Attending an orchestra performance

Sometime in this month, I went for an orchestra performance by the kids' school band together with a few other school bands. It was also graced by some other teams specially flown in from Taiwan to perform.

I took the kids along for them to experience it. When the show began, they were excited for awhile but very soon after, too soon in fact, they grew bored seeing there wasn't much to see, only music to hear. The songs weren't the current hits that they are so used to as well, hence.... *yawn* "mommy, can I play with your iPod touch?"

To tell the truth, I wasn't particularly interested as well, but trying to concentrate and appreciate the wholesome feeling of a full orchestra in progress. But guess it wasn't working very well. Tried to do some narration to the kids but dang! I couldn't find the word of that person standing in front, with his back to us and waving both his hands with a stick. I sms-ed my friends and asked what that person is called, and got the reply "conductor". Heck! I knew that! Really! The stick is called a baton, which I thought was only used in a relay run. I told the kids what I got to know then, and that's about it! I do not know what his actions mean and I do not know the different musical instrument names. How pathetic is that!

However, there was some hope yet! Somehow, I was smitten by a piece played from one band and I do not know why, I teared. Where it come from, I felt touched by the piece and felt emotional. Freaky!

Anyway, I met a couple I know later and they suggested that the 2 big projector screens should be showing live vid of the people on the stage, to make it more interesting. I have a feeling they were bored to the skin like me as well and why, that was what I thought too! Guess the organizer has a lot of room for improvement!

1sukan, 1murid, 1something..

Just recently, the ministry came up with an idea to strengthen the 1Country spirit. I am not too sure of the whole mission and purpose, but all students primary 4 and above need to go to their schools on the same day to dash a 2km run. Parents and teachers were also invited to join in the open category and we were asked to register a few days earlier by a memo given out from the kids' school.

We didn't register ourselves but closer to that date, hub said he wanna join and intend to take the whole family along for the fun run. I made an effort to go up the office to ask the curriculum head if we can still join, saying we were going to turn up in full force in supportive of the whole idea.

See see, hub was sleepy and couldn't get up on that early morning. Ended up, I took korkor to his school and we both run. Separately, of course. The younger ones went first, separated by gender, and lastly followed by the parents, also separated by gender. When korkor's class teacher saw me, she asked "eh? mana young kids?". I said still sleeping, malu aje.

I was still thinking to run or not to run by the last minute, and ended up running. Pathetically, I didn't make it to the top 10, even though there weren't many parents joining in. Well, some are pro runners, all dressed up in proper running attire, how to fight la, haimoe? I knew I should have brought my powered up super boots for that event!

The run was quite nice in actual fact, being on the feet rather than in the car on the route we normally take to school. The view, the road, the experience are all so different. The sun wasn't up shining on us yet, and it was a kinda cool morning. The run ended soon and we were seated back in the hall watching some local chinese movie on the big projector screen. I was bored and hungry so I went out to the canteen to take some breakfast.

Later, I heard some applause coming from the hall and guessed it was award presentation time. Since moe-ngor-fun, I took my own sweet time going back to the hall and eventually, took my son home before the stipulated time of 11am.

Golden Palm Tree Resort Sepang

Ooh... my good friend came back from Singapore and that weekend was the first time we met again, after like, few months??

I missed her so much, as we didn't catch up as often as when she's around, but as usual, being good ole friends, that wouldn't have bothered us. We got on like before and nothing much changes, except that she came strutting in with her new look. I was so envious of her amount of hair on her head!

We set off early in the morning, picking up 2 other mommies who are my weekly yoga kaki-s, leaving the family on their own. How rejuvenating!

The 3 of them get on like they have known each other for years, as usual. JM hasn't lost her mojo, her quick rapport building with anyone around her is just amazing!

We had no problems finding the resort, and on the way, we passed by fields of different plantations, it was very pleasant. JM pointed out the dragonfruit plants, showing off her prowess of a very knowledgeable person liddat. Hmmph!

When we reached the resort, breakfast buffet was served and hundreds of people were already there. Hearsay there were 200+ participants for this very first Malaysia Yoga Festival. Previous one held last year at the same place was an 1-day event, which I didn't attend.

The first session would be starting soon, and at any one point of time, there were 3 classes held simultaneously. We chose our intended class and went to the hall. But it wasn't about to start soon, and later we were told that we were awaiting the arrival of a YB to grace the event.

The YB he was talking about was Elizabeth Wong. She gave a short speech and was presented with a very nice yoga mat. Ooh... see also lau hau sui. Me laa, not her.

Our classes lasted 2 hours each time and by an hour's time, I was longing to crawl into my bed. So so so tired.

