the never ending story

the washing machine is really a good invention, a good companion!!

one of the many things

of the the many things ...

he did for our home.

Although at times his action or rather inaction 'kek sei' me

but when he does it ... it makes me smile, sometimes even better

makes me laugh, sometimes with cheeky little suprises ... lol

one of those things

for the past 2 - 3 months ago

yet everyday I had to on the pipe by turning the bolt hexagon shape knob with a piece of cloth (using plain fingers will be too painful)

on one fine night, suddenly my kitchen water pipe has a new 'upcycled' look.

see that blue little 'knob' to on the water pipe?

see that pureen baby washing liquid bottle on the left 'with its missing dispenser'?

so now 

he's happy ... she no longer nag about changing the pipe

she's happy ... no more difficulties with the pipe, in fact she smiles every time she washes the dishes @ the 'novelty' of such idea.

wallet & purse is happy ... no need keluar $ 

the earth is happy ... one more plastic item 'upcycled'

perhaps the pureen bottle is 'upset' having its' head stuck on someone else's body ...lol

some cheers for year end, or are they not?

I received an email from ocbc bank a few weeks ago.

It says that 

(a) we can get BBWS RM50 voucher for opening any type of savings account

(b) another BBWS RM50 voucher for opening any type of FD deposit 

during the promotion period.

* BBWS : Big Bad Wolf Sales - the biggest and baddest book sales in Malaysia offering new books @ a fraction of retail prices.

Here's the catch : 

(a) min RM1k for opening savings account

(b) min RM5k for opening FD account

(c) max per pax is RM100 voucher per person. 

(d) applicable to selected customer who receive the email. (apparently their criteria for the mailing list is customer who only has credit card with them. They want to bring in your deposits)

But here's the cheers 

(for me la) :

1. Getting RM100 voucher for BBWS is very worth it (if average RM8 /book, I get about 12 books free literally). It's the kind of voucher that's definately not going to be ended up not utilized for me.

2. In term of returns, about 5% for savings account (RM50/RM1000), 

1% for FD account (RM50/RM5000) on top of the existing p.a interest rate. 

Mind you, this is not even per annum rate calculation basis. 

3. the returns in item (2) is given upfront / immediate, upon opening of account (ok la, upon collection and usage of voucher). In other words, we don't need to wait for month end / year end / upon maturity for interest calculation and crediting.

4. There are no bonding / tie in period. Literally, it can mean you can withdraw the money you bank the moment / after you collected the vouchers. But then again, don't think anyone will do so right? FD withdraw prior to maturity will have penalty/ no interest.

5. I just discovered OCBC has a very attractive savings account which they call 'Smart Savers Plan'. It allow adult to earn interest rates like children account provided there are no withdrawal. It's good if you plan to use it for REAL savings and not day to day operating account.

provided no withdrawal, deposit of 

RM0 - RM49.99 interest rate 2.4% p.a

RM50 - RM999.99 interest rate 2.75% p.a

RM1000 above interest rate 2.90% p.a

(refer pic2 below)

help me see...did I miss any catch here? (since I think I'm blinded by the BBWS cash vouchers) 

ps. this is not a paid post. 

the above post is just the opinion of the writer.

 

longing for you

You

You didn't leave my mind the whole night. 
for many many nights...

And without mercy, 
you appear in my dreams ... making me want you more.

Every morning without fail, 
I'll peek at the window at you. 

Every evening before the sun set, 
I can't stop myself peeking at you for one more time.

Sometimes I blushed when our eyes meet

Sometimes I hide 
I love just watching you from afar ... letting my imagination run wild..

what will the suprise be when I open you up?

how juicy will you be when i taste you?

how good will you be (that you keep enticing me like that)?

how good will you be fulfilling the needs of a thirsty woman?

you know there are boundaries I can't cross

you know there are risks I can't take

you know there are people like me you can't flirt with

cause I might do anything I can just to have you next to me.

