In house masseur - priceless!

Before anyone suspects me of child abuse, let me indemnify myself by saying that Vic volunteered to put my pedicure cream on my leg two nights ago! I used to do this a couple of years back, and still have an old tube of which she saw and asked me to take it down.

So I said OK, but only for awhile. Turned out to be a blissful, heavenly 10 minutes massage by little smooth fingers and to complete the act, Vic took out the nail clipper and carefully started to snip away extra skin! Wah, this kind of service is priceless!

And here's a sneek peep into her desktop - Daddy put in all the short cuts for her games and movies. Some days she and little brother William would hide in her room and watch movie.

1001 : FREE MY LITTLE GIRL DAY

901 will come down as another historic day as Anwar is freed. I am personally surprised as I thought he will be jailed (don't bother whether he is right or wrong) for a long enough time so the people will forget and so he won't stand for the coming General Election.

Fact is he is freed, whether this is another political gimmick or not, and many of us are happy.

Last Saturday hubs brought Vic for an extraction of her blood and consultation with her allergist doctor at Pantai Hospital. Vic has voiced to me before, "How will I know when I am healed?" Such a valid question. I want to ask that too.

Currently we see that her ezcema has stayed away for sometime now, and her skin has improved albeit not smooth and some dark scars, no occurrence of mysterious red spots on her abdomen and thighs, no crazy nose bleeds episodes during the night... so I'm hoping, praying, and wishing... the little glimmer of hope that my little girl has indeed overcome her allergies since her last attack.

As the laboratory is not open during the weekends, her serum has been extracted and stored for today's testing. Vic was braved and did not cry. When she entered the Professor's room, she sat down and asked him calmly, "Doctor, can you please check me if I am healed."

Tomorrow we will know the result. This will be her 4th allergy blood test since September 2008.

In His perfect timing
...but we serve a living God, the same yesterday and the same today and tomorrow. I dare not expect anything but hope for the best. As an assurance and emotional cushion, I tell her, "in His perfect timing." Then her question comes, "Why not now?"

I'm no preacher. And it's hard to be a mother not knowing all the answers.

Vic is still on probiotics, and the doctor has confirmed our findings that oil of oregano is effective in killing off candida. There are many articles on this, but you can read more here And he has reminded us to wash Heh Heh in boiling hot water, if not deep freeze her to kill off the dustmites.

Watch this space for her results... in the meantime, pray with us for Victoria. She is brave and patient with her condition and obedient to her diet regime. But she has consistently voiced out to me that she wants to eat normal bread with butter and jam and other food stuff that many people take for granted. I have made a mental note on all her favourite food, her wish list and promised her that I will buy all that for her - except the sweets. ; P

2D1N stay in Doubletree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur

Last year, just before we ended the year, Daddy booked us into Doubletree by Hilton at Kuala Lumpur for a short one night stay. We were contemplating on taking the New Year Eve's night at the hotel, but decided against this as we have church that weekend (I'm not keen to drive so far to our church in PJ - be it for Watch Night or early morning celebration), and also we may not have a peaceful night sleep with all the firecrackers going off!

So, check in 30th December it was, and check out 31st December.

The morning of 30th December, I brought Vic for her School Orientation where I quite confidently understood half the session when the teacher explained simple dos and don'ts to the then soon-to-be Primary One kids, of course in simple Mandarin. But after the kids were ushered out to their respective classrooms, the HeadMaster stood up to address the parents... in what I think was, real Mandarin with all the big words as I was seeing stars into 5 minutes of his speech.

After 1 hour or so being out of space and hearing a foreign language blah blah blah... settling some formalities which included paying fees, Vic and I left. We had a quick lunch at home, before packing up into the car (mind you, I didn't expect we would need more than 1 bag for a 1N stay) and Daddy driving us to the heart of KL just before the Friday prayers finished.

As the room was not ready, the hotel staff let us wait and use their Executive Lounge at the highest floor ie 34th floor. We were each given their very own home made chocolate chip (very very yummylicious - savour every bite, don't rush, and best eaten when you are alone with no other prying eyes or salivating mouth) as a welcome gift. I should have been more thick skin and asked them for more!

Four for the four of us, but because they contain eggs, both hubs and I split these amongst ourselves... guilt-free!  ; )

The wait for our room was not long, maybe also coz we were enjoying our snack at the Lounge. Immediately upon getting into our room, the kids changed into their swimming wear. But once we got to the pool, the sky started to drizzled, and they only played for 10 minutes or so.

