kids @ SHOPWIKI

As a Malaysian I often find it hard to find some stuff locally and those that are available locally are not up to my expectation. Today, I have been assigned a task to write on SHOPWIKI clothing line for girls , a US online store that offers fantastic shopping for parents of all income groups and their little girls. As a little girl a long, long time ago (it sure has been a terribly long time ago, now that I'm 42 years old) I remember how my mum would always buy me lovely frilly dresses from Robinson's. Back then it was either Robinson's or St. Michael's (what is now called Marks & Spenser). Of course we did not have internet those days and shopping was confined to what was locally available and to travel buys ! Oh how we used to drool when family and friends returned from overseas trips and came home with their heavily laden bags !

These days the world is at our finger tips. An internet connection, a computer and a credit card. And off we go....

SHOPWIKI is an online store that sells everything you can imagine and ever want and today, I write about dress and casual clothing for girls. For more details and to visit SHOPWIKI, click here.

As our Malaysian weather dictates, mums would only want light clothing for their pretty girls and popular a popular choice would be light color cottons fabrics, either plain or printed. What I love best about internet shopping is the possibility of sending gifts to family and friends who are far away. I do not forget the fact that what I buy may be something others will not find in Malaysia ! Yea....that's something to be proud of.

Remember how (as kids), we wanted to be pretty, have special and fun stuff that we could show of and boast about ? I found many lovely things at SHOPWIKI; stuff I wish I had as a child. You have to see for yourself to belive it and to experience how terribly easy it is to shop online.

Ha ha ha...I remember a time when I was about 5 or 6 years old. It was Chinese New Year in Malaysia; the 1st day actually and we were getting ready to visit our elders. My mum had laid out this green dress for m with a butterfly motif in front and I refused to wear it. Why ? I hated the colour green ! Instead, I brought out this lilac coloured wool cardigan I received as a Christmas gift and insisted that I wear it. My mum being my mum, let me have my way. What I didn't realize then was my mum wanted me to learn a lesson that I would never forget in this lifetime ! So there I was, dressed in a white pleated skirt, lilac wool cardigan, lovely white socks with lace and white shiny shoes. I will spare you the rest of the details and leave it to your imagination but all I will say is that for the next 2 days, I had to stay home when everyone else went out visiting because I had such a horrible rash; from the heat and from scratching too much ! I've never owned a woolen cardigan since ! So this is how vain kids want to be and I have to say...I used to be one vain kid ! If only there was SHOPWIKI way way way back then...wouldn't I have been so lucky.....

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new business

We've finally started our new business. It's something that we've been planning for some time now but didn't really have the guts to get into. Yeah....we're into AUTO DETAILING. We don't just polish, wax and vacuum. We get into the little details of ensuring that the car is near perfection (of course depending also on your car condition mah - we are not God right ?). We remove swirls and stains and go through an entire 5 step paint reconditioning process on the car. Not only that, we also do the interior. Bear in mind, some stuff can be done and some not. Fabrics and leather must never be overworked so certain stains may never be removed.

We are offering a special PAWPRINTS discount to my blog visitors. If you never try, you'll never know. I am super happy with my car now. The colour is much deeper and it looks like it has a "wet look". If you are keen, please send me an email at spectrumadts@gmail.com or visit us at :

Spectrum Auto Detailing
No. 32, Jalan TS 6/10
Subang Light Industrial Park
47510 Subang Jaya

SEE YA !

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how smelly are durians ???

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service tax on malaysian credit cards

The budget announcement came and went last Friday. Overall, there was nothing spectacular for the individual while the industrialist may already be dancing on the table ! What bothers me most is the imposition of RM50 service tax on each credit card aimed at curbing spending. Here's my story...... I have about 15 credit cards and they're all free from annual fees. My friends tell me I am crazy but I have my reasons. I pay in full each month and I use my cards to organize my spending. This allows me to easily monitor my monthly expenses and to spot any fraud charges just as easily. For example, I use one card specifically for petrol and a few others for specific stores. I feel "safe" using credit cards since I only need to carry a minimum amount of cash. In addition, I've learnt to appreciate the perks and freebies. Instead of cash, I use my credit cards and earn points that I always use to redeem supermarket vouchers. Annually, this will add up to a little over RM1,000 in vouchers. This is something that I really appreciate especially during months when I have unforeseen expenses. Some of these, I will pass on to my mum. EON Bank has a fantastic feature where I am able to convert any purchase over RM500 into an installment for a small fee that I gladly pay. It helped me plenty recently when my TV got busted and I needed to replace it. After a car accident and the repair expenses early this month, it was a gift from God to have the credit card handy. Both my mum and aunt have two credit cards each for medical emergencies; otherwise they are cash bunnies. Our government has failed to realize that credit cards have helped many of us. What they should have done was to have banks impose stricter application requirements or to increase the salary qualification for credit card application. Banks could also approve a spending limit suitable with the cardholder's salary. This tax imposition will however affect many of us who do not abuse the lenient application procedures. Unless the banks absorb the RM50 service tax, I am likely to cancel most of my credit cards. It's a sad move but an inevitable one as I do not see myself throwing good money out the window ! Do you ?

