught me a simple way to use the remote key to stop the alarm. But it failed. Then he said if in this case, should be the car battery problem. Luckily hb was with us. He went to the nearby workshop to get a new car battery using his car, and then fixed it to my car. After that I sent my car to the service center to get the calibration done. It is for resetting the gear box after changing new battery. I left my car at the service center for servicing too. And I went to collect it on Tuesday morning when going to work.

Tuesday morning, I went to collect my car. Drove it to my parents' house and parked there. As after work, we will pick up the kids from my parents' house before heading home. Due to limited parking space near office, I and hb usually just drive one car to work. So I parked my car near my parents' house, and went to work with hb on his car.

After work, as planned we went to my parents' house. The road of my parents is a dead end. It is a slope too and my parents house is somewhere in the middle. We drove down the road, make a 3-point turn and wanted to head back up the slope so that later when we go home, we could drive out straightaway. Just right after hb had reversed the car and wanted to drive up the slope, something wrong with the gear! The screen at the front panel was showing the gear at the N position, and no matter how hb tried to change the gear, it did not engage at all! The car was stuck there blocking the way. We tried to push the car to the side of the road but as soon as we released the break, the car was actually moving backwards due to the slope. One Indian man saw that we were having problem with the car, came out from his house and helped us to push the car to the side. At the same time, I called my father for rescue.

As soon as the car was pushed to the side of the road, I saw my father walking down the road coming to us. He asked us to open the front bonnet, put his hand inside and pressed/pushed something (I could not see clearly whether he was pressing or pushing the thing), and asked hb to check what gear was it. Eh seems like can change gear from there! My father made the gear set at D, so that hb could drive the car to the front of my parents' house. Apparently, something has broken inside the thing where we switch the gear. That's why the gear was not engaged.

For 2 days, our 2 cars gave us problem one after another. LUCKILY
1. My car was just battery issue. And hb was around to change it for me. Could not imagine if just me alone with the kids! I would probably need to get help from neighbour to jump start the car so that I could drive to workshop or service center to change the car battery.
2. Hb's car gear problem happened outside my parents' house, and not in the highway or when he was driving! It could be dangerous especially if the car was moving up the slope.
3. My father is a mechanic. He could not fix it on the spot without some tools. But he could drive it to his workshop the next day and get it fixed.
4. Since I parked my car near my parents' house that morning, we did not need to borrow car from my parents to go home.
5. I'm glad that I get my car fixed on Monday itself despite we could just drive to work using hb's car. Mainly due to the noisy alarm. We did not want the neighbor to complain about it.

I consider myself very lucky when come to car issue. Since my father is a mechanic, whenever my car gives problem I just need to tell my father. I also don't have to worry getting cheated or slaughtered by any bad mechanic. I never feel shy or shame whenever people ask me what's my father's occupation, just because he is not a manager or someone works in big company or someone who works inside an office. My father is a handyman and he fixes lots of things that not working in the house. I respect him a lot. And at one point, way before I was dating hb, I even wish to get a handyman husband like my father! LOL!

Rumble! Zap! Pow!

2010-09-28T18:01:00.000+08:00

This is a very good quality hard cover bible storybook for children. It highlights the adventurous stories in the Bible and points its readers to God's mighty power. The language used is simple and the stories are short, about 3 pages. The stories are presented in cartoon-style art to keep the kids engaged. Lynn is very much attracted with the bright pictures of the stories. This is our very first stories book in comic's style. Each story is paired with a “Mighty Thought” — a simple statement that summarizes the Bible story. There are total 42 stories in this book, started with God created the world, Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark etc.

Despite Lynn like this book due to the cartoon-style art, I personally quite disappointing with the book. The stories presented are too brief. As I'm not a Christian, I do not have good knowledge on Bible. I have some difficulty relate the stories to each other. I cannot see the connection between each story. For some of the stories, I also could not relate the stories with the "Mighty thought" that summarizes the story. The stories are just way to brief. Or it could be just me who does not have good knowledge on Bible stories. The story also ends with an activity designed for the active child, for example measure yourself with books and measure Goliath’s height with books; make a megaphone from a milk jug—to have a loud voice like Jonah needed. As our reading time is usually before bedtime, I did not do much of those activities with Lynn.

I will rate this book 2 out of 5.

Note: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

When mommy is sick

2010-09-17T18:01:00.000+08:00

I was sick over the Hari Raya holiday. It started with bad sore throat on Saturday. I was thinking what to have for dinner, and then hb told me that, he had promised the gal to buy pizza for dinner! I was very reluctant to eat pizza actually, as it most probably will make my sore throat worse. Approaching dinner time, the gal kept on asking me, "Mama, papa said buy pizza." Sigh. Since hb already promised the gal, so I went ahead to order pizza. And it was a wrong decision! I was regretted after that. I should have explained to her that mama could not take pizza. :(

As expected, I woke up with very bad sore throat the next day. Plus some coughs. And stuffy nose. Lynn asked for gai gai. I told her mommy is sick, cannot go gai gai. Ha, guess what she answered me "Then mommy stay at home. Lynn and Papa and Didi go gai gai."

I took an MC on Monday. Lynn knew I was sick and did not go to work. I actually wanted to go back to work the next day. Somehow when I woke up in the morning, I had a very bad blocking nose, until I could hardly breathe! Had a bad experience on this before, I nearly suffocated in the office as the air-conditioner will just make the blocking nose worse. So I took another day off. At night when the kids came home, Lynn told me "Mommy, tomorrow you no more sick you go to work ok?"

I still had some blocking nose when I woke up the next day, but not as bad. At least I don't feel much difficulty in breathing. So I went to work. She's so happy. "Yay, mommy is going to work today!" And I came home with dry throat and coughing non-stop. And on that night, I lost my voice. :(

Yesterday was holiday. Good for me don't have to go to work. As the air conditioner environment always made me worse. However the two demanding kids would not stop come near me, wanted to sit on my laps etc. Worrying that I may pass the virus to them, I had to ask them to go away. And despite mommy is sick, both kids finished our breakfast (I bought 4 cream breads, for each of us. But both kids ate all 4 of them.) Despite me having sore throat, coughing and no voice to talk, they made me blood boil and yelled at them! Because they made the Ballet dance DVD which my parents bought in Paris, full of finger prints and some scratches! They know that they are forbidden to touch that DVD! I hope the DVD still working fine, if not I will cry! At night, I told Lynn no reading tonight, as mommy has no voice; don't want to talk so much. "Mommy, you get well tomorrow, and then read book for us, ok?"

Sports Day

2010-09-11T11:33:00.000+08:00

Although Lynn has been with this child care for about 2 years, but this is her very first Sports day! And first sports day for Hao too. Actually both of them are not going to the same place - Lynn is at the kindy, while Hao is with the infant and toddler group (from 2 months to 3 yers old). But both places are very close, just 3 mins drive from each other. Both are under same principal, so most of the events are combined event for both sides, and mostly held at the kindy compound, which is called Yellow House.

