Bubba Stuff

Little mind games

2009-07-15T22:11:00.002+10:00

My boy is getting smarter and smarter each day.

He talks back, learns quick, act silly and demands. And when I don't allow him to do something,

You don't love me, Mama.

Amboi! Where did he get THAT from?!

New insurance scheme

2009-07-15T21:56:00.002+10:00

While I was back to my home country I terminated my term insurance. I don't see a point in continuing any payment while I am here in another country. The surrender value was little, but expected. Still, at least I get some of my money back.

And with that money, I am thinking to get a new insurance scheme here. Better get it here where I belong now. It's funny now how we can go insurance shopping. For people, cars, house, contents, even individual parts of the body for the famous people. As for me, the best term life insurance rates will do just fine.

Locked out

2009-07-14T23:06:00.002+10:00

I think I have been cleaning up too much. I even cleaned my brain.

This morning after sending Aidan to school, I came back home for a while, and then headed off to the city for my eye check-up, post Lasik. I have reached 20-20 vision, but unfortunately, as they have already told me before the surgery, they can't fix 'lou far'. Nevertheless, I am glad I do not have to use those blek eye drops again. Yucks.

I went grocery shopping to make Bak kut teh for dinner, and headed home to do more cleaning. Cooking, cleaning, washing, and by the time I sat down, it was already 3pm. Time to pick Aidan up from school. Left the house, picked him up, went to another grocer to get some fresh chillies. Then I remembered I didn't turn off the gas when I left home, although I left my Bak kut teh simmering. Oh well, I thought, going home anyway.

That was when I found out I didn't have my house key with me. Cut the long story short, had to call hubby to the rescue, and prayed he could be as fast as possible, not because Aidan and myself was stranded at our backyard, but I can smell my Bak kut teh already.

In the end, the liquid was just about to dry up. Nasib baik didn't burn out. Phew.

Hubby shook his head at me. Why? Because I left my purse outside.

I need more sleep.

Ouch!

2009-07-09T00:49:00.002+10:00

Now that Aidan knows how to ride a bicycle, I brought him on a very easy trail, and told him to watch out for cars.

One car came along, and I told him to watch out. Him being him, went too fast and straight up the kerb, stopped. Back facing me. Silence. I was already halfway running towards him.

I looked at him and his eyes were all squinty, with tears. I asked him if he was alright, he just cried and buried his face into my jacket.

Did you hurt yourself?

Nodded.

Where?

Touched his groin.

I hurt my testicles.

Ooooo.... ouch. But soon after some cuddles, he was riding fast again.

The wonders of GPS

2009-07-07T00:57:00.003+10:00

My niece, her husband, with two daughters and my sister, will be here for a short holiday next month. All living under my roof of a tiny two rooms unit. That will be fun. We have done this before when I was about to deliver my little one, but am sure it will be more fun this time with three kids tripping around stuff in the house.

I can't believe they booked a flight which arrives near midnight though, therefore we won't be able to pick them up, because I will be still at work, and it will be cruel to drag my son out of his bed to the airport.

Lucky thing, another niece of mine has rented a large car from the airport, from a company which has plenty of gps systems for hire as well. That will be great, because it will be terrible fumbling through the road maps in the middle of the night.

Aahhh..... the wonders of technology.

Car savvy

2009-07-07T00:48:00.002+10:00

Ever since my little boy has been hooked on the PS2 game Grand Turismo, he is always looking at good looking cars and naming them, or asking for the names, if he doesn't know them already.

When we were on our holidays, he was always on the lookout on the roads and the highways. We spotted a Spider, some Skylines, other Porsches and a few Ferraris. Gee, some people sure have lots of money! Even if I was given a Ferrari, I don't think I can even earn enough to buy Ferrari parts if it needs fixing.

Aahhh.... how wonderful to be rich. Can't buy all the happiness, but sure can buy most anything!

We're back, we're back, we're back!

2009-07-07T00:39:00.002+10:00

Before I forget, I would like to announce to the whole world that Aidan knows how to ride a bike!

Nope, didn't learn it in Malaysia. Wilkin took the trainer wheels off a couple of months back and Aidan had been scooting around the backyard ever since, but there was never enough space for him to actually ride the bike, although we did notice that he could actually balance quite well for a short distance.