William was terribly upset at the "short change" so Daddy being the more-fun-counterpart prepared a bubble bath tub for them, with compliments from the hotel's fine line of Crabtree & Evelyn Shower Gel... hehehe...

Our room at the Junior Suite.  The sofa by the side is good for another adult to sleep on.  Housekeeping staff was most happy to provide an extra blanket and pillows of our choice. 

The other end of the suite, with a pantry and work table

Our toiletries

Bubble bath with Crabtree & Evelyn... Mummy don't even get to enjoy this man

After their nap, we headed to our friends' condo for a get farewell-cum-Christmas get together, as we celebrated Uncle Kevin's and family's impending move to Australia. Good food, good fellowship, good wine and the kids got to play around the pool where we had the party!

We returned to our hotel room past midnight.

Naturally we all woke up late the next morning, except for Daddy who went out earlier to check out the selection of food at the Executive Lounge and the International Food Court. The food at the Lounge suited Vic, so we ate there, packed and checked out at 12noon. After checking out, we brought the kids to the pool to "continue" their swim, in very nice sunny weather.

Looking up from the pool

Are you ready?  I'm gonna shoooootttt ya!

Happy kids

I'm surprised Vic can swim quite independently but she still prefers to have Daddy by her side, and MUST have her float, else she can't float!  Vic made a friend with a 9yo chinese girl who was swimming by herself.  Her friend even told her her room number! 

Victoria's first day at Primary School

Wednesday, 4th January 2012

In December, Vic kept asking me when she will be starting her new school, and I told her to take 31 (days of the month) minus the current date. Then she'd exclaimed that it was far too long a wait for her, to which I'd reply that I hope time didn't fly so fast.

A couple of days back after New Year, she'd ask me when she's starting school, and by 3rd Jan, her answer changed to, "What?! So fast?! Oh my!!"

So you see, we are all in fast forward mode now, with no pause button in sight, no rewind button. I haven't even had time to think, reflect or write about my New Year and both my kids are entering a new phrase in their lives!

Vic is enrolled in a chinese school, some say it's the best in PJ! Hahaha... of course you can say I'm bias but when I saw our very own local but internationally acclaimed fashion designer Melinda Looi and her hubby and youngest son outside the classroom next to Vic's, I expressed surprise to another mommy friend. My first reaction after the surprise was why didn't she send her son to an international or private school, like what most rich celebrities do? Then my friend chided me that "ours is one of the best schools around, and it's the language that they want their son to learn. Somethings money can't buy." I hang my head in guilt but silently agree with her. Yes, we are proud that Vic is enrolled in this school, the location is nearby and she have many friends there.

After leaving kindy with William, we tapau-ed BBQ pork (Vic's favourite) and chicken rice (just the chicken, minus the rice). Vic had her lunch at 1140am, and we left around 1220pm. School assembly starts at 1245pm and I did think we had just enough time even with the jam.

Boy was I so so so wrong!

The jam started 3 roads away from the school, even touching the LDP highway. I was more anxious and worried than my girl, and resorted to cutting queue and following cars through the red light, just to get there not embarrassingly late. Cars were jammed up through traffic lights, and we inched slowly forward, squeezing into 1.5 lane of the road as other cars were already double or triple parked. I spotted a double parking available further up and parked there, then walked Vic over to Gate A and raced to the Assembly Hall where all the other children and parents were already gathered.

Late for school on her first day... better hurry...

Walking in line to their respective classes.

In the Assembly Hall, I grabbed Vic's hand tightly and another hand carried her school bag at the same time squeezing in between parents and students, trying to find the signboard showing her Class. Spotted a couple of friends, and some nice parents showed me front, another said in the middle, and we walked up and down a few times before we finally went to the back of the hall and spotted her class teacher and her waiting classmates. Phew! A parent commented that the scene was like night market.... haha!

Shortly after getting into line, the students were told to walk to their classrooms two by two... it was like a grand procession of students and parents. Vic found a place to sit, obediently she chose the 2nd row. A boy sat next to her but shortly after her friend from chinese tuition swapped place with the boy. So now she has a friend next to her!

Vic at her place, next to her is her friend from chinese tuition class.