For the whole month of August, the teachers are busy preparing the children for the Sports day. Teaching them marching, singing the national anthem, playing all sorts of games. The Sports day falls on August 27, Friday. Since I'm not working in Selangor, it was not a holiday for us. I took leave for that day. But due to the need of getting ready for an important event on the following day, hb did not take leave. So he missed the kids first Sports day.

I reached there very early. And manage to snap some pictures before the event started.


Program for the day

Chairs for the parents.


Presents for the children.

Teachers getting ready the children before the event started. All children are requested to wear white pant. The blue color t-shirt is provided. To be return to the school after that.


Field where the sports events will be held.


Marching in - 1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2.... It was drizzling in the morning. Luckily it stopped right before the event started. And the sun decided to continue hiding behind the cloud. So it was a good weather that morning!


Gymnastic Senior


Maching Fruits - This is a team event for 2 years old.

Scooping Ping Pong Ball - individual event for 2 years old. Watch the video to find out how Hao performs in this event. :)

Wooden Round Board - Actually these 2 kids are just 1 and half years old. They have to put the wooden sticks on the board.


Jack and Jill - team event for 3 years old


Where is my shoe? - Individual event for 4 years old. Lynn the turtle was not able to wear her shoes as fast as her friends. :D


Gymnastic Junior - Can you spot where is Lynn? :)


Threading beads - Individual event for 3 years old.

Kangaroo Hop (5 years old)


Bean Bag Speed (6 years old) - The bean bags were placed some distance away. The children suppose to run to collect the bean bags and place them on the basket at the starting line. After finish collecting all bean bags, take the basket and run to the finishing line.

Father's Race - They have to walk to the finishing line with the balloon.

There were few events that I missed to take the picture. I was actually helping out on that day by holding the finishing line. That explains why all pictures were taken from same angle. :D

Children waiting for their presents. All children will get at least one present. I would say the school has been very generous on the presents. Let's see what did Lynn and Hao get. :)

Hao got this water tumbler and snack box with the Pooh sling bag. This is from winning the Scooping Ping Pong Ball event. Hao was so happy and he wants to use this water tumbler immediately. Because Lynn's water tumbler is something like this.

This is what Hao got from the Matching Fruits team event.


This is what Lynn got from her team event.

I got something too! As a token of appreciation for helping out, even just holding the finishing line. :D

Everyone enjoy themselves on that day, especially the children. And I enjoy watching the Scooping Ping Pong Ball video clip again and again! :D

Buying shoes for kids

2010-09-10T12:06:00.000+08:00

This morning, when I send the kids to school, Lynn told me "Mama, the Hello Kitty shoe is getting smaller, need to give to mei mei". Lynn has a cousin who is 1 year younger than her and we always pass down clothes that Lynn cannot fit to her.

At her age now, the rate she outgrows her shoe is very fast. Her first baby shoes last for less than half a year. And subsequently every 3-4 months we need to get a new pair of shoe for her. Thus it is important to get a good shoe for her growing feet. This can be tough because of the variety of cartoon characters and design that decorate kids' shoes, kids may want that particular shoe due to the cartoon character but the design may not be the best for their growing feet. The design of the shoe itself can make a big difference to how kids feet develop, and choosing the right shoe can make a difference in later life as far as foot problems are concerned. Backless or slip-on shoes are only limited to going to school as they need to take off the shoe. Other time whenever we go out, the kids will wear sneakers. Since they like to run and jump, I always get those sneakers or walking shoe with flat soles. Especially Hao who likes to kick off the shoes, wearing sneaker can prevent him from kicking off his shoes.

Unlike adult, the main reason for replacing kids' shoes is that the kids outgrow them. Thus to me high quality and long lasting shoes are not as important as a shoe that give better comfort, protection and support for all-day wear. I will check if the soles of the shoes are thick enough to protect, yet flexible enough for walking. And make sure the depth of the grooves is deep enough for better traction. I usually just buy one pair of shoe for each of them for all occasion since they outgrow from it very fast. The boy is still fine but the shoe may not always match with Lynn's outfit all the time especially some of her dresses. I think it is time to get her a pair of smart fitted shoe for more formal occasions. And this video is a good reference on how to fit buckle-up shoes for girls.

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

2010-09-07T08:35:00.000+08:00

When I get the hold of this book, I can't get my eyes off from it. It is so beautifully illustrated. Even the kids are attracted by the beautiful color and requested me to read for them immediately. The Boy Who Changed the World shares the stories of Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, Vice President Henry Wallace, Inventor George Washington Carver, and Farmer Moses Carver. Through the stories of each, a different butterfly will appear. Norman might not save two billions people without Henry's idea. Henry would not have interest in plant if not because of George. George wouldn't have grown up if Moses hadn't saved him from the outlaws. You see, even the smallest of our actions can affect all of humanity.

I love the beautiful illustration of the book. Each story of the characters is short and clear to keep the attention of the children. I can easily split the reading of the entire book into few reading sessions. The book ends with a flourish of butterflies and a charge to the child that they, too, can be the boy or girl who changes the world. I would say this book is more suitable for children above age 5 or 6. I will rate this book 5 out of 5.

Note: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

2010-09-07T08:30:00.032+08:00

"Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world." - Andy Andrews.

Most of the time, we care about what others have done to us. Because the impact is on us. However, how many of us, will think of the decisions we make and the way we treat others have more impact than we may ever realize? In this book The Butterfly Effect, Andy Andrews shares a compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made over a hundred years ago, and the ripple effect it’s had on us individually, and nationwide, today. It’s a story that will inspire courage and wisdom in the decisions we make, as well as affect the way we treat others through our lifetime.

The book is not very thick, less than 60 pages. Very beautifully illustrated. I like the writing style - very simple, and yet able to pass the message to the reader. Everything we do, every move we make, every action we take matter. A very good reminder to me, especially when I deal with the kids. This book is very easy to read. Very good for people like me who don't have much time to read. Within one month I have read it again and again. It is a very good gift book. I will rate it 5 out of 5.

Note: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Going for Orchestra Concert

2010-08-31T03:19:00.000+08:00

I love music, especially classical music. I listen to classical music since I was young as my father likes classical music too. Ever since I learn about the orchestra from the piano lesson, I have been wanted to attend any live orchestra concert instead of just listening from the CD or watching it from TV. I was very curious about different instruments and how they work together to perform a master piece. However there was no orchestra hall in Malaysia at that time. The only chance to attend orchestra concert was at overseas.