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not me !

I never heard about the recent earthquake in Padang until my boss asked me if I felt the quake so I went for the morning papers are there it was; the headlines for the day. There was so much suffering and misery and I cannot truly say I understand what they're feeling or going through. We never can until we're there to see it firsthand. That same night I saw an ad on TV asking Malaysians to contribute to the victims of the Padang quake and I thought to myself why should I. Many of you will think that I'm a heartless bitch and everything else that's evil on earth but so be it. First, the Indonesians burn our Malaysian flag and then the call us evil. Then the erect roadblocks to detain Malaysians in Jakarta. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all Indonesians are evil and spiteful, just a fraction but just enough for me to say NO and believe that charity (from me at least) should begin at home. We have just as many devastated families and individuals that need help so I'll start just where I am. The Indonesians have always been proud so I'll just leave them alone with their pride. I have known many wonderful Indonesians past and present who remain my friends. One of them is a friend's maid who used to come over to my place whenever I was home to chat. Through her, I've learnt to be thankful for all I have and to be appreciative of the sacrifices that maids working abroad had to make. I love this Indonesian lady as if she were my own sister and I feel her sadness when calamity strikes her family. I know how hard it was for her to leave her family behind in search of a better future for them. To my Indonesian readers of my blog, I believe that there is good in everyone and that many of you have a heart of gold. But please do not make us Malaysians to be heartless because we are not. Many of us treat Indonesian maids as members of our family. My boss' Indonesian maid travels with them on all family vacations and she flies Business Class with them. Are we still cruel, evil and heartless ?

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death of a school mate

Last night, I learnt that a school mate had passed away at a rather young age. I did not know her well; only in passing but when I saw her photo, I instantly recognized her. In one of the reply emails by another school mate, I saw this lovely poem that I'd like to share......

I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see
I'm right by your side each night and day
And within your heart I long to stay

My body is gone but I am always near
I'm everything you feel, see or hear
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
As long as you keep me alive in your heart

I'll never wander out of your sight
I'm the brightest star on a summer night
I'll never be beyond your reach
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach

I'm the colourful leaves when Autumn's around
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond
The clear cool water in a quiet pond

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the Spring
The first warm raindrop that April will bring
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine
And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine

When you start thinking there's no one to love you
You can talk to me through the Lord above you
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees
And you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze

I'm the hot salty tears when you weep
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face
Just look for me, friend, I'm every place

Don't you think that this is just lovely and soothing for the soul ?

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forgive and forget ? NO

A grandmother is supposed to be a gem; but surely not mine. For 9 difficult years, I lost myself and never once contacted my paternal family. I have no regrets as I they do not deserve any compassion for what they have done and said to me. Forgiveness is not something I want to give her or her son and I am well and I have moved on. Life is beautiful and wonderful. And why do I bring this up now ? Well...as I was driving to a shopping mall last weekend, my phone rang. The number on the screen was unfamiliar but I have a habit of answering all calls. I accepted the call and was shocked to hear the voice at the end end. It was the long lost and gladly forgotten grandmother. After 9 long years she calls and tells me she misses me ? What the heck...what about years 1 to 8 ? Didn't she miss me then ! I cut the conversation short and told her I was driving. And then she wanted to know about my mum and why she couldn't locate my mum. Aiya....I was beginning to feel irritated and it could be heard in my voice. My mum warned me later never to ever tell on her. My mum....... Many of you will be thinking what a heartless person I am for treating a 90 year old woman like that. Maybe I am and maybe I'm not. My father was busy womanizing as my mum was in her last month of pregnancy and when my mum called him in Penang to tell him that it was time, a woman answered the phone. I was too young to remember much except for what my Grandma (mum's mum) told me. Shortly, my mum left him and my evil grandmother made my mum pay her share for the furniture paid for the wedding. My mum cried for months. She left penniless and went back to live with my grandparents who warmly welcomed her home. To add to the bitterness, that evil old woman welcomed that bitch into her home with open arms. My mum and grandparents were never people to bear grudges and encouraged my brothers and I to spend school holidays with my father and his parents. Young as I was, I never understood anything beyond fun ! The years went by and one day I found myself in a terrible argument with my granddad (mum's dad) and I ran away to my father's (or rather his parents) home. As soon as I arrived, that evil old woman dumped a really huge load of my father's clothes on me and told me to wash it. Though there was a washing machine in the house, it was only for show. And so I had to wash XXL towels and jeans by hand everyday. There were times that I finished so late that I never had a chance to have dinner and went to bed on an empty stomach. That's in addition to the fact that it took so long to wash his clothes that my school uniform never had enough time to dry. That's right...I had to wear wet or damp uniform to school the next day. There were even days when I had to walk to school (and it was about a 2 hour walk) because nobody bothered if I had money for school or bus fare. I couldn't take it anymore and moved back to live with my mum, grandma and granddad. He gave my brother and I a total of RM30 a month which couldn't even cover bus fare and even for that miserable amount, I almost had to beg him for the money each month. I was about 14 that time and one day, that evil woman took me aside and told me, "Don't take money from your Daddy anymore. He has not got a new family to take care of." What about me ? What about my brothers ? Who's going to feed us or provide us with an education ? Is this a grandmother that anyone would want to forgive. Call my father a successful businessman or whatever you please but we know the truth. He is a bastard, asshole and slime that even the good earth would reject ! My mum left with nothing; he never paid any alimony or child support (well I wouldn't call RM10 or RM30 child support !). My mum had to start her life from scratch while he brought that bitch a brand new 2-seater red sports car. While his sons went to private schools, educated overseas and had the best food, my dear grandparents were struggling to raise up without any income except for the monthly allowances from my 2 aunts and my mum. So yes, I DO hate her and NO I will never meet her. I am not unfortunate but rather extremely fortunately to have been blessed with such a wonderful and loving maternal family.

