JL’s Snack (10-22Jan2011)

We managed to prepared snacks for JL for 3 weeks which was an achievement for us. Some of the day when PaPa was free, PaPa will buy and send to his school during break time. Just to mix around, sometimes he wanted ‘Pau’. One of the days, PaPa fried rice and sent the warm fried rice to JL. Mummy hoped we will be able to keep it as routine without much stress requiring adult acne treatment for all the pimples. These were the food JL had in school. Some might be on the wrong day because Mummy couldn’t recall which day was it…

2nd Week

•  Mon (10Jan2011) - JL wanted ‘MeatFloss’ Bun and we bought on Sunday night.
• Tues (11Jan2011) - Sandwich with Ham, Cheese and Carrot on Wholemeal bread.
• Wed (12Jan2011) – Traffic Light Pasta Salad
• Thurs (13Jan2011) – PaPa packed ‘Pau’ and sent to his school.
• Fri (14Jan2011) – PaPa fried rice and sent to his school.

 3rd Week

•  Mon (17Jan2011) – JL wanted ‘MeatFloss’ Bun again like previous Monday and we bought on Sunday night.
• Tues (18Jan2011) - Sandwich Egg and Ricotta, Chives with Salad on Wholemeal bread
• Wed (19Jan2011) – Wraps with Ricotta, Ham and Zucchini
• Fri (21Jan2011) - Salad
• Sat (22Jan2011) – We packed ‘Pau’ and sent to his school. AL was excited seeing her KorKor.

Morning schedule…

Now with both kids going to kindy and ‘An Ching’ class in the morning, Mummy has to force to wake up earlier. However, it is still not early enough. Mummy hopes to be able to wake up much earlier in order to get more things done. If possible  Mummy will love to have time to go to the apartment small gym to get some workout and do some simple workout at the playground with sit-up and pull up bar. PaPa will help up to get the kids’ ready which helps a lot.

Festival – Food

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and there will be a lot gathering. When there is a lot of gathering, means more food and more food.  Mummy hope Mummy don’t end up needing best diet pills for women knowing that Mummy as woman will put on weight faster especially during festival seasons. We only buy mandarin oranges and food enough for our routine visitation to avoid wastage and also extra unnecessary consumption.

CNY everything must be new?

Is it a must to get everything new from top to toe including matching costume jewelry for Chinese New Year?

As for us, we get some clothes for the kids since last year during sales. As for PaPa and Mummy, we will be wearing our Christmas gift t-shirts matching with our current jeans or pants. We usually do not buy shoes and socks for the kids because they can still fit into their current shoes. We try to keep it simple and practical. Kids will always have a pair of sandals and a pair of shoes each. Whenever there is sales, we will usually buy bigger size shoe to keep when they outgrown from the current shoes. This also applies on clothes too.

Besides sales, the kids are also blessed with hand-down clothes from Mummy’s friends. Most of the clothes are still in good condition because kids grow up too fast even before the clothes can be worn out. Mummy also has quite a number of hand-down clothes.

This is not only to save money but also to save the environment by practicing recycling.

2010 – What a year…

Last year 2010 has been a year of many deaths. Majority of the death is due to cancer. Besides that, there are much news of family and relatives falling ill due to cancer. Cancer now attack to almost every part of human body with all the long winded , tongue twisting  medical term to name the different types of cancer such as Mesothelioma etc...

However, 2010 ended with some good news like new babies arrived in 2010 and more new babies in 2011. Mummy just love to hear news of Mummies getting pregnant and giving birth…

Old Television

Our old television which has been with us since 2002 is started to give some problem. Sometimes, the color will change and display wrong color. Sometimes it will be ok. Hopefully it will last a bit longer before it totally died off. We still remember when we got this television for the first time, Mummy was renting a room and PaPa was changing a few television antennas to get a clearer display for the television until we got married and later moved to our current apartment.

Tired and Stress and Sick

Mummy is super stress and today Mummy is feeling the symptom of getting sick with nose congestion and sore throat. This is not good news…

It is hard to deny that the current working environment can be very stress causing many sicknesses. Hearing so many friends and relatives falling sick is a wakeup call which usually is a temporary and people will indulge back workaholic.

How to balance up life in such a fast pace and demanding environment? By taking tradition Chinese medicine like magnolia bark, will it help to ease all these anxiety?

Mummy’s New Year resolution is to balance up life…how? Mummy is not sure yet... will try … How about you?

