What Every Baby Needs To Thrive

If you love your child, please read on. This is very valuable and easy to follow advise from Baby Center:

1. Show your love

Children need love. Your emotional caring and support give your child a secure base from which to explore the world. This isn't just touchy-feely advice. Hard scientific evidence shows that love, attention, and affection in the first years of life have a direct and measurable impact on a child's physical, mental, and emotional growth. Love and touch actually cause your child's brain to grow, according to Marian Diamond, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of Magic Trees of the Mind: How to Nurture Your Child's Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions From Birth Through Adolescence.

How do you show your love? Hug, touch, smile, encourage, listen to, and play with your little one whenever you can. It's also important to answer his cries immediately, especially in the first six months or so, when experts say it's impossible to spoil a child. In fact, responding to your baby when he's upset (as well as when he's happy) helps you build trust and a strong emotional bond, according to Zero to Three, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of infants, toddlers, and families.

2. Care for your child's basic needs

Your baby needs all the good health and energy he can muster for learning and growing, and you can help by covering his basic needs. Take him for regular well-baby checkups and keep his immunizations up to date.

Sleep is anything but wasted time for your baby, so help him get plenty of shut-eye. During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep your baby's brain cells are making important connections. These synapses, as they're called, are the pathways that enable all learning, movement, and thought. They're the keys to your baby's understanding of everything he sees, hears, tastes, touches, and smells as he explores the world.

Breast milk or formula will provide all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months, and will be an important part of his diet until his first birthday. Breastfeeding is best for your baby — among other benefits, studies show that breastfed babies have lower rates of allergies, diarrhea, respiratory problems, and ear infections. Breast milk may also give your baby's IQ a boost. Although formula can't replicate all of the unique properties of breast milk, formula-fed babies can thrive, too, so don't beat yourself up if you're unable to breastfeed.

(If you're worried about your baby's sleeping or eating patterns, talk to your doctor.)

3. Tend to your baby's physical comfort promptly.

Be sensitive to the fact that he's too warm or that his diaper is wet. You and your baby are a team, and one of your jobs is to take care of the basics so he can get on with his challenging tasks!

4. Talk to your child

Research shows that children whose parents spoke to them extensively as babies have significantly higher IQs and richer vocabularies than kids who didn't receive much verbal stimulation. You can even begin during your pregnancy — it's a great way to start the bonding process.

Once your child is born, talk to him as you diaper, feed, and bathe him. He'll respond better if he knows the words are directed at him, so try to look at him while you're speaking. Don't worry about words of wisdom. Just describe what you're doing: "Mommy is putting warm water in the tub so she can clean you up." Try to avoid baby talk, though. Once in a while it's okay, but your baby can develop good language skills only if you speak to him correctly.

5. Read to your child

Reading out loud is one of the most important things you can do to help build your child's vocabulary, stimulate his imagination, and improve his language skills. It also gives you an opportunity to cuddle and socialize.

Jim Trelease, a reading expert and author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, says even newborns enjoy listening to a story. Make a point of reading to your child from day one.

6. Stimulate all his senses

For your child to learn about people, places, and things, he needs to be exposed to them. Every new interaction gives him information about the world and his place in it. Studies show that children who grow up in an enriched environment — where they are presented with new experiences that engage their senses — have larger, more active brains than those who grow up without adequate sensory stimulation.

Of course, children can become overstimulated; you don't want to bombard your child 24 hours a day or try to engage all his senses at once. When he's interested in playing, though, provide a variety of toys and other objects. Choose things with different shapes, textures, colors, sounds, and weights. Learn about the effect of music on your child's development at different ages, and sing the lyrics to your favorite lullabies. Play interactive games such as peekaboo and patty-cake, go on walks and shopping trips together, and let your baby meet new people. Even the simplest daily activities will stimulate your baby's brain development.

It's also important to give your child room to roam. To develop strong muscles, good balance, and coordination, he needs plenty of space to crawl, cruise, and eventually walk. He'll also benefit from safe spaces where he can explore his surroundings without hearing "No" or "Don't touch." The easiest way to do this is to childproof your home (or at least the common areas). Keep dangerous objects out of your baby's reach and safe ones accessible. For instance, in the kitchen, put childproof locks on all the cabinets except one. Fill that with plastic bowls, measuring cups, wooden spoons, and pots and pans that your baby can play with safely.

7. Encourage new challenges

It's important not to frustrate your child with toys and activities that are way beyond his abilities, but a little struggling goes a long way toward self-improvement. When an activity doesn't come easily to your baby, he has to figure out a new way to accomplish the task. That type of problem-solving is the stuff better brains are made of. If he's attempting to open a box, for example, resist the urge to help him. Let him try first. If he continues to struggle, show him how it's done, but then give him back a closed box so he can try again on his own.

8. Take care of yourself

Parents who are depressed or upset are often unable to respond swiftly and sensitively to their child's needs. One study, published in the journal Child Development and Psychopathology, found that children whose mothers were chronically and clinically depressed had abnormal patterns of brain activity, suggesting that the children also suffered from depression. Seek advice about coping with postpartum depression, and talk with your caregiver any time you think you may be struggling with depression.

If you're feeling drained, find ways to divide the household and parenting responsibilities with your partner. If you're a single parent, surround yourself with people who can offer you help and support. And don't forget to treat yourself to some time alone once in a while. Being a parent — especially an involved and active one — is tiring, and you need time to re-energize.

9. Find good childcare

If you work and aren't able to care for your baby during the day (or need a babysitter regularly), a quality childcare provider is essential to your baby's healthy development. You'll want to find someone who can do all the things mentioned above when you're not around. Whether your childcare provider is a nanny, a relative, or a daycare worker, she should be experienced, caring, and reputable, with a genuine love for children and the energy to help your baby thrive.

A Lesson For All

I got this from Mel in email, thought i'd post it here....

I Love Rubber Bands
By Bo Sanchez


Let me tell you a crazy story I heard recently.There' s this husband who out of sheer love for his wife decided to prove it to her. So he swam the widest oceans, crossed the deepest rivers, and climbed the highest mountains to show his deep devotion to her. But in the end, she divorced him.


Why? Because he was never home.(Get it?)

Let me tell you an experience I had as a kid. One day, I asked Mom, 'Why do my shoes keep eating my socks?' As a young boy, that was always a mystery for me. All my other classmates never had that problem. Their socks remained tight and high up their legs the entire day.


Mom didn't answer my question but simply gave me two rubber bands which I dutifully placed around the top of my socks. To this day, fifteen years later, I still have permanent circle marks around my legs. But aside from giving me this slight defect, the two bands worked like magic.


It never occurred to me that Dad and Mom didn't have the money to buy a new pair of socks for me. So I wore five-year-old socks, all soggy, grayish, and garter less. And yet amazingly, I never complained. I believe it was because Dad was always home when I needed him. Every night, after coming from work, we'd jog together, sit around, and talk about Tarzan, Farrah Fawcett Majors, God, and what I wanted to be when I grew up (a stockholder) . On Saturdays, we'd walk to Cubao, eat a hotdog-on-a- stick,and buy new rubber bands before going home.


I've learned that in truth, we don't want our loved ones to show their love for us in big ways. Swimming the widest oceans, crossing the deepest rivers, and climbing the highest mountains seem spectacular - but that's not what we really want. Deep in our hearts, we just want them home. With us.