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pet memorial

As I was searching the www for some information, I came across a pet memorial by a Malaysian blogger and wanted to share with my readers. This would be something I want on my headstone....

A loved one is not gone
until they are forgotten,
And to live in the hearts of those
left behind is to live forever.

If tears would build a stairway
and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again.

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touched

Lately I find myself thinking too much. I start to think about why I'm acting or behaving in a certain way and it dawns on me how much my late grandma and grandpa have both influenced my life. I practically grew up without a father so that's one person who has not made any impact on me whatsoever. I am 42 years old and my grandparents and aunts looked after me since I was a month old. I don't come from a large family; just grandma, grandpa and my mum's 2 younger sisters. Only my closest friends knew about my family and it was something that I never felt I needed to talk about. My childhood days were great. My grandparents taught me from a young age, to be independent. I was never one of those kids who were battered, bullied or mistreated. I was a happy child who indulged in everything; good and bad. Life has taught me a lot and even though my family could never afford me a degree, I am successful in my own right. I am rich because so many great people have touched my life, taught me valuable lessons and I was always loved. I've had great friends who've been at my side, supported me and cried with me when I was at my worst. Because of all these people, today I am courageous. I do feel scared and cautious at times but this keeps my confidence in check. Last evening, I was visiting a friend and I found myself uncomfortable in a home with megawatts of lights shining on me. I realized then that for over 30 years of my life, I lived with a grandma who had to save every cent she could to feed us. Even during a hot afternoon, she would hardly ever turn on the ceiling fan in the living room. And when it got dark, she would only have 1 light on. My mum was seldom around when I was growing up. But these I know...she loved all her children and worked very hard to feed and dress us well. She was just a nurse in a government hospital and at times (I was told) that she ate instant noodles for a month so that she could afford to take us shopping. When I was old enough, I used to travel by bus downtown to where my mum would already be waiting for us at the bus station. With her small salary and help from my grandparent and aunts, my mother raised 3 of us on her own and that's an amazing feat. In case you're wondering, my dad left for another woman when my youngest brother was born. While I remain single today, I am happy because of the people who taught me to become who I am and because I have wonderful and caring friends who are like brothers and sisters to me. Isn't life just great !

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dogs and people

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Grisly British PSA Stirs Controversy - The Daily Beast

The risks are of texting while driving are well-known but mostly ignored the fact that may change if more people watch this British public service announcement. Warning: It's graphically violent, but shouldn't it be?

To watch the PSA click here

Posted using ShareThis

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the story of gravel stone, gravestone and river stone

This is what I have

This is what I wanted to ask for

And this is what SpellCheck gave me

I experienced a most embarrassing moment this morning as I was preparing to forward an email to a colleague. As I scrolled down I cam across this "ROADSIDE GRAVE VS. RIVER STONE". I was speechless ! I meant to tell my developer that they should have given us nice river stones instead of the present ugly looking gravel. Somehow SpellCheck gave me a substitute without me ever realizing it. My recipients must think I'm MAD to ask for a grave ! I meant gravel !!!! I don't want a roadside GRAVE ! Am very sure there must be a number of people with bellyache from too much laughing !

