MY MUMMY IS AN ALIEN

A Letter To Jamie

2009-12-04T08:13:00.002+08:00

It’s been a long time I have written you a letter. You are now so grown up you may not think a letter from mummy is cool.

You are now at an age where your friends are most important. I have been through that too. Friends are fun. I know that too. I used to look forward to hanging out with my friends. But in those days, we watch Top of the Pops instead of MTV or Channel V. Even then, we had to rent it from the video store. There was no Astro, only RTM 1 & 2.We rode bicycles instead of sitting in front of the computer. We sat around the field to talk instead of hanging at shopping malls or fast food joints.

I don’t fight so much with my mummy because she would be at work the whole day. And when she comes home, she does household chores that we are unable to do like cooking, doing the laundry or ironing. We would be asleep even before she finishes her chores because she is not as lucky as me. She does not have an Aunty Myrna. All this happened, only later part in our lives when we are in our teenage years. When I was younger, we were quite comfortable.

Things are different now, I opted for a part time job so that I can see you grow and try not to miss a thing. I want to be able to share with you my ups and downs and I want you to be able to do the same. I am sticky when it comes to education. I want you to have a better chance in life than me.

I am a mummy. Isn’t that what a mummy is supposed to do?

But there is this thing that is called the Generation Gap. I don’t seem to understand what you are thinking. I am worried all the time.

Those days, we can roam around freely and nothing would happen to us except for a few cuts and bruises here and there.

These days, even the internet poses a threat and can get anyone of us into “big” trouble even for an adult. I may be over protective but that is because I love you.

Things I do may not be acceptable to you but at that time, it was what I thought was right. And I may be wrong. I am not perfect, I hope you know, I hope you can see why I do the things I do.

I am not defending myself or am I trying to make what I have said above as an excuse of us fighting all the time but you have your reasons and I, mine.

No matter what happens, I just want to tell you that my love for you is unconditional. Nothing can change that.

Love,
Mummy

The Miracle

2009-10-24T07:28:00.002+08:00

14 years ago today, at 11pm, I thought I must have eaten too much Haargen Daz ice cream. Three ice creams after dinner! My stomach is aching so much. What is happening? Dr Goh said you would not be due for another 3 days at least. Must be the ice cream. Too greedy.

You are not due yet. Not now.

Stain. Daddy you ready? I certainly am not. Not ready for the pain. Not ready to be a mummy. Too soon. I am not ready.

Come on settle down.

I need to go to the hospital. Need to take a shower before that. Need to pack. Need to look nice when I greet you. Daddy, you need to drive.

Ouch, that’s quite a kick.

Wow! Why are the nurses not as panicky as us? Come on, mummy having a baby here! Get your *** moving!

Ouch! Take it easy in there.

Gosh! The searing pain. What have I done to deserve this? I am not ready.

I am not ready, are you? You sure?

I was there for the whole night and so was daddy. We waited till the next day. Push! Push! That’s a lot people screaming at me! Hey, I am the one doing the pushing. So, shut up! You think it is so easy! Try it!

Sorry, it has to be this way. It’s the pain. I hope you understand.

After 21 agonizing hours. Ploop! There you go, Mrs Ho? A beautiful baby girl. Scream!

That’s daddy. He is the one who kept saying the word “miracle”, repeatedly. Yes, it’s you – The Miracle.

How thrilled was everyone! So adorable, this screaming baby! You curiously opened your eyes to peep at us and promptly close it back again. Maybe you are wondering what all this commotion was all about and went back to sleep.

Hey, open your eyes, baby… those beautiful eyes.

We named you Jamie. Jamie means love. How apt. We love you to bits. We can’t help but stare at you. This wonderful creature that makes small gurgling sounds. How amazing is that?

It’s mummy, baby. Can you recognize mummy’s voice?

How everyone fussed over you. Look at those tiny hands that are clenched all the time. Boy, do you sleep a lot. There is a lot that I need to learn about this small bundle in my arm.

Would you forgive mummy if mummy makes a mistake?

Hmmm, why do you throw up every time I feed you milk. I cried. What am I to do? This is worrying. Aaah, the doctor said you are lactose intolerant. Have to get you a new brand of milk. There you go, you are now happy.

Mummy is learning, baby. Would you be patient with mummy?

There are so many things for me to discover. I have to catch up. A yawn, does not mean she is sleepy, get it? A sneeze does not mean she has a cold! You had better catch up, woman, she is learning faster that you!

Is that a smile? Hi, to you, too!

Oh, gosh! Your first smile! How excited am I? Look, daddy, she will smile for you too. Just wait. Wait for her to smile. Wait. She will smile when she wakes up. Wait. She will smile when she finishes her milk. Wait. She will smile after her diaper change. Ah, there you go! See I told you she smiled!

You learn to smile and I learn how to be a mummy, deal?

It was the proudest day of our lives. This perfect little creature turned up and our lives are now up side down. Up side down in the most contended way. A beginning of a new chapter.

We will be there every single step of the way when you want us. I promise.

Happy birthday.

I Have The Answer!

2009-09-23T06:39:00.001+08:00

I am now convinced why I can’t cope as a mummy. Cos, I am expecting my children to learn from ME!!!

As the old Chinese saying goes, learning does not stop and at age 80 is still not too late.

From today, I will concentrate more on learning from my children.

I shall learn from them and keep an open mind. I shall try and understand their passion and nurture them.

I am MUMMY!

Teenager vs Mummy

2009-09-18T10:59:00.002+08:00

Ok. I don’t know how to handle teenagers. How on earth do you do that? What on earth happened? This is a REAL TRIAL FROM GOD.

I am such a failure at that I blame the neighbors, the grandparents, the friends, the teachers and the government but should I be blaming myself?

I kept reading articles on how our kids do not need designer shoes, clothes, cell phones, computers, iPods but is that true?

Is it true that their only need is parental guidance, discipline and love on a daily basis? Question is, how do you give it without seen prying?

Things are going out of control, ain’t it?

How do I toe the line in this society as a mummy?

What if they voluntarily soak up all the bad things and like little sponges and I continue to pretend that I am stupid, act dumb and be ignorant?

I am blaming society on how I view things and how a teen view things.

Raising a child would be the most difficult job I have ever had.

The word concern now has a new meaning – stalking.

The word “ask” is now called desperate.

What happened to LOVE, RESPECT, MANNERS, RULES, RESPONSIBILITY, DISCIPLINE and TRUST?

Only About 1-2 Months Only-ma!

2009-08-08T06:19:00.022+08:00

Hiya, there! Long time no see, hor? Yes, I am fine. How about you?

Recent Happenings

We went back to GC (again!) for a fantastic holiday with Rachel tagging along. This time round we did more than usual. Theme park (of course!), forest reserve, went to Brisbane, shopping (went mad and crazy at Quiksilver and Billabong's warehouse) and without saying, CHILL OUT (big time).

As usual, we stayed at Ocean Royale again - front view, sea facing, damm big, fully equipped kinda apartment (so cool, right?). There are two rooms (Daddy and I shared one and the girls took the other). Marky had the TV in the living room and the sofa bed all to himself! There are 2 balconies in the living area and 1 balcony in each room - everywhere you look, blue sea, blue skies, hot bods jogging by the beach, oldies walking, so bliss. What do I have to do to deserve this kinda life, huh? I am saying, EVERYDAY, I want!

Crank up the volume!!!

Influenza H1N1

Marky's school had a few cases and he is staying home - no school for him for don't know how long - self quarantine. He is getting bored and actually want to go to school! How pelik is that? Here, I pray, for all my family and friends to stay healthy, be careful and stay safe.

The Rodwells

How come you only miss people when they aren't around and when they are, you take them for granted. I miss Baby Dylan sooooooo much.

That little heartbreaker better come home soon!

School

Still fighting for Science and Math to be maintain in English! Stupid flip-flop gomen! Those flers, huh - I am really doubtful if they know what they are doing-lor. Kejap ni, kejap tu! Apa masalahnya? Don't only think of the ballot box-la - our children's future are at stake, yo!

We (PAGE MALAYSIA) went for a meeting in SMK Seri Hartamas on Saturday last week and got locked out. All the press came. We were told that we can't have a meeting in the school premise because of "ARAHAN DARI JABATAN". Eh, we are not taking to the streets-la. Just housewives and daddies wanting to discuss our children's future-la. Give us a break, can or not?

Anyway, the press came, right? So, the next day it was all over the papers - and then Muhyiddin who was in Perth says, "Eh! Tak boleh." He said, parents SHOULD be ALLOWED to convene an EGM and apologise on behalf of his over zealous officers. If only all the "over zealous officers" could focus on how to better the education system. I mean, common, have you heard of "over zealous gomen officers" in our country before-ar? Suddenly got! Suddenly they appear! Another pelik incident that I came across (hairannya!).

Rachel!

My baby niece is turning 21! How can? When did this happen! I love this young lady very much. She is a gem. Got her head screwed on properly. Acts like an old lady sometimes, but she is smart, pretty and everything nice :-). I LUP CHEW, my baby!

The KOP comes to ASIA!

Oh, my GOD! It was unbelievable! We were staying at Pan Pac in Singapore, just opposite to their hotel. The moment we reach, dump our bags and went over to try and catch a glimpse of our HEROES.

The stupid security over at Mandarin tried to chase everyone who are not staying in the hotel away. When came my turn, I said I am staying in this hotel (so fib, right?). They started asking me for my room number and such until I got stuck-la! Gosh, I felt downright "DUH"! But then again, desperate-ma. Anyway, I manage to stay and boy-oh-boy, we saw almost all the players up close and personal, man!

Rafa, Kuyt, Alonso, King Kenny and then some, signed on Marky's t-shirt - so star struck, so amazing! I will never forget that day.

Everywhere in Singapore, all you see is RED, RED and RED!

During the game, the atmosphere was so overwhelming, it is unbelievable. Jamie Yeo aka The BIMBO was the opening MC - she invited two Liverpool fans on stage and ask them if they have anything to say - they did! "WHO THE FUCK IS MAN UNITED?", they sang (to the tune of Halle, halle, hallelujah). Ms Bimbo was LOST for words for a good 10 seconds and then say, "Erm, that's interesting". So bimbo, ya, no?

Liverpool won 5-0 and the fans were ecstatic. We did the wave, we were all brothers and sisters, no race, no creed, only LOVE. The only religion was Liverpool. If only the world is like that.

When all of us was singing, You'll Never Walk Alone, aiyo, so emo I felt like crying - got goose bumps all over. Can't wait to watch the real game at Anfield, to touch the Shankly gates, to visit the museum, basically, experience the real thing-la.

I love you, Liverpool - YNWA.