My dream finally came true when we visited Austria as our family holiday trip about 10 years ago. Austria, being the home of some famous composers like Mozart, Johann Strauss, visiting to the orchestra concert is definitely a must! Not only we went for the live orchestra in the famous music hall, we even got the chance to watch the famous ballet - Romeo and Juliet at the famous Vienna State Opera House in Vienna! We were so lucky that we managed to get the cheapest ticket for the evening concert on the same day! Despite cheapest, but after converting to MYR if not mistaken should be around RM50-RM100, can't remember the exact amount now. The performance was outstanding! Since we were sitting at the side, and top tier, we could not view the full stage (oh well, it was the cheapest so couldn't expect too much. :D), but to me, most important, is I get to watch the live performance from the famous opera house in the world! I enjoyed it very much actually.

In 1998 August, when Dewan Filharmonik Petronashosted its very first performance by Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra in KLCC here, without second thought I went for it. And I started becoming their subscriber. I was the regular patron until Hao was born. My favorite still their Family Fun Day program and I'm still going for it. This is the only package that I buy for the whole season and I get a reduced price being a subscriber. In fact, as long as you buy any package for the season, you will become subscriber automatically and enjoy lower ticket price. Discount rate is based on which category of the ticket that you are purchasing, the highest the price the higher discount rate you get. Family Fun Day used to be the only concert that allows children age 3-4 onwards to enter. It is a program specially designed for young children. Each performance there will be a presenter, explaining the songs that going to play, or people performing on the stage based on the theme of the concert etc. The audience will be having so much fun! Other normal concerts if not mistaken are for age 8 onwards. From last year onwards, we have been taking Lynn to the concert! I remembered during that time, that was this Korean series - Beethoven was showing on the TV. The series was talking about a composer and group of people from all sorts of background, who are not musician in profession but due to their passion of music, they get together forming an orchestra. Besides that, I also have the Baby Einstein series which introduces orchestra instruments to small children. All these was pretty good enough to give her an idea what orchestra is about and what to expect. And after taking her to one concert, she loves it! And requested for more! Since then, she's the one accompanying my mom to the concert. I did not go as Hao was still young.

But now Hao is already 2 years old, and hb is alright with taking care of the kids alone at home, so this time I bought 3 tickets for my mom, Lynn and me go to the concert together! I know Lynn will be super happy. Three of us went to the concert together last month. It was a complimentary session for MPO subscriber and I managed to grab 3 tickets for us. I did not tell her that I will be going for the concert with her and po po. And she kept on asking me why I did not go home (because normally I just dropped her to my mom house and went home). Hahaha! She was so happy when I went into the concert hall and sit next to her.

The concert performance for the new 2010/11 session will be starting next month. And the first concert for the Family Fun Day package will be on November. I'm so looking forward to it! If any of you are interested, the tickets still open for sales. It is not just limited to the packages, you can buy single ticket for selected concert too. Click here for details of the concerts for 2010/11 season.

Note: This is not a paid post. Just want to share that besides art, Music is the other area that Lynn is exposed too. I'm planning to start teaching her piano in next few months. I notice she has great interest in music. Probably she has the same passion in music as me. :D And I also hope all these are good preparation for stimulating her interest in learning musical instrument. I found that the more I understand the more I appreciate the musical performance. :)

"Nen nen"

2010-08-24T12:59:00.000+08:00

The kids are referring "milk" to the fresh milk that they drink everyday, and when Hao wants me to nurse him, he will say "nen nen".

About 2 weeks ago, we transferred Hao from sleeping in the baby cot to a small mattress on the floor next to hb. Lynn was lying on the mattress together with Hao. It was bed time soon. Then I saw Lynn lifted up her t-shirt and offered to Hao "Hao, do you want nen nen? Jie jie gives you nen nen want or not?" *FAINT*

Hao was looking at Lynn. Then looked at her chest. He looked puzzled - jie jie really got nen nen? LOL! He was just keep on looking at her, did not do anything. :P

Then later that night, Lynn asked nen nen from me. Long time ago when Hao was still on full bm, I did ask Lynn want or not and she said no. So I was surprised that now she asked me to nurse her. I did not give. A little tempted but I also worry do I need to go through another weaning process with her? She's a more demanding child as compared to Hao. Hao can sleep by himself without being nurse, but not Lynn when she was still a baby before weaning. After that day, Lynn asked me again one more time. Luckily she did not insist that I must give her.

Last weekend, we went to Mid Valley to celebrate my niece birthday. I took the chance to go to Jusco to do some shopping. Lynn was with me. Hb took Hao with him to watch tv at the Electrical section while waiting for us. We were at the lingerie section. Then I heard Lynn saying this "Mommy, I like this pink nen nen. Mommy buy this pink nen nen."

I was like OMG!!! And then I realized, she was referring the bra as nen nen too!

Later when we were back home, I was hanging the clothes after the laundry was done. The kids were playing at the side. Hao saw this bra lying inside the laundry basket waiting to be hang. "Nen nen", said Hao.

Oh no!!! He is also referring the bra as nen nen???!!! Alright, TIME TO TEACH THEM THE PROPER TERM!!!

Dinosaur, A Boy and Mommy

2010-08-06T18:08:00.000+08:00

Lynn likes to draw. At first, she started with drawing "sausage", long long sausage. Lynn loves to eat sausage. :) Not sure because of this reason or it is just simply easy to draw. Hehehe. Then I taught her to draw flower. Now I don't see her drawing sausage anymore, but she still draws flowers. She will draw the flowers and let Hao colors the flower. Last week when I went to pick up the kids at my parents house after work, Lynn showed me her drawings, and asked me to write her name on it.

She told me this is a dinosaur. Blue dinosaur.

This is a boy.

Upon seeing this, I asked her to draw a girl too. I have seen her drawing a girl with beautiful eye lashes. But she refused to draw me a girl now. So I asked her to draw mommy instead. So this is "me".

Mommy with red and green hands! LOL!

She said mommy is holding a green handbag (Actually I don't have any green handbag! LOL). I asked her where is mommy's hair. She said mommy has no hair! o_O Alright at least the face is orange and not blue face (like the dinosaur). LOL!

Thinking of enrolling her into art class. Her kindy has this Da Vinci Arts class. The fee is RM100 per month, or RM270 for 3 months. For her age, will be more focus on coloring, in different tone, using crayon and water color. Drawing will be depends on the child. Sounds expensive. But I heard from others it is usually somewhere around this price. Do you think I should enrol her? Or wait till her get a bit older, maybe next year? She is 4 years old now.

Back pain

2010-07-28T19:26:00.000+08:00

When I was young, I always heard my mom or grand mother complaining having back pain, especially after they had carried something heavy. I was still a teenager. At that time, having back ache seems like not something happen to me very frequently.