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What is wrong with me ? I think of food all the time. It's like a disease. I had my breakfast at 8.30 this morning and I should be stuffed but I'm not ! I AM HUNGRY !!! I have been thinking about what to have for lunch an hour ago and now....my mind has fast forward to dinner while still thinking about lunch. At the rate I am racing to feed myself, I'll be rolling everywhere in no time. Either that or I'll be a.k.a. "Michelin Woman". I DON'T WANT ! This is what I want....
* Flabby tummy begone !
* Flabby arms begone !
* Flabby thighs begone !
* To wear clothes I stored away 6 months back !
Yes, there is still hope. I never gave away my clothes. I just stored them away. Aiyo...Hari Raya is just around the corner and there's muruku, pineapple jam tarts, rendang, nasi himpit.....Geez

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a bottomless pit ?

I am a bottomless pit ! I eat and eat and need to eat again ! Just this afternoon, my colleague and I were sitting down and having a simple lunch of 4 pieces of fried pawn dumplings each with a drink. Midway, we looked at each other and discovered that we were thinking the same thought - can still eat more ! We're both getting fatter and feeling heavier and yet we can't seem to control the urge and desire to eat. Of course being a Malaysian doesn't help. This a a land of super good food !!! How ah ? Others get full from drinking water while we get tired from walking to the toilet too many times from all that drinking ! It's now hardly 3 hours since I ate and I'm thinking about what to have for dinner. What do I do lah ?

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R.I.P. Yasmin Ahmad

I must admit that I do not know much about this remarkable woman. What I do know is how her work touched me and how it never failed to bring tears to my eyes. Films and advertisements directed by her were filled with so much honesty and depicted much of our Malaysian life and culture. She was honest about both the good and the bad and many of us found a part of ourselves in these.

July 25th, 2009 was a sad day. Yasmin was pronounced dead after she suffered an earlier stroke and collapsed during a meeting at Sri Pentas. Our local news station aired a special on her life and achievements on 1 August at 9.00pm. For one hour, I sat glued to the TV with a box of Kleenex by my side. I cried as I watched the interview with her parents and how they described her as being "one in a million". It saddened me to watch her mum clinging to her grave while her dad tried to console her through the mist of his own grief. In that interview, Yasmin's dad described her as a soft spoken child who never once raised her voice at either parent. Whenever her voice went up an octave, she would immediate rest her head on the mum's lap and ask for forgiveness. According to her mum, she always reprimanded her siblings and told them "I spent my life making mum happy and I don't want you to make her cry". Her mum recalled that Yasmin had hoped that her mum would die before her so that she could ensure that she could pray for the repose of her mum's soul while in another instance, she wanted them to die together and be buried side by side. This is the relationship she shared with her family. The kind of relationship that even Danielle Steel would find hard to write about.

May you rest in eternal peace Yasmin. Malaysia misses you.

Yasmin, you have done us proud and you make me proud to be a Malaysian.

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baby monitor ?

Fancy having a pet, babysitter and baby monitor packaged in one ? Check this out !

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home security system

I received this by email this morning and I still can't stop smiling. If only I could ... Everything's possible, right ?

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easy to get a gift

With work, housework, family obligations and our bad habit of putting things off until the last minute, getting a last minute gift can be a nerve curdling experience. For the Chinese there is an all time solution when all else fails - the all season, all occassion and forever welcomed "ANG PAU". It's a red packet with money. It's not that bad if we are at the very least living in the same country. There have been many times when I was asked to arrange for a gift for a colleague overseas. It is not only hard to find but it is also darn expensive ! Found this advert in a local magazine and the first thing that crossed my mind was how useful it would be for someone overseas to send a gift to a friend or family in Malaysia. Check them out here.

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furniture rental

I've been asked this question so many times, "Where can I rent furniture for my home ?". When I came across this advert in a magazine, I decided to post it here. I believe the cost is going to be pretty steep if you compare it to stores like Ikea. But then...not everyone likes Ikea. So if you are looking to rent, click here for more information. Good luck !

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Clove Hall, Penang

Here is a place that those of you who are intending to visit Malaysia will surely enjoy staying at. For more information please click here.

Clove Hall is a privately-owned heritage boutique hotel set in an oasis of tropical gardens. It just ten minutes by trishaw from the vibrant living culture of the world heritage site of Penang and a 20-minute drive from the beautiful Batu Feringghi beaches. Award winning hotelier Christopher Ong has returned to his family's peranakan hometown to create another unique, private, iconic and 'truly Asian' boutique hotel. By sensitively conserving a delapidated Edwardian Anglo Malay Bungalow (built on the original Sarkie Brothers coconut plantation known as Clove Hall) into this beautiful new property he has once again captured the spirit of place and found the perfect showcase for a unique and extensive collection of local antiques, artwork and furnishings. Using these as the inspiration for his minimal reinterpretation of the period, Ong has once again combined the best of the past with all the modern conveniences and spoils of the present. Adding new layers of meaning in the process.
Ong's award winning Galle Fort Hotel, winner of the 2007 UNESCO Award of Distinction for Heritage Conservation, a Conde Nast Traveller Best new hotels of the world and one of Trip Advisor's hidden gems of Asia has been the guiding touchstone for this new project. Clove Hall celebrates the spirit of this amazing, world heritage merchant city and its fusion of Chinese, Malay, Indian and English heritages. With just five suites and all modern comforts, the hotel is an experience in itself; a beautiful and chilled base to experience the beaches, rainforests, heritage, food and culture which has made Penang internationally famous.