Gerrard, since we are going to be in-laws in future, we should hook up when we go to Liverpool. It's better for Mark to get to know Lily Ella sooner.

Yasmin Ahmad

My ex-boss passed away on the 25th July 2009 due to a stroke. I have never been really close to her but I have been friends with Ah Leong (Min's husband) since college. I know how much he loves her and I am truly saddened by this. Ah Leong will miss her so much.

Yasmin is always full of fun and laughter! Always happy. An obstacle to her is a challenge. She does not judge nor does she condemn. She's got charisma, that woman. Her sense of humour is gold.

During our WIP, which was usually on Thursdays, she would say, "Ladies, tonight is malam Jumaat, don't forget to go home and make your husband happy." She'll embarrassed the hell out of some of our colleagues, man and women included.

She would probably be the only one who could come up with the word "kench" - short for "kencing". She would pass by my place when she need to use the toilet and she would say, without fail, "Come! Let's go kench!"

She is religious but would never think her religion as the best - she respect all religion and in fact tries to understand each one of them. She started 1Malaysia 20 years ago, way before Najib (that one-huh, copycat-la). The only thing that she hates are lazy people.

An extremely beautiful person. We are going to miss you, Yasmin, RIP.

Till my next update, love you, peeps!

Just A Little Update

2009-04-23T17:21:00.002+08:00

Wah! Damm long never blog. Been extremely busy lately.

ME: Working on contract with Ogilvy currently. Busy working on the school portal as well. It's quite fun, really. Love reading all the stuff posted by kids of SKBD. So cute. Am also getting myself involved in SKBD Greens The Earth campaign and Saving The Seahorses, too.

Met a lot of nice friends in Ogilvy. Carzy bunch of people/ monkeys. Some really irritating ones like Tall Guy and The One That's Behind me - have yet to think of a nickname for her.

The nice ones are people like Julia Mulia, Daniel the Maniel, Chok the Jock, Edmund Lemon, to name a few.

We also made fast friends with the Bam-Bams (since 2008). Nicest and coolest malay family that we've ever met and we love them! Shazli, Rosie, Airyl and Ashlyn! Coolnest! They are all Liverpool fans, well, Shazli was somehow forced to be one. Nevertheless, Rosie and I can't make it without seeing each other at least once a week and we really do bug each other with phone calls every single day.

DADDY: Daddy's been sooooo busy, its not funny! He is having difficulty sleeping, too. His year-end is end of next month, that's why. Mmmmm, please pray that he achieves his quota cos if he does, it'll be like, "WOW", we will be going for another Club Excellence trip and it will not be in ASIA!!! Happiness!

JAMIE: Jamie is now in Form 2. Getting all grown up. She's hanging out with some wonderful friends, Amanda and Kat-kat (who is soooo in love with Mark). Two wonderful girls with wonderful family. As we all know, she is still a bit spoilt and as slow as ever. Wonder when she'll learn to be quicker and faster. Moral of the story, do not criticise children (who are not your own) cos we used to criticise Something On for being like that and look where it got us! But, I love her a lot and I think she loves me too :-). Praise a lot and zipit when you have nothing nice to say.

MARK: Someone in school is in love with Mark!!! He got his first love letter. He thought I have thrown it away but I haven't (hehe). His BM is improving lots too, and his now playing footie 3 times a week with Little League Malaysia and thinks he is Mascherano.

People, this is just a quick update and well, you can't cramp everything into one blog posting after not blogging for so many months, right?

Before I sign-off, just a quick one - Baby Dylan started walking - soooo cute, I tell you! I will be blogging about the rest of my family, hopefully soon. So hang in there, all my sisters, my niece, my bros...

University Tun Hussien Onn - Mind Your Language, yo!

2008-09-08T09:14:00.004+08:00

I know my command of the English language is not good forget about it being great but I can sure tell if there are certain grammatical errors when reading simple stuff like shop signages or maybe an "Ah Long" advertisement on the street, etc. but this, my dear friends, is hilarious, side-splitting, comical and mind you, entertaining too :-D. This advertorial was produced by someone in University Tun Hussien Onn to honour Raja Zarith Sofiah and it was published in our very own local newspaper - The New Starits Times. I am not quite sure if I want to receive this "Honorary Award".

ADVERTORIAL
New Straits Times
23 August 2008, page 43

HONORARY DEGREE AWARD 7TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY UNIVERSITY TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
TO YANG AMAT MULIA RAJA ZARITH SOFIAH BINTI ALMARHUMSULTAN IDRIS AL-MUTAWAKIL ALALLAHI SHAH D.K.II, S.P.M.J., S.P.C.M.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah has born on 14th of August 1959 in Hospital Batu Gajah, Perak. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith is a third son to Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Darul Ridzwan and Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Mazuwin binti almarhum Raja Arif Shah.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah get early education in Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Datin Khadijah Kuala Kangsar in the state his birthplace namely in Perak. After end of the education in primary school, Yang Amat Mulia continue the education to form one at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Raja Perempuan Kalsom Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

In the month of September 1972, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah have set forth to England for further education in Chaltenham Ladies College, Gloucestershire to form six. Then, Yang Amat Mulia continue learning it in Davies College London in September 1977 and his following year in receive enter to Somerville College, London after having passed Oxford Entrance Examination.

After graduated at Oxford University with Bachelor of Art in June 1983 and follow the traditional University of Oxford, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith will receive Master of Art after three years in 1986. Yang Amat Mulia also is a linguist follow several courses including language Mandarin at the tertiary level, French and Italy language.

As his father, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah is a person that talented in picture arts. Refinement of soul, Yang Amat Mulia always watching natural beauty environment immortalize in the form photograph and painting to make look and reference. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith performance become guide to deliver the message education to general public. Yang Amat Mulia concern on women and natural world and it custody aspect in become deep theme in painting.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah comply have interest profoundest field documentation. Apart from producing book, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith doubled up guest writer in the The New Straits Times newspapers and in personal column it “Mind Matters” in The Star newspaper. Besides writing, Yang Amat Mulia comply active presenting a working paper at the conference national level and international.

Education from her father and mother over concern to the people, make Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah likes engaged in voluntary activities about as Deputy President of Majlis Wanita Johor (ROSE), Chief of Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia Johor branch, Chairman of Nationalistic Community Service Red Crescent Malaysia, Patron of Spastic Children School in Johor Bahru, Patron Rotary Club of Tebrau Foundation, Advisor of Traditional Arts School International in London and become Pro Chancellor University Technology Malaysia (UTM) and becomen Royal Felllow Faculty of Language and Linguistic University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

As the appreciation towards her contributions of ideas and efforts in the development of education in Malaysia, Chancellor of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Duli Yang Amat Mulia Tunku lbrahim lsmail lbni Sultan lskandar, Tunku Mahkota Johor, has approbation to presented the awards to Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at 7th Convocation Ceremony of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in this year. Congratulation from us, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia members.

NST has since apologies for overlooking this atrocious advertorial that escaped their eyes.

Just Ignore This Post

2008-04-23T11:29:00.002+08:00

I had to post this pix for Mark's school project. That's all :-)

WHO'S THE VIP?

2008-03-10T12:07:00.009+08:00

(Drum roll, pls)... GRACE LIM GAIK HEOK @ LAM YOKE YIP aka "MY MA-MA", well, of course!

Uncle Lim taking Granny to cast her vote (they are NOT related, BTW).

Pictures courtesy of Kwong Wah Yit Poh.

My granny is 90 something years old and still voting for a better Malaysia. BRAVO, Granny!

Like to take this opportunity to congratulate the opposition by denying BN the 2/3 majority. Pls do not let us down...

2008-02-10T08:09:00.000+08:00

2008 - Year Of The Rat

2008-02-06T10:12:00.000+08:00

Daddy's Girl

2008-01-31T16:24:00.001+08:00

Who's ME?

2008-01-23T11:13:00.000+08:00

Looks like me, sounds like me BUT ... - VK Lingam
(Boy! I love this quote - such a classic!)

Picture 1 and Picture 2

Guess who's Mark and who's Dylan?

Today is...

2008-01-15T09:37:00.000+08:00

...Humanitarian Day.

Definition of Humanitarian:

- Caring
- Kind
- Gentle
- Compassionate
- Civilized
- Charitable

Do something good today. Something that would make your inside glow with pride.

Today, I would like to appeal to Sharlinie's kidnappers to return her safely to her parents. Please do not harm her. She is just a child. A pure and innocent child. My plea to you...

As today is Humanitarian Day, I would like to also share this with you, sent to me by my aunty...

Food for Thought to start the Year: by Anna Quindlen

This was a speech made by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Anna Quindlen at the graduation ceremony of an American University where she was awarded an Honorary PhD.

"I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree: there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk, or your life on a bus, or in a car, or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank accounts but also your soul.

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. But a resume is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.

Here is my resume: I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and they to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone, and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre at my job if those other things were not true. You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are.

So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast? Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze at the seaside, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water, or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a sweet with her thumb and first finger.Get a life in which you are not alone.

Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around.Take money you would have spent on beer and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.

It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the color of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.

I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned.

By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face. Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived".

Happy New Year, everyone.

Today is ...

2008-01-14T21:11:00.000+08:00

...ORGANISE YOUR HOME DAY.

My home is so NOT organise that I should not even be sitting down here blogging.

December and January are such hectic months.

Mark has just started Std 1 and Jamie in Form 1. Both of them are in different schools at different locations! The mornings are crazy just to get both of them to school on time and of course, they both start at the same time - 7.25am.

I am suppose to take dowm my christmas tree by the 5th of January cos that is the 12th day of Christmas but unfortunately it is only half way done as I am so anal in putting back all the christmas trinkets in their own respective boxes, the ribbons must be rolled up properly, the lights must be curled up to be sure that that they can be uncurled without any problem come next christmas. And before I put them back in their own individual boxes, I must make sure once again that the lights are in working condition so that I will not be pissed off with myself next year when I open them and find that they are not working!

I have been sewing on school badges and altering school uniforms like you wouldn't believe. Writing names on Mark's school books, making sure that he gets the best seat in class which is actually a waste of time cos the teacher will eventually rearrange their seats once they observe the child's behaviour.

Tell me, why am I doing this? I know - KIASUism - that's what!

Anal, right? I know!

Emily Phone Home

2008-01-06T09:27:00.000+08:00

Dear All,

Keep in touch with Emily via her new blog - Sliding On The Razor Blade Of Life.

Emily and her Boyfriend

2007-12-03T09:47:00.000+08:00

Dear Family,

Introducing Mr Martin Burbridge...

Emily is hoping to come home soon, maybe next year.
We miss you too, Mel, hope to see you soon.

HELP!