The last time I had terrible back ache, was when I was pregnant with Hao. I was around 8 months pregnant during that time. It was a Saturday and we were getting ready to travel to Malacca for a short trip with my parents and my brother family. Lynn was 2 years old that time. She was much attached to me, and even more when I was pregnant. She always demanded me to carry her. So that morning, she asked to be carried again. It was my mistake actually. I thought just for a while, I did not squat down before carrying her. I just bend down and when I wanted to lift her up, *OUCH!!!* I felt a sharp burning sensation on my back! I shouted in pain, and put her down immediately. For a while, I couldn't move at all. Just stood there letting the pain go off. I could hardly walk. But I thought it would go off soon so I did not think much about it. Just continue to load the stuff into the car and then we set off to Malacca.

During the car ride, the pain did not go away. In fact, it was getting worse. When we stopped the car for toilet break, I had difficulty getting down from the car to bring Lynn to the toilet. I could hardly walk too. Every movement would cause me in great pain. I consider myself have very high tolerance on the pain, still could not take it. It was very very very painful. Much much more painful than giving birth. :(

After taking our lunch in Malacca, we decided to pay a visit to the doctor. We went to one of the hospital in the town. Seeing my big tummy, at first the nurses thought I'm going to deliver! LOL! The doctor checked my blood pressure and my back. He prescribed me panadol as pain killer. He mentioned that it is safe for me to take the panadol. He also gave me some patches to put on my back, to relief the pain. Could not remember the name now. I did not take the panadol but I did put on the patch. The patch did help a lot. Still painful, but at least I could move around. Night time sleeping was another night mare. I could not get up alone without help, to go to the toilet. I could not turn my body too. Every movement was a great pain. It was a restless night.

Could not remember how long I suffered from that back pain. But Lynn did not ask for carry anymore after that. She knew I was in pain. She would say "Mama pain pain".

Few months back, I experienced some back pain too. During that time, I had coffee almost every working day. So I tried to cut down the coffee intake, and the back pain would go away. Since then, I limit myself to maximum of 3 cups of coffee a week. Usually I only consume 2 cups per week.

For the past one month, consistently I'm having back pain almost everyday. At first I thought maybe due to coffee. However despite I stop taking coffee for the whole week, the pain did not go away. I also tried putting a small pillow under my back when I sleep at night, but it did not help much this time (this method used to work well for me before this). It is not very pain, still bearable, but VERY annoying. I can feel the pain most of the time, whether I am walking, sitting, or even sleeping. I'm not sure is it due to carrying Hao? He is getting heavier now. However I don't really carry him much nowadays. Not even more than 5 minutes. A short hug and carry when I pick up the kids at my parents house (Hao will sure ask for carry, except if he's sitting in the high chair having his dinner), carry him to the car seat and carry him to switch off the lights. I don't carry him when we are outside shopping etc. Usually hb is the one (only if Hao asks for carry). I don't really think carry Hao is the reason. Then what is the reason causing the back pain? Sigh. No idea. Maybe it is due to the stress from work? *Shrug* Going for a body check-up this weekend. Hope to find some clue there.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Read and Share Bible: Life and Miracles

2010-07-19T20:08:00.000+08:00

This DVD , animated straight from the pages of the popular Read and Share® Bible, The Jesus Series introduces children to the life of Christ. I'm not a Christian and I have never introduced Jesus and Bible stories to my children before. So I was excited to receive this as I think it is a good introduction to them. At the same time I was worry if the kids will find it boring, as this is not like other children program e.g. Barney or Mickey Club House.

There are actually 4 short stories combined together in the half-hour presentation which tell about Jesus' ministry along the shores of Lake Galilee and the villages near Nazareth. Children will see Jesus call His disciples, feed 5,000 people, heal the sick, teach about God’s kingdom and introduce the Lord’s Supper. The stories actually have been simplified and the words used are easy to understand. The story moved along in good pace too to hold the interest from the kids. I watched it together with Lynn and Hao. Both of them paid full attention to it during the half-hour presentation and Lynn even requested want to watch it again and again.

Some people may find the stories too simplified but I found it just right for the young toddlers, especially as an entry to the Bible stories. The quality of the video is good too and I myself enjoy watching it.

In overall, I will rate this 3.5 out of 5.

Note: A complimentary copy of this DVD was provided to me for review through Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program.

Siblings Love

2010-07-05T03:56:00.000+08:00

Lynn did not behave well last week. So I penalized her for not getting her usual food snacks on yogurt, vitagen, biscuit, ice cream and those breakfast cereal for a week. One weekday morning, when we were getting ready to leave the house.

Lynn: Mama, can me and Didi eat this cereal? (She was holding honey star on her hand.)
Mama: No, you cannot have that. No snacks for you this week.
Lynn: I no good girl, so I cannot eat?
Mama: Yeah.
Lynn: Then can Didi eat or not? Can Didi take this to school?
Mama: Yes.

The next morning, she asked me again.

Lynn: Mama, can Didi take vitagen to school?
Mama: Yes.
Lynn: Hao come, jie jie take vitagen for you. (She opened the fridge and took one vitagen for Hao.)

I was surprise and glad that despite she is not allowed to take the snacks, she was not selfish and complained when Hao got the food.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Me, Lynn and Hao were at the kitchen after taking our food. Hao was standing on a stool with his hands stretching out to the basin and playing on those dirty and oily bowls and cups.

Me: Hao, come down please. Don't play with the bowls. Dirty.
No response from Hao.
Me: Hao, come down please.
Still no response from Hao.
Me: Hao..... can you please come down.
Hao was still playing there.
Me: Hao..... (started raising my voice)
Still no response! I’m started getting frustrated.
Me: (Shouting) Hao! Come down!
Still continue playing! Grrr.
So I walked over to him, give a pat on his buttock. He cried out loudly and finally, stepped down from the stool.

Hao: (Still crying) Jie jie..... jie jie.... (walking towards Lynn who was just standing next to me).
Hao: Jie jie... jie jie.....
He's trying to seek comfort from his sister. This is something new to me. Hahaha!

Lynn: Never mind la. See, who ask you don't want to listen to mama? Why don't listen to mama, huh?
Sounds so familiar, LOL!

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It was Sunday's afternoon. Me and hb were sitting in front of the pc and both kids were with us on the same room. Lynn was doing some coloring.

Hao: Jie jie, jie jie. (Hao was trying to get Lynn to play with him.)
Lynn: Don't disturb jie jie. Jie jie wants to color.
Hao: Jie jie, jie jie.
Lynn: Don't disturb jie jie, jie jie wants to color.
Hao: Jie jie, jie jie.
Lynn: Heya, jie jie wants to color.
Hao: Jie jie, jie jie.
Lynn: Hey, can't you see jie jie is doing coloring? (Lynn started feeling annoyed.)
Hao: Jie jie, jie jie. Jie jie, jie jie.
Lynn: (Shouting) Stop calling jie jie! Jie jie wants to color!
Hao: Jie jie, jie jie. Jie jie, jie jie.
Lynn: Grrr..........
Hao: Jie jie, jie jie. Jie jie, jie jie.