I left nearing 2pm, once I see her settled down in class. Rushed home, put my playful William to sleep then at 3pm, hubs and I went to Vic's school again hoping to meet her during recess time. When we got there, the canteen was packed full like value buy sardines (if there is such a thing) and her classroom was already empty. We split, with handphone in hand and went on a mission to search for our little girl amidst hundreds of similar-dressed school kids.

Finally found her with two of her friends, eating their snack and well, our girl didn't miss us. We spotted some of her friends from kindy too.

Recess time, a quick snap with Daddy... then she ran away!  Haiya, this girl ah!

Vic was happy, she moved along with her friends, even running away from us. She obliged me for some photos but I think she must be embarrassed as none of her friends have photo-crazy parents like me. Oh well. My girl is in another important milestone of her life, and I so wish to remember every second of it, if not for her but for me.

When the school bell rings indicating recess time over, children from everywhere started running back to their respective classes. At that time, my mind did a quick 5 second flashback to how I was when I was in Primary School. We spotted Vic running back to her classroom, then she puts on her sanitizer without prompting and took some pics with us. As we stand outside her classroom looking at her, she mouths the words, "Go" telling us to go home.

So we walked over to the canteen to have a little daddy-mummy time. For the longest time ever, I'm now eating canteen food. The soup noodles were going cheap at RM1 instead of the usual RM2.50. We also ordered roti canai at 70cents, a cup ice cream at RM2.40 and "lo mai kai" at RM2.40.

Then we left.

The traffic was equally, if not two times worse during pick up time. Thank God hubby got half the day off and drove us there. Thank God I decided to eat dinner out (as a celebration) so by the time we got to the restaurant it was 730pm, and we ate where we ate only to let the traffic disperse.

Day 2

Today we were early. Left house at 1205pm and arrived school at 1215pm. Voila, that's a big improvement! In the assembly hall, my girl sat with her friends, again a few times she told me to go home. I told her I will leave once I see her in her classroom.

A scene of part of the assembly hall on Day 2 (not as chaotic and crowded like Day 1)

Sitted in line with her classmates whilst waiting to go to their classrooms

In her classroom, I hung around a little bit outside, and she quickly mouthed the words "Go" and indicated me to drive off. OK OK. I blew her my secret flying kisses, and watch for her response.

She blew back flying kisses to me! I'm soooo happy. I know my daughter is kinda embarrassed to have me hanging around whilst her friends have no parents there. But she blew me flying kisses and I'm very very happy. So I keep to my part of the deal.

And left. I walked away with a tinge of sadness in my heart.

Yes. I am happy that both my kids are so independent now. William is not what we feared - that he will hang on to mummy's shirt, wet eyes red nose crying his heart out and not wanting to go to school. We had less worry for Vic as she adapted well when she joined her new kindy at 5yo, and we trust she can adapt well to her primary school now. But having them tell me to "Go"... well, what can I say? Unexpected.

Taken on the morning of her Orientation Day

To Vic and Will


Mummy pray and wish you both a great start in your new schools, Vic and Will. You know my heart goes with you eventhough you are not at home. I hope you enjoy your classes, your new lessons and I hope your new teachers will inspire and motivate you. Above all else, I pray Jesus be your closest Friend at all times. Stay safe, be good, and enjoy your school days!

William's first day at kindy

Today my two kids attended their new schools for the first time. It's William's first day at kindergarten and Victoria's first day at her primary school.

With all the packed activities that we have through and past the new year, admittedly I have not got the chance to rewire their body clock to sleep and wake early. On the night of 2nd Jan, I put on the new bedsheets for Vic ie pink butterflies in her own room. When William asked about his new "tractor" bedsheet, Daddy told him that he has to check with Mummy first (because no point putting on his new bedsheet on his "big boy bed" but he doens't sleep on it). Then William candidly asked, "Why you washed Jie Jie's new bedsheet but never wash mine?"

So with that, we put on his new blue tractor bedsheet (the kids each chose their own design) on his Ikea "big boy bed" which Yeh Yeh brought down from his house a few months back.

Two nights back ie 2nd Jan 2012 marks an important milestone in William's life as he slept without me by his side throughout the night, for the "first" time - volunteerily and knowing that I'm just next door with Vic. The only other previous time that he slept without me since he was born was when he was nearly 1 year old, when hubs and I went to Penang for a getaway. Before I slept, I checked on him and he dozed off on his own bed, but I found him lying on the floor next to Daddy the next morning.