Sometimes, God will operate that way. Suddenly, He decides not to answer our prayers, or fill our need, or heal our sickness, or give us the miracle we're asking for. (He's got reasons why He won't, and believe me - they're pretty good ones.) So He'll just be there beside you, holding you in a hug. Sharing your pain. Weeping as you weep. Oh, He might give you some rubber bands. And that small comfort from Him will be more than enough to sustain you. Because the most essential truth you already know,


..to be home.

Observe Earth Hour

Turn off your lights for 1 hour at 8 pm on the 29th March 2008.

You can make a difference.

For more information please visit the WWF Earth Hour homepage. Oh and don't forget to calculate your carbon footprint. I produce 9.94 tons of CO2/year!

Wise words

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind dont matter and those who matter dont mind"

Are you a GOOD person?

Try the ultimate test here

No I am not a good person. Not in the eyes of God, not by His standards. Time to self-reflect.

I find comfort in You.

"God will let you laugh again. You'll raise the roof with shouts of joy"
- Job 8:21.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own under standing. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6

"Come to me all you who are burdened and I will give you rest"
- Matt 11:28

If God is for me, who can be against me?

Footprints in the sand....

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
- Mary Stevenson, 1936

I can't remember the last time I did one of these....

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dalai Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

How much sleep does your child need?

I got this from Baby Center weekly updates, Your Baby This Week.

....Age......... Nighttime Sleep....... Daytime Sleep...... * Total Sleep
1 month............. 8 1/2........................ 7 (3)...................... 15 1/2
3 months............. 10........................... 5 (3)......................... 15
6 months............. 11......................... 3 1/4 (2)................. 14 1/4
9 months............. 11........................... 3 (2)......................... 14
12 months........... 11 1/4.................. 2 1/2 (2)................ 13 3/4
18 months.......... 11 1/4................... 2 1/4 (1)................ 13 1/2
2 years................. 11.......................... 2 (1)......................... 13
3 years............... 10 1/2 ..................1 1/2 (1).................... 12
* number of naps in parentheses


On average, Elil gets about 10-11 hours of sleep at night. And around 2-3 hours during the day. So this adds up to 12-14 hours. I think she should be getting more sleep. Her afternoon naps vary from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours. I think we need to get her more tired and sleepy before attempting to put her to bed. Then she will have longer and deeper naps. Poor thing, she has the biggest baby eye bags under her eyes. But I doubt this is due to lack of sleep because they are apparent even when she's had enough snooze time. It may be genetic. Daddy and Grandma both have sunken eye bags. Haha.

Family Ties

I read this very interesting article today in The Sun. I think its great advice and a lesson for all parents or parents-to-be out there.

Over-parenting is a CURSE

Middle class baby boomer parents are strangling their children with their apron-strings. The all controlling parents, pushy or uber-parents today have had a starring role in a number of news stories recently.

Huddersfield University in Britain has even had to set up a "family liason officer" to save the Goldman Sachs stall from a horde of angry middle-class mothers and feed information to parents round-the-clock about their kids' progress.

This smother-love is spreading so fast that it is causing a slew of social problems. Some are obvious: a major contributor to the rise in child obesity in the refusal of parents to let their kids outside - even though they are statistically no more likely to be kidnapped by a paedophile today than in 1958 and 1908.

So many people especially the rich, had parents who were still managing their lives into their 20s. University was once the breaking-point when even the most coddled kids could flee. Now mobile phones have become the longest umbilical cord in history.

The Californian child psychologist Dr. Madeline Levine has produced the most detailed studies of the consequences after she stumbled across something that seemed paradoxial in their treatment of teenagers.

"I found that kids from the wealthiest families had the highest rates of anxiety and depression and substance abuse, more than poor children", she says. "It just didn't make sense at first blush". Why would privileged kids be more miserable than poor kids?

She found that instead of being listened to and allowed to develop naturally, the wealthiest children were allowed no space to develop, except as carbuncles on the side of their parents' swollen egos. They were constantly driven from one 'Enriching Activity' to another, micromanaged by manager-parents.

Levine explains, "Paradoxically, the more [the parents] pour in, the less full many of my patients seem to be. Indulged, coddled, pressured and micromanaged from the outside, my young patients appeared to be inadvertently deprived of an opportunity to develop on the inside".

It's an essential part of growing up to learn to take risks, get in trouble and sort it out on your own. But pushy parents are determined to strip any risk from their child's life. In the end, it produces 2 kinds of children: the puffed-up and the paranoid.

The latter is the more worrying. These children have been raised behiind closed doors and taught to see the outside world as unseen menace. The London-based clinical psychologist Dr. Cecilia D'Felice explains," I see young people in my consulting room all the time now who are incredibly anxious about life. It's learning behaviour. They have been fussed over all their lives and they've internalised that parental anxiety. If you try to have a germ-free environment your child will actually get sick because she wont develop any resistance to germs. If you try to havea risk-free environment your child will become psychologically sick

The rise in bulimia, aneroxia and self-harm among teenagers is partly a product of all this over-parenting. As Levine says of a typical teenage sel-harmer she treated, a 15 year-old girl who carved the word "empty" on her arm with an old razor: "She felt little control over what happend to her. Cutting was one of the few things over which she did feel control".

Why is this happening? Why have so many of the baby-boomers turned out to be baby-Fuhrers, strangling their kids with their apron-strings? Their children are the safest who have ever lived. They are more likely to die in their beds of old age than any generation in history, yet their parents fear, constantly. There is no detailed research explaining their paranoia but there are some prosaic explanations.

Parents are having fewer children, later in life, often after gruelling fertility treatments. We live in a paranoid culture where every negligible risk is blown-up by a 24/7 media into a drum-beat of doom. We live in a hyper consumerist culture where we define ourselves by what we own.

Children are inevitably drawn into this vortex, as another glittering status symbol. 'Have you seen my handbag? Have you seen my child?'

Most parents crash-land into their childrens' lives for another burst of command-and-control, it's clear this is not about their child's needs but their own. They need their children to be dependent on them (and Successful with a capital-S) because they see their kids as extensions of their own ego, not as separate individuals with their own lives to live.

This isn't love. It is narcissism. It's time we told these middle-class Boomer parents: you need to grow up or your children never will.

Antibiotics

Elil had her first real case of a fever over a week ago and it got me thinking. My first instinct was to bring her to the doctor even though I read that a fever below 39 degree C was not considered high (38-39 degree C is considered a low grade fever). I took her temperature and it was 38.5 degree C. So I did what most doctors would advise mummys of fevered babies to do. I gave Elil baby paracetemol, tried giving her more liquids to keep her hydrated and dabbed her forehead with a cold compress. A fever is our body's way of fighting off an infection and I read that we should allow it to take its course. Most fevers go down within a day or two. In the end, I did not bring Elil immediately to the doctor because nearly all doctor's would prescribe antibiotics which is one thing I am trying my best to avoid giving my infant. Instead, I waited and prayed and hoped the fever would go down. I was advised by an experienced nurse to change pediatrician if my current one prescribes antibiotics for a low grade fever. Antibiotics should be avoided whenever possible. They are used to cure only bacterial infections only. Antibiotics do not cure or help viral infections. Giving an infant antibiotics at an early age just increases a bacterias resistance to the medication.