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frienship comes in all sizes

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science & mathematics not in english ?

I was shocked. I would have expected our government to allow the teaching of mathematics and science in English. We are regressing ! Whoever made that stupid decision I wonder. This has long been a controversial subject with certain sectors for it and others against it. Those who were against it said that the rural kids would lose out and will not be able to cope. What bullshit ! Our government lacks foresight and I am one disappointed citizen. Our government would rather have graduates who cannot communicate. I remember a few years back when I had to shortlist candidates for a vacancy. This required me to call them and I was shocked at the standard of English they conversed in. Most of those whom I spoke to to were graduates from US and UK. How on earth did they graduate ? Clearly the emphasis is on quantity and not quality. Many years back, we had credit cards that could only be used in Malaysia, remember ? Well, this is going to be the quality of our graduates - only for the Malaysian market ! Who else would want them if they can't converse in English.

So for those of you who voted that science and mathematics should be taught in Bahasa Malaysia, please rethink. Should be give in to this handicap or should we encourage education ? Politicians are no doubt hypocrites. While they vote that science and mathematics be taught in Bahasa Malaysia, I would love to know how many of them choose to school their children overseas where English is the primary medium of teaching. So then...tell me again that English is not important !

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my smart fortwo

When I first saw this car around Damansara Heights, it was driven by a kwai lou (foreign man) with a kwai poh (foreign woman) passenger. I was with my colleague and I was driving (still am) a Proton Waja. We were really mean and were passing all sorts of nasty remarks about the car being driven by an "elephant". As a birthday treat to myself in 2006, I decided to rent one of these for slightly less than RM500 for the weekend and together with a friend, we drove to Fraser's Hill, Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands. We clocked about 1,200 kilometers that weekend. It is a wonderful car. Fuel consumption, handling and stability is amazing. You can drive the car either using automatic transmission of manual transmission. The manula transmission uses an electronic clutch system so you only need to shift the gears up or down. No clutch pedals to worry about ! One thing though...there is a significant difference when you're in the car as a driver or a passenger. It is a pleasure to drive but torture to be driven. It's bouncy and pretty uncomfortable. This is a car that grown on you and once it does, you'll love it to death. I do !!!

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sexercise ???

I was wondering what it was all about when I received an email entitles "I'll bet you'll forward this !" Yeah...I will so here it is - an important message from the Sex Fairy !

• Sex is a beauty treatment. Scientific tests show that when women make love they produce amounts of the hormone oestrogen, which makes hair shine and skin smooth.
• Gentle relaxed lovemaking reduces your chances of suffering dermatitis, skin rashes and blemishes. The sweat produced cleanses the pores and makes your skin glow.
• Lovemaking can burn up those calories you piles on during that romantic dinner.
• Sex is one of the safest sports you can take up. It stretches and tones up just about every muscle in the body. It's more enjoyable than swimming 20 laps, and you don't need special sneakers !
• Sex in an instant cure for mild depression. It releases endorphins into the bloodstream, producing a sense of euphoria and leaving you with a feeling of well-being.
• The more sex you have, the more you will be offered. The sexually active body gives off greater quantities of chemicals called pheromones. This subtle sex perfume drives the opposite sex crazy !
• Sex is the safest tranquilizer in the world. It is 10 times more effective than Valium.
• Kissing each day will keep the dentist away. Kissing encourages saliva to wash food from the teeth and lowers the level of acid that causes decay, preventing plague build-up.
• Sex actually relieves headaches. A lovemaking session can release the tension and restricts blood vessels in the brain.
• A lot of lovemaking can unblock a stuffy nose. Sex is a natural antihistamine. It helps combat asthma and hay fever.

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insomnia

And yet I do not feel tired ! I have tried everything from herbal remedies to sleeping medication. Lavander smells great but does nothing for me. I wake up at least 4-6 times a night, look at the clock and toss and turn until I finally fall back to sleep. When the alarm finally goes off, I feel as though I've just gone to sleep. My eyes feel like they're on fire, my body stiff. After a while, the aches and pains disappear and I'm back to my usual self. Insomnia is defined here. When friends complain about a bad night, I always wonder what they mean. What they call a bad night is a usual night for me. Too many have offered me advise - stop drinking coffee, don't watch TV immediately before sleep, read a book - I'VE TRIED IT ALL ! I've just got a brain that won't stop working. Shall I keep trying or shall I just leave it up to nature ?

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what would you do if

What would you do if you married a crazy woman ? Someone who totally drive you up and down the the wall ! This is a hypothetical situation ok.