Last night we were not so successful, or should I say, he was not so independent. I'm secretly happy, mind you. ; ) Because I do miss him. I try to hold on to the baby in him for a little longer.

Trying to get both kids to sleep in their own rooms at 10pm but by 12midnight, both were still awake despite the lights off, and each dozing off a little in between. I know this because I was in between beds, and after sometime (I don't know how long because I lost track of time) the other child would walk into the other room to look for me, whined for me to go sleep with him/her and one of them have to compromise.

The last visit was from William past midnight, I was in Vic's bed and he came in to my side, saying, "Mummy, once you put Jie Jie to sleep, can you come and sleep with me?" to which I responded that I can't. My battery was flat and suggested he sleep in between Vic and myself - the 3 of us cramped into Vic's double bed.

Wednesday, 4th January 2012

Woke William at 730am, this boy was sleepy but after awhile he opened his eyes. Unlike his sister 3 years ago when she started kindy, William doesn't cry in the morning despite his fatigue. Got him to wee wee, brushed his teeth, dressed him up and he walked downstairs himself to have his breakfast of Milo (I promised him last night) and oat cereals.

Eating his breakfast before leaving house

Daddy sent him to school as will be the future arrangements, and as he waved goodbye to me in the car, a little nostalgia filled my heart.

Along the corridor outside his classroom.. William poses for a pic

Playing lego when they arrive - to get the kids to warm up

After a quick bite and preparing Vic's apple cinnamon pancake for her breakfast, I left the house nearing 9am to meet my son at his kindy. Daddy left for work shortly after I arrived.

This week only new enrollments come to school whilst the returning kids will begin classes next week. There are 10 new boys and girls in his class (the other half assumed to be absent), only 1 or 2 crying but not William. He was the playful happy one on the green table, enjoyed his snack time even finished off the honey stars given by Teacher, and walked around and participated in the singing session.

Half an hour before the kindy was dismissed, all children assembled in another block where they sang and dance.

On the way back, I told William that I miss him, asked him if he enjoyed himself and recap some of the things that teacher said.  The boy talked excited and even said that "sometimes Daddy fetch me, sometimes Mummy fetch me."

Then he asked me something very profound.  "Mummy, when I go to big boy school, and you stay at home, do you feel sad?"  I was thinking that if I answered him honestly, he may not want to go to school but if I lied, I'd feel bad for lying to my son.  So I gave him a little detour, "I'm a little sad (lie) because I miss you when you go to school but I'm happy that you now go to big boy school to learn new things."

So in a nutshell, my 3yrs 8 months old boy had a great first day at school.  His class teacher is the same as Vic's class teacher last year.  When William answered questions correctly, Teacher asked him if it was Jie Jie who taught him and I thought he'd give credit to me, but instead he nodded his head.  Oh well.

Walking from his block to the next block, pulling his own trolley bag

Doing the itsey bitsy spider song

Victoria recites Psalm 23: The Lord's Shepherd

After the first successful week of Victoria's little holiday socks plan, I changed some of the challenges for her in the 2nd week to be make more challenging for her.  One of it was a fastforward of 20 points for having successfully recite the 6 verses of Psalm 23.

This little girl is smart to only start memorizing when it's time to go to bed, so it remains fresh in her memory.  In two days, she got the first 5 verses almost correct, a little mistake here and there, but I let her have her socks!  By the 4th day, she got all 6 verses correct, and was overjoyed to wear her socks to sleep at night, all solely to due her efforts.

This is Psalm 23 from her bible.  Not the NIV version that I used to read but it will do:

"The LORD is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.  
He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. 
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name.  
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff comfort me.  
You prepare a feast for me right in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head. My cup runs over.  
I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. And I will live in the house of the LORD forever."

The power of the socks, can get this girl to wondrous things.  One thing I want to applaud her is that she is obedient and have self will power not to wear socks without my permission, just as how she is to her food allergies.  


Well done, Vic!  After a few nights of her reciting Psalm 23 (also in front of friends and family to boost her confidence in public speaking) and getting away with her socks, I have to retract this "fastforward" as it wouldn't seem fair, would it?  