Lynn still continued on her coloring. So Hao changed his target. He came to me asking to sit on my lap. Oh poor boy. Already being rejected by the sister, can't be rejected again by mama right? So I carried him to sit on my lap. :D

Hao @ 2 years old

2010-06-30T19:55:00.000+08:00

At 2 years old, Hao is still not talking that much. However he can understand us very well, and able to communicate with us very well even just using single word: -

drink - he wants to drink
(wa)ter - want to drink water
juice - want to drink juice
(yo)gurt - asking for yogurt in the fridge
(vita)gen - asking for vitagen in the fridge
eat - tells us that he wants to eat
blood - one day, not sure how he got his finger cut and it was bleeding. he showed me his finger and said "blood"
pain - tell and show me which part is pain
ball
(bis)curt - one of his favorite food. :)
throw
want
don't want
drop - not sure why he likes to take off his shoe in the car. When we ask him why, he said "drop" and pointing at his shoe.
(thunder)storm - when it rains heavily, he will point to outside the house and said "storm"
scare - he is scare of lightning
bread
(car)ry - ask for carry
shoe
up
down
(mor)ning
night night - our sleep time ritual - good night kiss
gai gai - going out
more - asking for more food.
bag
car
bu(s)
(bols)ter - asking for his bolster before going to bed
book - want to read book
milk - refer to fresh milk that we give him
nen-nen - want me to nurse him
bye bye
pant - want me to wear the pant for him after potty time
(mu)sic - want us to turn on the radio while we are traveling inside the car
wet
(un)cle
(aun)ty
(ice) cream
"fan" - 饭 rice in Cantonese - he will call us to eat rice during meal time
"dan dan" - 蛋 egg ins Cantonese. All food to him is "dan dan". Hahaha.
"bao" - 抱 carry in Mandarin. But he seldom say this.
"chuan" - 穿 wear in Mandarin. He was asking me to wear his pant for him. I only heard him saying this once.

Those in bracket means he's not pronouncing it but he means that word. It's like a guessing game. But so far me and hb can guess what he's trying to say. Even Lynn also can understand him very well. Most of the words he speaks are in English. He also can call all family members, in Cantonese. Despite he's not speaking much Mandarin or Cantonese, he can understand us very well as we speak to him in both Mandarin and English. My parents speak to him in Cantonese. Child care is using English as the medium. When I read books to Lynn, he will follow me pronounce those words that I read out loud for them.

As for his diet, I would say he has big appetite. See him eating is a happy thing; you will feel that he really enjoys eating the food served to him. ^_^ He can eat more than Lynn, almost same serving as a young adult. So taking him to buffet is definitely worth it. LOL! He loves milk, cheese, rice, and noodle; basically he's taking almost all food that is being served. He eats vegetable and meat too, as long as it is soft and not difficult to chew. He does not like food that is too sweet. Despite eating a lot, he will stop eating if he's full. Dining out is very easy for me now as he will eat by himself. I just need to serve the food to his bowl.

I'm still nursing him, not so much as a meal but more for the minerals and the antibody from me. From 1 serving of fresh milk in the afternoon, I have increased to 3 servings a day for him - morning, afternoon and night. Basically whatever Lynn is eating, he wants a share too. At first I was worry if he will reject bm after taking fresh milk. So I serve the fresh milk in normal cup for him (I never give him milk bottle at home). But he's still asking bm from me in the morning and before going to sleep. Looking for comfort? Maybe; but the bm still tastes good. :)

Hao is an easy baby and I believe the extended breastfeeding does play a part of it (I breastfed Lynn up to 10 months only). I love looking at him when I am nursing him. Sometimes he will look me back with his eyes full of love. Then both of us will smile at each other. I did not get to do this much with Lynn because Lynn has this comfort sucking habit. She just sucks to fall off to her dreamland so most of the time she sucked with eyes closed. I also carry Hao more than Lynn. Last time due to pregnancy and Hao was still a baby; I did not carry Lynn as much. In fact, I almost stop carrying Lynn after Hao was born as I carry Hao most of the time. Hb will carry Lynn instead. I actually miss carrying Lynn when she was a baby. Soon one day he won't ask for carry anymore. Due to this, I seldom reject Hao whenever he asks for carry. Sometimes hb thinks I carry him too much. Hao is very much attached to me. In fact, both kids very much attached to me. Hb says Hao is a mommy boy. Everything - mommy. Hahaha! Well, if mommy boy = easy baby, those effort spent on bf is definitely worth it. :)

At 2 years old, Hao no longer just plays by himself. I can see both Lynn and Hao enjoys playing with each other. From not-so-like the sister, I can see now Hao is getting closer and have better relationship with Lynn. In the past, whenever Lynn rests her hand on the arm rest of the booster seat, sure Hao will complain about it. But he's not complaining now. He also more willing to let Lynn holds his hand. Why the change? Lynn always gets food for Hao. She serves him milk, she will ask me for yogurt and vitagen and always get one for Hao too. Whatever she's eating, she will surely get a share for Hao. As for toys, sometimes they will still fight about it. It depends what toy it is. Both of them love playing on my bed. Jumping around, playing somersault. But usually I don't let them playing somersault on my bed, worrying they will fall down. They can play on Lynn's mattress which is on the floor.

I have a tough time dealing with Lynn when she was at the Terrible 2 stage. As for Hao now, I wish it will be a Terrific 2 not Terrible 2! Hehe greedy me. ^_^

Hao's height at 2 years old - About 86cm

Hao's weight at 2 years old - About 12kg

2 + 2

2010-06-29T01:45:00.001+08:00

Today is Hao’s 2nd birthday. Time flies, he’s 2 years old now. I still remember 2 years ago, when I started blogging using BlogSpot. Before that, I was sort of like writing on My Multiply. It was also about that time, I started blog hopping. During confinement month, I decided to start my own blog in the blogosphere using BlogSpot, simply because it is free. :)

Before me giving birth to Hao, I always wonder how to juggle between two children. People around me told me, you will just know what to do when the time come. And they are right. The first 6 months was tough actually. Lynn was not even 3 years old during that time. I think asking her to give way to the brother must be tough for her. But we don't have much choice as Hao was still a baby. When Hao reached 1 year old, I thought well, should be easier now. Not entirely though. Hao was getting jealous over the sister. He was also being bullied by my niece at that time, fighting over the toys most of the time. Lynn did not bully Hao directly, but she did not take much care about Hao too. She won't protect Hao when he was being bullied. So there was not much siblings love at that time. The bully stopped when Hao started to walk few months after that. And now, three of them will be playing together happily. Well, kids are still kids; I won't say no fight at all. But I can see Hao is getting so much closer with Lynn now. :)

Having 2 kids also made me think - am I dotting one of them more than another? I don't know, maybe, but I don't think so. Maybe to Lynn I may appear to love the brother more. Unlike Lynn, Hao is not a rebellious child. And he will listen to me most of the time, like 80%. While when Lynn was at his age, she was very rebellious and 80% of the time she's not listening to me. So I tend to scold her more, talk louder to her more, as compared to Hao. It's not that I don't want to scold Hao; it's just that there is no reason for me to do so. I said no to him much less and much later too. Hao does not suck the thumb. He seldom put toys inside his mouth. It was an easy task to feed him. Hao is an easy baby! Hb also thinks that I'm dotting Hao but how can I not to? :)

Due to so many celebrations in this month, we decided not to call for a special family dinner just for his birthday. We will just follow the normal schedule, where Tuesday the kids will be picked up by my parents. I will just buy a cake over so we can blow the candle after the dinner.