BeyBlade Fever

JL is into BeyBlade fever and thanks to his PaPa. It is an expensive hobby but JL is so blessed that his PohPoh got him most of the blades including 3 launchers and a stadium as his reward which he earned from a few occasion. On top of that, Yi Yee also got him another different stadium plus Sam Sok got him and PaPa some spare parts for last year Christmas.

One of the nights, PaPa, JL and even AL were having time together. AL could even launch the BeyBlade and even imitate her KorKor,

“3-1-2, ready go” – supposed to be 3-2-1

“Aiya… MeiMei lose already”

JL’s 1st BeyBlade Competition 12Dec2010

It was JL’s 1st BeyBlade competition on 12Dec2010 and was at Empire Square. He was eliminated at the 1st round having to fight with a very experience boy. This boy had been to at least 7 competitions and usually would be the top 5 of each competition. JL was disappointed but we told him it was ok because he was still new. He would need to learn more with PaPa’s help on how to strategize his blade and what type of blade and accessories to use.

The competition area was in front of Toys r Us with insufficient that most of audience had to stand up. Walking, standing and running, hopefully would be fat burners that work.

Honestly, Mummy was very lost with all these different type of blades and accessories. There would be another competition this weekend which we were not sure whether to go or not to go… We knew JL would want to go... Let’s see…

First facial of the year 2011

Mummy is trying to make time for facial once a month. Getting this lady’s time needed us to make reservation much earlier if Saturday was the option. Mummy booked this Friday 15Jan2011 slot about 2-3 months back. Tomorrow, it would be 7am slot for Mummy to go for facial and get rid of the big pimples at the forehead using acne treatment. It had been a busy last few months; Mummy would need this short little break.

Have a good weekend everyone…

New Year -- JL’s new haircut

After many years, we decided it was time for him to cut it short since he would be in Standard 1 afternoon class. He went to his orientation 31Dec2010 with his old hair and on 01Jan2011, we sent him for his new haircut.

JL’s snack

Mummy survived the 1st week of preparing JL’s snack for his school. Thanks to 2 books which Mummy bought since last year to get some ideas. However the challenge was to make sure the food stay fresh till 3.15pm which was his break time. Some of the food, Mummy would remind JL to put in the fridge when he arrived his ‘AnChing’ centre and put it into his Ben10 coolant bag (a Christmas gift by Aunty Ita which he loved it a lot) just before Aunty arrived to fetch him to school.

We discussed and negotiated with JL on the meals. We wanted to make sure it can be easily done (especially Mummy was not a good and creative cook) and JL would enjoy it rather than just packing for sake of packing thus wasting the food and effort. After working in many years in healthcare it jobs, somehow Mummy was trying Mummy’s best to make sure his food was as healthy as possible.

First Week (03-07Jan2011)

•  Mon – Meat floss Bun (bought from Jusco) + Small Mandarin Oranges + Cucumber
• Tues – Tuna with Wholemeal bread and Lettuce (made by PaPa) + Small Mandarin Oranges + Cucumber
• Wed – Steamed Ham with Wholemeal bread and Lettuce + Cucumber + Zucchini
• Thurs – Salad (Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Avocado, Steamed Ham, Hardboiled Egg, Cucumber & Zucchini) with Mayo (packed separately)
• Fri – Fried rice with egg, ham and mixed vegetables with topping of fresh lettuce + cucumber + Zucchini.

As for this week, since it would be a full working week, we discussed with JL on Friday night on what he wanted for the whole week. That Friday night, we went to get some of the ingredients required. PaPa agreed to assist in preparation of the snack for JL. We also decided that we would make extra for PaPa and Mummy’s dinner on that day too.

For the first day, JL ate at the canteen which was super crowded.

Later, we found a nice airy place which was just behind his class and next to a nice garden. From that day onward, JL would go there to have his snack and also meeting up his kindy friends. One of his ex-kindy friends also was informed by his parents to meet JL there during breaktime. At least for a start, he had snack time partner.

Note: AL was very happy at last she was able to visit KorKor's big school on the last day (Friday 07Jan2011). After 1st week, parents were not allowed to be in school compound without the permission from security, She was very excited that she wanted to go into JL’s class.

JL’s transporter to school

PohPoh found this Aunty who had a space in her car to transport JL to and fro the school. She had two sons in Standard 1 and Standard 3 in the same school. The best thing was she also stayed in the same block in the same apartment with us. In case of emergency, she said she can bring JL back to her apartment first if KongKong/PohPoh or PaPa/Mummy was not around. She only fetched kids from the same apartment only, so JL would be home directly from school to apartment.