Let's say you have a job that takes up most of your time and you have a newborn baby and wife at home. You leave early for work everyday and arrive home late. Meanwhile, your wife struggles to cope with the housework and a baby that needs to be nursed. Would you consider yourself an irresponsible husband or just one that is trying to secure his family's future ? Would you feel guilty working with little time for your family ?

What happens if your wife suffers a nervous breakdown ? Worse still, what if you make her feel that she needs to fight for your attention and suffers a disorder such as Munchausen's Syndrome and takes it out on your child ? Just thinking of it is frightening enough isn't it ? To have to suffer it in life is a horrific thought. Too many will suffer and will have to live with the possible consequences.

I was watching an episode of Law & Order SVU and this episode talks about a lady lawyer who is supposedly paralysed from an accident. Her husband loves her dearly and spends every possible moment caring for her. It goes on to tell the story of how she hires an ex-commando to steal a list of viruses from a lab which she uses to inject herself with. She gets sick no doubt. Later the husband finds out that she is no longer paralysed when he pushes her into the pool and she swims !

I call this Evil Munchausen's ! She murders, she self inflicts herself with diseases and she punishes her husband !

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pissed off fire

This is my latest find on the www !

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I am thankful

I am thankful ...

• For the wife who says its hot dogs tonight because she is home with me and not out with someone else.


• For the husband who is on the sofa being a coucg potato and is home with me and not out at the bar.


• For the teenager who is complaining about doing the dishes because it means that she's home and not on the streets.


• For the taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.


• For the mess to clean after a party because it means that I am surrounded by friends.


• For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means that I have enough to eat.


• For my shadow that watches me work because it means that I'm out in the sunshine.


• For the lawn that needs mowinf, the windows that need cleaning and the gutters that need fixing because it means that I have a home.


• For all the complaining that I hear about the government because it means that we have freedom of speech.


• For the parking spot that I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means that I am capable of walking and I have a car.


• For my huge electricity bill because it means I can afford air-conditioning.


• For the noise my neighbours make because it means that I can hear.


• For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means that I have clothes to wear.


• For the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I am capable of working hard.


• For too many emails because I have friends who are thinking of me.


• For the alarm that goes off early each morning because it means that I'm alive.

How many of us actually take the time to think of how much we have rather than how little we have ?

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married life humour !

They say that marriage makes a man dizzy, and it's true. As soon as I got a wife, I lost my balance at the bank.

Men want 3 qualities in wives: Economist in kitchen, artist in home & devil in bed. But they get artist in kitchen, devil in home & economist in Bed.

Q: Why do women live longer than men?
A: Shopping never causes heart attacks, but paying the bill does!

Before marriage: Roses are red, sky is blue. U r beautiful, I luv u.
After marriage: Roses are dead, I'm blue. U r my headache, one day I'll kill u.

Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends. You order what you want, and then when you see what the other person has, you wish you had ordered that.

Man: Is there any way for long life?
Dr: Get married.
Man: Will it help?
Dr: No, but the thought of long life will never come.

Why do couples hold hands during their wedding? It's a formality just like two boxers shaking hands before the fight begins!

Wife: Darling today is our anniversary, what should we do?
Husband: Let us stand in silence for 2 minutes.

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a disastrous evening

I had a totally disastrous evening yesterday. On days like this, I should never be allowed into the kitchen but who's to tell me no. First I had this craving for potato salad; one of my all day favourites. On my way back, I grabbed 4 medium size potatoes from the shop. Got home, washed the potatoes, filled the pot with water and some salt and put them to boil.

While I was waiting for the potatoes to soften, I decided to start my other project; baking a cake using honey to substitute sugar. A tip published in the newspaper made it sound too easy. It said to use 25% less if substituting with honey. One's liquid and the other's solid. How do I relate sugar and honey ? That was the first issue that cause some healthy brain cells to die ! Then I thought to myself, never mind ... I agak-agak can already (making a wild guess). So I put the softened butter and half a bottle of honey into my mixing bowl and started off. Thank God I have this good habit of breaking eggs into a bowl before mixing into my cake batter because (yucks !) one of the "fresh" eggs that I bought was bad ! I always try to do everything the fast and easy way and will always beat rather than fold the flour into the batter. As I have always done, I put 2 tablespoons of flour into the batter and started the mixer. For the first time and I don't understand why, I found myself and everything else covered in flour ! Tiu Niamah !!!! Haiyo...how can such things happen. Like it was my first time baking or what.