Lunch was served, followed by the checking in process. It was a bit chaotic, but since we were very "efficient", 4 of us who came in the same car, were among the first few to get our keys. We hurried excitedly to look for our suite which is out in the open sea.

Alas, my camera's battery compartment was acting up again, and thus, lost the mood to take pictures, except in really special situations, like when I saw the beautiful sunset after 2 other classes were over.

The resort boasts an infinity pool which I had no chance of dipping into, but at least my kids get to do so the next day when hub drove them over to check us out.

We had a lovely buffet dinner and then, the evening ended even lovelier with the company of another yoga kaki and her hub where we sat down by the pool with a drink and hours of nonstop gossips and laughter. I enjoyed myself a lot that time.

When we called it off as a day, we went back to our suite, washed up and almost immediately it was a knock out for me. Unfortunately for my other roommates, it seemed they hadn't been able to sleep so soundly.

I was woken up by an sms by the other roommate at 7 am as she informed me she was joining the 7.15am outdoor sun salutation class. I was contemplating of joining her, but the bed was really too comfortable. Moreover, the washroom was being used and I couldn't go without washing up, could I? So, I took my senses back to enjoy the comfortable soft bed and pillow, and had to drag myself up away from it when we need to leave for the breakfast and the morning class at 10.

Hub and gang (my mama and kids) arrived while I was halfway through the class and JM volunteered herself to usher them to the suite. When I went back over, they were changed and about to charge to the pool. It was so nice seeing them again, and meimei poured her hugs and kisses over while didi also came over to hug me which both were so endearing. I think I ought to leave them more often than not!

Story cut short now *yawn* (boring, kan?), I left the place in changed cars, with my 2 other friends, leaving JM to fend for herself! Apparently she got lost. Instead of heading back to her hometown, she went to Morib! Poor thing!

And on the way home, we bought durians! Though they were small ones, but it was so so so SO awful kickass GOOD! I want to get more durians this weekend!

Family AGM in Genting

Earlier this month, my sister-in-law, the kids' gugu, came to KL with her family.

We had the whole family reunion for the first time this year in Genting, first time as she couldn't balik kampung for the CNY at the last minute.

The weekend was when Bersih rally was held and oh, was that an eye opener? I didn't go as I was too tired, but wished I had though. Did you go?

We took a day trip while the rest stayed in Genting for a night.

It was a very cold and misty Sunday afternoon in Genting.

When we arrived, we didn't quite know what we wanted to do and the kids were getting bored. Walked from one hotel to another, then back to the hotel before and waited for one or the other. I was yawning away!

A couple of hours later, after my sil checked in, we decided to head to the outdoor theme park. Hub, as expected, was against the idea since he thought that it was already 2pm, and not worth paying for the entrance fees for just that few hours.

Then, my sil's hub also wanted to stay put at the hotel and both were like suggesting we take the kids by ourselves, cilaka!

We decided to take matters into our own hands and forced the hubs to go, don't care! Really, what's the point of going to Genting if it's not the whole family having some outdoor fun together, right? I would have banned indefinitely of ever going up the hill again if hub was adamant to save on some entrance tickets.

In the end, we had a lot of fun. Lucky the brat didn't spoil my day. The outdoor air was so fresh and cool and refreshing, it was wonderful! No sun, nor rain, not even long queues!

We let the kids ride whatever they wanted and we were busy taking pictures.

Hub himself had fun with the go-cart and the bumper boats. Hmmph! Still wanna complain?

While they bumped boats, meimei and I paddled boats, as meimei failed the height criteria for the bumpers.

It was getting cold as the Q snaked slowly to the frontline and brrrr... how I wished I had brought along another jacket.

Paddling boat with meimei around in that lake brought back many wonderful memories indeed.

When we left for home that day, it was about 8pm+ and the kids immediately knocked out in the car. What a wonderful day it had been.

I said to hub "There! Isn't it better to go outdoors? I love the outdoors, and I don't mind going to Genting if you had let us go outdoors whenever we are there" He said, if I had liked to go there more often, he would have brought us the annual passes, but knowing I don't like to go, that's the reason he didn't. wtf. I said it's this way, and he argued it's the other.

Well then, we shall see. I do love Genting, if we stay away from the indoor parks, really!

11 years old

Ain't he handsome?

We got an electronic dictionary for him (again!) and by paying it with our credit card in Midvalley, I got their giveaway sweet tote bag for free. How good a deal is that. Both of us got something for our "sweat" 11 years ago.

(Oh, btw, that was on 30 June, so don't bother to wish him jor)

what a....