2007-10-31T12:29:00.000+08:00

SHIT! I AM SO ADDICTED TO FACEBOOK - ITS NOT FUNNY ANYMORE!

June 07 - Mid October 07

2007-10-11T11:42:00.000+08:00

Well, again I've been slacking - ignoring my blog. When I first started blogging, I promise myself that I would document what my family & I have been doing faithfully at least once a month. So, I lied.

This is going to be a long... but a lazy one.

A lot has been happening these past few months.

Phuket Club Med (2 June - 9 June 2007)

Entrance - Club Med, Phuket Nice Deco

Mummy's favourite hangout place in the entire village

Jamie getting her hair done (before & after pix)

In Phuket Town

Jamie & Mark having a go at the trapeze. Jamie was screaming her head off - which was quite funny.

A village with a beautiful view of the sea

As usual, apart from hanging out with mummy at the bar, vegging out is what Daddy does best

Yes, we spent 8 days there and it cost Daddy a bomb! But we had fun and met with a lot of good friends from all our previous Club Med trips. We still couldn't’t get enough and I don’t know when the Club Med bug is going to crawl up to us again.

Birthdays – Don’t understand why there are so many year end babies. Damm “poke-kai” during year end.

August Babies

Kim, Daddy, Jason and Rachel’s birthday. Happy Birthday, y'all.

Had dinner at a restaurant somewhere in Jalan Ipoh. Nice place. Did not take any pictures so, nothing to show la.

Daddy’s Birthday (again)

We celebrated Daddy’s birthday 3 times – once with the August babies, once on our own in Jake’s and once with the Rodwells at Tony Romas.

Jane’s Birthday (13 September)

We celebrated Jane’s birthday on the 16 September. We had steamboat dinner and it was quite fun. Didn’t take any pictures but believe me – this sis of mine, does not look her age at all. We sang, “Happy Birthday” in all three languages – Chinese, Bahasa and English – quite funny, that one – I think we manage to embarrass the hell out of my sister :-)

Mom’s Birthday (25 September)

Mom & her best friend, Angie Ma-ma

Celebrated Mom’s birthday at a karaoke, somewhere in Old Klang Road. It is actually an "old folks" kinda place and very “ching-chong” but everyone had fun. Everyone was singing – even good ole Daddy! After that, we adjourned to El Cerdo a porky place restaurant. Quite an interesting restaurant – they serve nothing but pork. Delicious.

People who attended mom's birthday

(Uncle) Richard Rodwell's Birthday (3rd October)

Celebrated at Tarbush, Starhill Gallery

Birthdays coming up:-
Bro-in-law – 18 October
Jamie – 25 October
Daphne – 8 November

Quota Club – Daddy’s done it again!

3rd year in a row! This time we were off to Sabah (26 September – 30 September). Stayed at Pacific Sutera Habour Resort. Nice place – KK. The islands are actually very beautiful and the sea water is extremely clear. It was not as grand this time round as compared to Australia but we (the parents) had a swell time (will tell you why later) and the kids too enjoyed the break.

Yes! We watched INXS- Live!
JD - The Real Thing

Kirk - so cool...(sigh!)

The seafood in Sabah is extremely good and very cheap compare to KL. We went to this seafood restaurant twice cos we can’t get enough of it.

Quota Club again next year, Daddy?

Jack got HITCHED!

Jack and Daphne registered their marriage on 10/10/07 - this is also the day our goverment spend loads of taxpayer's money sending some stupid idiot into space!!

Congratulations, Jack and Daphne. Welcome to the family, Daphne :-)

Till my next update – which I hope would be soon. God bless.

Beloved Grandpa - We miss you "HEAPS"!

2007-08-13T14:30:00.000+08:00

I looked at my little girl and she was crying,
I took her in my arms and ask what’s wrong,
She looked at me and asked me, as she hugs me,
Does Grandpa miss me like he did before?

I took her in my arms and then I whispered,
Darling, Grandpa misses you the same,
Little girls and babies cries in teardrops,
Angels cry with roses and with rain.

Angels cry roses and rain,
Angels don’t know any pain,
So, darling when you hear your Grandpa’s name,
Think of Angels, roses and rain.

I saw her in the pool as she was swimming,
And then she felt the raindrops on her face,
She climbed out of the pool and then she whispered,
That’s the way my Grandpa sends his love.

Angels cry roses and rain,
Angels don’t know any pain,
So darling, when you hear your Grandpa’s name,
Think of Angels, roses and rain and rain,
Angels, roses and rain.

Marky's Masterpiece 2

2007-08-02T13:58:00.000+08:00

A happy family (Marky's version). I want one too…

An Update

2007-07-19T11:48:00.000+08:00

I know I have not been blogging for a long time. Life has been crazy lately. So, here’s just a quick update to keep my blog alive.

On the home front, my life has changed completely. I am not allowed to talk about it here, so I will just suffer in silence and pray that things will get better. In fact, truth be told, it is slightly better but I am stepping thin lines everyday and won’t know when the line will break. Please pray for me that the line that I am walking on is thick and strong enough to keep me going.

Stages of a being a mother changes all the time and I am now at a pre-teen mother stage. I don’t think I am handling things too well as I feel that I have failed in many ways. I don’t know how to be a mother of a pre-teen daughter. Communication wise is almost at a halt as I can’t seem to get my daughter to trust me. I am jealous of all the mothers whose best friend(s) are actually their daughter(s). Even though, I love my daughter to bits but my way of showing my love might be wrong. She is the most important person in my life and I am not keen at all on “losing” her. She fell ill recently and it breaks my heart. If anything bad ever happens to her, I will never forgive myself. Believe me; I have read all the Chicken Soup I can lay my hands on and if someone out there could show me the way, I will kiss your feet.

I am now working from home and it is great. I manage to spend more time with the kids and earning money at the same time. Not much and the payment from my client is rather slow but that is good enough as I realize that I am actually not cut out for the corporate world. The temptation to go back is beckoning at times but hmmm… we’ll see.

Other than that, I have not been keeping in touch with friends as much as I want to, except, with the Rodwells. Sometimes, I feel that even if you do keep in touch, there is actually no point in any of it as people are sometimes cruel or maybe it is the fact that they have nothing much to do but just gossip about you with your other friends after the get together. So there! Thank God I have Cheryl or I will absolutely go crazy.

Of course, there are friends that I can go out with like once in a blue moon and let myself hang loose. When you are out with Janie and Audrey, you will never fail to have a good time. So, thank God for friends.

My husband has been working so hard lately, we hardly have time to talk but we do try and squeeze in every minute we have. He is always home during the weekends but he will always be working. He can work from home sometimes and like I said, he will really be working and wouldn’t even have time for lunch. I see him but I do not see him if you know what I mean. Plus, he has been traveling a lot lately too.

My sister and I, we try to talk everyday on the phone to keep ourselves updated on each other’s life but still, we are not seeing enough of each other. She is also working extremely hard.

To my hubby and my sister, do take care of your health. I can’t say that money is not everything because, like it or not, it is.

The only three more people in my life that I miss very much and would love to see more would be my Granny, my Ji-Ku and my Nat-nat. Miss them heaps.

So, here you go – my story for the past few months.

Oh, ya! We had a really nice break in Club Med, Phuket recently and had a really great time there. Will try and post some pictures and our experience this weekend.

Take care, now…

Happy For You!

2007-05-12T06:21:00.001+08:00

This week, I feel really happy for you cos you would be free from The Weather Woman for a few days. Hope you have the common sense to turn your phone off!

Well, if you don't, that's too bad! Next time, don't bother!

Definition of The Weather Woman - It describes the condition of the air at a particular time and place. Weather also tells how the air moves (wind) and describes what it might be carrying such as rain, snow or clouds. Thunder, lightning, rainbows, haze and other special events are all part of weather. She needs to shout and she won't do it alone unless she knows you can feel or hear her.

Enjoy!

TM - One of the Seven Wonders of Malaysia - Pride of our Nation!

2007-05-07T06:03:00.000+08:00

House Phone: Troot, troot.
Me: Hello?
Male TM: Boleh cakap sama H* H** O** (that's my husband).
Me: Who's calling?
Male TM: Telekom Malaysia.
Me: What is it regarding?
House Phone: (Shuffling sound).
Female TM: We are going to change your bill.
Me: Why?
Female TM: Can have H* H** O** mother name (for verification purpose, I suppose)?
Me: Why?
Female TM: Change your bill. Everyone change.
Me: Will there be cost implications?
Female TM: Yes.
Me: What is the cost implication?
Female TM: Nak H* H** O** mother name.
Me: You said there are cost implications, tell me first-la!
House Phone: (Click sound). Toot, toot, toot, toot...

What can I say?

Spidey 3 (SM3) - II

2007-04-19T16:21:00.000+08:00

Look what I found out - Spidey 3 in America is rated PG-13!

And Spidey 3 in Malaysia is rated U! For the benefit of all out there who do not understand what "U" is - it is ALL AUDIENCE. Yuhooo! That means, Marky can go but it also means...

...all censored-la! WTF!!!

Spidey 3 (SM3)

2007-04-17T15:03:00.000+08:00

Marky invites anyone/ everyone who is remotely interested, to watch SM3 with him! SM3 premiers in Malaysia on... (Rachel, pls, pls get the tickets, thank you - you are Marky's favorite cousin sister, you know?)

All the usual suspects are back plus some very violent villians.

Mary Jane Watson - Peter Parker's love Aunt May Introducing... THE VILLIANS (rumour has it that there are actually going to be four villians in Spidey 3 but the 4th one, is yet to be revealed - could Spidey himself be his own enemy?)

VILLIAN 1 - SAND MAN Thomas Haden Church is playing character Flint Marko aka Sandman. Sandman can transmute his molecules into a sand-like substance. When in sand form, he can take any shape he wishes and increase his density and strength to lift up to 85 tons. Marko can form his hands into weapons, such as a hammer or mace, form a near-impenetrable wall of sand or create a dust storm. He has long been a fan-favorite foe of Spider-Man.

VILLAIN 2 - VENOM

Venom is the result of the symbiosis between an alien form known as the symbiote and Eddie Brock, a former Daily Globe columnist who was fired after Spider-Man proved that a series of articles were false. In the upcoming Spider-Man 3 movie, Eddie Brock is portrayed by Topher Grace.

VILLAIN 3 - GREEN GOBLIN II With help from both a modified Goblin formula and hallucinations of his psychotic dead father, Harry Osborn playled by James Franco makes it his goal to destroy Spider-Man in Spider-Man 3.

VILLIAN 4? or could it be Mysterio?