Meanwhile, my potatoes were done, dunked them in cool water and left them in the pot. Put the cake in the oven and set the temperature to 170 de.C. Next I set the timer of 35 minutes. Done. Meanwhile, I started to peel and cube the potatoes and put them in the fridge to cool. Wah...the cake beginning to smell really good (stomach rumbling and saliver glands activated). I noticed that the cake was browning a bit too fast on the top and changed the oven setting and lowered the temperature a little. Got back to my potato work, added 2 tablespoons of mayonaise, a squirt of salad cream and dashes of worchesterchire sause, black pepper and finely chopped garlic. Mixed them all up and sat down to enjoy my much anticipated potato salad. Aiya...my potato was still hard in the centre !!! This was the 1st catastrophe. Meanwhile, cake was still in the oven and smelling great.

The timer sounded "cring" and I checked my cake. It was still wobbly in the centre so I let it bake for another 15 minutes. The time passed and I turned off the oven and took the cake out. Let it cool for another 15 minites and took the cake out from the pan. It was a bit too browned on the bottom but that was fine. Later when I cut the cake, I found that the top was a bit too "crispy" and the bottom part of the cake was brown on the inside too. That was my 2nd catastrophe. Not only that, I spoilt my non-stick cake pan when I dropped it, left cake crumbs all over the floor and dropped the sppon I used for the mayonaise on the floor. What else could go wrong ?

Overall, the potato salad tasted good, the cake texture (the good part) was perfect and the sweetness was what I always wanted. Today, I am going to give the cake recipe another go. This time, I'm gonna use the entire bottle of honey, use more flour and reduce the number of eggs. Here's yesterday's recipe :

250 gms softened butter (reduce to 200 gms)

180 gms honey (increase to 300 gms)

200 gms self-raising flour (increase to 220 gms)

5 eggs (reduce to 4)

1/2 cup of full cream milk (reduce to 2 Tsp)

Dash of vanilla essence

Wish me luck !

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value of life

Here's a lovely and perfectly executed advertorial by our Yasmin Ahmad.

Click here to watch.

When I saw the advert, I was just so touched. It's so natural and how many would actually want our snoring and farting habits replicated at our memorial. But it's true. When I first moved to my new home, I stopped counting the nights when I laid awake, tossing and turning in bed. I missed the sound of traffic (which I used to hate) and the sound of the LRT train braking (I hated this even more). We seldom appreciate what we have and only do when we no longer have them. Aren't we all human !

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motherhood

I received this email yesterday when I was away from work and I just realized how close it rang to the truth. Many women are becoming mothers because it is what is expected of them while for some others, it's pure social pressure that you are never a woman unless you bear at least a child. Here's the email that I'd like to share....

"Being A Mother" by Dale Hanson Bourke

We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of"starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says,half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations. "But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read anewspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child? "That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!"will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is alright. I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretchmarks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change,but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war and prejudice. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it,"I finally say and then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift . . ..that of being a Mother.

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MedKlinn water

MedKlinn Water

MedKlinn Mobile

MedKlinn Haven

How many of you have tried MedKlinn products. So far, I have 3 units of Haven and 1 mobile unit for the car. At first I was as skeptical as anybody else. Who wouldn't be when there are so many similar products available in the market and what more when I had to pay RM499 each 3 years back ! Just moments ago, I received this email. The subject was quite confusing. It would seem that MedKlinn has launched a new product and I AM EXCITED ! I am very much a faithful and diehard MedKlinn user and will vouch for this product any time. I was one of the very first to purchase the MedKlinn room unit in Malaysia. At that time, it wasn't even called MedKlinn. It was simply known as MedKlinn. This is my testimony that it works. Where I live, clothes are stolen all the time so it's my habit to dry my clothes indoors. Sometimes, harder to dry prices such as jeans dry with a musty smell and it's back to the washing machine for me ! With my first MedKlinn, I placed it closeby where I dried my clothes and even if the weather is gloomy, my hard to dry pieces no longer smell musty ! I must admit...I have a nasty habit of smoking indoors. My MedKlinn also got rid of any smell of stale smoke. My mum loved it ! I invested in a 2nd and 3rd unit and later the mobile unit. Yeah..I smoke in the car too and the mobile unit has worked wonders for me and my passengers. Honestly, I'd recommend MedKlinn anytime. They've improved the units from the original MedKlinn. When they had a trade-in promotion last year, I did exactly that. I got all new Havens by paying RM199 for each unit that I traded-in. I can't say much about dust control because I clean often and will never allow dust accumulation. That I will leave for someone else to try. Now MedKlinn Water ? I hope to get one soon and I am hopeful that it'll work as well as the other MedKlinns that I have. In case you are wondering, this is not a paid blog. I'm just an excited blogger !!!

If you want to learn more about MedKlinn click here.

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breakfast anyone ?

