Mermaid

Colin and his favourite toy- OSIM Mermaid! It's cute to see him humming and pretending to vacumm his tortoise. Can't wait till he grows up and help with the household chores..hee...

Cheap books @ Atria

Now you don't need to wait for MPH and Times Warehouse Sales to buy discounted books! The Big Book Store has an outlet @ Atria (2nd floor, used to be Parkson Grand) selling paperbacks for RM12 - RM18! The books are quite up to date books (The ones I bought are published in 2005) by bestseller authors. Here's what I'll be reading for the next few months...hehe...just started on 'Love and Other Impossible Pursuits', so far so good...

Santarina

Last Saturday, we went over to my aunt's place for early christmas dinner. My grand aunt (she's a fantastic cook) made top hat (yumsss!), her famous noodles and curry chicken! My aunts were feeding us with grilled seafood, teriyaki chicken, bacon and sausages over the hot plate..so much food! Burp!

After dinner, my uncle dressed as Santa Claus to give out presents to the kids. This year (the 3rd appearance), santa's identity was revealed! The first year, my cousins were tricked in believing that my uncle was Santa Claus. Last year, they asked why my uncle is never around when Santa's around...heee...smart kids.


Chui chui is this year's Santarina! She had so much fun being the MC- introducing the games and giving out gifts.



We played statue dance (no pictures- I was busy dancing..heee), Poison Ball....



And Musical Chairs.


We had so much fun! Bubble enjoyed herself too...Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year Everyone!

Craving...

...for Kuai Lin Ko and Roasted Goose Rice.....had Maggi Mee during lunchtime cause need to rush some work....

HK food....

is simply YUMMY! On our last night, we found the famous wan tan mee shop at Hau Fook Street- it was worth every effort! The wan tan is HUGE...four wan tan is enough to cover the whole bowl! Each wan tan is packed with 6 prawns (yes, I counted out of curiousity)and it cost us only RM7.50 per bowl! What a steal! Here's a picture of the wan tan mee I had the night before the discovery....


Can you spot the difference in the size of the wan tan? Mouth watering rite?

For those who will be visiting HK, here's a picture of the shop....:)

In search of my roots

Last weekend, my parents and I went to Penang to visit my relatives. Besides the usual stuffing ourselves with 'duck egg fried kuey tiow', curry mee, ah pong and more more food, my uncle, dad and I decided to visit some of the heritage sites of Penang. We started out our 'self guided tour' with Fort Cornwallis (Francis Light built this Fort, with help from the Sultan of Kedah shortly after he so called 'discovered' Penang at 1786) which I was impressed cause the last time I was there, there were no proper signages to explain the significance of the Fort. With as little as RM3 per person, the 'star shaped Fort' offers a little gallery with some artifects (pieces of broken bowls and metal) and explanation on the history of the Fort. There's also a cannon, chapel and gunpower room to visit. Did I mention we took pictures of our ourselves, standing in front of the statue of Francis Light- us wearing the oldern time army hat (not sure what it's called) and holding a rifle? It was good fun! We tried to look serious...haha...not posting it, a bit shy...hee..
After Fort Cornwallis, we headed to 'Khoo Kongsi' (it's my second time there and nothing has changed). In the early times, 5 main hokkien clans migrated to Penang - 'Khoo', 'Cheah', 'Yeoh', 'Lim' and 'Tan'. They formed the main Chinese community in Penang, each has their own associations, which are known as 'Kongsi'.
The visit to 'Khoo Kongsi' inspired us to seek for 'Yeoh Kongsi'! With no proper directions, we drove along Victoria Lane looking left and right for 'Yeoh Kongsi'. Just before we gave in to our rumbling tummies, we found it! It's not opened for the public- still much refurbishment work to be done. Still, it didn't stop us from snapping pictures throught the gates..hee....

Our final stop was Cheong Fatt Sie mansion. Althought the entrance ticket is more expensive than the rest (RM12 per person), it was worth the price as we learned a lot from the guided tour. Restoration work is still being conducted as it was left in a bad condition (which I will not spoil the fun and tell you why). Lucky for us, most of the restoration work inside of the mansion is completed, so we had the chance to view it's beauty and understand the feng shui elements of the architecture. No photography allowed in the mansion- I've only managed to take pictures from outside. It's sure worth visiting! Our 'tour' completed with the famous Penang road cendol! Yum!

Jigsaw completed...

tada! It's not easy to fit oil painting jigsaws (especially those with white background). The pieces look the same so need extra patience to track the brush strokes. Can't wait to start on my next project- angels (raphael), yes another oil painting. Can't wait to get this one framed!