This morning, we took him to his school compound for him to have more space to learn. Imagine my utter surprise, or rather, OUR surprise, when Wilkin and I watched him cycled off with ease, as if he had been riding that way for ages! Hubby immediately whipped out his mobile and filmed it.

Woohooooo!!

Not a bad vacation

2009-06-28T17:07:00.002+10:00

Our trip to the local resort last week was okay. Just okay, let's just say it was good for its money's worth. Cheap, very basic, and service was nothing to shout about, apart from the friendly staff at the restaurant. The highlight of our trip was a very hungry monkey which climbed onto our table and snatched my sister-in-law's toast from her hand. Fortunately, it was the great company and ultimate relaxation that counts.

At the same time, I have another friend who was taking her holidays at the Riviera hotel and Casino. Needless to say, she had the time of her life. I guess I had better save up again, and hopefully be able to go to the same place as hers next year. So,

Las Vegas, wait for me!

Eat eat eat

2009-06-15T01:33:00.002+10:00

That is all we do here so far.

My SIL is just amazed and shocked at the frequency of wanting to eat all the time. She is also just getting over the family culture shock. Her family is so quiet, where as mine is boisterous as, not forgetting the colourful profanities that comes out from the adults, minus myself and my nieces.

As for my little one, welcome back to second home. The mozzies are most delighted to see him again, with many welcome bites on his legs and one on his hand. So far. And this is KL. Let's just hope Ipoh stays the same way, if not better. Which I doubt. I am already dreading for his face. Somehow the mozzies there like his face better.

I don't think Aidan is liking the idea that we are leaving tomorrow. He had so much fun with his nieces. But we have things to do, and school holidays are over as of tonight.

Let's just hope Pangkor trip will perk him up. Water always does.

Help me stop eating!

2009-06-15T01:27:00.002+10:00

I have been back to my hometown for less than a week and I am already eating like nobody's business. How am I supposed to continue avoiding all the delicious local food for another three weeks?!

I had better go get some extra help, that is, diet pills, to help suppress my appetite. I know myself best. I am usually not hungry, but an excellent binger, which doesn't help at all if I want to fit into that evening frock for the next weekend at my nephew's wedding.

I will stop bingeing tomorrow. I will stop bingeing tomorrow...

A rare bloom

2009-06-09T01:25:00.004+10:00

We had this spiky plant right in front of our windows when we moved in, and I considered pulling it out because it did pook me many times. Itchy and painful! Then I thought of the reason it was planted there by the many previous owners. So strangers won't walk up to the window and peek at us? And that was why I let it survive.

For the six years we have lived here, it was just 'the plant'. But last month something happened. A long stem grew straight a tall. Then it branched out budding like this:

Then came the pretty white flowers:

And now the full bloom!

It has been like this for almost two weeks now. I wonder how long before the flowers wilt. But this is lovely. I hope it will last longer, because we may not be seeing another one till six years later.

Our water, our future

2009-06-09T01:15:00.002+10:00

A friend from Noosa stayed with another friend of ours in Melbourne over the weekend. Not consciously realizing that Melbourne is facing the on-going water shortage problem, she had the taps on full blast for washing the dishes and showering the kids.

And since our Melbourne friend have quite a lot of guests coming and going, I suggested that it would be a good idea to switch her shower faucet in the guest bathroom to a water-saving one. Not only will that save her on her water bill, but it is very important that all of us do our part in keeping the reservoirs 'healthy'.

And as I will be away for almost a month, that will be helping out a lot, no?

One more sleep - tonight

2009-06-09T00:53:00.002+10:00

Tomorrow night, same time, we're outta here!

Excited again, yet a little apprehensive about the swine flu cases all around the world. Am not TOO concerned, as I am all ready. The masks, the Tamiflu tablets, the anti-bacterial handgel, I've got it all, but probably I am more concerned for Aidan than anything else.

Then again, I am letting loose! It's holiday! No cooking, no washing, well, there is washing, but minimal, no appointments to keep. Am sure hubby feels the same way. I just heard him confessed earlier this afternoon, that the best things about being alone is that he doesn't have to wash the dishes (not until he can't find anything else to use) and that he can fart under the doona happily.

Hhmmm.....