Bangkok Holiday Day 3

Monday, 26th December 2011

Today we went to Danmoen-Aduak Floating Market. This time, we get to sit on the "sampan" / boat which got the kids including myself excited! The journey to this place was also a long one, taking close to 1.5hour. By the time we arrive, it was noon, and we wasted no time, book a boat that can sit all 9 of us for only THB500 for a round trip take last an hour or so.

Whenever we see something we like on another boat or at the stalls by the side of the buildings, we indicate to our rower to stop. We bought a plate of "siew yoke" rice for THB50 which the kids devoured in no time, and a coconut (THB20) to quench our thirst. As haggling is expected, the local sellers mark up their prices very high, and once we haggled for a sarong. Asking price was THB850, we offered THB150, she dropped price a few times and lowest was THB200, but she didn't close the deal for us. I was not going to pay RM20 for something I can get cheaper here in Malaysia ; P

The kids including cousin Theodore each got their belated Christmas present each from Mama Yeh Yeh here... their very own metal tuk tuk!

Floating market - view from the carpark.

This is how they do business. 

Before getting on one of these boats, William was very excited. 

Thai "siew yoke" rice with sweet sauce for THB50

Duck noodles for THB50 after the boat ride.  This is tourist price, which I think is pricey as the portion was small and the taste average.  The locals pay half the price.

And this is my darling Vic with me

Wooden cats and frogs for sale in the hot sunshine

We bought these grilled bananas from this lady.  I forgotten the price, but the bananas were not very ripe therefore not very sweet. 

Vic on the boat...

Daddy bought 8 bottles of imported Evian water for the kids' drinking water. Initially he bought half a dozen mineral water from Vietnam from one of the 7-Eleven stores, but on the second night, we couldn't find the same drinking water and ended up with the Evian waters after checking out a few 7-Elevens. THB39 for each bottle....

whilst the parents drink local Chang water...

Continued - I forgot to mention...

Pratunam / Platinum, Bangkok

We went back to civilisation in the afternoon, another 2 hour ride. We were supposed to get our massage at Health Land (initially I thought this was an organic farm where we can get some fresh produces, but boy, am I wrong...) which is actually a professionally managed massage centre that has a building and car park of its own. The place was fully packed, with a waiting list of 1 hour for body massage and 30 minutes for foot massage, so we decided to skip this.

Bangkok jam is bad. We encounter jam in almost every trip and according to our driver, it takes 1 hour for 1km... how bad is that?!! I was beginning to feel my buttocks becoming flat and needed to be fluffed back into shape!

By the time we got to our next destination, which was actually really nearby, at Pratunam shopping centre, it was nearly 5pm. Communication with the driver was not easy, as he speaks minimum English (worse than my Camb maid when she first arrived Malaysia) and a little Mandarin.

Shopping in one of the malls in Pratunam was delightful - I think almost similar to the floating markets we have been, only with air condition this time. The sellers also have wholesale prices, and my disappointment was that they close at 8pm, which we didn't know otherwise we wouldn't be eating our dinner at 6pm!

Managed to buy some hair clips for myself and Vic and a Cars2 pyjamas for William. Buying things for boys is not that easy as there were not many choices, but when he got excited over this pjs that cost THB300, we decided to get it, as the shops were closing anyway! Loads of elegant girly shoes and beautiful accessories for the women/girls. We only manged to cover 1 floor in that 2 hours. ; (

Hubs and I had did a quick sprint over to Central World shopping mall whilst Mama Yeh Yeh waited with the kids for the others and the van. The fastest paktor session we ever did... but very memorable.

After we got back to the hotel at night and cleaned up the kids, Mama Yeh Yeh babysitted the two kids whilst hubs and I went for our foot massage just opposite the hotel. Cost THB250 for a 1 hour session, cheap mou? Whilst I enjoy my massage, also reminding my masseur to put on more pressure, poor hubby next to me was silently grimacing in pain, trying to take his mind off the torture inflicted on his flesh by playing handphone games. Oh, the things he does for love... just to be with me : )

We walked back to the hotel, checked that the kids were fine with Mama Yeh Yeh, and feeling hungry we walked opposite the hotel again in search of supper. Found a roadside stall with some people eating there and ordered Tom Yum Kung, a plate of rice and grilled pork!  What is visiting Thailand without eating their Tom Yum Kung?!  For our supper, we were charged a hefty THB250 which I feel is a rip off, as this is definitely tourist price, moreover the portions were not big and the cooking average.  Oh well...

Tomorrow we leave for home, it's bye bye Thailand...