our tree is up!

I get tired easily these days.

Nevertheless, I managed to have something to fill my twosome time with little bud. SC returned to Kulim/Penang for a wedding invitation last weekend.

Thanks to Evelyn for sharing this link: Christmas Tree Wall Decoration. It was fun making it.

source

I managed to grab her interest from paper selection in the morning to cutting and folding the papers during night time while we were watching the movie UP. With her little helps and noise, I almost gave up of folding 20 pieces of reds and greens.

I was drained thereafter and had a great sleep.

But after putting everything up to the wall and looking at her smile, it worth the effort!
she did not forget to tell daddy that, the tree is a 'surprise' to celebrate his return.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Bukit Tinggi, August 2009

Just a laid back 3D2N trip to Bukit Tinggi.

we visited the Botanical Garden next to Japanese Garden. it was hy's first exploration to lush greenery, jungle trekking (well pathed), colourful temperate floral and fauna. good things is that there are signs with names and information snippets of trees, plants and flowers were put up for visitors. i tried my best to read to hy for knowing the various plants. but she is very much a city girl, holding my hand tighly while walking on the steep descent. she probably dismay with thinck forest, the insect buzzing, birds and monkeys calling.

we later went to the one and only restaurant, the Ryo Zan Tei, for lunch.

credits: photo cluster from DesignerDigitals; papers from Shazbutt's Digi-Scrapz; others included Kelly T. La Monge, KPertiet, Akizo, GinaMiller, mimilou Designs.

a crave

i suddenly crave on UM's night stalls' nasi paprik! Stir-fried minced chicken with vegetables in a savoury and slightly-sweet and spicy sauce, served alongside with a plate of steamed rice. i understand there is a beef version of it which i never tried.

it was those old days we had for supper when we burnt mid-night oil for exam or running a project. i had nasi paprik the most, compare to others dishes like nasi pattaya or mee goreng or lontong or mee hailam or tomyam.

yeap, those days i was staying in hostel, and learn to live independently (and freely). it was the best time ever in my life (no nagging!)... except failed a paper in second year.

it was 10 year ago! and i never have it after graduation! but could only ramble on it here:(.
well, perhaps is time to plan for next balik kampung trip! ;)

my papa

i have not taken a very beautiful picture of him. and her :).

Credit: paper from BohenianArt; elements from akizo designs, Mimilou designs, MichelleColeman, Michelle Buss (MickeybDesigns) and Eve Recinella

A happy (belated) Father's Day.

outing with grandma

cherish this moment. cherish life.

Credits: Angelica, MaryAnn, and kimladesigns

Wish Angelica a great summer and many more summers to have.

wish Charmaine fights with lots of love and blessings.

My Mother's Day

my another Mother's Day. (previous post is here)

Well, for the record, she did her very first card for me. Thanks to the 'force' of school, i guess. When i told her is 'Mother's Day' this Sunday! she asked me, when's Father's Day?

Anyway, We went to a drama workshop this morning(thanks to Hann's mummy kind sharing). The girl went in the workshop without me, but Caitlin. Two little cuties hold hand in hand and walked into the classroom without mamas. whilst, mama Ade and I joined in a storytelling workshop where all parents got to know a lot more about wonderful storytelling to children. One particular book which being highly recommended is Hey, Listen to This, by Jim Trelease. It gives a list of related books to young children & suggestion for reading to engage children into story (i just realised that there are 48 stories in there!).
List of books recommended:
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr.
Baa Baa Black Sheep, by Iza Trapani
Rosie's walk, by Pat Hutchins.
Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack, by Lynley Dodd.
Daisy All-sorts, by Pamela Allen
Five Minutes Peace, by Jill Murphy
The Kitchen God, by Adeline Foo (Local)
and others simple charming rhyming stories to hook young children to books.

We shall look forward for a free storytelling session from Storytelling Association, as what the speaker shared today.

After the workshop, on our way to Paragon for lunch, both the kids were trying to express themselves to tell mamas story and showed interests to come back for Uncle Max (the teacher) another drama class... i am studying the possibility now...

credits: DesignerDigitals, Feifei's Stuff, sevdesigns.net 

We snapped our selves in front of the mirror after we cut our hairs together in end March. another simple thing in life to enjoy.

Oh ya, thanks to papa for helping me wash dishes tonight and allow me to blog this:).

pancake, anyone?

if Mamabliss is into messy fun now, i am bringing little bud into the fun of kitchen *grin*.

oh yes, she is very keen into it. bring the stool to stand up high to reach the stove/table top for fun. asks thousand and one innocent questions to program her mind. think thousand and one way to test 'what if i am not listening to mama..?'.

this was her trying to 'shape' her pancake on wok. her hand then accidentally touched the edge of the hot wok and cried out loud. very loud. she then lost interest, totally. even not keen in eating.

it was not a serious burn. it was a good Sunday morning for us to enjoy simple things in life.

(thank goodness she is eating pancake today~.)