Release Date: May 1st, 2007 (3 days earlier that US of A - Yuhooooo!)
Director: Sam Raimi

Producer: Avi Arad, Laura Ziskin
Screenwriter: Alvin Sargent
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Daniel Gillies, Ted Raimi, Adrian Lester, Theresa Russell, James Cromwell, Elizabeth Banks, Steve Valentine
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comic
Rating: PG-13

Now since Spidey 3 is rated PG-13 - who is going to break the news to Marky...

Well, what do u know...I AM A COOL PARENT :-)

2007-04-15T07:20:00.000+08:00

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need.
You can tell when it's time to let kids off the hook, and when it's time to lay down the law.
While your parenting is modern and hip, it's not over the top.
You know that there's nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager... or a drill sergeant!

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

With all the things that is going on in my life right now, I am surprised that MY MIND IS ONLY 64% CLUTTERED!

2007-04-15T07:06:00.000+08:00

Your Mind is 64% Cluttered

Your mind is quite cluttered. And like most clutter, it's a bunch of crap you don't need.
Try writing down your worst problems and fears. And then put them out of your mind for a while.

How Cluttered is Your Mind?

Say, AYE!

2007-03-21T18:36:00.000+08:00

Say AYE! in my comment post if I am not a nice person. Please kindly tell me why and I will try and be nice.

Why has "heartache" befallen me? - Erm, is that how Shakespeare would say it?

I NEED CLOSURE!!! I NEED PEACE!!! I NEED TO BE HAPPY!!!

How does an evil witch (someone claims that I am one) with black magic up her sleeve get closure? Ideas, anyone, someone?

International Women's Day 2007

2007-03-08T06:13:00.000+08:00

Today is International Women’s Day. Celebrate all the women in your lives today and tell them what a great job they have done. Pray for those who are forced into marriage, those that are treated like barter trades. Thank God today that you are a free woman and do not need to succumb to the horrors of being women. Sympathize with those who have to endure the wrath of family members that ill treat them. Last but not least, praise those who tirelessly fight for the cause on the rights of being a WOMAN!

International Women's Day 2007 on 8 March

2007-03-07T14:29:00.000+08:00

Dear Women Bloggers,

March 8 is International Women's Day 2007. In solidarity with women all over the world, we would like to invite all Malaysian women bloggers ( and pro-women men bloggers) to celebrate this special day by appending the IWD logo and linking your blogsite to the IWD website (this is a condition of using the logo) at International Women's Day 2007. We would also like you to dedicate a post (or more) to yourself, the women in your lives or simply to ruminate on the state of women today. Let's do it collectively and simultaneously on March 8.

Please help us by forwarding this to all your women friends/bloggers.

In solidarity,
Marina Mahathir
Susan Loone

What Tarot Card Are You?

2007-03-05T12:15:00.000+08:00

You are Judgement

Happiness, Content, Joy.

Judgment is related to the Hebrew letter Shin, which is fiery and spiritual. A break from the past, going forward.

With Fire as its ruling element, Judgement is about rebirth or ressurection. The idea of Judgement day is that the dead rise, their sins are forgiven, and they move onto heaven. The Judgement card is similar, it asks the resurrection to summon the past, forgive it, and let it go. There are wounds from the past that we never let heal, sins we've committed that we refuse to forgive, bad habits we haven't the courage to lose. Judgement advises us to finally face these, recognize that the past is past, and put them to rest, absolutely and irrevocably. This is also a card of healing, quite literally from an accident or illness, as well as a card signaling great transformation, renewal, change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

A tribute to the late Mr Ho Wah Chew (17 Oct 1929 - 10 Feb 2007)

2007-03-01T15:57:00.000+08:00

The greatest father and grandfather...

The family of Mr Ho Wah Chew wish to thank everyone for their support & help, prayers, floral tributes, contribution and messages of condolence during their recent bereavement.

Goodbye to you, my trusted friend.
We've known each other since we're nine or ten.
Together we climbed hills or trees.
Learned of love and ABC's,
skinned our hearts and skinned our knees.

Goodbye my friend, it's hard to die,
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Pretty girls are everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the hills that we climbed
were just seasons out of time.

Goodbye, Papa, please pray for me,
I was the black sheep of the family.
You tried to teach me right from wrong.
Too much wine and too much song,
wonder how I get along.

Goodbye, Papa, it's hard to die
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Little children everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the wine and the song,
like the seasons, all have gone.

Goodbye, Michelle, my little one.
You gave me love and helped me find the sun.
And every time that I was down
you would always come around
and get my feet back on the ground.

Goodbye, Michelle, it's hard to die
when all the bird are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
With the flowers ev'rywhere.
I wish that we could both be there.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the stars we could reach
were just starfishs on the beach

To Secure Our Children's Future...

2007-01-20T09:22:00.000+08:00

... please logon to Kickdefella to download the logo in support of Jeff Ooi, Rocky's Bru and the freedom of speech. Let the truth be told!

The Star, Friday 19 Jan 2007

Light A Million Candles

2007-01-07T15:05:00.000+08:00

The innocent victims of Internet child abuse cannot speak for themselves. But you can. With your support, we can eradicate this evil trade. We do not need your money.We need you to light a candle of support http://www.lightamillioncandles.com/.We're aiming to light One Million Candles.

This petition will be used to put pressure on governments, politicians, financial institutions, payment organisations, Internet service providers, technology companies and law enforcement agencies who have the power to work together to eradicate the commercial viability of online child abuse.You have the power to get them to take action. Please light your candle at http://www.lightamillioncandles.com/ or send an email to light@lightamillioncandles.com.

Together, we can destroy the commercial viability of Internet child abuse sites that are destroying the lives of innocent children.

2007

2007-01-02T15:04:00.000+08:00

Gosh! Another year. Tomorrow is the start of a new school year and again, 5am mornings! Jamie will be having her UPSR this year. I quitted my full time my job and am worried about where I am going to get money from. Not that my husband can't support me and is more than willing to do so but I am not very keen on that myself.

I do have plans on my own but I must succeed this time. For my own good, in order to spend more time with my kids, more time for myself, especially quality time with my husband. It is a big year for everyone. Mark will be 6 soon and needs a lot of coaching before the start of Primary 1.

I have a feeling that 2007 is going to be a great year and if fate permits, I hope everything will fall into place nicely.

To each and everyone out there, may all your wishes come true and have a good year!

From Sambal Belacan to Hors d'Oeuvres

2006-12-31T18:46:00.000+08:00

Hi People,

I have started a new blog that is all about food, makan, drinks, makan and food :-)

My website address is www.makanthemalaysianway.blogspot.com

Kindly log in to show some support. Terima kasih.

Love you all and Happy New Year!!
June

What MORAL - copy aje-la!

2006-12-29T07:21:00.000+08:00

My eyes almost popped out the other day when I went to my daughter's school to buy her school books. Mind you, this cover is printed on all primary school's moral books. Only difference is, the car's colour is different for each school year. What is the education ministry thinking of!? Take a bit from here and there, tweak a bit here and there, no need to think and BAM! - project "copy and paste" dah habis! Maybe that is the reason why children nowadays don't use their brains nor have any creativity of their own because they are not encouraged to. Most important - must make life easy-la. The easier the better-ma.

The Moral Book for Year 2007

Lightning McQueen

The Kelisa

See any similarities?

A Beauty for Christmas

2006-12-29T07:13:00.000+08:00

...hehehe, look what I got from my hubby for Christmas. She's a beauty, isn't she?

Am still trying to figure out how to use it properly :-)

...of hawkwer stalls and celups

2006-12-21T08:07:00.000+08:00

Two days ago I went with my family for dinner to a coffee shop nearby. There are chairs and tables all lined up on the road and everyone is busy ordering and eating their own favourite food – bak kut teh, char koay teow, tai chow, curry mee, anything that you can find in those individual hawker stores. The food here, by the way, is quite delicious.

Opposite to the restaurant, there is Uncle Ho Junior selling celup (pirated) VCDs and DVDs as well as a roadside (or in this case, sidewalk) cobbler.

We were sitting at one of those roadside table and was almost finishing our dinner when we hear, “Sui yan ley chor.” Which translates to – The baddies are here! There was a sudden rush and everyone that works there jumped to their feet and started moving really fast closing up foldable tables and stacking up plastic chairs. Guess what MBPJ has arrived! It’s the PJ City Council.

As this is the first time we have experienced this, we started getting up and getting ready to leave with all this commotion going around us. However, we are asked to sit down by the workers (foreign ones), and don’t move while tables and chairs without any customers starting to disappear really fast around us even before MBPJ can get down from their truck. You see, if customers are using those tables and chairs, the City Council can’t confiscate them – if not, they will be hauled off to the truck. So we sat down and were absorbing all the commotion that was going on. What’s surprising was, there are also some “mat sallehs” customers there and they too are cooperating with the coffee shop workers.

And of course, opposite to the restaurant, Uncle Ho Junior and Mr Cobbler have also disappeared even before you could bat your eyelid.

At the end of the day, we are Malaysians and we need those hawkers, and the celup stuff, the convenience of cobblers everywhere. Now, who can live without those delicious food and latest movies? Even our guests from other countries have come to appreciate all these wonderful stuff we have here. Right, Richard?

Anyway, all the coffee shop owner got was a summon. Even before the MBPJ’s truck was out of sight, the workers started putting back those chairs and tables…

It was quite an experience for Jamie and Mark.

Long live hawker stalls and celups!!

2006

2006-12-15T08:20:00.000+08:00

Mmmm...2006

A year passes by so quickly that you sometimes wonder what has actually happened. I asked myself what have I achieved and my mind is literally blank. Did the whole year go by without me realizing?

But I did find myself to be more mature and I also know that apart from my husband and my kids, Mom is the most important person in my life. She is a gem and I love her to bits. If I could, I would turn back time and take back all the hurtful stuff and things that I have said and done to her. Sorry, Mom. I love you.

My husband, he is the best. You see, taking care of someone like me is not easy, my temperament and all. Darling, you are one person I know who has quite a vicious temper yourself but to be able to put up with the likes of me, I don’t know how you do it. Apart from providing us with a very comfortable life, your patience and your love for the kids and me are beyond words. You are someone whom I know who will hold my hand when it is all wrinkled and bony. Thank you for loving me.

Giving birth to my kids are the biggest joy and achievement in my whole entire life. They are amazing kids. Can’t imagine my life without them. The laughter they bring is priceless. I hope they love having a crazy mummy like me too ‘cos I know I embarrass them sometimes with my craziness, my hugs, my kisses and statements I make. But truth be told, I love doing it. Jamie and Mark, sorry, but both of you will be stuck with me for life.