Elil's fever went up and down for 2.5 days. By the third day her fever was at its highest. I couldn't take it anymore and brought her to the nearest pediatrician. Her temperature was 39 degree C and the doctor prescribed antibiotics. I brought Elil home and gave it to her and finished the course as instructed. I think about it today and I wonder if I made the right choice.

Some interesting comments from other concerned mothers here. To learn more about fever in children, visit this informative site.

Testimony #2: He spoke to me again

It's been dragging for months now. I can't seem to pull myself out of this rut that I am in. And where were You all this time? I felt as if You had abandoned me. I knew it in my heart that all I had to do was SURRENDER to You and You would lift me up. But I couldn't. Wouldn't. I was stubborn. I didn't know why.

I am at one of my lowest points as I drive back from work on Monday. I cannot take it anymore. I scream to You. On the top of my lungs. I beg You to help me. I cry and cry until I shake. And I have all my hope in You. What happens next just about kills my spirit. I miss my exit and find myself in the wrong direction. I find myself on the way to Sungai Buloh. Calm down I tell myself. Otta's phone is unreachable. My instinct is to call my mother, she always finds a way to make me feel better. First things first, get off the road. Thank God for the Sungai Buloh reststop. I wait there and wail. My mother is on the line listening to her beloved daughter go hysterical. I can tell she desperately wants to help me but can only do so much. She is on the verge of tears but holds back for my sake. It kills me to put her through the pain of hurting for me. But that's what mother's are for. Strong. They take away as much pain of ours as they can and make it their own. Selfless. She then passes the phone to my father as she tries to get through to Otta. I am in no condition to drive back on my own she tells me. My father's words are logical and calm and I start to think straight. I tell myself I need to be strong. A mother needs to be strong and dependable.

No need to pick me up I tell Otta through my mother. I can find my way back. After pulling myself together and wiping my eyes dry, I head in the direction of Sungai Buloh. So misleading our Malaysian signboards for they told me I would be able to make a u-turn to KL about 1 km down. But several km's later, still no u-turn. Next signboard reads Rawang. I get a call from Allen who tells me I'm on the Guthrie Highway and that I need not worry because it isn't a long highway (like the KL-JB highway). Ok great. All I can do is go on and on until I see some sort of sign. Finally, I see Klang/Shah Alam exit. Relief sets in. I play my Praise & Worship in my phone. As I drive along this country highway (seriously), You talk to me. You tell me that You have not abandoned me but that You have yet to SAVE me. And it all made sense to me. Everything fell into place. I realized that this suffering is a NECESSARY part of Your plan for me. Also that You have more suffering in store for me before You decide to pick me up in Your glory. I am in fear of what is to come but things are clearer to me now and I find myself more dependent on You. I do not know Your plan and I do not understand Your ways. But I put my trust in You. I must take my cross. As I think of my cross, I hear these words from my phone...."Mighty is the power of the cross...."

As expected, things have taken a turn for the worse, but by Your grace I am calm. By Your grace I am grateful. Thank you. Thank you for the cross. Mighty is the power of the cross.

What can take a dying man and raise him up to life again?
What can heal a wounded soul?
What can make us white as snow?
What can fill the emptiness?
What can mend our brokenness?
Brokenness...

Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross

What restores our faith in God?
What reveals the Father's love?
What can lead the wayward home?
What can melt a heart of stone?
What can free the guilty ones
What can save and overcome?
Overcome...

It's a miracle to me
It's a miracle to me
And It's still a mystery
It's still a mystery
It's a miracle to me
The power of God
For those who believe

Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is...Mighty is...Mighty is the power of the cross
Thank You for the cross
Love the cross
So Powerful...ohhhhh yeahhh

What can take a dying man?
And raise him up to life again?
Worship You Jesus
By your wounds we are healed
By your wounds we are saved
Mighty is the power of the cross
Thank You Jesus for the Holy cross

I am not me

I am not the same person I used to be.

I was generally a happy person. But now I am generally sad.

I was an animated person who was once described in one word as talkative. I avoid lenghty conversations now.

I used to be a good listener. Now I can't wait for the other person to shut-up.

I was passionate. But now couldn't care less.

I was the pig of the bunch. Now I eat to live.

I once enjoyed coming to work. I hate it now. I dread it.

I used to have things to look forward to. Maybe they're still there but I've lost interest.

Watching TV or a movie used to be fun. I'm looking at the screen now but my mind is lost.

I used to care somewhat about what I look like when I go out the door. This morning I left the house without a glimpse in the mirror. I don't believe I combed my hair.

Rolling over with laughter until either my tummy hurt or I tear. Boy is that a thing of the past. No more hearty laughs.

It's kind of sad. I'm at the prime of my life, I should have so much to look forward to, new family, bright future but I have never been more miserable. Go figure.

However, I should remind myself, "This too shall pass...."

What are your values?

Sincerity? Honesty? Pride?
Status? What is in a name?
Is it the doing?
Or the being?
Individuality? Personality?
Power? Material wealth?
Equality?
Physical beauty? Race?
Mutual Respect?
Religion? Faith?
The freedom to be? Fame?
Compassion? Empathy? Pity?
Humility?
Unity? Truth? The truth shall set you free

Baby Stuff Are So Cool

Since baby was born shopping has never been the same! Never have I seen baby stuff the way I do now. So many cool and funky gadgets, baby outifts, hats, shoes, you name it la. Never have I been shopping without being tempted to step in a shoe store or browse through the racks of Zara or MNG or FOS. In any shopping mall, my first instinct is to walk into the first baby store and check out what they have. I can feel the tension from hubby as I am drawn towards the shop that reads 'BABY'. We don't need 90% of the things I have my eyes on but they're just so damn NICE. How to not be tempted? For example, how could you not want....

....this super cool Squirt Baby Food Dispensing Spoon? You fill the food up in the spoon and squeeze it when you want to refill the spoon. No more going back and forth between food jar and spoon. So cool when you're out and about. Damn it, I wantttttt. I found this online and the store only ships within the US/Canada.

....or how about these super funky bibs? They're made of neoprene which is the same material these use to make wet suits. Plus the little pocket thingy to collect crumbs and food bits is held up with buttons. Check out the cool colors!

....or how about this Snack Ball? Just dump your baby's snack in and twist the lid. It makes a fun toy too for the itty bitty ones anyway. How do people come up with such cool ideas? I wish I was creative.

Gong Xi Fa Cai - Happy year of the rat!

L - R: Elil, Daddy, Mummy

Hehe. Welcoming in the new year in my favorite colour. Red, red and red. We visited two families on the first day of Chinese New Year and that was about it. I still collect Ang Pow. On behalf of the little sweetie of course. Unfortunately I collect less than I have to give out. Actually, it feels good to give out. I spent the next few days just hanging with my two favorite people, managed to catch up with some recent movies, brought the angel swimming, spent some much needed quality time with the hubby. So that was it, my quiet and somewhat refreshing (for the most part) new year.