Researching for custom software

2009-06-06T00:42:00.003+10:00

As it is holiday time for me and my boy, my husband will have more time to concentrate on what he should be doing for the past few weeks.

The company he works for is expanding, therefore he was going to look for some custom software solution to get the business running smoothly. If this happens, it means that a lot of thing can be done much quicker without the manual processes, and by that, it means he doesn't have to monitor everything, saves time, and ultimately, be home earlier from work.

Now, wouldn't that be perfect, for him to help out with some cooking and washing up.

Missing and back

2009-06-02T23:21:00.003+10:00

And missing soon again.

Sudah hilang passion lar. If not for mata duitan, I probably wouldn't have updated my posts right now. Bukan banyak, but every little drop can create a small pool, eh?

What you have been missing:

Aidan lost his second tooth. I was determined to keep this one, but unfortunately it has found its way into his tummy along with some garlic bread. I have no luck with his teeth. Neither does Tooth Fairy.

He called me stupid. He wanted me to fix up the PS2 games for him, and I was too lazy to do it, (and not wanting him to play that long) so I said I didn't know how, and to wait for Daddy to come home. He was annoyed and mumbled 'Stupid'. Smacked his bum and sent him to his room. The words they learn from school. Sighh.... and bracing for more when he gets older.

Holiday Awaiting

2009-06-02T23:13:00.002+10:00

Seven more sleeps to twenty five days of no cooking and little washing.

My holiday begins on that very first day, and along with my son, this time my sister-in-law as well, plus a few close friends, we have checked ourselves in to a resort for some serious relaxing and sun-baking sessions. Or perhaps a few massages along the way.

Aidan will be thrilled to see the pool, while us adults will just sit back on one of those pool floats lounges and enjoy our chats and drinks. A holiday which I truly needed, and pretty much deserves.

What has been happening...

2009-05-14T23:31:00.002+10:00

The photos tell it all.

We went to the park on the weekend. Three attempted to be spiders, or rather, monkeys, but of course, the 'real' monkey got to the top. The hen, needless to say, flew only halfway, and the lamb, our not so teeny baby lamb, was only a foot of the ground.

Tuesday, Aidan was named Student of the Week for his class. Principal Mr. Bransgrove gave away his award, and he even won some vouchers for a free lunch order and an icypole. You should have seen the smug look on his face when he held that award.

School pics finally arrived, after a whole long month.

Not bad.

Our dinner

2009-05-14T23:24:00.002+10:00

If there is one thing that Aidan likes for dinner, it will be minced meat patties, Chinese style. I marinated the minced pork with sesame oil, fish sauce, oyster sauce and five spice powder. Then I added some chopped up mushrooms and pickled turnips in.

Pan fry them, squish 'em flat.

Waah laahh..... looks more like choc chip cookies here, heh.

Have to balance up protein with carbs, ya? Lou shue fun..... yum yummm.....

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T23:29:00.003+10:00

On Friday the school held a Mother's Day stall, where each child was given a chance to purchase a gift for his or her mother ranging from $1 - $5. I gave Aidan a $5 note and told him to buy a 'surprise' for me.

$5 sounds a tad too much for some, I know. But my theory is that I want him to choose whatever he liked for me, even if it was the least amount, and he could have the change. He got me a pink notepad with two chocolate hearts in it, and I am guessing it was $3 as there was a $2 in his Thomas wallet.

This is the personally made card for me.

Happy Mother's Day!

Moving on, one of his favourite play at home is 'Sausage'. You can see why :)

Who's tantrum?

2009-05-04T14:16:00.002+10:00

You'd think things would be easier or at least get into the flow, if not already. After all, this is Term Two. I still have difficulty getting Aidan to finish his breakfast in record time. Along with him brushing his teeth and dressing up.

This morning didn't particularly go well. We weren't late or anything like that. I guess it has also something to do with ME. Wrong side of the bed? I was pretty snappy. Plus, he wasn't very co-operative either. By the time we reached his classroom, we weren't on 'friendly' terms, and he knew it. Being a tad rebellious, he went straight to the line and refused to come up to hug my goodbye.

And so it was my turn to throw a fit for not getting what I want (sounds familiar?) and I pulled him aside by force. Gave him a dose of tongue-lash and his tears started to spill. I had to do it, huh? Just when the bell rang too. Serves me right.