I realize that there are true friendships and also ones that are superficial. True friendships, if you have, value them. They are not easy to come by. This year, I found a friend that truly loves me for who I am without judging. I have known her for a few years now and it took me sometime to understand that this woman will stand by me no matter what – for good! She also love my kids to bits and wants to tell the whole world that they are kinda her kids too :-)

And of course, I have another best friend that travels around the whole world but never fails to keep in touch and she is amazing as far as remembering birthdays is concern. The amount of money that she spends calling us every month must be exorbitant. You know how sometimes when you really need to speak to someone and wish that you could? Well, she does call (always) at just the right moment.

To my two bestest friend in the world, I toast you! Lucky me…

After all this, when you wonder why the year passed on so quickly is because you are happy. Happiness is something that you can’t buy and I have it all. Thank you all, my husband, my mom, my kids, all my family members, my best friends, my friends; you have made my life bliss.

There are some pictures that I do not have here but there are some other significant events that happened in 2006...

- Gary got married, congratulations.
- Jack finally got the keys to his new home, congratulations.
- We celebrated everyone's birthday.
- Daddy went to Beijing and loved it there.
- My mom went for a nose operation and is getting better now.
- I went for my 3rd cyst operation... sigh!

Here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A father's view of life

2006-10-23T09:23:00.000+08:00

After having spent so many years in the corporate world where a certain behaviour is expected from one, putting down my inner most thoughts freely does not come easy. My wife and family sometimes complains that I'm too uptight. Guess that came from the job & it is hard to switch off at the end of each day. I've to start at some point to learn to live life the way I want it to be. Having said that, it would be nice to have a couple of million bucks tucked away for me to tell all the corporate assholes Bugger Off.

Maybe I'm overly paranoid about how my children will grow up especially in a declining and morally bankrupt country like Malaysia. I recently shared this with another Malaysian father who like me, is concern about his kids growing up here. I shared that life as we know have it's own way of finding a way through. I hope the spirit in my children will see them through all the injustice, corruption, racism and incompetencies. It is impossible not to feel contempt for the system here. I know when I was young and foolish, I wanted to burn the system and their supporters down.

Other than my family, my other passion is my religion - Liverpool FC. Like all hardcore Liverpool fans, I'm suffering in silence. Yesterday night's loss to Manure absolutely gutted me. This will be another season of disappointment and despair. I wish I can tell the Manures watch us. But I think this will be a long time coming. I'll trod along inconspicuously and wear the badge in my heart.

My revised list of people I would want most to meet

Larry Ellison - I would like to tell him if I was him, I would sell off all my Oracle stocks now before this company crashes and burn because he is driving the Oracle bus right off the cliff. Good job Larry.
Bono - Quit while you are still ahead. Retire in dignity & don't end up like Mick Jagger who should be institutionalized with rest of his band.
PM of Malaysia - Good job in leading the country into state of perpetual denial. Great stuff moulding generations of Malays who perfected the art of leaving their arms outstretched permanently for govt hand outs.
Queen of England - Thanks for screwing us in Malaysia in 1957.
Premier of China - (1) Take the money from the West and then screw them (2) Don't forget Japan. A couple hundred of nukes dropped in Japan will be nice
To All Redneck Aussies & Kiwis - Aussies. Don't forget your proud convict heritage. Kiwis. Who cares. They will mate with seals and penguins from the South Pole.
Rafa Benitez - Give us back our pride you Spanish prick!!!
Steven Gerrard - You Are God!!! Screw Benitez & lead Liverpool back to glory.

Happy 11th Birthday, Jamie!

2006-10-22T15:08:00.000+08:00

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

BEST of GOLD COAST

2006-10-10T08:48:00.000+08:00

To read, you can double click on the picture. This will bring you to "My Slide". Double click again and you will see an icon on the bottom right hand corner. Click on the icon to enlarge page.

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

You know you are doing something right...

2006-08-24T14:24:00.000+08:00

...when you get notes like this one from your children :-)

A Gift from Jayden

2006-08-24T10:45:00.000+08:00

Mark was simple ecstatic. He received a very special gift from Jayden, his Club Med friend from Australia. His exact words – “I am so lucky to have a friend like Jayden.”

Get Your Own! View Slideshow

Thank you, Jayden, you're a STAR! You made Mark’s day.

Saigon, July 17 - 20, 2006

2006-08-17T09:27:00.000+08:00

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam but the capital is Hanoi. There are 5 million people and 2 million motorcycles in Saigon it self! Buddhism is the main religion. Accepted currency - VN Dong and USD. Gained their independence in 1945. This city was renamed after the revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh (abbreviated HCMC) in 1975. Saigon is situated by the banks of Saigon River.

Right! ...and this is the first time that I have ever been on a plane alone with my beloved hubby without the kids. Yup! He took me to Vietnam - get this, "just the two of us". We had a swell, swell time! Pat went there for his company thingy and I just tumpang glamour-la.

I have always love Saigon. It is really a culturally authentic place. All the beautiful people and the unique handy crafts. I can go there over and over again. (Hmmm... be nice if I can work there.)

We stayed at Caravelle Hotel, in Dong Khoi Street (district 1), reportedly to be one of the best there. Nice place but I have seen better (not bragging but everyone can have their own opinion of "better", rite?). I went wondering outside the hotel whilst Pat was at work and boy, did I shop! Saigon is a shopping haven if you are a woman or if you are really into arts and crafts or you really love buying household stuff, then Saigon is the place to be. And of course there is Ben Thanh Market. Saigon is never complete without the visit to Ben Thanh Market. The variety of stuff there is endless. As this is my second time in Saigon, the things seem pretty much the same but enchanting still.

I also met up with my good friend Sylvia and her daughter Amber (cutest girl I have ever seen), after Jamie, of course (sorry, Syl - I am a mummy-la). We had a pretty good time catching up and trying to load each other with as much info as possible on each other's life. Went shopping and coffee and basically just vege out. Thanks for having me, Sylvia and Amber. I had a great time!

Pat was crazy about this noodle place - PHO24, where they serve fantastic beef noodle. Now, this is what I call fast food. They are so well prepared that the moment you order, the food is in front of you in less than a minute, no kidding! The McD's of the world should learn something from these people. Anyways, the moment when Pat can get out of the hotel, this is where we eat.

Contrary to popular belief, Saigon is a relatively safe place to be but mind the folks on their motocycles, though.

Happy Birthday, Nat-nat!

2006-08-15T09:00:00.000+08:00

To our dearest Nat-nat,

Sorry its late but I had some problem with my XD card in my camera. Anyways, Happy Birthday! We love and miss you so much.

(If this video is taking too long to load, just double click on the picture or view by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEuYdu34Hvs)

With lots of love and kisses,
Ho-Ho-Ho-Ho

Why "CLUB MED ROCKS"?

2006-06-27T13:56:00.000+08:00

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

I’ve always wanted to blog this thus explaining why my blog address is www.clubmedrocks.blogspot.com (only those who are really, really close to me will understand why I chose this blog address) – cos people, WE LOVE CLUB MED! Finally, after long, long time, WE ARE BACK in Club Med, Cherating - the most happening place on earth.

We went for our annual pilgrimage to Club Med on 19thJune, 2006 and stayed until 24thJune, 2006 – a whole six days. We had an amazing vacation (as always), and no one wanted to go home but work & school beckons (sigh!).

Those who have yet to experience it, let me tell you in my very own way why we, as a family, loved it so…

The Kids

They have activities lined up for them through out the day (every day). They get to experience nature, outdoor activities, mixing with people of other nationalities, learn to share, perform, gaining confidence in themselves and most of all having fun to the max.

They have activities such as Bungy Bounce, Trapeze, Turtle Watch, Sailing, Swimming, (including lots of pool games), Olympics, Archery, Roller Blading, Performing and many, many more. Jamie was runner-up in a HULA contest and Mark sang his heart out in a singing contest.

Jamie and Mark had such a swell time that going home is a chore. Club Med has a few clubs that is divided into a few categories – The Petit Club (2-3 yrs old), The Mini Club (4-7 yrs old), The Kids Club (8-12 yrs) and The Teens Club (13-17yrs old). They have their own activities throughout. Not to mention, you get to hang out with kids your age and do all the “cool stuff”.

The Adults

We, we get to do our own stuff too like Aqua Gym, Yoga, Batik Painting, Golf, Sun Dance, Aerobics, Tennis, Football plus some of the stuff like what the kids does. Of course, lazing around the pool, just like my dear ole’ husband (which means, it is your choice to basically do nothing). We get to meet our own sets of people too. Not to mention, the food, oh my God, is to die for! Wonderful food from around the world – Western, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and I mustn’t forget the wonderful dessert – ice cream, pavlova, cakes, tarts, etc., etc.

The barbeque at Pantai Beach is amazing! Fresh seafood all prepared and grilled to perfection. Did I mention that beer and wine is free flowing during meals?… and most amazingly, there are people looking after your hyperactive kids, nowhere in the world could you get this kind of deal.

The GOs

The GOs were great. I thank then for taking such good care of our kids by making them feel at home. There were some of them who were a bit racist (CM will need to do something about this before it gets out of hand as this is not what I remember about CM in my previous trip (maybe about 6-7 times in all). Tell your GOs to understand that – CM should be the last place that you should put up the “Race Barrier” thingy. The Chef of Village, if you are reading this, DO SOMETHING!).

However, please let me say a big thank you to Han, Jeremey (the bar team), Jenn (the bar team), Sham (the bar team), all the Mini Club and Kids Club GOs – Rio, Lexi, Rachid, Cherry, Alin, Emily, Joe, Justine (I can’t remember all of their names but it is everyone of them – they were absolutely happening and great), the friendly life guards, Arin (outdoor/ sea sports), all the GOs at the restaurant and GOs from the sports team. To all of you, we had a great and wonderful time.

And thanks, Yvonne, from Club Med KL Office for being so patient with me :-)

We met some really cool friends like Esin, Jayden and Presin (hope this is how it is spelt).

Before I go, “CLUB MED ROCKS”! A Bientot!

Not As Easy As I Thought

2006-06-25T18:19:00.000+08:00

Since I’ve been tagged by two of my many favorite people in this world, I guess I’ve no choice but to be ‘it’. And, mind you, all of below is not in any particular order cos if I can put it down – it is what I really want or feel.

AWESOME PEOPLE I WOULD WANT TO MEET:

1. God (not now okay, give me another 30 more years or so).
2. Paul McCartney.
3. Oprah Winfrey.
4. U2 (that’s 4 ppl dee, I know).
5. Vincent Van Gogh ( yes, he's dead...).

… if I may, I am one of the lucky few as I have already met some of the most awesome people in this world – my family – especially my husband, my Jamie, my Marky, my sister, my niece, Nat-nat, my granny, my mom …

THINGS I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:

1. My sleeping time.
2. My camera.
3. My books (really can’t understand people who doesn’t read).
4. My kitchen (I have a fetish for cooking at the moment).
5. My home sweet home.
6. My car.