Yesterday morning, I was driving in Puchong, passing by IOI mall. I was driving at a rather high speed and the road, though straight as it is, looked hilly to me, like crossing mountains over mountains. My eyelids were getting heavy and I was feeling a bit drowsy, like after taking some bad kickass drugs (not that I had taken before). I wanted to slow down and kept hitting the brake, but the speed still remained the same. The head began to spin and I was frantically trying to slow down but the damn brake never seemed to be working.

Does this tell you something?

Err... that I'm living my life too fast and need to slow down?

Or maybe that, I should quit catching the rerun drama at 11pm and start going to bed before that time already.

Playing chinese chess with grandparents

Didi is in love with the chinese chess, always pestering y-po or y-koong to play game after game with him whenever they are in town.

And just watching them playing together, my dad or mom entertaining him and vice versa, hearing giggles and laughter together, brings precious joy to me.

Angry Birds tees

Korkor wanted a tee with Angry Birds pic on it for a long time. The other day in Petaling St with their grandparents, popo almost wanted to buy one for him for his burfday but the price was too sky high and so not worth it.

Hence, when papa was in Bangkok the other day for a business trip, I asked him to check it out. He brought home a tee for each of us, so that make us an Angry Birds family.

I wanted that yellow piece to wear it on Saturdays, but hub said that was his. Mine is the white, and I'm gonna "modify" it to look more feminine (planning in my head) Meanwhile, korkor was very very delighted to see something that he wanted for a long time.

As for meimei, when she saw the pink (ugly) princessy frock that papa whipped out from his luggage, she went berserk! Dad jumped to first place immediately in her "who-loves-her-most" list!

To be honest, I really feel that piece of thing is so ugly, I would have thrown it away had it been given by someone else! But seeing her so happy, I close both eyes laa.. it's like her dream came true, can you believe it? Sigh... my vainpot, beauty shines from the inner self, girl!

That little black dress.

For some unknown mystery, I was searching for a little black dress for myself the other day.

It was not easy to find that perfect black dress.

I do not want it to be long as that would be too formal and black.

It can't have joints at bustline and waistline, but neither too flair as I do not want to looked like preggy.

It has to be CHEAP but made of good material.

Where would I be able to find that, I wonder? I looked around in a few outlets but couldn't find it.

As I was about to quit and contemplating of making my first online order, I stumbled into this last shop where... hello! there it was, waiting just for me. I tried it on and it fits perfectly, flowing nicely on my what little curves I have. It is very comfortable, and most importantly, it's on 50% SALE! How good is that?

And I bought it home, tucked it into my wardrobe, and feeling happy about it.

Why do I need a little black dress that day anyway? I am clueless as well!

Exciting weekend plan ahead of me.

I'm so excited!

Tomorrow, I'm going for a girly weekend break, entirely dedicated for yoga and makan and girls' bitching in a SUITE, suit for queens! Nice!

While I look forward to it right down somewhere in the heart, I suck at preparing the kids' for my missing in action plan. I told korkor nonchalantly while I drove him to tuition class, he wasn't least bit affected, I think. I also think he secretly jumping excitedly with joy hearing the news as I won't be around to tell him to stop being at the computer.

Later at the night, while I pack my luggage, hub spilled the beans to meimei quite cruelly. He said I am so bad, leaving them all to go on a holiday on my own. She was very upset and reacted with anger and trying hopelessly to be jubilant as well, saying she doesn't need to study BM (as if I make her study BM over weekends? wth!). Very soon, her tears flowed and I felt so sorry not to prepare her well for this. Well, maybe that was why I kept delaying to tell her, I suppose.

As for didi, he didn't say anything, but asked me to give them all a hug before they go to bed. Through his tiny arms hugging round me, I could feel he felt very mm-seh-tuck. Hub felt jealous why they are not showing all these emotions everytime he leaves us for a business trip. Heh! I am glad I still have a special place in their hearts no matter how tough I had been in disciplining them.

Oh yes, just can't wait for the morning to come. 3 yoga sessions tomorrow and 2 on Sunday. 5 meals in total. Should we stuff ourselves crazy? If we do, can we still be able to yoga? If we don't, where's our value for money? Can we be able to carry 3 yoga sessions in 1 day, when 1 session already exhaust us out? If we don't, money, money, money! Eek! *beaming with delight*

Bickering nonstop.

Meimei recently implemented a point system for "who-loves-her rank" on her own initiative. So far, only didi acknowledges her system while korkor totally feels it's her tactic of manipulation.

