see what I found ... 男左女右

for the last 2 weekends, we have attended wedding dinner and wedding ceremony of a long time friend Jo N.

still remember the 1st time we heard about the beginning of this love story was during a dinner in Taiping on 19/5/2007. And I still can remember (from pic) the seating arrangement on that eventful night.

during then, we were all still single ... can just plan overnight and travel to wherever we want to...

Then as I look through the albums, I saw Cameron Oct 2006 folder.

Jo N is considered 'special guest' as compared to us 'regulars' of local & overseas trips.

She's so busy that we seldom get the chance to have her join our trips. This is one of those.

Looking at these photos make me smile from within my heart ... those were the times and here we are years later still like before except for some good changes.

Oh, I just want to let you all know...I miss those trips very much...

from the above 4 photos, then we have 9 single bachelor / bachelorette, now we have 4-3-2 combination (I believe you know what I'm referring to right?)

As for these last 2 photos, I found something :

based on 男左女右 (man left woman right), the sequence of married is so far as per in photo .... eerrr..I have nothing to say anymore =p

talking about this topic, I have another of our trip story to share but that's for another post..

writing this while pura pura watching football ... when I'm actually updating blog & watching 下一站,幸福 haha

20 things that change when you have a baby

20 things that change when you have a baby
Written for BabyCenter Malaysia

Everyone warns you that having a baby will change your life.
Sure, you'll have less money (and sleep), and a lot more responsibility.
But when the centre of your universe shifts to your new baby, there's much to celebrate too:

• You discover an inner strength you never realised you had.

• You accept that the last 15 pregnancy pounds you can't seem to shift are absolutely worth it.
• You don't need a clock any more - your baby now sets your daily schedule.

• You respect and love your own parents in a new way.

• Any pain your baby suffers feels much worse than your own.

• You don't mind going to bed at 9pm on a Friday night.

• Your heart breaks much more easily.

• You discover how much there is to say about one little baby tooth.

• You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

• You're no longer disgusted by babies' bodily functions - in fact, you're fascinated by them (hooray, a poo!)

• The sacrifices you thought you'd made to have a baby no longer seem that big a deal.

• You respect your body ... finally.

• You realise that a baby's comforter has magical powers!

• You give parents with a screaming baby an "I-know-the-feeling" look, instead of a "Can't-they-shut-him-up?" one.

• You make time for one more baby hug and kiss, even if it means you'll be late.

• You realise that it's possible to love a complete stranger.

• You learn that taking a shower is a luxury, never mind a trip to the hairdresser's.

• You finally get to speak to the shy neighbour in your street, because you've got a baby in your arms.

• You find that things that once seemed important are now meaningless.

• Every day is a surprise.

I couldn't agree more and agree absolutely ... next time, if time permits I shall share instances when i found how true are most of the statements above =)

these few days

These few days have been an emotional roller coaster ride for me.
All kinds of emotions came to me every hour including in dreams.
Here I have all past, present & future all lump together and presented to me in a mesh of wires.
I dread these ... please get me out. I'm drowning.

I'm just a simple person but Life feels that I'm too simple a person thus Life complicates everything for me. I want to tell Life "please, I do not ask for much, just a simple life for this life"

I hope God hears my prayers.
I hope I have the strength to face it all ... to solve it all.

meanwhile I will always remember to 'be kind, for everyone is fighting a battle each day'

baby cereal food

I'm overwhelmed.
I didn't know there were so many varieties of baby cereal...
now they even have brown rice cereal, oat with prune, rice & chicken.
Babies nowadays are really lucky...get to eat chicken rice even before they reach 1 year old =D

I love free gifts ... so when I was given this box containing 8 packs for free, I was darn happy... these are really convenient food for baby day out. Otherwise, I'm still the traditional kind who thinks home cooked food is the best.

世上只有妈妈好

I think most of us grew up listening to this song ...
Let our children grow up listening to this song too...
and in conjunction with father's day ... we can change the 'mama' to 'papa' too =D
Happy Father's Day to all fathers!!!

"why men don't have a clue and women always need more shoes"

currently savouring (albeit a very slow speed) :

shop to heal your soul? not a good idea ...

I have a very bad habit ... I shop when I'm sad .... I shop when I'm happy ... and it's very dangerous & detrimental as either one also I'm influenced by emotional buying.