Happy Birthday my dear Hao.

May you happy always.

School holidays

2010-06-18T17:08:00.000+08:00

These 2 weeks are school holidays. So there is no class. But since Lynn is on the full day program (class + child care), so we are still sending her to the kindy as usual. Since no class, so no need to wear uniform. She gets to play with her other friends who are also attending the child care whole day long.

During this school holiday, the kindy organizes in total 4 field trips for the children: -

1. Pusat Sains
2. KLCC Park
3. Planetarium and Butterfly Park
4. Tun Razak Park

I can't recall when I was attending kindy, did the kindy arrange any field trip or not. I can't remember if I ever been to any places with the friends and teachers from kindy. When I was young, my father was quite protective. He even did not like us to attend any friend's birthday party. He thinks it is wasting time. Another problem was the transport as my mom only got her driving license when I was 10 years old. SO before that, even school activities on Saturday we had to rely on the school bus. At one time my mom enrolled us to the Art class at school but by the time the class was over school bus would have left already. There was this mother of another student (we get to know her from the Art class) was so kind to agree to fetch us back after the class every Saturday. I only remember attended birthday party for 2 of my classmate during primary school. Can't remember how old was I. Most probably when I was in Standard 3. Can't remember how my father agreed to let me go. But I guess must be due to my mom. :D

As I always did not get to go have fun with my friends, I always felt like being left out from them. But can't blame them, isn't it? Imagine I was the only few (less than 5 probably) that did not get to join the school trips, while others was happily talking about it but I could just sit there and listen. Even for the final year trip at Standard 6 to Singapore, as expected I did not get to go too.

After I started attending secondary school, my father became less protective and let us to be more independent. We get to join the school trips organized by the societies and clubs, e.g. to Penang, Cameron Highland etc. I was very happy and excited. Me and my brother also started learn to take public bus to school and back home. As my house is in KL and we were attending PJ schools, it was rather inconvenient to take public bus to and back from school. We got our driving license as soon as we hit our 17th birthday. And after that, my father refused to send us instead he asked us to drive ourselves if we want to go out. So we learn to drive in those busy roads within KL and PJ. Since then, everything is "by myself".

Back to Lynn's school holiday programs, we enrolled her to all 4 field trips. She did not tell me much after coming back from Pusat Sains. Wonder how much she can understand from the visit. The teachers brought the children to play water in the KLCC Park. This was out of my expectation at all. To me it's a big responsibility to take children to the pool. Due to the hot weather, Lynn came home with a much tanned body - the mark of the swimming suit is so obvious. She kept on telling me about the rocket after the trip to Planetarium. She was saying something like the rocket got fire, shoot up in the sky, then the rocket was broken and fall down, and she was scared. Hehehe. I asked her about the Butterfly Park but she was not talking much about it. This morning is the last field trip to Tun Razak Park. It was not hot this morning. Hopefully she wont become more tanned. :)

Soon school holiday is coming to and end. Next week will be back to normal. Oh yes this Sunday is a special day.

Happy Father's Day to all daddies!

What happen last week

2010-06-09T19:09:00.001+08:00

Last Tuesday, when my dad picked up Hao, he was told that the child care would be closed down for disinfections due to Hand Foot Mouth disease (HFMD). I further called up the person in charge, Stacy and was told that 2 HFMD cases had been reported in the child care. So for preventing more cases, she decided to close the child care for the rest of the week and also for disinfection work to be carried out.

So for Wednesday, we sent Hao to my MIL house. And for Thursday, as my MIL was not available, we sent Hao to my niece's babysitter who is just behind my parent's house. Then on Thursday afternoon, Stacy called me and told me that I could bring back Hao to the child care on Friday. So we sent Hao back to the child care on Friday.

Friday after work, I and hb went to pick up the kids. It was drizzling so I just quickly carried Hao into the car. On the way back home, due to the heavy traffic we had to wait quite long at the traffic light. Hb noticed Hao's limbs were warm when interacting with the kids inside the car. When we reached the dinner place, I carried Hao from the car and confirmed that he was having mild fever. Hao did not eat a lot during dinner.

Back home while changing Hao getting him ready for bed, I noticed there were some rashes on Hao's butt. Immediately I suspected HFMD. Sigh looks like he is not that lucky after all. I gave him the fever syrup before getting him to sleep.

Saturday morning, we served bread for breakfast. Hao finished the whole cheese slice but leaving the slice of bread behind...... He was complaining pain and pointed at his mouth. I took a look - saw about 3 ulcers behind his lips. No wonder refused to let me brush his teeth. Hb cut the bread into small piece, added with some fresh milk, finally Hao finished off all the bread. He was very cranky almost the whole day. I couild see more rashes/red spots on his arms and lower part of his legs. He always asked for carry, was crying on and off. Fever came back in the afternoon. Gave him another dose of fever syrup and it went off in the evening. Did not take his lunch, he dozed off right before lunch was served. But he did not want to eat any food; instead he took 2 big cups of fresh milk. He had some rice for dinner. After that, he took yogurt and a scoop of ice cream too. And more milk before he went to bed. I usually nurse him twice a day - morning right after wake up and night before going to sleep. But sadly he rejected me that night! Because sucking make his mouth pain too! Sigh. :(

The whole weekend we were staying at home, did not go back to the parents house as there are other children will be around. As my MIL is away for holiday, and there is newborn in my parent's house (my SIL just gave birth 2 weeks ago) so I couldn't send Hao there. I took 2 days off from work on Monday and Tuesday to look after Hao at home. This is his 2nd attack of the HFMD. His first attack is when he was about 9 months old, got it from Lynn (that was first time Lynn had the HFMD and we were not aware about it until much later). Hao is recovered now and I sent him back to child care this morning. Our house is full of noise as before. :)

"Please" and "Thank you"

2010-05-31T20:03:00.002+08:00

We are teaching Hao to say "Please" and "Thank you" each time he's trying to ask something from us (usually food). Notice how I ask him to say "Please" and "Thank you".

Hao: Mommy, gurt, gurt *pointing at the fridge, hinting to me he wants to eat the yogurt*
Me: (Looking at Hao) Say "Please".
No respond from Hao.