I tell you...this morning I had nasi lemak and sotong for breakfast at 7.30am. Nasi lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk and screwpine leaves. It is served with peanuts, fried anchovies, hard boiled or fried egg, cucumber and sambal (chili paste cooked with shrimp paste, onions and tamarind paste). Malaysians love this for breakfast even though many would try to convince us that it's unhealthy ! Only live once right so might as well enjoy ! To accompany the main nasi lemak dish, there will usually be an assortment of curries and other dishes; to name a few... chicken curry, squid sambal, fried tumeric chicken, chicken & beef rendang, prawn sambal, sardin sambal. My stomach today is like a bottomless pit ! Not more than 2 hours later, I started craving for something sweet so my colleague and I went downstairs and I got myself a tray of cream puffs !!! Soon I needn't bother about using the lift. I could just as easily roll 8 floors down ! I hope I remember that I wanted to share some really nice recipes I've been trying over the past 2 weeks. Some are original while others are tested from other blogs and website. Problem is I'm not into photography and will always forget to take photos before I start to indulge. By the time I remember ALAMAK too late...everthing's a holy mess !

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plea for support group

This email brought tears to my eyes. I asked myself how Ayden's parents must feel. The loss must have been excruciating. His smile is angelic and innocent. God must have loved him so much more. Here's the email....

The past weeks have come and gone without me as I still feel I am living in a terrible dream. Every moment of everyday is another moment without my beautiful baby Ayden. If I could give up my life for him I would, I know there is nothing that I wouldn’t have given up for him. It’s as if my life stopped the day he passed, he took my heart with him and it will never be the same again.On 2nd May 2009, Ayden was born at 37 weeks after a completely normal pregnancy. He weighed 3.24 kg and was absolutely beautiful. When he was 4 days old, he was given 2 days of phototherapy due to jaundice and we were told he was perfectly fine. When he was 9 days old, he suddenly turned pale and was rushed to the hospital and admitted into NICU. 24 hours later, my baby passed away. This was one month ago.All tests for infection and metabolism have come back negative and we are still trying to cope with his loss, let alone the reason for his passing. The doctors have debated over this and are unable to give us a reason. Unlike SIDS, Ayden was less than a month old and deteriorated very rapidly despite the various medical interventions administered. Words cannot express the sorrow and pain we are enduring, there is not a minute that goes by that I do not yearn for him. The most difficult part is the not knowing. I guess I am writing this so I would not have to go into reliving the horror every time someone asks ”what happened?” While we appreciate everyone’s concern and we understand they mean well, nothing anyone does or says will change things or bring him back. We are left to pick up the shattered pieces of our hearts and continue our lives without him.When we left the hospital, we had nowhere to turn to. There were no support groups or information given on situations like ours despite our requests for it. We were hopelessly left alone to deal with our grief. All I wanted was to talk to someone who had gone through a similar experience, to tell me I will be ok, to understand my grief. I managed to find help through an online support group by people who have all walked down this path. It was heartbreaking that this had happened to so many people, but also comforting that many of them have continued to have perfectly healthy children afterwards.In memory of Ayden and the lack of information and unavailability of a support group in Malaysia, we would like to appeal for your help. We do not know anyone else who has experienced such a tragedy, but to ensure that other families going through this horrible experience will not have to go through it alone, we will greatly appreciate if you can inform the people you may know who have travelled this road to get in touch with us, if they are willing. They can write to us at aydenhansen@gmail.com.Hugs, Jo and Sune.

It is with my sincere hope that any of you can share with Jo and Sune will contact them.

Rest in peace Baby Ayden.

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Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair

The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair is BACK ! Great deals for those who plan for some R&R. It's happening from 22 June until 5 July 2009. For more details, visit Malaysia Airlines website here.

I have loads of friends who have taken advantage of the Malaysia Airlines and MATTA Fairs to travel. Problem is (for me at least), accommodation costs are high and whatever savings we may gain from the air tickets can be used to off-set the cost of accommodation.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !

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God.com

When I received this email from my school alumni, I knew I had to share this with my blog readers. It made me realize how much we come to rely on our email and mobile phones; more so the addresses contained in these. I never once thought to ask that God bless these friends of mine and today, after reading this email, I feel the guilt.

Dear Lord,
Every single evening

As I'm lying here in bed,

This tiny little Prayer Keeps running through my head:

God bless all my family

Wherever they may be,

Keep them warm

And safe from harm

For they're so close to me.

And God, there is one more thing I wish that you could do;

Hope you don't mind me asking,

Please bless my computer too.

Now I know that it's unusual

To Bless a motherboard,

But listen just a second

While I explain it to you, Lord.

You see, that little metal box

Holds more than odds and ends;

Inside those small compartments

Rest so many of my friends.

I know so much about them

By the kindness that they give,

And this little scrap of metal

Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them Much the same as you.

We share in what life brings us And from that our friendships grew.

Please take an extra minute From your duties up above,

To bless those in my address book

That's filled with so much love.

Wherever else this prayer may reach

To each and every friend,

Bless each e-mail inbox And each person who hits 'send'.

When you update your Heavenly list On your own Great CD-ROM,

Bless everyone who says this prayer Sent up to GOD.com

Amen

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