I found some shops selling cheap stuff at Plaza Hiong Kong (Pudu) ... one is the Nationwide bookshop and another is the Mr DIY multipurpose shop. Some stuffs I brought over the past 2 days and the overspent money (gonna PK for this month again)

the toy for ah bi that I've been aiming for very long ... hesistant to buy at Toy R'us due to pricey about RM100++. Saw it today on the top rack ... estatic although the packaging a little torn but inside all intact at it's only for RM25. GRABBED! (ask for help eventhough I'm not tall enough)

story books on good values such as sharing, honest, keeping promise, dare to take challenges, etc. RM40 for 3 books.

RM1.50 wall paper with tree n birds.

Packets of bookmarks ... RM0.70 each packet. Bought 7 designs total : RM0.70x7 = RM4.90. Purpose : to cheer up friends n colleagues on gloomy days.



Socks to wear to sleep --> helps me sleep better. RM3.00 for 3 pairs



Glow in the dark Sun, Star & Moon ... new concepts that ah bi has grasped lately. RM1.20 per pack.


Rubberband RM1.80 for 8 pieces

RM14 after discount ... original price RM28


RM1.90 ... love the cute design but lucky didn't buy at SOGO selling at RM32.90 - sticker size a little bigger. (imagine what I can do with the RM31)

RM1.50 which is the cheapest I found so far in town....remember I was so happy when I got 5 for RM10. Like this individual tile design...only 1 left.

RM14.95 ~RM15 lah after 50% discount ... alphabet domino. This one is an impulsive buy but what to do, my emotion overcame my logic at that moment in time.

What do you think these are? It's something that has very high value...it teaches children to save. RM2.20 x 2 =RM4.40

RM2 .... wall decor plus mirror for ah bi to explore looking at own reflection on mirror =)

RM1.80 .... cute baby donald duck photo frame

RM4 for the whole set of fun sandplay ... 1 pail with 8 items inside like spade, watering container, sieve, shaper....
RM2 per pack of 6 colourful clips. Bought 3 pack. Total RM6.00

RM9 for pull cart and move bead. Original price is RM18

TOTAL DAMAGE : RM147.90 <---- to heal my very 'down' feeling. too big a price to pay but yet I did. So, no more buying for at least another 6 months.

after this hill, there's another hill ...

No one say life is a bed of roses

But no one also told me that after this hill, there's another hill...and another...and another...and another

Just when I thought I've solve one of my problem,

there's another one brewing

and it's even more real,

if the previous one was a choice I had to make

this one has happened and there are difficult decision/action that I need to take.

I would consider myself a tough gal ... but no matter how tough, a person still need to rest, don't you agree ... life is cruel but who doesn't have to go through it?

I know this will sound cliche but really 'what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger'

Goodies from Read Malaysia '10

went to Read Malaysia '10 last Sunday
didn't expect much and it turned out to be as expected ... varieties and prices not as attractive as international book fair at PWTC in March 2010 and Popular/MPH/The Big Bad Wolf warehouse/clearance sales.
Got some paid and free goodies though =D

4 CD / VCD for RM11 each (cheaper than bookshop normal price RM16.90 for VCD & RM13.90 for CD) ... These are very good local production. It makes learning Chinese very relaxing & fun. Ah bi likes it too.
find out more about here



Grabbed some freebies from 'Science of Happiness' booth. They have very nice postcards and very meaningful books for free distribution. It's like a NGO - Buddhist Society for Human Happiness reachable at bs_humanhappiness@yahoo.com
Some of the book titles are like :
(a) creating a happier home
(b) the starting point of happiness
(c) living a life with meaning
(d) serenity within

a 'telephone' dinner

pic : courtesy of Koze

Yesterday night we had celebration for June babies =)
To provide you with a little more understanding ...
1. our current practice is having makan makan session, sing 'happy birthday to you' - blow candle and try to get SY to cut cake.
2. we have one session on each month with birthday(s) of our group of friends.
3. June is the most 'laku' month with usually 4 members (and their birthday is like 1-5 days apart only)

Back to topic,
.... so, we had June babies dinner at 'Talipon' - the one stop BBQ & steamboat buffet centre.
Personally,
.... I think it was a nice dinner in a sense that we are like long-time friends (what like? we are what?) talking to each other on the 'phone',
sharing our ups and downs,
sharing our laughters and banters,
sharing our foods,
sharing our big clam cooking methods,
sharing of ways to identify & differentiate durian, corn & butter ice cream
sharing of childhood memories ... like planta advertisement & how to open jelly
sharing the hot 'induction' cooker (courtesy of addy)
and of course the new dish ('herbal ham - ah pang kor signature dish)

we had 'good news' ... sweet =) that brought back sweet memories.
we had 'good anwers' ... relieved =) finally I see answers coming all so naturally to the issue that have been bugging my mind.
we had 'great time' ... fabulous =) I can see everyone went home with a 'satisfied' look la.