I have so been looking forward to seeing a lion dance but have been so out of luck. Its so quiet this year, there are hardly any fireworks. The few you hear are probably illegal and the guys burning them probably have the authorities at their doorstep collecting ang pow minutes later. What happend to the lion dance troops that used to come by the dozens to perform outside your house for a few minutes in exchange for a red packet? I miss the excitement and anticipation. And to imagine until I was about 10 or 11 I was freaked out by the noise from the beating drums and clanging cymbals. While my sisters, cousins and all the neighborhood kids ran into the streets at the very echo of a lion dance troop, I used to lock myself in the most secure room, furthest away from any windows or doors, plug my ears with cotton wool and cry. And cry. My heart would pound. And even after the lions were long gone, I could still hear the drums and cymbals resonate in my ears. Non-stop. It was haunting. I really hated it. Even hearing them on TV spooked me out. It was just the lingering noise though not the actual lion that got me all panicky. Until today, I am unable to explain why. I wonder if there are other people who were as distrubed by this as me....

The Working New Mother

7 months and 8 days of motherhood. What can I say?

1. Before I leave for work at 8 am, I explain to Elil that I have to work today and I won't be back until 6 pm. Nowadays, I don't get to go back for lunch. So its that much harder leaving her in the mornings. It's a quick farewell. I read long farewells can be drepressing for both mother and baby. But there has to be a goodbye. 5 bloody times a week! Baby understands more than we think.

2. You don't know how I rush to get home at 5:30 pm. The slightest traffic congestion gets me worked up. Sometimes I run from the car to the lift, so eager to see Elil. It sounds crazy I know, but wait till you have a baby of your own. I wash my hands with soap just before leaving the office, I take my watch off in the car and get the house keys ready in the lift. To save time so that the moment I see her at the door I can scoop her in my arms and shower her with kisses. Yes, crazy.

3. I know I need some time for myself but it's so hard to find it (time). Especially when there's so little left after work. I wan't to spend these precious moments with Elil. To get to know her. To tell her about my day and ask her about hers. I have'nt been a total hermit. I have been out, hanging with my husband or friends, attend a company dinner or two. But it has been difficult. I tend to feel a little sad when I get back home and look at the sleeping Elil. How could I have left her (even for those few hours)?

4. Shopping. I still love it. But right now my focus and the source of shopping excitement is not bags or shoes but anything baby. I saw the coolest gadget the other day. I had to have it. It's a portable baby food blender, bottle/jar warmer and sterilizer ALL in one. So cool. It also cost a bomb and my husband thinks we don't need it. Oh but we do, its especially handy when we travel. When we travel la.

5. If I could only work from home. * super sigh* Or work part-time. But I don't think this is something that happens here a lot. And it probably isn't too practical. I'll probably be better off not working at all. Why is it so hard? A mother should be with her children. Do you know how old-fashioned i'm sounding right now? The maternal instinct is strong in this one.

6. I'm jealous of the maid. She spends more time with my child than I do. Isn't that just wrong ka? I wasn't around when she first started doing the 'commando crawl'. I wasn't the first to witness her holding her own nennen bottle. Her first 'word' is not mama. Actually I didn't really expect it to be, coz pronouncing 'mummy' is pretty difficult for little babies plus how do they derive 'mama' from 'mummy'?

7. I don't know how working mothers do it.

Introducing Baby Ronan

My nephew baby Ronan Lim Li Hoong born 4th December 2007 weighing 3.0kg. Ain't he a cutie? Lookin a lot like his cousin Elil. In this shot she is 3 weeks old. Precious little one.

He spoke to me again

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

PTL

Created Equal

I have always known and felt that people are people no matter their background, upbringing, race, religion, native soil, etc. In the eyes of our Creator, we are equal. The only difference between us all; rich-poor, beautiful-hideous, healthy-sick, royal-common, powerful-weak, literate-iliterate, privileged-underprivileged, permanent-contingent, is circumstance. I repeat. CIRCUMSTANCE. We are all victims of circumstance. A big part of who we are is determined by the condition in which we are brought up or situation we are exposed to. So the fact that you have the opportunity to read this blog proves that you are fortunate and blessed and that chances are you were born under decent circumstances.

You need to know that where I was brought up I never experienced much racial or class divide. Maybe I was ignorant and naive and could not see what was going on in front of me. Or maybe this was due to the fact that I lived in a middle class neighbourhood, attended a middle class school and I socialized with a middle class society. Maybe it's because when raising their daughters my parents never mentioned or focused on differences between people. We were never made to feel that we were better (or worse) than anyone else. We were and still are ordinary people. In no means is ordinary bad by the way. Maybe its a result of the degree of 'rojakness' within the people that we are able to feel somewhat united. Or maybe we are fused together through our love for 'aramaiti'. Whatever the reason, I strongly believe that we need to start treating each other with equal respect. No one person is more deserving of respect than another. We need to stop judging. As humanly impossible as it seems, we need to try. We need to be more compassionate. Empathy not pity.

Why is it there is so much conflict arising from our differences? Can't we celebrate our diversity? We tend to frown upon people, things or situations that don't register in our minds as normal or acceptable. There are 6.6 billion people on our planet! 6.6 billion different lives, with different cultures and beliefs. 6.6 billion hearts, with different joys and fears. 6.6 billion different views on what is right or wrong. 6.6 billion different ways of leading a life. All lives equally important, all eager to feel validated and believe they matter. All equally entitled to their own happiness and freedom to make choices. Yet we choose to live in our own little closed minded worlds. Refusing to open our hearts to the fact that there is life, real life beyond our own. I truly believe that if we could start treating each other the way we would like to be treated ourselves and to have consideration to a person's feelings as if it were our own, the world would be a better place to live in!

I'm so blessed with the best friends

.... wish i could be eleven again, and my biggest worry regarding you was tht you wont be at the drain when i get there.remember? i dont think i ever walked around that drain, its like, a whole extra 20 stepsbut you were always there.

.... in you, Pu, i see a strong person, someone who can always make the best of a situation. thats what i see, i don't know if you don't feel it. i'll always be here for you. i tolong you cross the drain. if you jatuh i help you out, i give u baju so u can mandi.i hope there will come a time when we can all laugh about this. take care, and hugs. to elil too.

:)-- Selina

Drowning

I swim.
I drown.
Drowning,
in tears.
A pool of mud!
Like quicksand,
pulled deeper and deeper.
The weight unbearable,
it presses on my being.
Too weak to fight it.
Tired. Jaded.

I swim.
I drown.
Drowning,
in tears.
A pool of mud!

It aches.
Tears. Draining.
No more tears. Drained.
Numb.

Help.
Please,
pull me out.
Help.

Real Girl

If I had one chance to

Live my life again

I wouldn't make no changes

Now or way back when (yeah)

And if everything turns out

The way I hope it goes

But I cant wait to find out

What it is that God knows

But I don't wanna think about

What's gonna come around for me

I'll just take it day by day

'Cause it's the only way

To be the best that I can be

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see, when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else'

Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

And nothing's ever perfect

There's no guarantee

And if I knew the answers

It would put my mind at ease (no)

So I'll just keep on going

The way I've gone so far

And maybe I'll end up

Tryin' to catch a fallin star (yeah)

But I don't wanna think about

What's gonna come around for me

I'll just take it day by day

'Cause it's the only way

To be the best that I can be

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see, when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else

'Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

Baby this is who I am

Don't need you to understand

'Cause everything is right where it should be

It wont be long til you know about me,

'Cause I don't give a...Even when I'm out of love

'Cause everythings just how it should be

And it wont be long till you know about me

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see, when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else

'Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

I never pretend to be something I'm not

You get what you see, when you see what I've got

We live in the real world, I'm just a real girl

I know exactly where I stand

And all I can do is be true to myself

I don't need permission from nobody else

'Cause this is the real world, I'm not a little girl

I know exactly who I am

I have been tagged by chantekmaumatee...