QP from Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Go grab it while its expired soon!

kid's wonder

i borrowed 《我爸爸》《我妈妈》 (2 books: My Dad, My Mum by Anthony Browne) from library for little bud.

she was... happy. as if her parents' faces printed in the books.

when we stepped out of library and went ahead for our lunch, she asked to take out the books from our bag and wanted to hold the two big books in her little hands while walking.

we taught her to learn the characters in the restaurant, while waiting.

then she frowned and asked, "where is 《我》?" (the book about "Me") "where is 《恒恒》?"

to go or not to go

just ended a mind battle.

anxious.

uneasy.

tired.

though with 3 positively, strongly, encouragement to me, we decided to drop the idea of tagging SC to visit 張曼娟小學堂, 薰衣草森林 and 阿里山, due to swine flu. i guess i just don't have the luck to join any of SC's training trip.

i can't afford to take any risk on little bud. she is prone to virus, any form of them.

i was teary when i opened my eyes at 4+ yesterday morning. i was losing little bud in my dream. that was, before i come to understand more on the seriousness of swine flu and alert level.

in reality, we, almost lost her...


on the other hand, office has put up the thermal scanner for all of us. we are now in yellow alert level. once reach orange level, we will be working alternate week.

looking at the bright side, we are joining Ade & C for Thumbelina :). i guess i must thank to those who unable to take up my offer of replacement.

let's hope the outbreak will over very soon.

simply scrapbooking

This is purely an excuse to scrapbook. But I am more than happy to tell you the detail of the recipe if you are keen on this :).

Similar recipe from mamabliss.

credit: shabby princess & akizo designs.

ShabbyPrincess.com is a stunning site to grab freebies and learn more about DSB. I was going through a technique called photo tinting:), which is easier way than how I used to leave a portion of a photo in colour. Go check out on other useful tutorials~! *thanks to Ruth once again on the new freebies* and CONGRATULATION to her being selected as Guest CT for FeiFei's Stuff! \^^/.

an afternoon dream

I am pleasantly with the public transport system here. If not because of SC and his tiredness of sharing part of my burden to rush back home for picking up Little Bud and cooking and what not, i will never consider to drive in this city. Why? Too high volume of traffic with lights and humps and zebra crossings; too many rules and regulations. by the way, too small parking lot for a not-so-skillful driver.

Anyway, Sc registered me, prepared me and dragged me for local driving theory test in mid March.

I was not confident. I was too tired. I failed.

I was relieved that he passed and not so relief to see his vision of having car in front of me. But I understand his need, as much as he knows my concerns. I guess this is the chemical part that is building between us. we did not fight for a car. he went ahead to car showrooms with his colleagues last week and excitedly told me his finding.

I remain 'un-attracted'.

I remain mild in my criticism.

Car... i can draw many matchboxes on paper and tell story to Little Bud.

Car... definitely extra expenses for us.

Car... means i can go back to KL conveniently?

hmm... travel with Little Bud to other part of Peninsular?


then somehow i'm hooked with this... Thirty Pounces: Fraser's Hill

I wish to have a car now and re-visit Fraser's Hill with SC and our girl to enjoy an afternoon tea in the garden and staring at the dew-laden spider webs.

I wish... i can go now. and tell little bud the pretty of our mother nature.

(shh... dont tell my boss im surfing now...) yeah, i wish to break away now.

her camera

been wanting to post her best ever creation: camera.

Sc bought him self a new dslr in Jan '09. Somehow, it inspired my daughter to build her own camera with her lego set. She even think of 'opening' a hole in the middle of her structure to see through and 'ci-ca'!! both of them... oh, no... THREE of us were holding cameras and snapped on each other *grin*. We all had a great time!

She makes my life so sweet! 

credits: all from akizo designs except, paper from SusanBohanonSpring and wordart from "With Passion" by Sev

on puff...

there was this very harsh paediatrician said before that, "there is NO other way than inhaler (for little bud) to treat her bad cough!"

"her problem is on her sensitive lungs."

i don't quite like his approach but i was with limited source of help and knowledge that time.

i paid RM300+, for the inhaler, ventolin & seretide. i think with singulair as well.

it was just a year ago. i still remember how she struggled. she hated it! and it didn't show effect at all. she still cough badly. lack of sleep, lack of nutrition.

but i guess i'm a blessed mum. i then very fast met Dr Li in KL who was able to heal Little Bud very well. So well that inhaler abandoned. but i didn't throw it. due to the the price i paid.

yeah, that is pretty much part of the beginning of my challenge.and i thought i won the battle. we won the battle!

unfortunately, wisdom and patience tested again since end last year. this time, we all experienced patient, and patient's caretakers. we take it less panic. we don't want her fully relay on medication. traditional chinese medication still on going, here and there.

it seems that she swings according to weather. she sniffs and wheezes in rainy days; she rants and cracks in sunny day. we read it as, no heaty, cold nor junk food, no water play, no sexy wear. it helps. a little. but wheezes still sound prominent to me.

chinese medication seems losing their battle this time. until last thursday, a feverish morning trigger me. i have to seek alternative solution.

i brought her to see a new paediatrician, Dr Lee. told her all past and present. oh, brought my old set of inhaler to showed her too. we were in dr lee's room for >30 mins. she somehow concluded for me that, "if she is not treated properly, it will affect her growth."i guess i'm really experienced (haa, with Joyce's pre-advices actually). hy needs puff.

for 2 weeks.

this time, she shows her interest. "i want puff, mummy." and she sleeps soundly for the past 3 nights.

though i'm relieve, i still have little doubt about the steroid.

as what mama Joyce advised, i shall bring her to see TCM (traditional chinese medication) again.