How could you be so cruel to me? (when I love you so much)

I'm desperately in love with you
I'm longing for you

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

financial education in primary school 2014, secondary school 2017

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Better late than never.
Let's not delve into details ... contents, resources, readiness, implementation.
let's just take it as good news to a humble mother for her children to have access to financial knowledge / information in which she has to learn the hard way. 

source of today's happiness : 
http://schooladvisor.my/?p=news%2Ffinancial-education-to-be-taught-in-primary-schools-from-2014
http://schooladvisor.my/?p=news/secondary-students-to-be-taught-financial-management

thanksgiving

Only realised today is thanksgiving day after seeing so many post on this topic on FB.

Although neither well known nor celebrated widely in Malaysia,

this day trigger a very strong urge in me to be thankful and grateful. 

this year I really need to count my blessings and be thankful to all the people I'm indebted to (however cliche this may sound)

I'm thankful 

to God for forgiving me and for everything

for all my ah bis to be healthy 

for my parents and family who brought me up (although I doubt I can ever repay, I'll nevertheless still want to for as long as I'm still around)

for ah dear who stood by me despite all my worst

for my in-laws and relatives who look after me like their own children
for friends who are always there, always share
for medical personnels - doctors and nurses that helps us alot in times of need 
for having a roof over our head, warm meals, still having a job
for all the people who taught me about life and help me grow
for everything everyday 
(this list can go on and on...) but today, just for this once
allow me to be grateful, 
allow me to say thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart.

I will always remember ... 
I will always try to pay it forward shall I not be able to repay you ...
May God bless you all ...

I can't thank enough
I didn't know the way to express 
but deep down in my heart, I'm deeply thankful
for all that have been through...

my latest work out sessions

someone posted this work out on facebook 
and I could RELATE ... lol












source : http://bit.ly/17D53uM

how the boss see it..

Excerpt from Xin Ran's Ms Chopstick
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the difference between male and female worker in the eyes of the boss : 

when the boss sees a male subordinate with a family photo on the desk, the boss thinks : Hmm..He must be a good, responsible man who takes care of his family.
when the boss sees a female subordinate with a family photo on the desk, the boss thinks : Hmm..work isn't the most important thing in her life, no point in expecting her to put heart into the company.

when the boss sees a male subordinate with an untidy desk, the boss thinks
He is so industrious! Look, he doesn't even have time to tidy his desk.
when the boss sees a female subordinate with an untidy desk, the boss thinks 
Look at that! She's clearly no organisational ability.

when the boss sees a male subordinate talking to his colleagues, the boss thinks
He must be discussing business developments. That's the spirit.
when the boss sees a female subordinate talking to his colleagues, the boss thinks 
Humph, she's gossiping and finding fault again. Oh well, it's in women's nature to have long tongues.

when the boss sees that a male subordinate is about to get promoted by his manager, the boss thinks
This man must have great potential.
when the boss sees a female subordinate is about to get promoted by his manager, the boss thinks
This woman must be having a thing with the director.

when the boss sees a male subordinate arrive late, the boss thinks
Was he burning the midnight oil again last night?
when the boss sees a female subordinate arrive late, the boss thinks 
Did her husband want it again last night? Or have they just ....

when the boss sees a male subordinate hand out wedding invitations, the boss thinks
He'll be more responsible now. Let's give him a big red envelope of lucky money as a bonus to encourage him.
when the boss sees a female subordinate hand out wedding invitations, the boss thinks 
Let's not make her red envelope too big. Soon, she'll get herself pregnant, take 2 month maternity leave and end up quitting her job to look after the kid.

when the boss sees a male subordinate leave for a better job, the boss thinks
He's a man who understand how to make the most of a good opportunity. Too bad the company can't keep him.
when the boss sees a female subordinate leave for a better job, the boss thinks 
That's women for you-untrustworthy!

Now, guess whether the boss is a man or woman? 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

sometimes I do wonder ... how many of the above is true (even in today's society)?

learning

Everyday we learn new things ... 
whether consciously or unconsciously.
Found this transparent pockets hanging piece from Daiso .. think it's great for learning for myself and kiddies. 
All we need is just to change the contents diligently.
Now it's hanging at the room where I change clothes .. and I learnt a few more new phrases / words.