Write 6 weird things about yourself.

This is harder than I thought it would be. I'm so damn normal. Hmm....

1. I drink water from a glass or a clear container only.

2. (half an hour later) Gee....

Ok guys, I can't think of anything else. Anyone want to help me out here? What about me is weird?

Thanks.

Jaded

JADED. Meaning worn-out, broken-down or weary.

Happy 50th Birthday Malaysia! Merdeka!

8 reasons why I 'love' being Malaysian:

1. Malaysians still do not give up their seats to pregnant women, the elderly, handicapped,etc. in public transportation even when there are signs to do so posted everywhere. Even after several ads are aired on tv telling people to do so. I know from first hand experience.

2. I was at the Ikea restaurant just the other day with Ots (during the members sale). It was lunch time so the place was packed. After several minutes looking for a place to sit, we finally find half a table. A table for four occupied by two. So I do the polite thing and asked the seated couple if the two seats next to them were occupied. They said no. So I waited a few seconds for the guy to move his shopping bag and the girl to move her handbag. They give me this hesitant look and the girl has the nerve to say, "Urm, our bags are here". I couldn't believe my ears. I just stand there stunned. Then I turn to Ot's and say real sarcastically, "I guess their bags are tired and need to sit". We walk off. It wasn't until later that I realized how terrible their action really was. I was standing there in front of them with Elil in my arms and Otta is 4 months pregnant! Holy cow!

3. Malaysians don't know how to queue properly. Restrooms. Why is it we can't have a single line so that people get to use the loo in proper turn? Why is it we still insist on having one line for each stall? It's just wrong. I must admit I am guilty of this too but only because if I did wait the proper way, I may never have the chance to use the loo.

4. A lot of the time our newspapers give us half-truths and most of us just take it all in. I just laugh.

5. We claim to be united. Are we really?

6. I have just about had enough of holding the world record for having the biggest flag, highest flag pole, biggest curry puff, etc. Whatever.

7. Government offices/departments. Enough said. I hear they have plans to improve their 'services with a smile'.

8. Our favorite (or only) pastime is jalan-jalan in a shopping mall (especially people in and around the KL area).

Lonely

My mother left yesterday. She's back in KK. I know she left with mix feelings. Wanting to be back with Meriel and my father, also needing to feel at home again. Needing to be here with me, to take care of me and to just enjoy Elil. I miss her dearly. It was so hard to leave her at the airport. I gave her a quick hug and immediately pulled away. I couldn't even look her in the eyes. I cried all the way back to Kajang.

I prayed for a good night last night. Elil was an angel. So easy to please. She is downstairs at this moment sleeping soundly in her cot. It hurts me to be so far away from her (I am upstairs). I can't help but want her near me and with me at all times. I want my husband near me at all times too. But right now he is so far away and it makes things even more unbearable. Since Elil was born, there has not been a moment where I felt like were a family. It's kind of sad. I hope to feel it soon. I cannot wait for my husband to be back to complete this new family of ours.

I can't explain what I feel when I hold Elil in my arms, when I look at her sleeping. The pride, the love, the peace, the joy. She is just so perfect and beautiful through and through. I want to spend every moment with her be it a peaceful and quiet moment or a restless and crying night. I want to hold her and never let her go. I want to hold my husband and never let him go. Four more days before I get to be in his arms again. Time could not go by more slowly.

It was so nice. I got the chance to dress up a little for Elil's full moon AND the end of my confinement. Yay! Ok, I cheated a bit, I have actually been out shopping the past few days in some dingy little mall 5 minutes away. Carol and Yo will be able to tell you how little and how dingy. Anyhow, never judge a mall by its size or appearance. To my delight, the Levi's/Dockers store at the mall's entrance has turned into a factory outlet. After months of not being able to shop for 'normal' clothes, you don't know how excited this made me. Even my mom was all puppy-panting excited. Plus while I was pregnant I told myself the first thing I'm going to get for myself after delivering is a nice pair of hot-hot jeans. Heh heh. So back to the store, there weren't many stuff for women but the collection they did have were real nice and my size plus the jeans were going for 100 bucks. So I tried on a couple but ended up getting only a pair, 593's. I should be giving this mall more credit man. So this was on Monday.

The day before Sunday. Carol and I went to the same mall, to shop. Duh. I didn't plan on getting anything. Carol wanted to get a document bag so we went hunting for bags. Everything was on sale. So strong the temptation. Alas I didn't get anything. In Parkson anyway. So we walked around the mall a bit. Baby shops are now very tempting as well so we went into a few. Got one of those rubber bath mats for Elil. Did a little more browsing then I thought to myself what would a shopping trip be without a visit to the shoe store. So excite! First shoe store, I got myself a pair of maroon closed-toe flats yang sungguh classic for RM19.90. Second store, I got another shiny classic maroon number with kitten heels for RM38.00. So beauty! Did I mention I need to give this mall more credit? So lumayan my trip to the mall. I'm satisfied, so enough shopping for now.

Wanna see my pretty red toes?

Beware pregnant and postnatal women!

Ever heard of a gas/air embolism? Well, in short a gas embolism happens when gas/air enters the blood stream and obstructs oxygen-rich blood from flowing through the body. Basically no blood to your brain, lungs, heart, etc. I'm sure you get what I mean. You can die!

Bet you don't know how (easily) you can get a gas/air embolism? Gas can be introduced into the blood stream of a pregnant woman or a woman who has just given birth (usually less than 6 weeks after delivery) by blowing air into the vagina. This can easily happen while oral sex is being performed on the woman. If you're not scared or shocked or freaked yet, read this article, Death By Sex.

Isn't it surprising that most people know little or nothing about gas embolisms and how easily they can occur? And what the potential consequences are? The way I see it, a lot of pregnant and postnatal women are probably not up to having intercourse (often) during this period because a) it's hard to find a comfortable position when your'e a balloon and b) I don't think the episiotomy has fully healed yet. So the closest substitute? Probably oral sex! Who would have guessed something so pleasurable could end up being fatal.

So now you know! Feel free to share this information with friends and family.

Want to know more about embolisms?, click Embolisms.

I've been wanting to do this for some time now....

In no particular order. You know who you are.

I love you because you can't bear to see a friend hurt or upset. There will never be a moment when I am in distress and you are not there to console me. It's ok that you occasionaly forget important dates! In difficult times, just knowing you are my friend is enough to get me through. Sometimes I feel I don't deserve you. I thank God for you.

I love you because you have seen the worst in me and you love me still. You will never let anything come between us. There is so much you hide behind your 'ah-lien' exterior that it's sometimes hard to read you but inside you have only goodness and kindness to give. I thank God for you.

I love you because (it may not show but) deep down you have the biggest heart. You have always felt it your responsibility to protect me. We always had a special connection, a strong bond. Lately, we see less of each other and seldom connect like we used to but still I know you love me. I thank God for you.