It will be a long journey to heal her asthmatic cough.

QP from Artistic Musings

scrapbooking is my therapy. while home alone with her for these 3 days, i was going thru Little Bud's pictures since birth. miss her sharp look compare to puffing eyes now. my little survivor... never stop fighting in her health battle.

SSO at Toa Payoh Central

we were here. for another marvellous concert.
met Mama Joyce and Cherrlyn (pretty little princess).
met Mama Ariel and Hann (we finally met this cute little young man... in library).
met the excellent performance of SSO.
for once, the rain was gone but return to us and listen to the magnificent musics.

unfortunately, she couldn't sit through till the very last minutes.
but then again, the brochure said, it meant for 4 and above:).

sc said, look forward for another outdoor concert.
he loves it. for free and easy reason.

i could not remember when was i last scrapbook.

i could not remember what else i can play with beside edit the picture effect and arrange all the kits accordingly.

i almost forgot why and how i started to scrapbook.

.

until... akizo designs.

we had a wonderful weekend. i'm sure you too:).

another playdate

Last Saturday, last day of February, we were out again for another playdate.

Been looking forward to meet up Mama Evelyn and pretty Layla again since... age ago. She is another mum i know with many bags of brilliant trick with her little one. When she suggested kite for the kids, I was thrilled. Mainly because I'm a city girl and kite in my memory of childhood was kind of blur, and kind of failure too. LOL.

Anyhooo, it was a breezy sunny morning. Winds were just nice to the little ones and inexperienced mum. For few times, HY manage it well in the air without much help.

I'm proud of her:).

We then proceed to near by LTA's transport gallery, lunch at Tekka Market, flour fun! and more other plays at their house. Mama Evelyn did a wonderful post and do hop over and check it out:). I personally like how she wrote in her last para, it is not a bad Saturday at all! Hy wish to say sorry to Layla as well as showing off to her daddy on her skill of soring the kite:).

Didn't I said she's a brilliant mum^^. Many more kampung fun in our concrete jungle to be discovered in her blog.

Buddha's face

See the Buddha's face? It was done by my girl from a printmaking workshop in Peranakan Museum this morning. No, she didn't carve the block. She only rolled the ink on the block and printed on the paper. And she learnt to say, 'buddha's face':).

Mama Ade was very kind to invite us to join C and her a visit to the Museum as it is open house over the weekend. The two little girls were happily meet-up again. From the museum tour to the children art workshops, to our lunch.

It was a fabulous outing with them again, totally a de-stress day for me and Missy Little Fussy! Mama Ade and i chatted jolly while both of them had their laughter and play. It was very lovely that C asked, "HY wants to come to my house?" and see how my girl shared her raisin and jelly with C. I was surprise to see a well behave Missy Fussy.

We shall target Asian Civilisation Museum next ;).

Other Museum stories of ours:

http://lifewithc.wordpress.com/2008/12/26/christmas-at-the-museum/

http://chiahfamily.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/spore-art-muesum-open-house/

新年快乐

Back in Kulim, both SC and I were extremely busy before the first day of Chinese New Year (26 Jan). Mostly were cleaning up our vacant house there. Hence the actually Big Day (大年初一) became our rest day. Thank goodness MIL did all the cooking and praying part.

So what is Chinese New Year then? Especially for little HY.

learnt to say: "恭喜发财，红包拿来！" *grin*

SC had his annual gathering of old classmates on second day(年初二), visited his aunt (伯母) and cousin (堂哥) in Padang Serai on third day (年初三). Then a big reunion on forth day(年初四). When MIL's sister (was HY's babysitter for 3 months) and family all came to visit us.

At night, More relatives came. Hy said, "so many people~!'

Little Hy was mingle around pretty well with the cousins, though she was anxious to see new faces around in her house.

We had 'makan' (eat) and 'minum' (drink) and laughter. Truly happy to see them get- together and talked about those good old days and others. SC and them were staying under one roof where his grand-father (MIL's father) was the Man of the family (like the one in tv drama show) and an owner of a well-known kopitiam (cafe) in the main street of Kulim (those days was like one busy street town).

Don't ask me who is who, I could only recognise some of them. But I know the relationship clearly. Somehow, to make things less complicated, some one came out the idea of lining up the adults (who will giving the angpows to children) and get all children to queue and learn to call the uncles and aunties correctly (in Chinese, of course) while getting the angpows:).See little Hy with many question marks on her face...

She called her du-du. Don't know why couldn't pronounce the term 姑姑 (gugu).

Will do this exercise (calling who is who) again next New Year:).

She concluded her self of this night: favourite gor-gor (表哥哥) and jiejie (表姐姐). Du-du (姑姑) and du-chang (姑丈) at the back.

I thank them for warming our house (存人气) once a year since it is vacant now.