As such, didi and her form a sort of "alliance" and would be "joining hands" to bully korkor. Of course, he didn't care much, but at times when they keep on bickering, it just annoys the nerves out of me.

There was a day they start their bickering from the moment they woke up for school, then I got some sort of a break for my ears in the morning and then, continued torturing me for the rest of the day when I fetch them home. Major sien!

Last night in the car, driving them home, didi and korkor were at their throat ends again and I was very very impatient.

Each of them has some complaints about the other. I was so sick of it all. I said they are driving me an all time crazy high and I would, one day vanished into thin air. *poof*

I lectured, if they keep on with this habit of complaining and whining about everyone around them, they wouldn't be happy in their lives when they are older. And they would have forgotten how to be thankful and appreciative of what they have as well, when they are SO obsessed with this habitual way of thought.

Which brought me to give this assignment to them (knowing kids switching off their ears when it's lecture time) - to think of something that the other had done for him/her and thank them for that.

I had a moment of silence from then on while they ponder about it quietly on their own.

Handling emotions to stop Murphy's law.

These days I had been shrouded with a cloud over my head.

Everything seemed to be NOT going my way.

I hated myself for hearing my own voice, yelling at the kids.

And man! they just don't listen to you! which made me yelled even more!

Like Murphy's law, everything seemed to go downhill all together.

Then, this morning, I couldn't find my car keys! I was so stressed for the whole morning.

I told myself, this can't be it. I HAVE to get myself out of this spell.

When I went to the school and pick them home, I quickly searched korkor's bag frantically, hoping that the keys are in there. His bag, because I was dragging it home last night for him. It could either dropped in there or dropped somewhere along the way to my doorsteps.

I ALMOST CRIED WHEN I FOUND IT!

Then, I told myself, from that moment on, I NEED to be happy, chill it out when kiddos not behaving and just relax more.

And it worked. The day passed by very well. I didn't care about learning BM or their lessons or their upcoming exam for the day, we just did some painting, coloring circles and the boys played chinese chess. We were all happy for the day. And I ought to be sleeping now. *yawn*

Anyway, just as a topic of discussion here, it's only today I figured losing the car keys is so damn stressful.

Of course there's the spare key. But what if someone else picked up the lost key? Especially in the vicinity where the car should be. It's so easy for anyone to drive off my car.

I went to ask for assistance from the guards, requesting them to keep an open eye on my car, that it should be driven out other than myself. The guards know me and my car by now very well, I don't even need to specify which car and what plate number. Which is both impressive and yet scary to me at the same time.

I asked the hub what can be done if the keys are really lost, are we living our lives on our toes, keeping them crossed that nothing happens? Can we change the lock and alarm just like how we change our padlock if we lose our house keys? He lamented how, and wanna spend a few k just to do that? I was shocked. He said the most we can do is to get a steering wheel lock for it, which would be such a hassle for me whenever I wanna use it.

Anyway, he said, well, if the car is really stolen, better still, then he could claim insurance and change a new car. Probably he's just kidding, I was hoping, as I sure not wishing to be driving a Kancil. Then again, he was harping on his dream car for a long time now, I wonder....

In any case, I sure need not worry now. What a relief it had been.

Teaching BM to meimei

It's a frustrating time teaching BM!

Meimei is making me go CRAZZZZEEEEE!!!!

For 2 days in a row, we had been going through some words in her text book and then on the 3rd day, she still shrug her shoulders when I asked what those words mean again.

Which reminds me, that's her "short memory life" when she was a toddler and will treat anyone else as stranger after a night's sleep, even though she had played and bonded with that person the day before.

Now, it's NOT funny anymore!

I was really running out of steam and ideas. There, the other 2 were happily monkeying around as I had my hands full with her alone.

Then I asked didi to come and take over from me.

It was a funny sight for a moment to loosen me up.

The lesson was on kata hubung, and there were only 4 words to learn up! FOUR only, mind you!

Didi told her the meaning of those words and then he tested her. He was running out of steam as well.

In the car, I gave the task to the boys to make her learn those 4 words. In fact, it's not even 4. One of them is "dan" and she knew that one way long time ago. The rest are "kerana", "tetapi" and "sambil". We can't even go beyond that 3 new words!

SO, in the car, didi told her to say out sambil-while for 1o times. She rattled on endlessly and then I asked her to move to the next one "kerana-because". And off she went again.

Halfway, I asked "What is sambil?"

She went, "dunno"

Both the boys gave a loud SIGH.......

haha! that totally cracked me up!

See lah! I'm so marah already that it became a joke! But the boys were also frustrated with me.

Dem! What's so difficult about learning only THREE miserable little words?? TELL ME!!