I love you because (although you find it so hard to show,) you love me unconditionally. All you have ever wanted for me is peace and happiness. We may have had our rough patches but through it all I know that you never stopped loving me. I take you for granted sometimes. I wish I didn't. I thank God for you.

I love You because You are my Saviour. Without You I am nothing. All You want is my friendship. I fall, give up and turn away from You but every single time You will pick me up if only I let You. Your unending love and grace fills me up and moves me to tears. I thank You.

I love you because you are true to yourself, real and sincere. You have a strong head on your shoulders and for that I admire you. Your strength and ability to see things as they are has helped me through many a tough time. I can always trust you. You will make a fantastic mom one day! I thank God for you.

I love you because you have been my pillar my whole life. I look up to you. Your wisdom, strength and patience is inspiring. Your love for and faithfulness to God is admirable. I want to have your patience. I want to be like you. I love how our relationship has grown and matured over the years. I thank God for you.

I love you because of your gentleness and patience, your sweetness and affection, your humor. I know sometimes I can be overbearing and demanding but your love never fails. I will become a better person for you. I have faith in our love - our decision to love each other. I thank God for you.

I love you because you are the baby. You will forever be the baby. I have always felt the need to protect you and nurture you. Your'e a big girl now but to me you will forever be the sweetest little thing. I trust you will always honor and live up to my 'cacatness'. Keep Jesus close to your heart. I thank God for you.

I love you because you are mine. You and I are permanently connected through our experience together while you were forming in my womb and when I introduced you the the world. You are my sunshine. You are my angel. You don't have to do anything or be anyone in particular to make me love you. I love you unconditionally. I thank God for you.

I love you because of your humor and your freaky ways. No one makes cacatness seem cool like you do. I wish I had half your wit. You are a beautiful person inside and out. I enjoy our conversations be it about meaningless crap or our innermost feelings or even gossip. We don't do this often enough so get your butt here! I thank God for you.

I love you because you have always been there for me. You have always been there to support me in everything. Your guidance and lessons have helped me in so many ways. I don't tell you often enough how much I appreciate all you have done. Sometimes I want to give you a long hard hug just to let you know how much you mean to me. I thank God for you.

I love you because you always manage to turn a sad or depressing situation into something fun and exciting. There's never a dull moment when you're around! I truly appreciate the times when I've been down and you are there to cheer me up and put a smile on my face. I thank God for you.

My pot of gold came early

Check her out:

Mummy's Angel

TESTIMONIAL #1

Last night an event did not turn out the way I hoped and expected. Don't sweat the small stuff my sister always says. And yea, it wasn't a big deal really. But to me, small things matter so much. I can't explain why. And this particular incident, although seemingly insignificant made me sad. I was disappointed and frustrated. To me it was a sign of things to come, a forming pattern that would keep on occurring (in different ways) until it did eventually amount to something significant or BIG. But as mentioned in my previous entry, I am now capable of blocking out negative thoughts (better than I used to anyway) and I tried to push it aside instead of allowing myself to turn into the drama queen that I am (hey, I didn't ask to be this way). So I told myself, "Pu let it be...." I bid my farewell to Ots and upon hearing her voice, I couldn't help but cry. Relax she told me, all will be fine. I know that. I thought of God and aknowledged his constant presence.

I am in the process of moving to Kajang and am clearing my room in stages. My car was loaded with clothes, boxes of books/magazines, my art stuff, etc. and I prepared for the drive back. I didn't want to cry but heck when your'e sad and there's no one there to comfort you, a few tears always help. So I allowed myself to let go. As I was driving down the hill, I switched on the radio and as usual, it's all crap. Then I remembered that I just got my ipod charged and uploaded with some praise and worship songs that Meriel had given me. I am instantly relieved that I at least have quality music to entertain me during my drive back. I always set my ipod on shuffle. I forget what the first song was but I skipped it. Then Alanis Morisette's Ironic came on and I skipped it too (but I love that song!). At that same moment I prayed for some praise and worship just to soothe my heavy heart. And of all the 115 hits and 20 p&w songs in my ipod, I hear a voice and this is what it says,

"God we lay down our burdens, our cares, our troubles before you because truly (music starts playing gently) you are our all in all, you are our king of kings, and we worship you today, we praise your name because of who you are and what youv'e done for us...."

The moment I hear these comforting words, I break down sobbing. This time tears of pure joy (remember the joy I was looking for?). Overcome with peace. He spoke to me and assured me that when I am troubled or broken, all I have to do is seek Him and I will be free and made whole again. The feeling was AMAZING, I felt like I could do anything, overcome everything. I could not stop thanking Him over and over again. I have always felt God's presence in my life but this time it rushed through me stronger than ever before.

And then, the song starts....

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that i seek

You are my all in all

Seeking you as a precious jewel

Lord to give up I'd be a fool

You are my all in all

Jesus lamb of god

Worthy is your name

Jesus lamb of god

Worthy is your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame

Rising again I bless your name

You are my all in all

When I fall down you pick me up

When I am dry you fill my cup

You are my all in all

Jesus lamb of god

Worthy is your name

Jesus lamb of god

Worthy is your name

Although an old song that I have known for ages now, You Are My All In All (by Hillsong if I am not mistaken) has recently (some months now) touched me in a way never before and I've made a request for it to be played during my wedding as I walk down the isle. Now more than before, it holds special meaning to me.

True happiness - joy is something we have to work hard to achieve and an experience we need to constantly nurture and continuously grow.

One last thing, I received a promotion today. Not the one that I have been waiting for but maybe something better. Praise the Lord!

Happy people make me wanna barf

I have been reading people's blogs lately and it makes me sick how happy some people can be. I know I sound bitter. I am. Honestly, is it really possible to be THAT happy? It's disgusting. It's not that I'm depressed or anything. I just can't help it if I find it annoying that some people seem to live in a fairy tale of happily ever after. Why is it I am not deliriously happy??

I've tried it all. Think happy thoughts, always be positive, take each day at a time, pray and let God, etc. They all kinda work to a certain extent, and yea I'm 'happy' for that moment but then I'm back where I started in no time. Praying helps and I feel relief and am able to keep myself above average in the happiness department but still, something is lacking. I need the happiness or joy to run through me and live in me. Inside, I am just blek. I want to be thrilled and eager to live life. I want to be excited to see what tomorrow brings. I want to be me. I want US. I want peace.

What have I to look forward to? The future stresses me out. Not thinking about it helps. The constant worry I have over my future happiness is stopping me from experiencing happiness now. I have actually mastered the art of blocking all (ok not all, just about 80% of) negative thoughts out of my head, which is great but in the process I've come to realize happiness is not something that will surely follow. Why not?? True happiness - joy does not come about from something that happens to you or something someone does for you. It comes from within. How do I bring it out? How in the hell do happy people do it?

