Ipoh Wedding Dinner

Why all vacations doesn't last? Why all holidays are so short? Why happy times tend to pass by quicker than usual?

Just got back from Ipoh. Anyway, we stayed over for one night only, so, I guess that's why it ended so fast. We left home by 8am on Friday and reached Ipoh about 10++ am. Managed to check into our room by 12 noon. Surprisingly, of all the hotels that I have stayed before in Ipoh, this Regalodge Hotel was not bad. Not bad at all. For RM106 nett (30% early bird promotion but you gotta book 30 days in advance), you get breakfast for 2, very clean room with bathtub and all the necessary amenities such as safe box, coffee making facilities and etc. I would strongly recommend it to those who wanted to travel to Ipoh. Even myself, I'll definitely book this hotel again for our future visits. Sebastian was very excited when he got into the room. He was jumping on the bed, running here and there and kept on telling me that he liked hotel very much.

As usual, Sebastian was given the privilege to grab some goodies from grandma's confectionery shop in town. Have I ever mentioned before that daddy grew up together with this confectionery shop? That shop is really a kid's heaven! According to daddy, grandma and grandpa used to sell snacks/goodies in front of the cinema during the old days. That time, all they ever had was just a small stall. The shop was a result of grandma and grandpa's sweat and hardwork. Now, they have gained the reputation of being a top supplier instead. Grandma has passed the business to 5th uncle. And he is running it good. Business is good. When I'm there every time, I can see that the shop is always crowded with customers. Well, Sebastian got himself a whole pack of Mamee, a box of chocolates and a pack of jelly. All for FREE! And he got to walked around the shelves, picking out his choices. How fun can that be, trying to imagine myself as a kid, walking in a shop like that!

After that, we spent the whole afternoon in our room. Sebastian happily occupying the bathtub and later, sis and family dropped by for a chat. We don't even have time for a nap. And it was raining heavily, we even canceled the idea of going out to 'lepak'. Anyway, time went by fast and soon, we had to prepare ourselves for dinner.

Here are some photos taken during the dinner. We had a simple tea serving ceremony in the restaurant.

In the car, on our way to the restaurant.

Daddy's uncles and aunties.

Sis and daughter, Emily. Isn't she one of the cutest little pumpkin you have ever seen? Wish I had a daughter with big round eyes like Em.

The first dish of the night. I only managed to take this one because it was either I was too busy entertaining Sebastian or the other dishes finished too quickly once served.

Family shot. I was so simply dressed with no hair-do nor make-up that night compared to all the aunties nicely dressed in cheongsams. Paiseh! Luckily darling sis gave me this white dress or else, I have to crack my head thinking of what to wear.

Me and my darling.

Daddy and his darling.

With the cousins.

Grandma and Ku Jeh. Grandma was so happy that night she took her sweet time to finish both cups of tea (normally people just sipped a bit) and she talked a lot too, saying that she waited so long for this cup of tea.

A gift from Grandma. White gold necklace and diamond pendant. I was surprised she actually gave me white gold because I thought older generations like to give gold instead. But anyway, daddy said, maybe they know what the younger generations would like to have.

The gift looks like this.

Next, was Tai Ku Ma and Tai Ku Cheong. All the way from Singapore. Really yau sum. I heard they came by Firefly and it cost them RM1K per person for the flight. Since when Firefly got so expensive?? Crazy er...no choice, coz it's the only airline that lands in Ipoh if you choose not to drive.

Tai Ku Ma gave me a white gold necklace and pendant also.

Then, it's 4th Aunt and her husband. Also all the way from Singapore.

5th uncle and wife.

6th uncle and wife, from Penang. All uncle and aunties were present except for Lai Suk and Lai Sum. Both of them weren't in Malaysia on that day.

Last but not least, Ka Jeh and Jeh Foo. Both are very nice people. Glad to have them.

Silly daddy with Dom's red bow tie.