There sitting at the same table (2 adjoining tables, actually)
we have :
people staying in different areas
people with different backgrounds & upbringing
people with different life objectives
people in different stages of life
people in different 'industry'
people who are experiencing difference 'challenges' in life

Yet we share something common :
We share our lives & presence.

All I want to say is 'THANK YOU VERY MUCH'

ps. if you are wondering the time of this post, yes, I'm waiting to do testing again...

changes ... good or bad?

'Change is the only constant in the world'
but I need to know are changes good or bad.
Can someone help me to see clearly and neutrally?

In conjunction with my change topic and the 'dilemma' I'm in now ...
I've change my blog outlook again ...

wondering whether the same theories apply?

when we change our blog, readers will be affected but it's not crucial because it does not affect them directly & significantly. Thus, we will not hesitate to change.
but when we change our lifestyle, our families will be affected directly & significantly...which is why we are being so hesistant (especially when we are uncertain of whether the changes are good or bad)

but then again, never try never know
but then again, if try, there's a price to pay
one word - 烦

what is it that I really want in life?

sometimes I'm puzzled with myself too...
why is it that I wanted something ... and then when I get it ... something is holding me back from receiving it ... then I think over and over again .... maybe it's not wanted, what I really wanted was something else, maybe something which I took for granted.
the cycle goes on and on ... and I don't know where will it lead to ... when will it end ...
so pathetic isn't it?

why do I take one step in front then step 2 steps back, then 2 more steps in front, then take one step back, then stay put, then repeat the same old s*** again & again.

why can't I have a straight forward answer .... what don't they have a manual like 'decision making for dummies' or 'what to expect when you've decided' that tells you exactly what to do and what will the consequences be?

Oh...I need HELP .... I really do

from another perspective

ah bi : mama, see you can sleep on a book to read a pillow.
p.s haha... he did that all by himself, all we did was just capture the moments


how my 'gu ling jing guai' ah bi taught me to see things from different perspectives.

old people taste

My sister on many occasions has said to me (in cantonese) : ah jie, your taste like old ah sum la.
I used not to heed or choose not try to understand what she meant by that until recently I realised those things (in term of jewelleries / accessories) that I like are those likes by aunties at least 45 years old. Things that I like are seldom liked by people of my age.

I've always like pearl from as long as I can remember. I think each pearl is unique.
Have no any inclination towards diamond.
although I like the way of how both substances are formed ... I think it's very applicable to our lives. Get to know how pearl and diamond are formed.

I've always like jade as well.
Perhaps this was due to the 1st pendant that my parents gave me to wear was a doughnut like jade pendant. and that pendant has protected me for so many years, have soothe away my many fears that I have unconsciously affliated myself to this substance.
Unfortunately, I lost the pendant. But I'll give my children one each to 'protect' them =) ----> oh ya, i know i know parents always want to give what they never had.
Also perhaps those reassuring and motherly hands that I came across so far in my life always have jade bracelet, it may have made me unconsciously made jade a 'comfort' item for me ... you know, just like that 'little pillow or bolster we hang on for life' during our younger years.

Nevertheless, regardless of whether old people taste / young people taste, I still like. and yes, I have old people taste, so? =p


pics : items that I have lying on table that makes me want to write this post and realised what my sister said was 90% true.
1. pearl bracelet from my buddies who come back from east malaysia - I love this bracelet. Thank you so much =)
2. the black coconut husk bracelet for ah bi - already 'open light' during wesak day.
3. the 'not-real' jade pendant which I itchy hand'ly bought when buying coconut husk from old aunty outside temple ---> pending save enough money to buy the real doughnut one.

黃小琥-伴

Would like you to take time to listen to this song with your heart ...




