Future



My yesterday, my today, and my future



 

When I was young, I used to wonder how my future would be...

 

Behind my childhood home, there was this secret hiding place among the tall rubber trees. Everyday, I would bring food, lie down in the hammock, look up the big blue sky, and day dream for a long long time...

 

I asked the cloud...I asked the wind...I asked my future self...

 

Which man would fall in love with in the future? Is he going to be handsome? Tall? Funny? Romantic? Are his hands warm and assertive? Are his kisses tantalising?

 

How many kids would I have? How my son or daughter would look like?

 

What job would I do? Doctor? Scientist? Writer?

 

Which countries would I want to travel to? What people would I meet?

 

The future seemed so far, so uncertain, so mysterious, and so full of possibilities.

 

Suddenly I realised, 30 years have passed...I am now in my future.

 

Here I am, my future self, writing to the little me.

 

Dear little me,

 

You would have a husband, a lovely and funny one. Small eyes, tall, always likes to tell jokes, but never laughed at the jokes you tell. One who would write you poems, and give you romantic surprises when you least expect it. One who loves to sleep so much, that you sometimes feel like you want to kick his butts so hard that he fall from the bed. And one who is always the anchor when you are lost, showing you the direction, reassuring you that everything will be ok.

 

You would have two beautiful kids. So beautiful that every night you go to bed thanking God for the perfect gifts that He give.

 

The older son has big beautiful eyes, long lashes, rosy cheeks, beautiful smiles. He would tell you how beautiful you are even when you haven't brush your teeth and your hair looks as if it hasn't been washed for 10 days. Every night before bed, he would tell you how much he loves you, and that he is sorry for every little mistakes he have done.

 

The baby is a cheeky, loud, and opinionated one. He would make sure you know what he wants, and make sure he gets what he wants. His lung capacity is so good that when he cries, the neighbours would come running asking what happened. But when he smiles and laughs, it is so bright so warm and so cute, he'd melt you heart in an instant.

 

You are now a housewife, a full time mother, a driver, a teacher, a chef, a small business owner. You hair is forever messy, face forever oily, wearing the same T shirt with baby food spills a whole day, hardly have time for toilet break. Nothing that you imagined yourself would be. But that's exactly what so exciting about future. You can never know what fate would bring you. So you go with the flow of fate, and try to live each day the best that you can. Your little dreams can wait, but your kids are only kids once. Being able to see them grow healthily each day, that's the biggest blessing.

 

30 years passed like it was only 30 days. I can still see the little me lying in the hammock thinking far...  

 

Dear the little me, your future is here, and it's not that scary, it's not that far.

 

I just want you to know that everything is going to be fine.

 

Stay strong, stay focus, be happy, be free, live each day as if that's your last day on earth, and you will be just fine.  

 







 

 

 

New Chapters of Life - New Home

After half a year of exhausting renovation, finally we moved in to our new home before new baby arrived.

Having to plan, design, supervise and oversee the renovation project was not the most enjoyable thing to do while heavily pregnant. Despite some hiccups and blood-boiling moments, I am glad we did it before I popped.

Papa painstakingly came from Jeniang many many times to install the wiring and lighting for us, mama sewed the curtains for us, hubby worked on the cleaning and gardening. Seeing everything be put together with our own hands and efforts is satisfying and comforting.

Thank you hubby, thank you papa mama, thank you everyone. Finally, home sweet home.

 

New Chapters of Life - 2nd Pregnancy

1.5 years have passed since I last posted.

Many things happened in this 1.5 years. Happy things :)

First of all, I was blessed with my 2nd pregnancy.

It was a total surprise! Neither hubby nor I was prepared for a new baby. A pleasant surprise nonetheless.

This was not the easiest pregnancy.

The first trimester was basically me lying on the bed, sick from morning sickness, bouts of flu, sore throat, cold etc.

Then came the easier 2nd trimester.

I decided to bring Cedric for a solo trip to Taiwan. Only me and Cedric. Then we joined Xiaoyi at Taipei, and later on Ah Fen yiyi came to meet us at YiLan.

It was a memorable trip...a blessing that I get to bond with my little man before the arrival of the new baby.