Me: Say "Please".
Still no respond from Hao.

Me: Say "Please" first. Mama will give.
Hao: Plead.

I open the fridge and pass him a yogurt.

Me: Say "Thank you".

Hao: Kyu.

-------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday afternoon, Lynn wanted to eat raisins.

Lynn: Mama I want to eat raisins. Can I have some raisins please?
Me: OK.
Lynn: Mama I want this green spoon and this white spoon is for Didi. (Whatever food that she is asking, she will always get some for Hao.)
Me: OK.
Scoop one spoon of the raisins for Lynn and another spoon for Hao.

I was feeling a little hungry too. So I asked them to share some of the raisins with me.

Me: Lynn, can give mama one raisin?

Lynn passed me one raisin.

Me: Hao, can give mama one raisin?

Hao: No! (Taking one for himself.)
Lynn passed me another raisin.

Me: Hao, share share? Give mama one raisin?
Hao: No! (Continue eating by himself.)
Lynn passed me another raisin.

Me: Hao, just give mama one raisin, can?
Hao: No! (Munching his raisins.)
Lynn passed me another raisin.

Me: Aww... why don't you want to share with mama?
Hao: No!
Lynn passed me another raisin.

Hao: (Take a look at me) "Plead".

Me: Oh, you want mama to say please? Hao, can you please give mama one raisin?

Hao passed me one raisin finally.

Me: Thank you! :D

Erm, I did not say "No" when the kids are not saying "Please". So this one definitely not from me. Hehehe.

Anyway, now Hao will automatically offer me the raisin simply because he saw Lynn always do this to me! So it's really important to get Lynn to show the good example. :)

Lynn @ 4 years old

2010-05-25T02:45:00.000+08:00

Lynn's birthday is just a small celebration with the family members from both side. We went to a restaurant serving western food some where nearby our house.

Lynn @ 4 years old
1. Getting easier to talk/communicate with her. But she still likes to make me "nag" a lot. Whenever I ask her to do something, for example brush her teeth, go take bath, keep her books etc. She likes playing a deaf ear with me, always want me to repeat myself many many times. Sometimes until hb also get annoyed and scolded her.

2. Very slow in doing things. For example she can take a good 15-20 minutes to brush her teeth, in which 10 minutes is spent on looking at the mirror and play talking by herself there, and another 5 minutes playing with the water.

3. Ever since I bought a Barney DVD for her, she can glu to it every weekend. No more Little MJ fans ever since Barney DVD come into the house.

4. A cheeky child? Love to bully her brother. Love to make her brother shout loudly. Love to make her brother cries. Love to take away the things from her brother's hand......

5. Although she likes to bully her brother Hao, but she also likes to take care of him. She will share all her food with him. Each time she asks food from me she will sure get some for her brother. But just not the books and the toys. (Until I have to declare those books are mine!) Likewise for Hao - he will also share the food with Lynn but not the toys. :(

6. Still prefer meat than vegetables. But manage to persuade her to take more vegetables especially when she sees other kids are taking vegetable too.

7. Still likes to talk a lot. On the way home after picking up the kids, she will be talking non-stop in the car. Tell me this la that la, or play loudly in the car with Hao. Or if not singing, making noise in the car. She's a noisy kid.

8. Very clumsy and don't take good care of her belonging. She spoil the rail of one of the drawer (until today I still can't figure how she did it), not to mention the toys and those craft she done in the school. Once come home.... within few days gone case.

9. Although she's diaperless at night, accidents do happen.

10. Still sucking thumb! Grrr.... but I found a way how to make her suck less. Still trying to get rid of that completely. I told her, if I see her sucking thumb, then next day no yogurt or vitagen (she loves them and every morning she will ask for it). I said it and I practice it. So after one time, she really make her effort not to suck her thumb.

11. Ever since I introduce sand art to her, she loves it very much.

12. Like to pretend play she's a teacher.... like to "lecture" others, telling others cannot do this cannot do that. She even told us she wants to be a teacher! Is it because she was born on Teacher's Day? *shrug*

13. Instead of being shy, now she will pose for me when I take her picture, give me her sweet sweet smile. ^_^

14. Love books. Love to read books. Love me or hb reads books for her.

15. Every Saturday and Sunday, she will surely ask me this question "Mama, today gai-gai?" And then when I bring her out, she will keep on telling me "Mama I like this" "Mama I want this", asking me to buy things for her. I hate to say "No" to her, but I can't be just buy anything that she asks for. The last one I told her "If you be a good girl, don't make mama tells you to do this do that, sayang didi, I will take you come back here to get it for you." And that keep her mouth shut. But of course if she well behave, I will surely and happily bring her back to the shop to buy what she wants for her.

16. Will open the fridge and take the food to eat without asking. Some more will take for her brother too. Bad example!!! :(

17. Last but not least, Lynn weight at 4 years old is 16kg, and 107 cm tall.

C2 - Refreshingly 100% Natural Green Tea

2010-05-25T02:35:00.001+08:00

This is a product review of C2 – Cool & Clean Green Tea written by me.

Amongst all tea, I love green tea the most, mainly due to its soothing taste besides the many good benefits about green tea. Green tea has the least caffeine and the highest amount of health benefits. Drinking green tea regularly can reduce the risk of four of the major health problems: stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes. It also helps Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cholesterol, Infection, Impaired Immune Function and detox.

C2 Cool & Clean Green Tea comes in 3 refreshing flavour - Apple, Lemon and Forest Fruit. The added flavour enhances the taste and musk the bitter taste of Green Tea/Chinese Tea which some of us don’t like. So even the children will love it.

Apple flavour – My kids’ favourite. Sweet fruity flavour, just taste like apple juice. I like to take this in the morning after breakfast.

Lemon flavour - my all time favourite. It taste like lemonade, but with less bitter taste than the normal lemon tea. I like to take this after a heavy or oily meal, or in the hot sunny afternoon, as it is very refreshing especially if it is chilled.

Forest Fruits flavour – amongst all three, this one has the strongest bitter taste of green tea. So it is the least favourite for the kids. As for me, I like to take this at night, during my “me” time. Sitting down here taking a chilled Forest Fruits flavour green tea is such relaxing and refreshing.

C2 Cool & Clean Green Tea is packed in a convenient ‘resealable’ 350ml PET bottle that you can ‘sip & seal’ and drink ‘on-the-go’. It is also at the right size to be hold by the children. See how my boy enjoy drinking it. Hehehe.

C2 Cool & Clean Green Tea is made from 100% Natural Green Tea, not from powder and concentrates of green tea. It is “Brewed and Packaged” fresh on the same day, therefore retaining most of the green tea goodness and benefits which is normally lost in other extraction processes. One of them is this powerful antioxidants, called ‘Catechins’.