作詞：姚若龍
作曲：于曉光、李偉菘
編曲：Terence Teo

如果 命運可以訂做
如果 有另一次選擇
我想我 還是會 把手讓你緊握
快樂地陪你去坎坷

就算 你有天變落魄
就算 你老得不能動
我想我 還是會 挽著你看日落
你的心疼在淚光中

嘴巴上 彼此嫌麻煩
眼神中 關懷那麼滿
沒說愛 卻早已認定一輩子的伴

在人前 從來不浪漫
在心中 卻總為對方打算
最懂的人最暖的伴

就算 我以後變囉嗦
就算 我老了有病痛
我想你 還是會 照顧我到最後
隱藏脆弱不眠不休

沒有辛酸 沒有遺憾
什麼是陪伴 什麼是心安 你是答案

really love this song .... 经典 (classic) especially the lyrics and simple melody presentation

with my limited translation ability, I couldn't help not translating such beautiful lyrics to share with friends who does not read chinese.

如果 命運可以訂做
If fate can be customised
如果 有另一次選擇
If have another time to choose
我想我 還是會 把手讓你緊握
I think I still will let you hold my hands tight
快樂地陪你去坎坷
Happily accompany you through rough

就算 你有天變落魄
even though one day you'll be down & out
就算 你老得不能動
even though you are immobile due to old age
我想我 還是會 挽著你看日落
I think I still will hold you watch sunset
你的心疼在淚光中
Your heartache / love in tears


嘴巴上 彼此嫌麻煩
Mouth say each other troublesome
眼神中 關懷那麼滿
But in eyes, so full of care
沒說愛 卻早已認定一輩子的伴
Never say love but already identified as life partner / soulmate

在人前 從來不浪漫
In front of others, was never romantic
在心中 卻總為對方打算
In heart, always consider for each other
最懂的人最暖的伴
the most understanding person, the most warm partner

就算 我以後變囉嗦
even though I'll be naggy in future
就算 我老了有病痛
even though I become old and sick
我想你 還是會 照顧我到最後
I think you will still take care of me till the end
隱藏脆弱不眠不休
Hide your vulnerabilities, don't sleep & don't rest (endlessly)

沒有辛酸 沒有遺憾
No bitterness, no regret
什麼是陪伴 什麼是心安 你是答案
what is accompany / companion, what is peace of mind, you are the answer

The lyrics beautifully & meaningful written, isn't it? but my translation sucks.

We are prepaid with 2500 weekends or more

Received an email with article originating from Chetan Bhagat (Symbiosis).
Just thought of sharing since some of us are a little under weather these days.
I especially like paragraph 2.

Don't just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order. There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a card if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

Life is one of those races in nursery school where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same is with life where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die.

One thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. Life is not meant to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up?

It's ok, bunk a few classes, scoring low in couple of papers, goof up a few interviews, take leave from work, enjoy your friends, fall in love, little fights with your loved ones. We are people, not programmed devices.

Don't be serious, be sincere.

enrich yourself

I always tell my colleague (maybe they are tired of hearing this also)

to enrich yourself ...take time off from work to enrich yourself ... the funds are allocated for training ... work can always wait ... cannot finish one ... but if you missed some opportunities, it may never come back or take a long time to come back.

moreover, what you've gained is yours forever...nobody can take that away from you.

training I've enrolled for this year
1. AMLA (was made compulsory)
2. EQ@work
3. Edward Debono 6 Thinking Hat
4. Thinking out of box
5. Tony Buzan mind mapping

some highly recommended which I've attended previously :
1. The 7 habits of highly effective people

One of the training facilitator Morgan has shared this : there are 3 types of attendees namely :

1. Explorers - those who are very eager to find out & explore about topic of interest.

2. Hostages - those who are there by instructions / directions by management.

3. Vacationers - those who are there to escape from hectic work

ps. I think I'm a VACAPLORER ... I escape from work to enrich and value add myself =)

What do we do without MILK?

Today is World Milk Day
At last, it's good to have a day specifically to celebrate the 'humble' milk.
I say we need milk to survive ...
If we think back, milk is the 1st food that all of us take in this world
What do we do without milk?
Milk is a near perfect food source loaded with nine essential nutrients needed daily.