I WISH I COULD:

1. Stop work and do whatever that strikes up my fancy from the word “go”.
2. Be smart enough to know what I wanted to do many, many years ago.
3. Be around for Jamie and Mark in whatever turning point of their lives – their ups and downs.
4. Understand that things doesn’t always go your way and not get too hung up about it when it happens.
5. Be brave enough to say whatever comes to mind instead of trying to be nice all the time.

I WANT:

1. To grow old with my husband.
2. To start drawing again.
3. To travel and go for that honeymoon with my husband.
4. To age gracefully (yes sister, I think we can – came from the same gene pool, right?).
5. Mark & Jamie to be happy in whatever they do and be loved by all they meet and be able to give love in return.
6. God to keep Jamie & Mark safe and warm forever.
7. To be able to splash in puddles of water and not think about how it will get my shoes or my floor dirty.
8. My husband to be able to stop and feel the sunshine, smell the rain, laugh and be happy.
9. To start swimming again.

(ok, ok, I stop now – but these are I the things I want-ma)

SONGS THAT I THINK ARE AWESOME:

I don’t think I can name any cos there is just too many – being able to hear and appreciate songs is all I could ask for. Well, if I really must, let me tell you I can love songs like Itsy, Bitsy Spider by Little Richard to That Ole Devil Called Love by Billie Holiday with some of Where Is The Love by Black Eyed Peas thrown in and even Pun Kan Pat Liong by Sam Hui, for old time sake. So can’t really tell you.

HOW I SEE MYSELF IN 10 YEARS:

1. Happy and contented.
2. Doing charity work.
3. Still swimming.
4. Being with my husband and children (still chauffering Mark around cos, he will only be 15 – cannot drive yet).
5. See and meet people that I love from time to time.

RANDOM FACTS:

1. I love being Miss Fix-It. I am most confident when I am fixing things – doing creative things with my hands is when I am most happy.
2. I can actually cook and some of the dishes taste pretty darn good too.
3. Stupid people, dirty people, over polite people, whiney people, fake people, lazy people, people who so happen to be on medical everytime there is an urgent job, liars (especially those who goes to church every Sunday and the temple or the mosque every Friday) and worst if you are a stupid liar – all these people turns me off – big time!
4. I ignore people who that thinks I am not good enough for them and it is okay to have lunch alone.
5. Am not afraid to walk in to a pub that is full of men and sit there and wait for my date to come (usually my hubby). Don’t even for one moment think that I will be threaten by all those stares.
6. Am afraid to drive alone after 10pm.
7. Pooing is the first thing I do every morning. I can poo on demand. If for some reason I can’t do it on that particular day, then I am very, very sick.
8. Can't stand it when my children whines.
9. I can’t and don’t know how to fill up my car tyres.
10. I can’t stand people who thinks that they are young and therefore, pretty/ handsome and act like they are God’s gift to they world.

MISCONCEPTIONS:

1. That I can be taken advantage of – I will only be taken advantage of if I want to be taken advantage of – I am not Miss Nice.
2. That I shop in KLCC – I love Petaling Street to the max.
3. That we are rich – we are just careful with our money.
4. That I can really drink – 4 beers and I am there as I don’t like to get drunk.
5. That I watch my diet – I don’t.

WHO I WANT TO TAG:

1. Cheryl
2. Nat-Nat
3. Jack (I would really love to hear honesty from this one)
4. Patrick
5. Jamie (only when you ready, baby)
6. Mark (I will wait, patiently)

...and I swear

2006-04-14T08:10:00.000+08:00

I know it is not nice to swear on a Good Friday but I swear I will lose some weight starting today! NO MORE BEER (for now anyway, if I can help it, unless I exercise)! Gosh! I feel like shit! I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED! So, I am going to look at life on the positive side from today onwards! The only real thing that comes in between being positive is being negative! Wow! A lot of exclamation marks there but this is how I am feeling at the moment!

The past few weeks have been a real torture. Family, work, office politics, job dissatisfaction, lack of confidence - all these amount to me feeling shitty. NO MORE is the WORD.

FAMILY
Whilst it is nice (very nice) to have my Big Bro and his family back from England, I had to endure my father's (if I can bring myself to call him that) side of the family for criticizing me till kingdom come. You look ugly, don't think you are making a good life for yourself now you can be proud, etc. Hey! Of course I am proud - I work hard, ok?! My good-for-nothing-father insinuating about my smoking habit - I mean F*** U - who are you to tell me that? Having to please everyone and put on the big smile, I tell you, it’s too much. Prima Donnas are the worst, don't you think?

WORK/ OFFICE POLITICS/ JOB DISSATISFACTION
I started working here since 2004 and I have to report to 4 different bosses since then. How many times do I have to proof myself? Just because the management is screwed up, I need to work harder and harder but never sowing the seeds. Enough is enough, I am not going to take no shit anymore and do as I please until something better comes along. I have something really exciting brewing for myself, by the way, just in case people who cares for me is worried.

Let me tell you, some people are so career minded that they have no qualms stabbing anyone at the back. And all the "HELLO WORLD" emails, is starting to irritate me big time!

LACK OF CONFIDENCE
Feeling FAT. I can spell FAT, F-A-T, I can spell CAT, C-A-T, I can spell BAT, B-A-T, but I can't spell HIPPOPOTAMUS. (Shit, I can! Cos' I feel like one.)

Someone promised to call me up when that person comes back but ended up calling up another person instead. Sigh! Why? What have I done to deserve this?

Why are people so concern about my looks? Why do they care? Leave me alone, pleeeeeeeeease. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. Can?

Anyways, Happy Easter, everyone. Hope you folks out there are having a better time than me.

Jamie's Sports Day, 2006

2006-04-12T09:46:00.000+08:00

Time : 7am
Date : 8th April 2006
Venue : SKBD, Kuala Lumpur
House : Shahbandar (Green House)
Activity : Cheerleading

This is the second year that Jamie participated in cheerleading for her House. They have been practicing hard for this event and all of them did well – all the twirling, spinning, jumping and climbing. Jamie had on a huge smile during her routine and I am so proud of her. The split that she did was so graceful. Well done, B!

Jamie and her best friend, Mae-Pearl

Big Smile!

The Split (ouch!)

Do You? Have You?

2006-04-02T09:40:00.000+08:00

I am all alone this weekend. Daddy is in Pakistan and the kids is in Penang with my sister and her family, mom and Jack to meet Joey and his family who came back from UK for a holiday and their very, very belated wedding.

Sitting around with nothing to do, two thoughts came to my mind...

1) Do you all remember the reddifusion?

I remember in my hometown in Ipoh, this box churns out music and it is on for 12 hours a day. From 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. - without fail. It is on when we are out of the house, supposedly to deter the thieves from coming in (pretending that there is someone at home - cos' it's on really, really loud). It is also our alarm clock. You see we kept it on all the time. When there's no transmission, it is just a silent box. Maybe that is the reason why we can sing "Negara-ku" as soon as we can talk - that is the first thing that comes on everyday. When "Negara-ku" comes on, it is time to wake-up and get ready for school.
The other day, I was in a karaoke joint with some friends and this song, Ching Tian Bu Hui Chia came on - to my surprise, hey, I know the song by heart - after all this years! Was wondering how I knew it so well, looking back, it is the Reddifussion.

2) Have you ever stopped to smell the rain?

Do you know that the rain has this wonderful refreshing smell? Have you seen the raindrops goes plik-plok, plik-plok on your window screen? I love it when it rains. The rain, I feel, is one of the most beautiful things that God have ever created. The drops running down your window is a sight to behold. The way they systematically, follow one another down the trail and freely dropping themselves to the ground, with no worries whatsoever, is for me the greatest freedom one can have.
Life is not easy but do stop whatever you are doing the next time it rains and try smelling the rain. The calming effect is indeed beautiful.

Memoirs of Jakarta

2006-03-27T08:04:00.000+08:00

Day 1. Tuesday, 14 Mac 2006.

Left the house at 6.30 a.m. for KLIA. Flight MH711 was delayed for an hour, hanged around Rimba Bar, had a couple of beers. The flight finally took off at 10.10 a.m. Arrive at Soekarno Hatta International airport at about 11.30 a.m. Reached Hotel Mulia, Senayang at 12.30 p.m.

Hotel Mulia is a local 5-star hotel and it is beautiful. Comfort, service, you name it, they have it. We stayed at room 2627. It was a junior suite and really nice.

Daddy went straight to work and we hanged around the hotel for a while before we head off to Plaza Senayan where Daddy’s office is also located. Lunched at Wendy’s. Plaza Senayan is one of the most top-notched shopping complexes in Indonesia. Don’t expect to buy any cheap stuff there.

Went back to the hotel to catch a nap and waited for Daddy to come home. The kids had room service and we went down to CJ’s for a drink and dinner at Edogin. Fantastic dinner. For RM88, you can have a set meal that consist of a bowl of rice, grilled prawns, squid and salmon, a plate of tempura with 2 pcs of prawns and vege, a bowl of miso soup, and depending on which set you ordered, mine came with a whole grilled lobster and of course, ice-cream or fruits for desert. Imagine, all this in a five star hotel for only RM88.

Day 2. Wednesday, 15 Mac 2006.

Woke-up rather early. After breakfast in the hotel, we went to Pasar Raya, Blok M where they sell lots of Indonesian arty-farty stuff. Because of the vast number of small items there – wood- carvings mostly, you feel dizzy just looking at them as the way they placed their stuff is really all over the place. We gave up after some time and went back to the hotel.

Hang out for a while and went to Plaza Senayan again – to lunch. We ate at the food court. As usual after our first bite, Marky wants to go pee-pee. Do you know how difficult it is going around with the kids alone? Told Marky he has to hold his pee – yes, he peed in his pants.

Not much of a fruitful day. Everywhere in Jakarta is so far away. To travel all the way alone with the kids is kinda of a scary. I wanna pee, I am tired, when are we getting there, do they have a toy shop – these statements and queries alone makes you wonder if you should venture beyond any distance that is further than 5 minutes.

Again, Daddy came home at around 8 p.m. and the kids wanted room service again. Pat and I had dinner downstairs and head off to CJ’s after. CJ’s is happening on a Weds night. This is a pub where you have live bands playing wonderful music like U2. Weds night at CJ’s is also ladies’ night – now, this is the night where you can see all the “working girls” come out to play or should I say work? You can hardly tell if they are “that” religion or not but hey, skimpy clothes are all you can see on them and the men, goodness, play night for all. The “mat-sallehs”, especially. Everywhere you turn – they are there. I got bored after a while. There are no young punks for me to look at anyway. I don’t want to look at girls, don’t want to look at big-pot-bellies either. The band that night was some stupid hip-hop crap. We went up after a beer each and called it a night.