She was also very careful and did not allow the kids to wait at the main entrance. Instead, the kids were asked to wait at the canteen. PohPoh also negotiated with her to fetch JL from ‘AnChing’ class and we decided to pay extra for the inconveniences. Her charges were reasonable which Mummy think it was better deal than the cigar deals from the Duty Free Shop.

After one week, we didn’t hear any complain from JL. JL even recognized the road she used and even showed to us the road.

03Jan2011 – JL & AL first day

JL and AL would be going to the same place every morning. JL would be attending his ‘AnChing’ class in the same place where AL would be going for her nursery. Aunty would go there to fetch JL for his afternoon school and send him back to apartment in the evening.

On the first day, JL had extra things to carry – a basket of his ‘Top to Toe’ Body Shampoo, a comb and a small cup containing his toothbrush and toothpaste – all in his favorite color which was Green. It was also the first day he would be sitting he Aunty’s car to his school and back to the apartment.

On the first day, AL was in her simple non hip hop clothes but from top to bottom, she was in pink which was her favorite color. She would get her pink and apple green uniform later, so time being, she would be pink girl. Sam Yee and Sam Yee Cheong gave her a pink bag during her 2nd birthday last year which she fondly called “my pink Dora bag’. She was excited following her KorKor that she even wanted to sit Aunty’s car to KorKor’s Primary School. LOL…

31Dec2010 – PaPa’s Granduncle passed away

During JL’s orientation, PaPa got a call from MahMah that Granduncle’s wife called for a family meeting at 2pm that day. After orientation, we went home to change and fetched AL from KongKong and PohPoh’s apartment. It was a short meeting and some relatives went home when the hospital called requesting Grandaunty to be in the hospital. Grandaunty was on wheelchair and it would take some time for her to get ready.

PaPa, Mummy, JL and AL were the first to leave to UH. While Mummy was waiting near Secret Recipes with the kids, PaPa went up to see Granduncle. PaPa called Mummy at 4.05pm informing that Granduncle had passed away at 3.45pm. After getting the sad news, Mummy saw MahMah rushing to the lift with a sad face. Tai Pak Leong arrived with the two boys waiting with Mummy at the same place while Tai Pak went up to see Granduncle. Next moment, we saw Grandaunty arrived with her only son pushing her wheelchair and none of us dare to break the news to her. Tai Pak Leong and Mummy could only see her being rushed to the hospital.

It all started about two weeks ago when we found that he was admitted to the hospital due to blood in his stool. It was found that he had ulcer in his stomach. His ulcer was healing and no surgery was required. He was given blood transfusion and drip which was later found that his heart was too weak to pump the blood and drip causing his lung to fill up with water. The doctors didn’t want to drain the water too fast which would cause his blood pressure to drop drastically. His lung started to clear very slowly. He had no heart attack.

The Friday before his death, he was able to come down from the bed but the doctor decided to keep him over the weekend to monitor him. On Monday morning, he was supposed to go for a colon scope. However, his condition turned worst that his oxygen level started to drop and his blood pressure was not normal. He was put to sleep hoping his condition would recover. He was stable but weak. We are not sure if he was in any pain or not because for the whole week, he was unconscious till 31Dec2010 that he decided to leave the world. Talking about pain, Mummy came across that there was another type of painkiller besides morphine – oxycontin detox. It looked like medical was getting more advance but nothing could help Granduncle.

Mummy remembered clearly that the week before, we met with the specialist who told us that his condition could turn unexpectedly that we had to be careful.

This granduncle was the most fit compared to his wife and his younger sister (who was PaPa’s PohPoh). He was the one bringing his wife and sister to hospital for check-up. It was shocking news to the whole family. KongKong and PohPoh were very helpful and Mummy was grateful for them offering help to take care of JL and AL while PaPa and Mummy helping up Grandaunty with other relatives on the funeral.

He was 85 years old when he passed away on 31Dec2010.

31Dec2010 – JL’s Standard 1 Orientation

It was JL’s first day stepping to his Primary School wearing his new Primary uniform. It started at 8.30am gathering in the new hall. It was full of briefing all in Mandarin. Having PaPa who was total zero Mandarin and Mummy who only know a few simple words, it was a challenge trying to understand what it was all about especially during parents briefing. It was boring for us and how we wish we had a notebook to get connected to wireless (not sure if available) or plug to any nearest network cable to get connected.