Catechin is a natural powerful antioxidant found in green tea, not added by the manufacturer. It is also found in chocolate (cocoa), fruits, vegetables, wine and in many other plant species but it is most abundant in Green Tea. It helps fight the effects of stress by reducing cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system.

C2 COOL & CLEAN is a range of high quality non-carbonated ready-to-drink fruit flavoured green tea based beverage that creates a refreshing lifestyle different from your usual soft drinks. It is healthier alternative to carbonated soft drink. That’s why I have no issue letting the kids taking it. It is best served chilled but the kids love it even if it is not chilled. It is also ‘Halal’ Certified.

C2 COOL & CLEAN is now available in Malaysia, brought to you by URC Snack Foods (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd - Malaysia’s leading snack foods, biscuits and chocolate distributor.

Available outlets: -
1. 7-11
2. Mydin
3. Giant
4. Jusco
5. Other shops near you.

So check it out today, taste it and let me know if you like it too. :)

You jump I don't jump

2010-05-20T12:59:00.000+08:00

Took the kids to the playground during Lynn birthday. One enjoy jumping while the other one.....

Well, you can imagine how noisy my house can be when both of them are playing at home. :D

5th year anniversary

2010-05-19T20:13:00.002+08:00

This post is to remind own self not to repeat the same mistakes again.

Today mark the 5th year wedding anniversary for me and hb. We have been dating for 4 years before we get married. Altogether is a 9 years relationship. During these 9 years, we have been gone through many many things - many tears, many talks, many fights, and of course many happy moments too. We had 2 major fights and almost split. First fight led to a 3-months cool down period. Where in these 3 months, we did not talk and we did not go out with each other. Second fight made me depressed for 9 months. It is the worst time in my life and it is a very expensive lesson learn. I definitely would not like to go through it again. It also has changed me to a different person:

1. Set no expectation

In the past, during weekend I would like hb to help out in the housework. However hb always not motivated to do housework, even though he just needs to clean the floor. One task only. While I had to handle other things, like washing, cooking and taking care the kids (they are very attached to me). So I would feel frustrated over hb's attitude. I would blame him for not helping.

But now not anymore. Because I have changed my thinking - this is my house too. Why would I care if hb helps to clean the house or not? If I want it clean, I can just do it myself. I don't have to depend or rely on other person. So I stopped blaming him. I stopped feeling not happy just because of he's not helping. If I'm not too tired, I will just do it myself. He probably is tired too and would like to rest. It's just us living here. So no rush to stress ourselves to keep the house freaking clean. And what do I get in return? Hb will automatically do the cleaning part without being asked for. This means he's more willing to do it without the "stress" from me. :)

2. Move from family focus to self focus and now try to balance it with the kids

I used to do lots of things for other people in the family - hb or the kids. I enjoyed doing things for them, and even willing to sacrifice my limited personal time just for them. I feel terrible when I feel all effort spent was not appreciated. But in fact, I never think of is this what they want. If it is not what they want, of course they won't appreciate it. So I'm making myself getting hurt. Feel stupid right? I learn my lesson and started to keep some personal time for myself everyday. That's how the sleeping late habit started. I realized that without fixing myself, I cannot keep others happy. Without fixing myself, I won't be able to have more energy for others. Without fixing myself, I cannot feel happy. So the me time is important. It also helps me to de-stress after a full day work in the office.

3. Have common interest and stay connect

Hb and I used to go exercise - jogging, gym or swimming when we were dating and also after married before we have any kids. We stopped the weekly exercise routine after Lynn was born. Lynn was very much attached to me and I felt bad had to trouble the parents to take care the baby. With no activities being done together, slowly we didn't feel stay connect with each other. Many times, I did not know what is in his mind. Of course we were still talking. However it is just not the same feeling anymore.

Now we will do some activities where both of us enjoy. Whether we are staying at home, or going out, with the kids or without the kids. We have common group of friends or people that we know. We have common topics to talk about.

4. Support each other

In the past, I gave my support to him using my way. Thinking it was what he need. But now, I learn to support him in the way that how he want it. We give each other full freedom on things that we want to do. He is fine with me going out with friends leaving the kids with him at home.

Right now, I would say we are in a very stable relationship and there should be nothing that can break us apart. Hb is not a very romantic person. So I won't hope for any flowers or candle light dinner. In fact in the past 4 years, there was no celebration on this day at all. But this is not important. Most important is, we still love each other and we want to keep this relationship moving on.

Happy Anniversary to me, and have a nice day to all of you. :)

It's a wonderful world to have you with us

2010-05-16T01:43:00.001+08:00

First Hair Cut

2010-05-03T23:34:00.000+08:00

Hi it's me, Hao. What do you think of my hair? Long? Po po (Grandma) said if I still don't get my hair cut, I'm going to become like a girl soon. >.<

So on Saturday morning, when mama put a stool outside the house at the car porch, I "guai guai" let mama carried me to sit there. I even posed for her to take a picture of my handsome face. Wait a minute. Mama has never cut hair before! I will be her guinea pig! If I let her cut my hair, will I become not so handsome? No way! Now I feel a bit regretted not to let Po po cut my hair last week! >.<

So despite mama gave me a small box of cereal to eat, so that while I sit here eating my food mama would cut my hair for me. But thinking that this is her first time, instead of busy eating I was actually busy turning the head left and right, disallowed mama to cut my hair! Mama had a hard time to cut my hair. It was difficult for her to cut it straight with me shaking my head most of the time. She had to keep on asking me not to move. Until papa also coming down from upstairs to take a look what were we doing. And because I was shaking my head left and right all the time, mama was unable to cut my hair. At the end, papa got to hold my head still, made me can't move so that mama could cut my hair! Actually I scared mama would cut my skin instead of my hair, so when papa hold my head tightly, I feel more secure to let mama cut my hair. So mama had to be fast as I disliked papa holding my head for too long. I need to move! Guess what? Mama was complaining not good enough. Papa became impatient and took over the scissor and started to cut my hair too! After papa was done with the side, mama touched up a bit on the front and the side. Mama wanted to cut the back shorter but with no success without papa around to hold my head.

I saw lots of hair on the ground. And mama was kept on looking on my hair, checking here and there and cut cut cut!1 There was no mirror at car porch there for me to see my new hair style. I wonder am I still handsome? Well, don't care now. Already cut. What to do? Just hope my friends and gong gong po po won't laugh at me when they see me next week.

What do you think? Lynn Jie Jie said I am still handsome. I overheard mama telling papa that she think the back can be shorter some more and currently it is not so even. But papa think it was a good try for mama (and papa) since it is their first time. As for me, I feel more comfortable with shorter hair! And from now onwards I will make sure mama remember to comb my hair. If not, I will take the comb for her so that I look handsome all the time. ^_^

Btw, this is not my first hair cut. But first time mama cuts my hair!