Dreamt of exams

Last night I had a nightmare. It's strange. I was back in secondary school (yes I was dressed in light blue long sleeves shirt with dark blue shirt- prefect uniform) taking English exam. The teacher inspecting us was my Form 1 arts teacher. Year= Unknown.
We were given a sheet of paper with list of questions. To answer the questions, we have to hunt down the essay in this big book. When I found the essay, it was in 'old times' English, which I could not understand! Looked around and saw the other students (whom started out being Malaysians, now they turned to 'kwailos'- don't ask me why, its weird) busy jotting down their answers in a paper cup! So imagine me holding the tip of the end of the pen, and struggling to write at the 'inside base' of the cup. I remember myself in panic mode the whole time. Only managed to answer 1 question - try writing in a small paper cup, not easy u know. So silly I tell you. Woke up in the other side of the bed (I don't usually shift my position when I am asleep) with the rest of the teddies on the floor. Must had been a struggle :P I'm surprise I can still recall the dream...heee

Colin's Top 3 favourite 'things to do':
1) mam mam (btw, it's his first word...heee)
2) splashing water in the swimming pool
3) play 'hide & seek' with grandma

Colin's Top 3 favourite 'things':
1) Osim Mermaid vaccum cleaner (Vrrroommmm)
2) 'Winnie the pooh' mobile phone
3) Empty boxes

My favourite pic of Colin. Was distracting him so my mom can dash into the kitchen to prepare his 'tasteless' (no salt, no sugar...eee) fish porridge

Which is better- no work or boring work?

Not that I don't have anything to do, just something I'm pondering right now (that's the beauty of being a women- u can multi-task!). When I have a boring task, I find it annoying. When I have no work to do, I feel agitated. Which is better?

If the task it's boring, its torturing cause I'll drag the task, when in fact I should quickly finish and get it over with. It's a habit. When there is no work, I'll surf the net until I 'jelak' (I marvel at ppl who can spend the whole day surfing the net cause to me, there's only that much you can absorb in a day). Still wondering which is better...hmm....

Kampung Kayu Ara Tuition

It's been 2 years. I've decided to take a break next year to focus on completing my studies and hopefully, have time to be involved in other charity works. Kampung Tuition is part of many projects by PJEFC (PJ Evangelical Free Church)to show God's love to our society. Volunteers (many are retired teachers) gather at the center every Sunday afternoon to teach 2 hours of tuition (1 hr English, 1 hr Maths) to children from kindergarten level till Form 5. Children pay a minimal fee of RM10 half yearly. It's wonderful to see how they grow with the tuition center. Baizatul joined tuition when she was in kindergarten. She was a shy girl, hardly speaks in class, probably shy cause she can't speak well in English. I remembered us patiently teaching her read 'Daddy' and 'Mommy' for half the year. She will be in standard 2 next year and she has completed the 10 book series of Vital Years! Kampung tuition has successful encouraged interactions and cultivated the passion of learning among these students, good work done team!
Besides teaching, there are other events such as prize giving day(which was held 5th Nov).Parents and friends of the children are invited to enjoy performances by the children and for us to interact with parents, prize giving and makan makan. We took the children to visit Gardenia Bread Factory in Sept, they were so happy and excited! All wearing their best clothes and packed with energy! We were given a walking tour of the factory, feed with Gardenia cakes and given a goodie bag filled with bread.
It's been a very very fulfilling journey, thank you for having me as part of the team and I'll miss the children dearly.

Thinking of old friends

I'm lousy in keeping in touch. A few weeks ago, I dreamt of my friend (whom I've not seen for quite some time)and used this excuse to drop her a sms. We exchanged a few sms-es and it ended with the usual 'ya, we should meet up sometime'. I always find it difficult to make the first move, simply because I don't know how to break the ice! Maybe I'm afraid ppl might think I'm calling for a reason, like to sell Insurance (Btw, I'm not a Personal Financial Planner) or to ask for favours. D got conned to meeting up with his ex-housemate from JB who so happen to be in PJ (he hasn't seen them in ages and we tot it will be nice for him to catch up with the couple over coffee).He dropped all his Sunday afternoon plans, rushed to meet them, chat for an hour then found out they wanted to rope him into direct selling *ish*. One hour spent on questioning about his life aspiration (which D found it dodgy but still layan),then hit him with the usual 'how multi-level marketing can buy you your dream car'. The other typical question long lost friends will ask is, are you getting married? Is that why you called? Haihz.
When we finally meet up, thinking of topics to chat about is challenging. I try to avoid asking questions that are too personal. It's mind draining to filter thoughts before saying, pretty much like doing data verification, if you get what I mean. I guess I don't wan to shock my friend with my overly friendliness and maybe it's best to warm up first with some small chat. Then again, I don't enjoy small chats, especially when it touches about work, I guess it's one common topic everyone can relate to. Oh well. Then again, there are special friends whom you feel real comfortable talking to even if you have not seen him/her in ages. In the begining it can be a little tense, but it warms up fast and you chat chat chat non stop. I'm meeting up with one of my special friends this weekend (been holding on to her bday present for more than a month *oops*)- am excited. Must must must remember to keep in touch more often.