Now, it's the silly boy's turn. I asked him to smile, he went and smiled like that!

Taken by Sebastian.

Lastly, a photo of Dom grooving to the music.

Everybody enjoyed themselves very much! Daddy said, next CNY we will make it back to Ipoh for the eve and first day celebrations. It has been so long since he ever go back to celebrate first day of CNY with his grandma. Not a problem. We will plan towards it. ;)

Attended Nick's Birthday Party Last Sunday

Alright! As promised, both daddy and I took him to Nick's birthday party last Sunday. He was really excited at first but when he saw the massive crowd at the party, he began to be quite reluctant to move around. I don't know which group of children were his classmates, but anyway, he stuck to us like a leech. So, I guess maybe he was the only one from school? I didn't heard him mentioned any of his classmate's names as well during our time there. Anyway, we sat at a corner and I was the only one who took some food to eat because daddy was looking after him. The lil' one was so reluctant to move, least followed me to get food. The only part he actually interacted with the birthday boy (Nick) was when I asked him to pass the present over. He handed it to Nick and said 'happy birthday' but that Nick just grabbed the present and turned away from him. He didn't even said thank you to Sebastian.

Errmmmm....seems to me very rude and no manners lor. But I just don't care because he is just a small boy after all. Just that I think parents should educate their children to be more polite and well-mannered in all situations. They should cultured the child's personalities from young. Not that I'm saying my son is very well-mannered but at least I did my responsibility like when Sebastian handed over the present, I asked him to wish 'happy birthday' to Nick, you know, as an example. Maybe Nick's mum was too busy with the guests. Anyway, she was a nice lady for she greeted us warmly.

As I said, he stuck to us like a leech and things got worst when one of the balloons burst. He got so scared that he asked us to leave immediately and tears started to come as well, bla bla bla. Daddy hugged him and tried to explain to him. He started to feel calm later but still insisted to go home. He put his fingers in his ears most of the time, even when I asked him to eat, he quickly stuffed all the food inside his mouth, so that he can put his fingers back to where they belonged....his ears. Boy....his mouth was so full...

In the end, we decided to make a move home. It was not a very pleasant experience for him but at least we make him stayed awhile before taking him home. Must at least let him get used to situations like this and not because of teeny weeny thing quickly take him home. That...is over-protective. Well, being a soft-hearted mummy, of course when he cried, I asked to go home immediately but it was daddy who told me to stay put and let him experienced the scenario a bit. Part of growing up wor.

I told him to say goodbye to Nick who was playing with other children in a room. The kids were playing some games together. He was willing to go with me and managed to wave his hands and said goodbye. Of course, Nick didn't see him because we were standing at the doorway and the kids, they were too busy playing. When I walked forward with Sebastian holding my hands, trying to approach Nick, one of the lady who conducted the games sessions told the children, "I'm going to make this balloon burst", while holding up a balloon in her hand.

WAAAAA..........when my boy heard that sentence, he quickly pulled my hand and run...run mummy run, he said, faster faster!! So funny lar...hehe.....as if we were running away from some gigantic monster.

When we have left, he was all bubbly cheerful again in the car, talking alot and he also got a party pack in return. But, when I asked him, you wanna go Nick's party again? He said NO! I think daddy plans to have a birthday party for him next year so that he can invite his classmates along. Plus, it's his final year in the kindi. Haha...and daddy said, BALLOONS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED!

We will be heading to Ipoh this Friday and I can't wait. Holiday time! For daddy, it's $$$$ time hor. He need to fork out for the wedding dinner neh. Anyway, after Ipoh, I'll be looking forward to my 2 weeks of rest before the new job. Daddy has just booked a 3 days 2 nights vacation to Bukit Gambang Resort, Kuantan in early December during my rest period. Very new resort, I think, just opened in 2009. There got water park (like Sunway type) where we can play all day long. Apart from that, we can spend time in town, the hotel pool, the petting farm and others in one of the days. According to daddy, this resort has quite good reviews from the net. Still new gua.