As for the students briefing, it was a sigh of relief when JL said he understood most of it. Students were sent to their respective class while waiting for the parents briefing to end. After that, there were a whole bunch of forms to fill up. Upon filling up the forms and paying the fees, we fetch JL back home. One the first day, JL was sitting behind later we found that his class teacher was changing daily the sitting position and sometimes even 2x in a day. We showed JL the toilet and were surprised to see fans in the toilet.

Then we meet up with Aunty at the canteen who would be fetching JL to school and sending him home daily. She told JL to wait in the canteen (even specifically which table in the canteen) and she would fetch him and the rest of the kids including her sons from the canteen to the car.

JL’s comment on his 1st day was – Boring…

I-City - 26Dec2010

Yi Yee suggested us to bring the kids to I-City. We decided to go on Sunday 26Dec2010. KongKong, PohPoh, Sam Yee and Sam Yee Cheong joined us for this short trip. We left our apartment at 6pm to Klang for Bak Kut Teh.

After dinner, we went to I-City. We were quite early so there was no long queue to the parking. Parking for each car was RM10 which could be exchanged with entrance (up to 5 pax) to one of the 2 small mini Safari Parks or selected food and beverages.  We redeemed by entering one of the mini Safari Park. It was not a very big park but we brought along stroller because AL was not getting any lighter. This was the 2^nd place we brought the kids to for this school holiday after Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary.

Why Paternity Testing?

What is Paternity Testing? Legal paternity testing is widely being use especially in family law cases such as child support or to get child custody.  It is a test to ensure the biological parent-child relationship. The paternity testing is more advance and accurate as compared to last time where the percentage of the probability is much higher.  There is even in-house paternity test available too in the market. However, no matter how accurate is the result, interestingly there are some cases where paternity fraud being reported. It is indeed a very sensitive issue when someone needs to go through a paternity testing.

Snow … Snow

JL wanted to see and play snow. PaPa and Mummy too had the same dream. When we decided to go to Melbourne in 2009, it was such a missed that we missed the Winter season to be able to go up the mountain to experience the snow. Even though Melbourne’s winter may not be as good as other places, however it would be better than nothing. It would be great if we could plan to go somewhere with real snow seeing the kids rolling in the snow, building snowman and throwing snow. Some places needed to have toro snowblower to clear driveways due to heavy snow. It would a nice experience for us to have the chance to experience snow…

Christmas 2010

It was a last minute preparation for this year Christmas. Mummy did not take any long leave that a lot was done last minute and after office hours. Besides the last minute shopping, it was an opportunity for the kids to enjoy the Christmas decorations. Now everyone is Going Green that there was so many idea on how to be green in wrapping the gifts plus using recycled Christmas cards. It was all so lovely that Mummy couldn’t help admiring all those lovely recycled items.

On 23 Dec 2010, PaPa baked two non-baked cheese cake (we did not have any oven to make other cakes) with the help of the kids. This was what happened when the food processor decided to breakdown and the kids helped out by hammering the biscuits for the cheesecake base. Why two? It was because we had dinner on 24th and 25th.

On 24 Dec 2010, Mummy was only ½ day in the afternoon. PaPa pre-cut all the ingredients to cook Cabonara Pasta in the morning. In the afternoon, we sent all the Christmas gifts to Tai Pak’s house first to avoid having too many things to carry from the apartment in the evening with the food and kids.

In the evening, we went to Tai Pak’s house with the kids carrying cheesecake and Carbonara Pasta for dinner.

KongKong, PohPoh, Sam Yee and Sam Yee Cheong came much later after church. After all the guests had gone home, we sang Christmas carols till midnight.

At midnight, we started to pass around the gifts and the kids h ad fun opening up their presents.

On 25 Dec 2010, we went to church for 10am service. After service, we had lunch with KongKong, PohPoh, Yi Yee, Sam Yee and Sam Yee Cheong at 1Utama where PaPa and Sam Yee Cheong went to Cold Storage to get the ingredients for that night’s meal.

After lunch, we went back to our apartment for the kids to open their remaining presents. The kids were so happy that AL accidently open Sam Yee’s present. LOL

At night, we gathered as Sam Yee’s apartment for dinner. Sam Yee Cheong made Pesto’s sauce, salad and pork ribs. Yi Yee made roasted chicken. PaPa made cheesecake and Carbonara sauce. It was another feast.

After the feast, it was opening presents time. Then JL was playing his BeyBlade with his new blade (given by KongKong & PohPoh) and new stadium (given by Yi Yee).

The kids were happy with their presents and thank you everyone for blessing them all the wonderful gifts.

Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year…