Talking about learning ... I have lately realised that our lives and the people in it are teaching us something new every single day. I'll leave that for another post.  

currently craving

Source : goodyfoodies.blogspot.com

something as simple as stir fry asparagus prawn & scallop .... heavenly ...

a fright in the afternoon

My Fridays seem to be quite exciting and unpredictable these days. 
After a scare on the previous previous friday morning,
I had another fright yesterday afternoon.

If you happen to pass by the office building where I work ... 
you may be one of the many by-passers who wonder what are they offering at this building... why are there so many people queuing up since early morning?
Welcome to my daily routine ... which include queue'ing and waiting for lift in the peak hours like morning & lunch time.

I've tried queueing for about 30 minutes to 40 minutes just to get to my floor. 
I would have like many others chosen to just take a morning climb up the stairs if not for my current condition.

Back to the afternoon fright.
Out of the 4 lifts available for a 21-floors building, I was 'lucky' to have chosen the 'chosen' one.
The lift was packed like usual and after dropping some lift passengers on the 7th floor,
the lift door closed,
the lift start to black out,
the lift floor button indicator goes off, (no matter which button you press)
the lift stop abruptly,
and 4 ladies inside started standing at 4 corners of the lift.
I was at the left upper corner of the rectangular box.
We are trapped in the lift. 
It was my 1st time. Everyone was asking everyone if everyone is alright.
The malay lady standing near the buttons started pressing the bell for help. 
(btw, the building management and security guards are famous for their very slow if not non-action)
Perhaps from watching too much movies, I started having thoughts of free-falling lift. (eexperience of some colleagues who wrote to top managements about falling lifts doesn't help either).
And another lady kept telling us to bend our knees to lessen the impact in case it really happen.
Free-falling lift is risky for condition like me ... 
Perhaps my little one inside could sense my anxiety that I could feel ah bi moving actively.

It was time like this, I feel handphones are god-sent.
Everyone trapped started calling our colleagues to inform the building management aka. security guards (although we know it may take some time).
I managed to call a colleague of mine. 
I guessed it helped with my current condition, everyone say we need urgent help as there's someone with 'big belly' trapped inside.
Of course, my second-to-contact is ah dear...although I knew there's nothing much he can do. But the line wasn't getting through so I ended up sending him a sms...

At 1st I was alright and steady.
However, as time goes by, I started to feel my legs getting tired so I sat down.
It was ok at 1st but as time goes by, I think it got a little stuffier. (not sure whether real or psychological though).
We continue pressing the bell but nobody came. 
My colleague couldn't get through my line so she sms telling us the guards are checking.

We waited for about 20 minutes ... it was when one of the lady say perhaps we should try pulling open the door. She mentioned that's how her male colleagues do it. 
the 3 of them with all their strength tried opening the lift door, i wasn't allowed to help.

After a few attempts, they managed to slice open a thin line between the lift doors, and lucky we were not too far away from the 8th floor - floor.
It was really a relief. With a little help, we got out of the lift. 
Thank god we are all alright. 
(well, i did manage to speak to ah dear when we are out from the malfunctioned lift, he said not to worry, as even if no electricity, the lift will clamp itself secure and under normal circumstances will not free-fall)

Perhaps this is another reason I dread going to work ... and that's it's time for me to move on... haha

a scare in the morning

yesterday morning I had a big scare.
Over the past few years, I did have fainting spells but
I would rate this morning black out as 2nd (if not 3rd scariest)

The scariest was the morning after my second ah bi delivery @ the hospital delivery ward toilet (the lucky thing I'm in a hospital and other mothers at the toilet called help for me). the next thing I know after the black out was I was being wheeled by 3 nurses back to my bed and had doctors checking on me and nurses busy taking my blood pressure every 5 to 10 minutes. 

The other scary incident was fainting in LRT. Lucky thing during then was it was during morning peak hours and have someone who knows me in the LRT and we were near the station our station. A good samaritan even took trouble to buy me roti krim and mineral water.