Baby words

My 15 months old nephew learning to speak! He only knows the first syllable of these words- and we actually understand him. Haha.

1) Ba ba= Baba blacksheep (he loves his nursery rhyme book)
2) Mam Mam= I want to eat, feed me feed me!
3) Ru Ru= Row row row your boat..la la la...
4) Dark Dark= The room is dark..cannot go in
5) Tow= Throw!
6) No No= No you can't touch this
7) Um um= I need to poo!

Not bad eh?

Strong women with cancer

Two disturbing and shocking news this week. Found out that my lecturer and a fellow coursemate has been diagnosed with cancer. *Sigh* These women are 'energiser bunnies' and always full of life, how did this happen? Doesn't seem right. For those who don't know Dr. Fatimah, she's no conventional UM lecturer- she crack jokes more than she lectures, makes us think finance questions are fun games (how do you do it?)and laughs all day (you can be blind and still HEAR her presence). She'll be going for chemotheraphy this week, our prayers are with you Dr. Fazilah- be your usual strong positive self!
My coursemate, the marathon runner, who lives life at the edges, found out about her lung cancer when she took X-Ray for her 'entry to Australia' application. She recently removed the cancer cell (1/3 of her lungs has to be removed)and now undergoing chemotherapy. Be strong, stay strong, don't give up!

Cancer hits anyone, so take note of the cancer awareness messages you hear and see on media. Stop complaining you don't have jennifer aniston's arms or angelina jolie's lips, be grateful that you are healthy and kicking!

One down, two to go! Exams are not all that bad after you shoot the first one down ;P Every semester is the same old story for me. I take a couple days off work, quarantine myself with books and chocolates...overwork my brain, take a deep breath and sit for exams. In the begining, it seems like a loongg 2 weeks but after the first paper, the rest passes real fast. Maybe it's just me. Studying for exams is no fun business, so here's some survival tips to make your exam week more pleasant:
1) Always make sure you plan for 'after exams' vacation, so you have something to look forward to
2) Stock up on chocolates (or other favourite munchies- to keep yourself awake and entertained)
3) Have your bestfriend stand by to hear you whine and repeatedly answer your 'why did i get myself into this mess' question.
4) Drink lots of water...not only it's good for your health and skin, you have a valid reason for toilet breaks
5) Leave your yahoo messenger on (to know that you're still part of the world)
6) Take funny pictures of yourself and laugh out loud (only when really really bored)
* Thanks Kok Pin for the tip!
7) Change your studying position every 3 hours
8) Take time off to do your favourite things (it won't kill you to enjoy yourself while studying)

Happy Exam week!

Getting on with life after the demise of your closest friend is never an easy task...you are so used to having the person around you and all the sudden,you have to live life without his/her presence. Recently, I read a good book...

Cecelia Ahern's bestseller, P.S I Love You follows the witty and overly 'hubby dependent' Holly, a young Irish widow who attempts to piece her life back together after she loses her husband Gerry to brain tumour. Months after Gerry's death, Holly received a package- short note for each month from Gerry - instructing her to perform a series of unexpected task. This book does not leave you 'feeling sorry for Holly' but rather it warms your heart to read on how the dying husband carefully planned to help his wife to stand back on her two feet. Definitely a good read!

Do take time off from your busy schedule to smell the roses...cherish and support the people you love :)

Gerry's last note to Holly (Very touching..and true):
Don't be afraid to love again. Open your heart and follow where it lead you...and remember, shoot for the moon.....
PS, I will always love you.....

It was my nephew's first birthday last Saturday. The tea party was by the pool side- the venue was tastefully decorated with odd sized balloons (ahem, done on purpose) and 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' letterings that flags by itself (strong wind). Colin's 80 guests (relatives and big/little friends) arrived on time and the caterers were rushing to prepare roti jala, lemonade, ice-kacang- food and more food for the guests! It's a party with no set agenda (Colin can hardly stand, so musical chairs is out of the question) and what surprises me is everyone seems to be enjoying themselves so much - Malaysian are known to entertain themselves, as long as there's people to chat with and food, of course:)

The highlight of the day was the cake cutting ceremony- my sister got a lovely two tier butter sponge cake (taste very much like Sugi cake), heavily decorated with thick white icing and tall clowns lazing by the slopes of the cake. Colin couldn't stop staring at the cake (his botak head is seen in most of our photo shots). I'm glad he loves the cake, my sister put so much effort in it- contacting the baker, placing the order, collect the cake etc. All in all, it was a memorable day, my first nephew's birthday and a complete family gathering (all 3 uncles attended, all the way from Vancouver, Kuantan & Penang).