More photos will be coming up later after Bukit Gambang Resort!

Updates

I'm actually quite free at work now, just counting down to my last day in MTC. Apart from finishing up some pending stuffs, I don't know what else I can do. Nothing much to update in particular, because all of us are good. I'm just looking forward to Ipoh trip next week and my two weeks of rest before I start at the new place. I need to figure out where to bring the lil' one for some school holiday trip. Maybe just a day trip at Genting or Sunway Lagoon Park. Not sure yet but will definitely have one.

Let me just update about the lil' one a bit. He is currently 32kg....I know...I know, a lil' overweight for his age but luckily he is very tall. So, can cover up a bit. His height is almost my chest level now. Honestly, don't think he looks like a 5-year old though. He is getting talkative, cheeky and more mischievous now. And he also talks back now. I recalled one incident where I said, eat med-cine! He corrected me and say, no! It's not med-cine. It's ME-DI-CINE!

There are times when he got out from bath, saw the pile of clothes in the laundry basket and said to me, washing machine spoil dy. Which is true. Our washing machine is currently out of order and I need to hand-wash the clothes. He saw me a couple of times hand washing the laundry. Then I told him jokingly while wiping him dry with a towel, ya, washing machine spoil dy, mummy need to wash....you don't wear so many clothes ok.

Then, you know what he did next?

My darling boy approached the full laundry basket and pushed all the clothes down, hence, it was more compact and the pile of clothes were not so high compared to previous. There ya, he said. Meaning, the laundry basket was not full yet, my mommy don't have to wash first. Haha....at the age of 5 1/2 already know how to think about the mother.

He never failed to make us laugh everyday. There was one fine day, when I picked him up from school, he proudly showed me an envelope. Inside, was a Mickey Mouse birthday invitation card. Told me in the car, that it's Nick's (his classmate) birthday. I asked him, you wanna go to Nick's birthday? He said yes. First time so far of his 5 1/2 years of life, he told me he wanted to go to his friend's birthday party. Normally, he likes to stay alone, being alone, rather anti-social. But, I found out lately, he started to mix around and he kinda wanted/like companies. Even his school teacher told me, that now he talks a lot in school. My boy has really grown up.

Back to the envelope, when we reached home, according to daddy, he saw the lil' boy chucked the envelope into the mailbox and summoned for his daddy to go near the mailbox where he was waiting. Then, the bugger lifted up the mailbox flap and retrieved the envelope inside. He told daddy, that he has a mail!! Haha...he threw the envelope into the mailbox and pretended he has a mail! Hahaha...cheeky rite? Too much of Mr. Bean.

I also took him for an MMR second booster recently and the boy did not cried at all. Both daddy and I praised him for being a strong boy and he was very proud of himself. He kept on talking a lot, a proud expression/boost of his glory. I have read before in a book that raising a boy is different from raising a girl. A girl will get every confidence she wants or has, but a boy needs to be told. To grow up being confident, a boy need to feel loved and praised by the parents. A girl's confidence is there naturally but for a boy, you need to build his confidence. And that can be done by telling or gesturing how much you appreciate and love him. I guess, it's true.

There are so many things to tell about him, like when we are at home on weekends, every 15 minutes he will open the fridge and asked me, hmmm....mummy...what to eat? Haha....wai sik mao!

So, this Sunday is Nick's birthday party. I can't wait to bring him there and see how he interacts with his friends~!