Yesterday morning, it was scary because I was alone with 2 little ones. 
1 still sleeping inside the room and another inside me. Dear was outstation.
I felt dizzy when I woke up but instead of sitting at the bed to rest, I stubbornly stood and walk to the door (in my effort not to wake little one sleeping on the bed so that I can wash and prepare myself in peace).
Things happened so fast after that.
I closed the room door and blacked out. I can feel myself falling like blocks of wood on the floor with a 'thump'. Everything went black for a few seconds I think. 
The next thing I knew was I was lying on the floor and force myself to breathe to get in more oxgygen for my brain and especially little one inside.
Lucky I'm still at the door (which is just a few steps away from the stairs) and not at the stairway. 
I sat there stunted not knowing what has happened and dare not know what will happen if I don't wake up from then. I'm thankful I'm still here.

This morning I woke up feeling aches on my left upper arm and body, most probably impact from the black out fall yesterday. 

Lessons learnt : If feeling faint / not well, it's better to stay put and rest / recover 1st, instead of acting like a hero.  

they reminded me that ...

@ work, fingers have been pointing, accusations have been hurling around when system errors occur after the major project cutover.

Being a tester, we are most of the time the most vulnerable group irregardless of whether you have done your due diligence.

To avoid further unnecessary stress, I decided to just let those pointed and hurled at me to take place without struggling to put up any defense. 

It was after all very meaningless to me. 

However, to say that I'm not affected at all is telling a big fat lie through my teeth.

Somehow God decided to remind me that admidst all the 'you have not done .... / you have done it wrong' that have been hurled towards me, that Saturday, through my ah bi(s) I was reminded that ....

perhaps I've done something really important ... something that matter more ...

that day the elder one told me he love me and offered to help me wash the dishes (all of sudden) and later that afternoon he helped me fold most of his own and sister clothes. 

In case you're wondering how they reach the sink, look at the 2 fella tip toeing. 

I was happy when he told me he love me, happier when he offered to help me wash the dishes, happiest when he solved his own problem (taking the stool when he can't reach the running water) and the little one followed his example. 

(and to satisfy your curiousity, no, they didn't thoroughly rinse all the soap from the kitchen utensils ...haha, but to me they are already doing a great job =) 

* ps. sorry for the exposed skins, she was getting ready to take bath when she decided to join the fun.

   

Maybe after all, I'm not as bad as what they say.  

and that I now know very clearly that I live for myself ... 

lucky i still have u

For the past few weeks & months, life has not been easy for me.
work wise also very bumpy, so much so that I feel like giving up because it's affecting me health wise.
But lucky I still have you .. 
who's still there for me even when I show my ugly dark side
who try to cheer me up when I hit the bottom
who tell me things that I refuse to listen and let me see things that I couldn't see through

thank you for the sewing machine and little radio which allow me to seek comfort.
We will together little by little make our effort build our little home sweet home ... even if it's a little brick a day.

不再让你孤单

Just finished watching this movie... after a few sittings. (I seldom get to finish a movie in 1 sitting..hehe)

Titled 'a beautiful life' in English .. directed by Andrew Lau, staring Liu Ye & Shu Qi. 

this is a touching movie which tell tales about love and life of normal people just like you and me.

slowly coming back

sorry for the long hiatus.
I'm learning to cope with life.
Things expected and unexpected happen and I'm taking them one at a time.
Now I know it really doesn't take alot for me to be happy. 
I just want to live a simple life. 

children do learn from their parents

In my effort to inculcate independence in my kiddies, I have the tendency to encourage them to reach or to get their things on their own.
For instance, when they want (or I want them) to drink water, I'll tell them go to take their own water bottle and if they don't remember where they left it, I'll tell them to try and look for it themselves. The same goes for their potty or any other stuff that's within their reach.

However, the other day, I got a taste of my own medicine.
I was laying down and needed help from my elder one to help pass me my water bottle which was a few feet away from me. 
And so I asked nicely : (Name)(name), can you help mama take mama water bottle there please. Thank you. (pointing at the direction of the water bottle).
and I do get a very nice reply : mama, mama need to learn to do things yourself. Mama, you can do it.
I still feeling lazy to wake up so I say : mama need (name) help cause mama not well, pain pain cannot stand up but mama thirsty and need to drink water.
He then asked me : Mama where pain pain? (like I always ask him when he's not well)
I lied : mama leg pain pain 
So he went to grab my water bottle, passed it to me and said : mama you drink more water, then no more pain pain (just like I always tell him to drink more water so got no more sick).
I said : Thank you very much (name) for being helpful. Now, you go take your own bottle and drink together with mama, can?
I was lucky that he obliged and didn't use the 'reason' I used back on me.