Day 3, Thursday, 16 Mac 2006.

Was down for breakfast by 8 a.m. Daddy went to work and we headed off to a harbor called, Sundar Kelapa to look at some ships that was docked there. It is about 45 mins from the hotel. Nearby, there was the Ancol amusement park – we went to the Ice Castle. Boy, it was cold. The kids was running around and sliding down the icy slide. When we came out, Marky actually had a bit of frostbite, I think. His ear was in pain. But it went away after awhile.

We went and looked at some dolphins too. There was a couple of bunch of school outings and the kids’ smell! The heat does not help as well. It was really crowded. Saw a dolphin show and it was quite good actually. The trainer showed “2+4” on a blackboard and the dolphin flapped his tail to indicate that the answer to that is 6. Jamie got kissed by a dolphin. Mark was too afraid to even go near.

Went back and lunched at the hotel at Il Mare, an Italian restaurant. Daddy joined us. I tell you, the food here is good value for money. For RM65, we get a full course meal consisting of soup, pasta, desert and free flow of beer and wine. Who could ask for more?

Back in the room, it took some time for me to persuade the kids to have a nap – they refused to do so but did manage to coaxed them eventually – guess what? They refused to even wake for dinner – that was how beat they were. I initially planned to have them eat their dinner at Edogin but we ended up having room service again. Daddy had an appointment with his business partner and after dinner, the three of us fooled around in the room and laughed a lot.

Day 4, Friday, 17 Mac 2006 – Our last day in Jakarta.

Daddy came home late last night. In order for him to sleep-in, I bundle the kids up for an early breakfast and we went to the pool to hang out. As usual, Mark made friends with two kids from Shah Alam in no time. Mr. M was having loads of fun running around after them – both the kids were older than him. Jamie kept to herself but had a great time at the “hot-jacuzzi” which was boiling at 45 degrees C.

Had a shower after that and headed off to Hard Rock Café at Plaza Indonesia – another up market shopping mall. Bought some expensive souvenirs and went up for a drink. The kids had ice cream and was hyper and running around. After about an hour, we need to go back to the hotel to pack. Our flight back to KL is at 6.30 p.m. on flight MH722.

Packed and off we go. We were really experiencing the in-famous Jakarta on the way to the airport – took us about 1.5 hours even though it was only suppose to be a half an hour to 45 mins ride from the hotel. Reached KLIA at around 9.30 p.m. The kids slept all the way home in the cab. The only thing on our mind that night? Home sweet home.

Jakarta, 14 – 17 March 2006

2006-03-20T12:57:00.000+08:00

Jakarta is a very old city with a mix of exciting modernization, cultures and traditions. A city that was conquered by the Dutch under the East Indies Company during World War II, Jakarta gained their independence on August 17, 1945.

There are 16 million people dwelling in Jakarta alone compare to 3 million in Kuala Lumpur. You can see that this city is extremely modern and certainly old in some parts. The disparity between the old rich and poor is definitely visible. A one-lane road divides houses where you can find bungalows on one side and slumps on the other.

There are no problems getting around Jakarta – there are signs in English everywhere you go. Just make sure you get a reliable cab to take you to your destination. The most reliable ones will either be the Silver Bird or Golden Bird cab companies. The traffic woes in Jakarta is not a myth, so be sure to leave early if you want to get to your destination on time.

Whilst I said that there is not a problem getting around, security is very tight. We had to have our bags scanned whenever we enter a hotel or a shopping mall. The cabs are also scanned. Boots and glove compartments are checked every single time.

The people here are friendly and polite. Most of the people working in shopping malls and hotels speak English. Add in a word or two in Bahasa Indonesia and you’ll get first class treatment. Like I mentioned earlier, Jakarta is a very modern and I also mean in terms of dressing and their standard of living. To think that they are the largest Islamic country in the world - and yet, the modernization that comes along with it is something to think about. You’ll never really grasp the idea of what this city is all about until you have experience it yourself.

Most of the women are not “tudung” clad as I was expecting – their dressing, their styles are well, modern. When I was there, there was a debate on weather to ban Inul, the famous dangdut superstar from her erotic/ exotic dancing.
They have over 100 TV channels on cable. From Martha Stewart’s Style Network to their local SSCTV, that has intimate scenes in which you will never think you’ll see here. Fashion TV is another one of their channels with lingerie fashion shows (the lingerie is really skimpy) and fashion documentaries on nudity fashion shoots. When you enter a pub, this is the channel that is mostly on their TV screen. There is also a debate on if it is necessary to revise the pornography bill act in which 64% of them said it is unnecessary.

So there you go, do not judge a book by its cover as I have judged Jakarta before I even experienced it. Jakarta is a beautiful place – the cultures and the politeness of the people will certainly make you feel at home and this is where we spent the kids’ 1st term holidays…

Patrick's (Daddy Ho) 10 Wishes in his Lifetime

2006-03-12T17:18:00.000+08:00

1) Watching a Liverpool and Manure game in Anfield, even better if Liverpool wins.
2) Witness Rachel, Jamie and Mark graduate in university.
3) Spitting in Mahatir's face and getting away with it.
4) Going to a "LIVE" U2 concert.
5) Owning a big house that can keep 5 dogs, especially Kylie.
6) Witness China nuclear bomb Japan... the Koreans are more than welcome to join in.
7) Taking a trip to Shanghai, China and Snowy Mountains with his family and the gramps.
8) Being able to cook as his birthright as a Hainanese.
9) Spending his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife in Shanghai - back in our motherland.
10) Being successful doing his own business so that he can spend lots of time with his family and God without anymore corporate bullshit.

- but at the end of the day, Patrick thinks that he is so blessed and whatever comes along is pure BONUS!

Office Politics

2006-03-03T17:37:00.000+08:00

Why, oh, why?

Can't imagine anyone loving the corporate life for what it is. If not for the money, then what?

- How fun would it be if everything is as simple as it looks?
- Did the human race, once upon a time, brought this upon themselves?
- Can anyone truly say that they have enough for today and quit their job immediately?
- Can anyone not think about where their child or pets or parents, on where they are going to get their next meal from?
- Can anyone confess that they are contented with the roof they have over their head?
- Can anyone, like the chinese saying goes - if we have porridge, we'll eat porridge, if we have rice, we will eat rice?
- Does anyone understand the word "enough"?
- Does anyone secretly blame their parents for not giving them enough or not planning their path or future for them or even wonder why you are not born with a silver spoon in your mouth?
- Does anyone wonder why the grass is greener on the other side?
- Is anyone contented enough to not have a care in the world?

Anyone out there who can say they can live in the jungle, without a handphone, without a computer, without proper hygiene, without traveling, without their pets, without friends, without pay, please put your hands up, cos' I would really love to know how you do it!

Awwwwwwwwwww...

2006-03-03T13:17:00.000+08:00

After all the screaming, kicking, crying, IT'S DONE. Jamie finally got her ears pierced on 26 Feb 2006! This is the second attempt and it looks like it is here to stay.

Thanks to Aunty Sally who did it for Jamie.

Now, aunties and uncles, you can buy Jamie pretty earrings - platinum also can, Tiffany also can...

Amazing Grace

2006-03-02T10:57:00.000+08:00

Grace is my Granny's name, you know? And yes, she is amazing. 90, pretty, sweet, kind, fussy (only over her grandchildren and great grandchildren), cool and the list goes on. Jealous? You should be - cos' she is really one-of-a-kind.

Granny celebrated her 9oth birthday on 25/02/06. We came back from all over, KL, Singapore, Thailand, India to be with her on this special day. May God bless her with many more birthdays in years to come.

Marky's Masterpiece

2006-03-02T10:48:00.000+08:00

Found this masterpiece slipped in between the pages of one of my novel. Drawn by Mark on 21/05/05. Potrait of Daddy and Mummy. Don't we look good?

In The Car With My Marky

2006-03-02T09:51:00.000+08:00

Conversation in the car with Mark in the evening, on the way to fetch my princess - 1st March 2006.

Marky: Mummy, can I tell you a secret?
Mummy: Yes, my Marky?
Marky: (hesitate)... but you cannot tell Daddy, ok? Cos' he will be upset.
Mummy: Ok...
Marky: Do you know that you are also my best buddy? And Daddy also.
Mummy: That's cool.
Marky: You are cool too, Mummy.
Mummy: You think so?
Marky: ... ya, and pretty.

Isn't life bliss?

Wedding Favors in Malaysia

2006-02-21T08:07:00.000+08:00

Hello World, this is June here and I am from Malaysia. I create wedding favors as a hobby. Here are some pictures for you to look at. My chopsticks are the ones that are most well received. Other than that, I have customised pillow rings, personalised wine glasses, personalised candles, etc. I print special and unique Hen's Nite t-shirts as well. Leave a message on my blog and let me give you a call.

Ho-Ho-Ho-Ho

2006-02-20T09:14:00.000+08:00

CNY 2006 & Nat-nat

2006-02-11T12:53:00.000+08:00

This year CNY was special. Nat-nat came all the way from UK to spend it with us. Everyone was extremely thrilled to see her.

Lin Sarm Sup Marn
Apart from that, everything else was as usual. Went for reunion dinner at Yu Jia restaurant and it is really packed. Jack & Daphne joined us, as they cannot make it back to Ipoh in time. Our previous experience eating at a restaurant during the eve of CNY was quite bad - we had to wait like 10 - 20 mins in between each course - this time round it is much better. Did the "Low Sang" thingy and the whole works.

Chor Yat
I did a last minute angpow thing the next day with help from Nat-nat, Jamie and Marky. After that we bathed and went to Ma-ma and Yeh-yeh's house for her excellent "chai choi". Can't get enough of that - it is yummy, you know? I wonder why we can only have “chai choi” during CNY. Went to Jane & Chee Kan’s place after our scrumptious lunch. Brought Kylie along and Archie was so excited to see her. Sure, got his adrenalin all pumped-up and he left us "strangers" alone and did not bark even once, which is good. Chee Kan had to be the "pee-man" that day, cos Kylie and Archie were peeing all over the house (sorry, bro).

Richard and Cheryl came for dinner and we went to TGIF at The Curve. Mark was using Nat-nat's camera and was happily snapping pictures of everyone. After dinner, we went back home and crash right into bed - everyone was so beat.

Chor Yee
Head off early to Ipoh. The traffic was not that bad. Nat-nat kept the two rascals entertained by playing cards and drawing during the journey so there was not much arguing going on between the two except nearly towards the end. Arrived in Ipoh at about 11ish and head-off to Lok Wooi Kui for the must have "Hor Hee". Yummy as usual.