Upset

I would like to add another disappointment and regret to my life chapter today. I will start with the disappointment first because it's not as bad as the regret. I was sick with a bad sore throat infection on Sunday, so I informed my colleague who is the secretariat for the exhibition which I mentioned in my previous post that I'll be coming in late for the set up on Monday. She was fine with that. Ok. The initial plan was to stay at the Traders Hotel, KL during the entire exhibition roll out, 4 days 3 nights. Hubby and Lunz will stay together with me as well and I already promised to bring Lunz for a good dip at the pool. Hubby will also take care of Lunz while I work, like bringing him to PetroSain in KLCC and bla bla bla. Everything was well planned earlier. Then the following day, which is today, while I was packing my luggage, I received a call from mum. She told me grandma was in a critical stage and my uncle was asking everyone to rush down to the Gleneagles Hospital for a final look at her.

Without thinking twice, I immediately rush to mum's house to fetch her to the hospital because I know I still have some time before I need to go to the exhibition centre. And it's my responsibility as a daughter to bring her there since I'm free at that time. Hubby fetched Lunz from school, of course.

The disappointment I felt today was actually linked to the regret. Knowing my grandmother had passed away, I know I can't be totally available to work during the exhibition. Still panicking and upset, I immediately made a call to my exhibition secretariat colleague and told her the incident before judging properly. I told her I'm able to come on Tuesday but on Wednesday I definitely couldn't make it as I have to attend the funeral at the memorial park (chut san). I told her I badly wanted to be at the exhibition as everybody in MTC is practically waiting for this big show. Even myself, I spent a week straining my eyes in front of the PC rushing for the business matching schedule for over 200 companies, just for this exhibition. I don't want to miss it, I want to be a part of it. Plus, I have already promised my boys that we will have some KL escapade.

My colleague told me, she will arranged but she called me back in the next 5 minutes and told me not to come to the exhibition anymore. She had already found a replacement for me. I tried to call her back more than 3 times just to let her know, I can make it but still she rejected me. In short, I'm completely eliminated from this project. Another colleague told me, it will not be fair if you aren't there for the entire function and yet you wanted to stay at the hotel. You should gave the opportunity to your replacement as he will be taking over your task. He should be staying in the hotel instead. No point you can make it one day but not the other.

I thought, true...if I'm her, I wouldn't let myself into the shit of arranging all this just for a person. Why should I? I've plenty other arrangements to worry about. Might as well I cut out now on those unnecessary worries. It really felt bad you know, being cut out entirely from an anticipating project. It's like you are totally not involved. No credits. Hubby said I shouldn't have informed my colleague too early. I should have gone there to work first because the 'chut san' date wasn't even confirmed yet at the moment but I have already called my colleague and told her so much. I said, I was just thinking that telling her early would facilitate her to find a replacement for me on the second day of exhibition but never did I know she eliminated me totally from it to save her headache. Hubby commented, that's why. You always think of other people first but you never think for yourself. You can't be so honest and simple in the working world. No one will sympathize nor will pity you. Kindness is your virtue but it is also your weakness.

I was taken aback from his statement. But I know it's true. I hear every single comment from him and told myself not to be this foolish anymore. I was really disappointed but I guessed I have learnt my lesson. The only thing that made me felt better was knowing that I'm leaving soon from this company. So, it's fine if I don't get any credit.

This was nothing compared to the regret I felt today. As I mentioned earlier, I was fetching mum to the hospital and we were actually in front of the hospital entrance when she received a call. My dad told her that grandma was already on the way back to my uncle's house. So the first thing that came into my mind was I need to make a quick turn down to Kepong from Gleneagles Hospital. Without hesitating, I made my way immediately there. Mum told me if I need to go to work, I can leave her at the hospital, she will take a cab. I will not of course, how could I just dumped my mother at this moment, so I told her I'll fetch her to uncle's house. I was telling myself silently, if I leave you to take a cab, I'm a 'sui lui'. If I can't make it to take you in time to see your mother go, I'm a 'sui lui'. All I know that time, I don't care what it is, I must bring my mum there on time. No matter what. I know how much she wanted to see her own mother for the final time. Everyone does when it comes to this situation.