Instead of going to the Aquacise class, I missed it as I had to stay back for another 15 minutes to calm him down. How could he be upset with me for getting mad at him? No win situation. Hmph...

Now that my tummy is full and that I can think clearer, am going to give him extra cuddles when he get home. Poor boy.

The danger of abestos

2009-04-30T00:43:00.002+10:00

How many of us are aware if any part of our houses are made of asbestos? Perhaps the older houses in some hot countries may be made of that, not surprising when it was popular for its resistance to heat and chemical damage. Floor tiles, roof and wall sheeting, may be made of it.

We don't know what damage it can cause, but it is a deadly substance that may lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma.In Australia, we have seen many cases, especially the older generation, die from the abestos related disease, particularly builders, as this material is widely used in the late 1980s.

I do pity them, and part of me feels angry, just because these people could have survived long and happy lives instead of being snatched away in a cruel way.

First tooth

2009-04-30T00:27:00.002+10:00

Aidan's got a wobbly tooth from a couple of weeks back. Yesterday it was the same when I sent him to school. I was half-expecting, non willingly to pull it out, if and when necessary, when the day comes.

So you can imagine my surprise when I picked him up from school, he ran towards me and proudly planted his finger on the vacant spot.

Mama, look! My tooth fell off!

Indeed! Where is the tooth then?

It fell in playground.

Great. Good luck in finding one tiny milk tooth in that huge playground, amongst the mulch and sand. Apparently happened during playtime. There goes my hope for saving the first tooth. Now, the second one is quite wobbly too. And I now have to keep reminding him to keep it in the pocket and give it to me if case if falls off during school hours again.

And lucky for me, just to make myself feel better, it was a clean wound. I can even feel the stump of the new tooth coming out.

Wrote a letter to the tooth fairy, explaining the missing tooth. Luckily, she was very forgiving and left a very shiny coin. The first thing Aidan said this morning was that he wanted to see the tooth fairy. I told him she only visits when he is asleep and that she is a very busy fairy, for there are so many children like him with missing teeth.

Nevertheless, he was very happy with his coin, and spent it on a Slurpee today :)

Vacation homes

2009-04-25T00:37:00.004+10:00

I have grown to love them, instead of hotels. It is the best when we have families or groups of friends. For the past two holiday breaks, there was so much fun chatting till late, cooking together and much more spacious for kids to run around.

If I were to go to the US, I would love to visit North Carolina, where it has the best of both worlds for me. The mountains and the beach. Outer Banks is where I would like to stay, where it has a string of sandy, narrow islands and good enough a climate for me. And to have a large family or some friends to go together and stay in a vacation home, that would be perfect.

Now, the only problem is to find time.

Boh utang liao! Woohoo!

2009-04-23T23:24:00.002+10:00

My hutang for hawa dingin sudah jelas.

Leganya. Not that it was much every month, but now at least I am debt free. One less, that is. Bleh. So now I can start paying more for my lasik. Should I change it then, to PenganjurOperasiMataI? Buahahahahhahaaah!!

When I called up the bank to close account for that, (had to open a credit account for it), they kept telling me to keep it, or switch my current card to theirs, interest free for 6 months. Aparah, I don't ever have to pay for annual fee for this card, so why should I switch to theirs which charge wor, right?

But at last, I celebrated the occasion by cutting up the hawa dingin credit card to pieces. Yeay! Not that I have ever used it. But at least this is one problem less. No more thinking about it. Gone. Kapish.

The birth of midlife crisis?

2009-04-23T19:26:00.003+10:00

As you may have read, I have been going on and on. And on, about weight gain, adult pimples, forgetting things, and oh yes, hair loss too. So, is that the start of it all?

Forgetting some things, I can deal with that still, actually, not quite, but the other three really kills me. I should say that I am lucky, for myself, that I am a happy-go-lucky person, else I would have plunged into deep depression because of them. Yes, I do complain a lot, but I try to deal with them the best I can. And that is? You may ask. Pills for all. Hah!

Comforting to know hair loss treatment comes in many forms. External and internal. I may not have hair like Amy Winehouse (thank goodness I don't!), but I will be thankful to keep what I have with the help of some of these treatments, white hair and all.