While waiting for an answer, I keep this verse close to heart:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
And lean not on thine own understanding,
In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct thy path.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Ach-ing

Today I wake up and I feel like my body has ran a marathon during the night without telling me. My neck, shoulders, down to my sides, lower back, arms, thighs and calves. Gosh! I'm aching all over. It's so hard to move anything, everything is just so heavy and achy. Obviously I didn't get a good nights sleep. Was tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable position. Sleep came and went. The morning weather was so dreary that when my alarm rang at 7am the atmosphere outside looked more like 6am. That just made it so much harder to get out of my bed. It was still dark damnit! Lately, I have started to find my apartment kinda depressing. It doesn't feel like home. Did it ever Pu? Even my room is less appealing. My bed feels old and dirty (maybe coz it is?). I think it has a lot to do with the fact that everyone has gone home and I am left alone. The cheer has gone. All Meriel's luggage and the ruckuss outside till like 4am. Gone. The life sucked out of 3A-16-3. On top of that it doesn't help that my housemate has turned into The Grinch!

I don't like it when a house is all closed up and dark and unwelcoming. It's just too depressing. Uninviting. My home is going to be like walking into a ray of sunshine. The sun is going to shine through, you will be able to hear birds chirping outside, the cool occassional breeze, the smell of fresh air. Ahhh...I can see it now. Everything is white and fresh. The light curtains blown in the wind. The sound of soft soothing music. Me sitting in my studio, in the midst of creating some fantastic work of art. My flowers, roses, lavenders, freesias, lilies, lilacs, tulips, alazeas, all blooming in the garden. Their scents are blown through the house. Ok, getting a little unrealistic here. Snap out of it Pu. Me and my wishful thinking. *Sigh*

Time to focus on work!

1. NAME ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT ?
Gash on my lower leg. I fell into the drain in front of my house.
2.WHERE ARE YOU?
My body is at the office but my mind is focused on Christmas in KK.
3.WHAT DOES YOUR MOBILE PHONE LOOK LIKE?
It's black and looks like any other mobile phone.
4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Right now Christmas songs, before this your basic Mix FM shit and before that Hitz and Fly.
5. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT DESKTOP PICTURE?
Nada.
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
To be home sweet home doing nothing sweet nothing.
7.WHAT DO YOU MISS?
I miss my asband and my home in KK.
8.WHAT TIME WERE YOU BORN?
I really should find out.
9. WHAT ENDED YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP?
He did.
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Sumtaims after horror story exchanges yes.
12. YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD
Need you ask? Japanese.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PERFUME?
Right now Envy Me by Gucci.
14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
It's not like we have so much choice here in Malaysia. Does it even matter?
15. DO YOU LIKE PAINKILLERS?
When I need em sure!
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS?
Energy drinks.
17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Pepperoni and cheese rules.
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Hana Maki OR Ngau Chap with the lada and vinegar.
19. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU MADE MAD?
Bala.
20. DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
Yes.
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU?
The first gift I can remember is the glow worm from my mummy.
22. DO U LIKE SOMEONE?
I like a lot of people.
23. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Yea man, FOS.
24. WHAT'S YOUR DREAM CAR?
I've gone through so many, I don't even know anymore. For now i'd really just love a Cygnus.
25. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MARRIAGE?
Done it.
26. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
As if you can help/stop it.
27. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Putting their needs first, or second or third depending on how much they mean to you.
28. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED
28.
29. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Brunettes?
30. WHO IS THE ONE PERSON YOU CALL OFTEN?
Bala.
33. WHAT ANNOYS YOU?
The way Mr. Stoner looks and talks. And right now, a whole load of other things as well.
34. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
My heart. It could also be considered a strength I guess.
35. WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
A crucifix from my husband.
36. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
I'm sure I have. Can't think of one though.
39. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Work/Chatting.
40. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT COULD IT BE?
If I could, I wouldn't.
42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My skin (not right now though).
43. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTES BECAME ILLEGAL?
Nothing.
44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
Birthday's and gifts are getting old.
45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
Right now 3.
46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Nope.
47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
Nope.
48. WHICH FINGER[S] IS YOUR FAVORITE?
All fingers on my right hand.
49. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Friday night during the conference.
50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Not really. I don't hate it though.
51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAL?
Anything goes really.
52. ANY BAD HABITS?
Lip biting.
53. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF?
Teda.
54. YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOURSELF?
Yes I think so.
55. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL?
Many times.

One word. RELIEF

You see the picture? Well, this is exaclty how I feel. I was afraid to proclaim it earlier but it's been 3 days and I think it's safe to say, IT'S OVER PU! The relief I have been waiting so long for.

Today is Monday and also the first time in ages that I have managed to focus at work, get organized and not want to kill my 'stoner' boss when he dumps work on me (however, the sight of him still annoys me). Oh, and I don't feel like dying anymore. THANK YOU GOD. Now let's see if I can pull myself together enough to clean up my room, do the laundry and fold my once-clean clothes....

Last Friday night, my kid sister convinced me to attend the last night rally for Planet Shakers conference held at Sunway Convention Center in Pyramid. There were over 2000 people packed in the hall. Stepping inside, I instantly felt old. Little teenies everywhere. Anyway, by the looks of the set-up, you would never guess a Christian conference was about to go on. It looked more like a rock concert. I half expected to see some dude from Blink 182 jump out. Instead a pastor popped out from no where with his electric guitar and started bouncing about and running from one end of the stage to the other shouting out praise n worship rocker style. It was quite exhilirating and a totally out-of-this-world experience. The singing, jumping, praising, head-banging, rejoicing, clapping was followed by a talk by another pastor. Not your ordinary talk neither, this guy made you burst into laughter every 2 minutes. It was fun and effective. No wonder so many youth are crazy about these (Planet Shakers, Hillsong) Christian movements. I am really glad I decided to go. To top it all off, I was pleasantly surprised when I bumped into an old uni mate sitting on the same row!

I was about to let myself feel down in the dumps and depressed, then I reminded myself, "Pu you have a wedding to plan, pull yourself together and enjoy the moment!" So here I am announcing to the world details of my upcoming wedding....

First things first, MY WEDDING GOWN. I wish I could have taken a picture. Its off-white and a tube with a long trane - probably a little over a meter. My initial plan was to have something real simple but when I tried on the gowns, I said to myself, "How can we NOT go all the way??!!". It's in full floral lace with the waist-line just under the breasts with diamond-like stones that go all the way round. It's quite fitting around the torso and A-line all the way down. Sounds simple I know, but boy is it bea-u-tiful! Perfecto!

My evening gown is real fragile chiffon also in off-white. I want to look the bride all the way! It's a v-neck with thin spaghetti straps and bits of embroidery & sequin between the breasts. Like my wedding gown, it also has an under-the-breast sort of waist-line with an extra flowy piece of chiffon that comes down at the center. A little romantic effect. He he. Forgive me, my 'techincal knowledge' in dress design is a little crappy.

I NEED to discuss my shoes as well. Three words, gold, glittery and glamorous! You need to see them for yourself so here they are, TADA!

Next, MY THEME. I am going to set a world record for most number of bridesmaids. I will have 7 beautiful maids! You don't know how important it is to me and how happy I am to have all my closest gals with me as I make my way down the aisle to say I DO. These 7 lovely lasses will be draped in my favorite color of all time, RED. Ok, I know what you're thinking, sakit mata! It's not a tacky red, it's deep and delicious. So no sakit mata ok, promise. So, my theme will be a mix of off white and deep red. Just for the yin-yang effect, I will be clutching a huge bouquet of deep red roses and the gals will have smaller white roses to hold. To cut the cost, I have plans on having DIY bouquets. I stumbled upon this site that teaches you how to make your own simple but beautiful bouquets. You can check it out as well at DIY Bouquets.