As I rushed down to Kepong, almost reaching my uncle's house, mum received another call. This time from my aunt. Aunt told us that grandma has already passed away.....in the hospital. I was like...OMG...why dad gave us the wrong info? Grandma was still in the hospital and there was no way I can turned back to the hospital now because she was practically gone. So near and yet this happened. We were there at the hospital already when the call from dad came in. If only I don't panicked, if only I'm logic enough, I would have confirmed with the relatives who were there in the hospital instead of listening to dad. And dunno, where the hell dad got the news from. I regret instantly on the spot and to such great extend, I was strucked dumb. I just parked my car by the road side with my double signal on and with mum crying badly next to me. This time, I really 'sui lui'. If dad or bro fetches her, the outcome might be different. I wasn't calm enough, that's why. Mum panicked but I'm not supposed to be. I failed to send her to see her mother for a final look and I know she will regret that for the rest of her life.

I consoled her by telling her, sometimes it's not good to witness your beloved passed away in front of you and grandma loves you so much, she don't want you to witness her death. It's fated. But no matter what I said, I can't stop feeling regret and hurt because she was so upset. I can only be there for her when she needs me and hope time will heal everything.

Amitabha

Finally.....

I was drop dead busy recently with MTC's first of its kind international timber exhibition to be held in KL Convention Centre next week. In fact, all the staffs are running here and there preparing for the big show. I was assigned to the exhibition secretariat to help out some last minute stuffs for this whole week that I don't even have the time to blog about one of the biggest decision/action in my life that I have made last Friday. Today....I finally have the time because I have finished all the work....yiiipppeee!!

Well...I'm about to come across one of the biggest transition in life. I'll be working in a new environment. Yes! I have tendered my resignation last Friday. I have just gotten the confirmation letter on my resignation from MTC today. Finally, after 3 years of working here and after 1 1/2 years of job hunting, I found a job that made me felt worthwhile giving up MTC. MTC offers good benefits and the opportunity to travel. Although the pay is peanut but there is no denying that I get to travel to many places and witness different cultures. The new company that I'll be joining is the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). The JD is pretty much the same as what I'm doing now in MTC, except, of course the difference is to serve the oil and gas industry rather than the timber industry.

We can't have the best of both worlds. So, I went for what I think is the most important for my future. Higher pay and salary structure and the opportunity to learn more about other industry while I'm still young. I thought long and hard before I came to this decision. I was quite worried at first, as I'm in the comfort zone, I'm afraid to venture elsewhere. Everything seems good in MTC if you don't think about the peanut pay and the slim promotion chances. Monday to Friday work, clock in and out punctually, no overtime, stress-free, good colleagues, bla bla bla....

But somehow, I guessed it's time to move on. Earlier, I have tried to request for salary adjustment but was rejected. Also, I found out recently that the newbies (fresh grads) who just entered MTC has even higher salary than me for the similar position. Honestly, when I learnt such news, I was a lil' offended by the company's unsystematic/biased move on the staff's salary but am glad at the same time also that I'm finally leaving. There is no chance I can move on to a higher salary range if I'm still in MTC. What was offered to me now by SPE would takes me 7-8 years to achieve in MTC and I will be too old to venture elsewhere by the time. That's why I left. Thanks to hubby and darling sis for the encouragements and supports. Muaks!

My last day will be on the 26th November after deducting my annual leaves. I'll taking 2 weeks of long rest before I start my new job. I'm forgoing my bonus also to join the new company but I guess it's ok, opportunity doesn't comes often and I don't want to miss it. I will earn back in a month or two. I'll be missing all the crazy laughs here, definitely. My friends rather than colleagues, I wished them all well. Especially to Lihar who is the only friend at work that reads my blog (because the others don't know about it), I wish you, "sam siong si sing", hope for what will get what. You know what I meant. :p Remember to inform me even though I'm not around later. I'll be very happy for you. :)

I'm gonna spend my remaining days here in MTC for good!