Let us all toast for the 'humble' milk .... cheers

Although I do not know how big a scope does the World Milk Day covers,
here is my sincere appreciation for all milks and their sources.
be it cow's milk, breastmilk, goat's milk, soya milk, oat milk or .....

if only I can

here I'm sitting at the dining table of a balinese style home in Malacca, enjoying the night after ah bi and ah dear sleep. It's raining outside which makes it more 'in the mood'.

This is a retirement home dream come true ... and it makes me ponder whether can I have a comfortable retirement to start with...what more a retirement home.

I do not know when and I do not know how but I do know that as times goes by, my dreams seem to be getting smaller and smaller. My request towards life seem to be simpler and simpler and based on what matter most instead.
Is it just me or does any of you share the same sentiment?

meanwhile, I better grab some of life's luxury ... sleeping (oh, I consider sleeping a luxury these days

I'm disoriented now...20 straight hours of no sleep

I'm disoriented now .... feel like in another dimension.
20 straight hours of no sleep, although not as terrific as last time during schooling times .... the body is so much older now.
Plus the toll of producing 'food' for my little boss ... the body is deteoriating very fast ... prematurely ageing.

I just need to get some good night rest (which currently not so possible due to night feeds) ... but why do I keep on not wanting to sleep and wanting to do as much as I can? when I'm already so disorientated? This is very bad...detrimental to my body and health. I just sometimes wonder whether my body has mind on its own instead of following what my brain says....or my brain has multiple personalities disorder?

all done except testing 123

up this morning since 4am++ but till now has only managed to test 30% ... still waiting for instruction to proceed further.
meanwhile I've :
1. confirm some online purchase (not related to testing)
2. make payment via fund transfer (not related to testing)
3. go to 'loo' to settle big business
4. watched almost 3/4 of a korean drama series (Full House) ... yes, I'm watching it only NOW.
5. paid my water & electric bills
6. read a couple pages of magazine
7. folded a few pieces of clothes
8. boiled a kettle of water
9. updated my blog
10. ate a few biscuits.
11. been wondering why I've done so much except doing what I woke up for.

and if they don't let me fast fast continue :
1. my little boss is going to ask for food already
2. I'm due to prepare myself to attend EQ@work training for 2 days before Wesak Day ...alamak, I forgot to put out of office msg ah...sure ppl will be cursing me for not replying their emails...

put to good use

remember I had a story about how much I love colouring even at this age ... and how it sort of relaxes me.

well, other than the post, I didn't dare to tell anyone until .....

a colleague of mine who's organising a party at work for birthday boys n girls for Jan - June lamented that it is boring to have birthday cards in black n white.... and it's too expensive to print them with her own colour ink.


without thinking, I said 'why not personalised them, no need printer, just need hand (and time). She trusted my words and passed me a whole stack of A4 papers folded into half (size of a birthday card). I've counted 13 altogether.


To cut long story short, this is what happened :


design chosen (by my colleague) for birthday boys

design for birthday girls




all together




I passed up my homework and she said "You make a good kindergarten teacher. You really have the patience to colour 13 cards"
What I didn't tell her was 'Once upon a time, I dreamt of becoming a kindergarten teacher but I doubt I could survive with my kind of patience & my high maintenance lifestyle.
Of course, venturing into children education sector and franchising can be very profitable, but what's the main objective after all? Is it managing a business or teaching the children?


nevertheless, although not as beatiful as colour printed and I came out with my own colour scheme, I hope my colleagues will like these cards.

if it ain't cheap, it wouldn't be mine

btw, the above line is applicable to material things only ok.
and I'm putting money back into the economy again.

I spent RM130 on these 9 clothes - RM23 being the most expensive one. Time to update my wardrobe after 3 of my office clothes were torn (I've must have outgrown them =p). It's EUPHORIC to be able to buy the clothes that I like at a good price.


RM40 - that's all I spent on this 12 books consist of fictions, parenting and self help...all of which books that I'll be interested in even if the price were a little pricier.

Bilingual English - Chinese fully illustrated dictionaries at RM3 each ... good for me to learn 1st before I teach ah bi.

RM20 bucks for all these colourful collections of stories in chinese. This time I ventured into those without hanyu pinyin =)

All these little pants & shirt (cannot find shirt at the time photo was taken) for RM1 each.

I'm very happy cause I feel every penny spent was very WORTHWHILE.