CNY is all about eating - we just sleep, eat, visit your elders, eat, sleep.... So I could go on and on and on about food and sleep and this post is gonna be boring as I am already feeling bored now.

Overall, it was quite a lazy, relaxing break.

Nat-nat, thank's for coming home to see us. We really appreciate it. Just to let you know that all of us enjoyed having you home. Please do not make your next trip too long. Missing you dee! Love you.

Marky's Birthday

2006-02-08T08:04:00.000+08:00

Better late than never (posting this blog, I mean). Marky celebrated his 5th birthday last year just before the actual date which is on the 4th of Jan. 2006 (when it is the start of a new school year), so we had to do it earlier before school starts.

With all good intensions, I was trying to make some spaghetti vongole but instead, I met with a disaster on my way home from the supermarket as was trying get some last minute groceries done. It was raining quite heavily and I whacked my car into a pothole in Jln Bangsar and there goes my tyre. However, two good Samaritans came to my aid and helped me changed my tyre. I need to mention that it cost Daddy-O RM3,800 to get my tyres fixed (still owe him that money). Now I have new cool reams and tyres.

My effort to cook obviously did not happen but maybe it was a blessing in disguise as I am not a very good cook. Might be God preventing me from getting humiliated (Thank you, God. Amen). I did "cook" some simple stuff, though, sausages, salad, etc. - if you can call that cooking.

Anyway, all the mommies and daddies came with their kids and also of course, our family. The Gramps, Jamie-Girl, Ee-ee, Papa, Rachel, Uncle Jack, Daphne, Aunty Angie and Nathaniel, Uncle Mike and his family, Aunty Janie and her family, Aunty Elsie and Thomas, sorry, if I missed out anyone but thanks for coming.

We had a Buzz Lightyear cake and the house was also decorated with quite a lot of Buzzy stuff. Marky received like 5 Spideys, 1 King Kong, clothes, cars, a drum set and a lot more pressies from all his Aunties and Uncles. We had a wonderful time. I love having parties for kids. They are so easy to please and it makes you feel good and smart - like, "Oh, Mummy, you are so clever." kind-of-thing. You know what I mean?

Thank goodness, Myrna was there to help clean up. Otherwise, mmmm....

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL - 2006

2006-01-25T08:29:00.000+08:00

3rd Jan 2006 was the first day of school for Jamie and Marky. Jamie will be in Std. 5 and Marky, his 2nd year in kindy. They were both excited to see their friends again after a 2 mth break.

I had much difficulty having to wake-up at 5 am once again. You may ask why I need to be up so early... that's because, I need:-

1. My morning coffee
2. To sit on my throne (that takes about 1/2 an hour)
3. Catch the Oprah Show (it is on at 5am)
4. Get myself dressed and ready for work
5. Prepare breakfast and snacks for the kids
6. Scream at the kids to hurry up

...every morning an eventful morning.

We first went to Jamie's school, SK Bukit Damansara and we had to wait a long time to pay the school fees as the assembly was so long winded. The headmistress announced that all the names of classes would be changed from Bestari, Dynamik, Kreatif, etc. to stupid Proton names like Satria, Waja, Perdana, blah-blah, which I think is ridiculous!

Jamie Ho, aged 10+, 5 Satria, SK Bukit Damansara, Bukit Damansara, KL

After a long, long wait, we managed to pay the school fees and we rushed to Marky's school at 3Q MRC in Taman Desa. As usual, Mr Popular here was greeted with lots of enthusiasm by his friends and teachers. Paid Marky's school fees and off I went...

Mark Ho, aged 5, J3, 3Q MRC, Taman Desa, KL

Jamie at age 11 (she will be 11 in October) and Marky, aged 5, I reckon I will have to continue doing this for another 13 more years. 13 more years of 5am mornings, exams, school activities, screaming... but, I think I liked that. 13 more years of my kids depending on their mummy, yeah, I like that idea a lot.

Christmas 2005

2006-01-10T08:34:00.000+08:00

Double cick on picture for a larger view

What We Did During The School Hols 2005

2006-01-08T09:29:00.000+08:00

School Hols in 2005 was for the whole 2 months! What does parents do with kids? It was tough but now that it is over, I wish that we are back in time again.

We created some games at home and just basically hang-out. Pat and I took 2 whole weeks off to spend some wonderful time with family and friends.

We did all this:-

- Watched Chicken Little in 1U
- Went to Colombo for a holiday
- Celebrated Christmas and New Year
- Celebrated Marky's 5th Birthday

To read the funny things that happened during Christmas and Marky's Birthday, go to Rachel's blog at http://www.akira-rae.blogspot.com/

Double cick on picture for a larger view

1.Waiting to watch Chicken Little @ 1U
2.Potato Painting at home
3.Playing Cardboard Phony Phone
4.The breath taking view of the Indian Ocean from our hotel room @ Hilton, Colombo
5.The beautiful landscape of the Hilton, Colombo
6.Jamie and Mark visiting a Buddhist Temple (Colombo 3)
7.The monks at the Buddhist Temple claims that this is the world’s smallest Golden Buddha
8.Experiencing a “Tut-tut” ride
9.Just hanging out at Hilton
10.Daddy and Daddy’s Girl
11.Mark & Daddy – The Buds, hanging out

This One's for Nat-Nat (Our Dearest Friend)

2005-12-08T20:39:00.000+08:00

My baby is 10!

2005-10-26T08:35:00.000+08:00

How time flies. My baby girl is 10! It was like yesterday that I held her in my arms. I can still smell her and remember how she is so helpless and soft.

On the 22nd October, 2005, we celebrated Jamie's 10th birthday in our humble home. I woke up at 5 in the morning decorating the house with pink and purple balloons. Pat and I was planning something small but we did a last minute thingy and decided to order some nice proper food from Mom's Place instead. Everyone initially was just expecting KFC.

We had a two-tier "club med rocks" cake. Lots of wine and beer was also being served (only to the adults, mind you... also to a "not-so-adult" by the name of Rach).

Glad to say that the adults enjoyed the party as much as the kids.

Some of her friends came and of course, the usual crowd (see pictures - to enlarge, please click on picture).

Jamie, just want to let you know that we really enjoyed having this party for you. You have brought so much joy to us in our lives that words can't describe. We would like to wish you all the best in your pre-teen years. Your life is just begining, with lots of excitement and challenges along the way. There may not always be wonderful times and probably some harships but remember, you have family that loves and supports you.

Happy birthday, Baby.

A note from your Nat-nat, all the way from Bora-bora...

Jamie Ho Ho Ho,

Happpyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Birthdayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

I can't believe that you are 10!!!!! you are now in double figures......

I can't believe that 10 years ago I was holding this beautiful baby girl in my arms and letting her pee pee all over me HEEEEEEEE HEEEEEE

I am so pleased that I spoke to you on the phone today, I am so sorry that we couldn't talk for longer.... the phone calls are very very expensive here, and the machine used up all my money so quickly. So i am very sorry i never got a chance to say i love you, but i do very very much.

I hope you had a fantastic birthday and received some wonderful presents from your friends and all the people that love you. I can't wait to see your guitar and hear your playing some songs.

Nat-Nat is on an island called 'Bora Bora', its a very small island in the pacific, its beautiful place surrounded by blue clear waters and sandy beaches. It's hot here, so nat nat is happy cause she doesn't have chicken skin. Maybe you could ask mummy or daddy to show you where Bora Bora is on a map, but its a long way away from Malaysia.

On mummy's birthday Nat-Nat will be sailing her boat to New Zealand and it will take three weeks to get there, we hope to arrive by the 20th November. when I reach new Zealand I will be able to get a phone and send you text messages every single day, and call you all the time.

I would like to buy you an air ticket, so you can come and see me in New Zealand, that's if you want too.... I also have a present for you and will post it when I arrive in New Zealand, the post man doesn't come to this part of the world.

It late here now and past my bed time.So have a fantastic birthday. Please remember that I love you forever and alwaysYou will always be my princess. I'm sorry I can't be with you to celebrate your birthday.

love and kisses
Nat-Nat x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Enough Time or Not?

2005-10-14T09:40:00.000+08:00

received this comment from a dear old friend of mine:-

OMG! you actually have time to put up a webpage! Look at how this proud mummy praised her 2 little angels! Pity the girlfriend cos that 2 little angels stolen her limelight on her wedding day ;0)

do i have time? no, actually. i was thinking, why not? at least when i am old and grey, my children will at least know my thoughts and opinions. they may not want to know but, what the heck? (my only attempt to keep a diary after all these years)

i do not have time to take arty-farty pictures - something which i really want to do. go travel around the world like my cousin, jason and not have a care in the world - reality is, the money goes to college funds for the kids. start my own business - don't have the guts. buy potted plants for my house - really lazy to get out of the house on non-working days. sit with my little mark and teach him his abc's and 123's, so that he can be the smartest boy in class - don't have the patience. So there!

...and the list goes on. time? don't have? not true. i am now in my comfort zone and i refuse to budge. maybe, just maybe, one day i will do all of the above.

one of my friend used to have this motto:-

sleep all you want when you're dead (something like that)

...did anyone know that my favourite hobby is sleeping zzzzzzzzzzz

...the only hobby that i consistently go back to.

At Last, Cheryl!

2005-10-11T10:26:00.000+08:00

My best fren, Cheryl married Richard last week in a fairy tale wedding at Carcosa Seri Negara (8 Oct 2005). It was a hectic event, believe me. Cross culture and all. Richard's parents, Anne and Arthur came all the way from UK together with his uncle and his lil' bro - Gareth and Nicholas. It must have been quite a culture shock for them, if you ask me.

Cheryl looked simply stunning in her wedding gown. The wedding gown was designed by Felix (he once won The Star's Young Designer's Award). Cheryl was a bit stressed out but beautiful anyhow. There was a bit of chaos here and there. We even lost an angpow which has £150 in there. We did manage to get most of the things right (thank goodness!).

Jamie and Mark (my daughter and son) was flower girl and ring bearer. Jamie, 10, was beautiful and Mark, 4, was a scream.

Jamie

Mark

There was no time to practice the 'walk down the aisle' thingy and lil' Mark did it just like that. Anyway, I have to admit that he did his thing perfectly only after his Aunty Cheryl bribe him with a trip to Toys "r" Us. Pat, my husband was so proud. Everyone just fell over. I am speaking like a proud Mummy but who wouldn't be.

Everyone really enjoyed themselves. Some guests got pissed (you know who you are) and they eventually call it a nite only at 5 in the morning.

I would write more but I must get back to work.

Tune in regularly and find out what the Ho's are up to.

Till then,
HoHoHoHo