 This incident made me realized that children, they really learn alot from what you DO as opposed to what you PREACH.
As parents we are always being 'WATCHED' so we should try our best to lead by good example.

新少林寺主題曲 -- 悟 劉德華

This movie is showing on tv this coming CNY. 
I remembered watching it during confinement and like the theme song. 

'never bring eye' walking

Something happened to me this morning. 
After dropping my little one off to kindergarten, I walked STRAIGHT into a wall pillar.
Things were happening too fast so much so that I didn't realized what happened at that particular moment.

All of a sudden, I feel my head and knee banged hard on something. I felt my head vibrate and my teeth shaking. It was so hard that I moved backward due to the impact.
And my initial reaction was not to look back at where the teachers are but just run straight towards dear's car. 
It was so so embarrassing. 
If the teacher saw, they would have thought : how la this mother look after her kid if herself so clumsy?? 

As soon as I got into the car, i broke out in LAUGHTER. 
Suddenly I WOKE UP. 

Ah dear say he couldn't understand how I can walk into a pillar. And that I couldn't even focus even when I'm walking.
Actually what he said was partially true also lah... cause I was actually smiling to an old lady (who I presume helping at the kindy) when I bang into that lucky pillar.

I ended up with a big 'hong mou lao' on my forehead plus scratched right knee and hands despite my best away to rub away the blue back and clean the knee and hands with the ubat kuning. (Lucky ah dear has a mini first aid box in his car).
And I had some great de-stressing laughing time when colleagues started asking me about the 'hong mou lao' on my forehead.

ps. will update the photo after transfer from phone...haha

49 days

I've just finished watching 49 days (the korean drama series)

and couldn't help but remember the 7*7 49 days after my mother left us. 

The circumstances were different but until today we (my family), we couldn't find any explanation for strange things that happened during 头7 and the remaining 35 days.

ps. On a lighter mood, I think Han Kang in the series is good looking...haha

de-clutter

Managed to de-clutter my home fridge and freezer and my office desk within 10 days into 2013 ... I feel liberated.

Didn't know that de-cluttering can help me feel good =)

So, more de-cluttering I've lined up for myself this year ... coincidentally a good time too before chinese new year.

perhaps since I'm gaining momentum, it's good time to start de-cluttering my life too ...

unwinding

for the past few days, my little one is learning to adapt to new people, new environment and new culture into his life. He started going to kindergarten.
there were tears and all but isn't that part of growing up?
Here, we took him & the little one to the playground for a relaxing unwinding moment (read : to let off steam)
In case you're wondering, we are building a bird nest for the made-believed homeless bird (luckily he buy the story ... thanks to mama who tell lies without blinking eyes...haha)

midnight book shopping

1st time experience midnight book shopping towards end of 2012 ...
thanks to a group of friends who asked me along for BBW (big bad wolf) '63-hour frenzy' where they open non-stop for 63 hour @ MIECC
It was a pleasant experience shopping for books at very low prices on a relaxing friday night ... the cool night air seem to make people feel at ease.
Thanks to Keef - for helping us hunt for our 'to-buy-list' when she was there earlier =)
Thanks to CY, FL, NDC for asking me along, helping me to control my spending and maximize my savings,for sacrificing sleep (especially for NDC who's to drive 6.30am the same morning)

my loots for sharing :)

neither here nor there

neither here nor there ... that's how I would describe my crawl over from 2012 to 2013.
A few years lately, I seemed to have hangover effect in my attempt to transit from a previous year to a newer year.
I seemed to be in a 'buffer' in between the adjacent years.
the transition this time is no difference.

I'm still too lazy to think about 2012 yet... 
but 2013 came knocking on my door ... asking me to face the brave new world regardless whether I'm willing or not.

there are 360 more days to go 
yet I felt as though I've run for 360 days non-stop.

well, enough of lamenting.
it's time to wake up ... come 2013 there shall be more opportunities, more room for improvement, more chances.

what a negative post to start of the year 
just let me rant for this last time before I leave my 'buffer' tougher.