Darling Sis

My craziest closest sis came back for a visit from Manila recently. We met up a few times during her 2 weeks here in KL. We chatted like nobody's business and laughed our heads off. It's really fun talking to her. She was very supportive of the things that I said, true, honest and she really really know how to crack stupid jokes. I share the connection with her that I can't possibly find elsewhere on anybody. And also, I noticed that although I'm older than her, it was her that always protects me. For example, in terms of speech, she is far more better than me. So, she always fights off people who 'bully' me. When people 'attack' me verbally, I'll usually keep quiet or don't know what to say. But she is the one who always know how to 'attack' back on my behalf.

My darling sis.

I love the pictures of you taken with dad. Dad was so cute neh.

Sis, just to tell you I'm grateful to have you in my life. The Buzz Lightyear lunchbox and water bottle that you bought, Lunz loved it alot. He has been using it since whenever we go out. And finally, he recognizes you calling you 'kai mama'. The next time you come back, don't buy anymore dried mangoes for me as the current supply is more than enough and will last a long long time. Just bring back yourself safely ok.

Philippine is famous for dried mangoes. Elsewhere, you can't get as juicy as the Philippine dried mangoes.

Lunchbox and bottle bought by sis for Lunz.

And she even bought a Phillips Ceramic Curl for me. She knew I wanted it very much but 'ng seh tak' to buy.

I used it instantly on the next day and showed her the result.

Darling sis, the moment you are reading this, I want you to know how sorry I am to hear that I wasn't there for you when the bad things happened, especially the one that you told me in Sushi Zanmai. I don't know how hard it will be for you when it is time to leave Makati (if you know what I meant), but I know you are one hell of a strong lady or else, you wouldn't have gone so many miles away from home in the first place.

Be strong, have faith in Buddha knowing that He will have arrangements for you. Mum and Dad loves you and so am I, as one of your close friend. Take care. Need someone to talk to, you know where to find me.

May God bless you!

Lego Sets

This is really an outdated post. Daddy bought the Lego sets like about a month ago and I'm only blogging about it now. Well, anyway...both my big and small boys are not playing with the sets now (I guess they are bored of it already) but the collections were cool and according to daddy, every boy should have his own Lego sets. Therefore, I decided to blog about it and post some pictures that I have taken.

Posing with his new collections. Toy Story and Indiana Jones.

Woody to the rescue!! Vroom vroom!

I'm not a fan of Indiana Jones but since daddy told me that this collection was 60% off from its original price, so I took it home from the rack. FYI, everything was paid by daddy. Hehehe....

It looks like this after fully constructed. There was one afternoon (when I was napping on the couch), my boy built this entire set on his own by following the instruction manual, page by page (with no help at all). I was so proud of him. That time daddy was upstairs, I think.

Such detailed and small-sized figurine....Woody!

Buzz looked a lil' short to me. I prefer Woody. Hehehe....

This one, he obviously need help from daddy!

Close up of the boat!

There ya! When you press the button at the back of the boat, PLAK! It will split into two.

Another boat.

Now you see me all smiley....

Now you don't! "Arrgghhhhh.....help me Indiana Jones! I was kidnapped by the bad guys!"

Busy with the newly bought Lego sets.

A very close and long-timed friend who is currently working in London asked me recently what I wanted to 'tumpang' her to buy when she comes home in December (the GBP exchange rate now is much lower than way before. The current exchange rate is only 4.7-4.8. But anyway, she is really kind enough to offer considering all the hassle of purchasing the products and having to fork out money first on my behalf) . At first, I told her I wanted a Burberry purse (because Burberry's origin is from London, and it's really cheap getting it there), but after consideration, I dropped the idea because I don't think it is really worth getting a purse at RM 800-900 although in KL it is selling for 1K plus. So, I told her to get me Lego sets instead. Buying Lego from UK or the States is way cheaper than getting it locally. (You know what I meant---->Malaysia's tax is killing us!). I have yet to let her know the model or which collection to get. Gotta do some research first. :)