I am trying to upload some pictures but blogger is not co-operating. Darn!

Pu's Siem Reap Adventure

This is Mia after 10.5 shots of vodka-lime & sugar. It took me 9 shots to get to this pathetic state....

Going....

Going....

Gone!

Oh, by the way, we were on the way back to the hotel on our 'tuk-tuk'. Carol & Yo were sitting directly opposite us. Thanks Yo for the shots!

I IS MARRIED

Wow! Hello again blogging world! I am back from my sabbatical. I can't begin to explain how much has happend between now and the last time I was at this 'spot'. Gee...contemplating on whether or not I should share every last detail of the goings-on in my life....

Where do I start? Yes, that is my arm inside that steel bucket filled with the mud-like water (it's actually sandalwood mixed with water). And yes, the darker, furry arm belongs to my husband/suami/lau-kung/esposo/mume, however you wanna say it! The Hindu priest made us play this 'cute' game where he tosses a gold ring (bought for the bestman, who was Allen Lim by the way, ie. my brother-in-law) into the bucket and both husband and wife have to fight for it. Bala won 2 out of the 3 times we played. I only won the last time coz he let me! To those who know not or are still in shock, here are some details of the weddings:

Indian Ceremony

Date: 1st December 2006 ( registration/legal marriage was on the 30th November 2006)

Place: Mewah Club, Kajang

Time: 6:00pm and reception thereafter

Catholic Service

Date: 20th January 2007

Place: Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu

Time: 10:30am

Reception: The Pacific Sutera, Sutera Harbor at 6:30pm

TADA! So ok, I was not keen on posting this picture coz I think I look like shit, but what the heck. I'll keep it here till I get better shots. The garlands bah! They are not only huge but they weigh a tonne as well. Oh, and after a while, the smell gets a little overwhelming. I wore two sarees that day. I came in a pinky-peach 'tissue' saree (which I will post once I get the pix) and once my 'official' wedding saree was blessed by the priest, I had to go back and change into the lovely and damn intricately embroidered piece featured in the photo. It truly is beautiful. My husband on the other hand, wore a two piece - jipah (the top) and veyshti (sarongy thing) with sandals. It may look simple but its made of Fiji Silk which is damn expensive by the way. And before I forget, nice kan my bouquet? The whole ceremony was over by 7:30pm but the happy couple were stuck on stage for an additional two hours to layan well wishers and ang pow bearers.

Some inspiring music...

One - U2

Is it getting better?

Or do you feel the same?

Will it make it easier on you now?

You got someone to blame

You say One love One life

When it's one need

In the night One love

We get to share it

Leaves you baby if you

Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you?

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?

You act like you never had love

And you want me to go without

Well it's Too late Tonight

To drag the past out into the light

We're one, but we're not the same

We get to Carry each other

Carry each other

One Have you come here for forgiveness?

Have you come to raise the dead?

Have you come here to play Jesus?

To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much?

More than a lot.

You gave me nothing,

Now it's all I got

We're one But we're not the same

Well we Hurt each other

Then we do it again

You say Love is a temple

Love a higher law

Love is a temple

Love the higher law

You ask me to enter

But then you make me crawl

And I can't be holding on

To what you got

When all you got is hurt

One love One blood One life

You got to do what you should

One life With each other Sisters Brothers

One life But we're not the same

We get to Carry each other

Carry each other

One

One

Happy Things

6 things that truly make me happy (in no particular order):

1. Excited puppies, tongues hanging out, tails wagging uncontrollably. Never fails to put a smile on my face.

2. A perfect sunny day with the sand under my feet and the horizon my vista. Helps if I have a frozen beer in one hand. *Wink*

3. Shopping. As worldy as it sounds. It's therapeutic and I love it.

4. The whole Christmas season. The shopping (oops...more shopping), the excitement, the decorating, the family getting together, the friends, the food, presents, going to mass two hours earlier...ok maybe not the last one.

5. Pampering myself during my alone time. Manicures. Pedicures. Long showers. Scrubs and masks. Flipping through fashion magazines while waiting for my nails to dry.

6. Trips with Bala. To anywhere. I love the packing, the travelling, whether it's in a plane, train, bus, car...so exciting. The hanging out together in a foreign place, the exploring.

Had it up to...

I am so fed up of being stuck in the middle of two people who just cant get along. It's so effing frustrating...

Inspiring...

Today

Before you think of saying an unkind word

Think of someone who can't speak

Before you complain about the taste of your food

Think of someone who has nothing to eat

Before you complain about your husband or wife

Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion

TodayBefore you complain about life

Think of someone who went too early to heaven

Before you complain about your children

Think of someone who desires children but they're barren

Before you argue about your dirty house; someone didn't clean or sweep

Think of the people who are living in the streets

Before whining about the distance you drive

Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet

And when you are tired and complain about your job

Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another

Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one maker

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down

Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around

Life is a giftLive it...Enjoy it...Celebrate it...And fulfill it.

And while you are at it give love to someone today

Love someone with what you do and the words you say

Love is not meant to be kept locked inside of us and hidden

So give it away "Give Love to someone today!"

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

Random Pix

Right: KT and me right after Pussy Cat Dolls

concert at Sunway Lagoon wave pool. It was a bit disappointing.





Left: Mummy and daddy dearest with their pride and enjoy, cucu no.1. Taken 2 days ago in a play-house at Ikea. Talk about devotion.






Left: 5 very fine girls about to have a very fine night out in the town...watch out KL, here we come!

You Are 30% Weird

Not enough to scare other people...But sometimes you scare yourself.

How Weird Are You?

You Are 52% Open Minded

You are a very open minded person, but you're also well grounded. Tolerant and flexible, you appreciate most lifestyles and viewpoints. But you also know where you stand firm, and you can draw that line. You're open to considering every possibility - but in the end, you stand true to yourself.

How Open Minded Are You?

Let's Get Quizzical

You Are Cindy Brady

Warm hearted and sweet, you have a childlike innocence that lets you see the good in everyone.But you're also a bit of a baby. You stick your nose where it doesn't belong... and cry when you get caught!

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatbradyareyouquiz/">What Brady Are You?

You May Be a Bit Dependent...

You're more than a little preoccupied with being abandoned. You need a lot of support in your life, at all times. It's difficult for you to survive on your own... And you don't reallly think you ever could.

What Personality Disorder Are You?

You Are 42% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side. Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How Evil Are You?

Party Time

left to right: Big, small, koochirat.

At Chili's on my birthday. A real treat having dinner with the B, my wonderful sister's, Shannon baby and of course The Nanny.

As tradition goes, the birthday girl/boy gets the birthday song and free mud pie with ice-cream. There were 3 other people celebrating their birthday that night. Shannon celebrated them all! Did you know that Chili's makes the best mashed potatoes? Yum!

My surprise birthday party at Pantai Panorama organized by my darling Allessandro. Well, there were three other people celebrating too...

Back row left to right: Sumathi (Bala's sis-in-law), Eyasmin, Myself and Pu Nie

Front row: Shannon the cutie

Sumathi's birthday is on the 25th (same year) and Eyasmin & Pu Nie share the same birthday ( 3 years apart)