Dear Cedric, mommy love you so so much. I am going miss all the time spent together, with only the two of us...I am sure you would too. Soon, we will have a new friend, new member joining our family. You will have a special someone to share your happiness, sorrow, naughty moments, and great memories together. You and Cayden will be brothers, for life.

台北阳明山，擎天岗， 好美好舒服的一片大草原

 

台中，清静农场。阿芬姨姨过来农场找我们玩了!

 

宜兰，吉米公园。谢谢小姨当我们一路上的苦力

I was huge during the 3rd trimester. Having gained at least 18kg, I was 68kg at 38 weeks pregnant.

I didn't have any stretch marks when I was pregnant with Cedric, but developed some at the thigh area this time around. But it's ok. These are the trophies that I won as a mother. Not young, not slim, not perfect, but feeling blessed, contented, and thankful for everything that I have.

About Life...and Death

Received a very sad news...A good friend's husband passed away suddenly this morning due to heart attack.

I heavy-heartedly texted T about this, telling him I am going to pay respect in the evening. T is working outstation this week. Eventhough I couldn't see his expression, but I can tell that he was saddened by the unexpected news.

T: If one day I am not around, I will miss you and Cedric kia...

Me: If you are not here anymore, you won't be able to feel anything lah

T: I think can still feel loh...unable to witness Cedric's wedding...to have grandson granddaughter...

Me: The one who passes on first will be less sad...The ones that are still alive will be sad for the whole life

I paused for a while, then decided.

Me: Dear, if I pass away first, you go marry another nice lady, then you will be less sad, can move on to a new life.

But (the lady) must sayang my Cedric lah, if Cedric doesn't like can not hah

T: I don't want to re-marry. (I want to be) Single and  go travel...Bring your photo along...Assume you with me kai kai...

Very touched...I can almost imagine a silly lonely man sitting alone at a farm in New Zealand holding my photo...

Me: (You) better re-marry. Otherwise Cedric big time he will have his own life, sure you gu ling ling (lonely), a kesian (pitiful) old man...

T: He comes back once a week to yam cha (have tea) and dinner with me OK already. I get a golden dog or husky accompany me

Me: We should enjoy our life everyday right dear? We never know for sure what will happen tomorrow...

T: That's why I really look forward to our new house. You don't worry about money, take it easy, we will work it out together. Relax lah baby!

Me: After we moved in, three of us should all jump into the bathtub together as the opening ceremony! I'll go pluck some flower petals, put some aroma oil

T: I want to scrub and mask using the New Zealand Rotorua stuff that we bought

Me: You laki banyak, can rub out huge black stuff like 50 cents

T: ~~~~~~~

I think life is as simple as ABC...to be happy...to make others happy...and to realize how lucky we are to still be able to open our eyes today, to see the people we love, to feel, to touch, and to just be here.

T might not be the richest, most handsome, most patient, most caring, most hardworking, most etc etc man, but he is the man that I have decided to spend my whole life with, be it 5 years, 10 years, 20 years or 50 years. And he is the one and only that allows me to be silly, to be sad, to be angry, and to be myself. He is the one who makes me laugh and constantly reminds me to "Relax lah baby"...

Great to have you and Cedric boy in my life dear...!

P/S: I really don't mind if you remarry after I am gone. As long as it makes you happy, and it is good for our boy.       ~~Cheers~~

One of the very few family photos we have

A dog named Wow Wow

Please meet the bushy Wow Wow, a new member in our family.

Wow wow, a name given to her by Cedric.

When I first met her, she was in terrible shape. Anxious, skinny, hairless, deep wound on one of her leg.

She used to be a stray, roamed about Subang area. One fine day, a kind rescuer Mandy spotted her wounded leg from afar, and her life has changed 360deg ever since.

Mandy, who was an avid dog lover and rescuer, took her to a veterinarian clinic for treatment. Apparently Wow Wow was hit by a car and lost her toes and most part of her paw on one of her leg. She was also carrying an oversize dead fetus in her womb. She was then treated for her wound, had her dead fetus removed, and neutered for good.

Mandy then posted Wow wow's story on the facebook, looking for someone to foster her until she recovers and is fit for adoption. That was how we met.

Wow wow many months ago, when her resuer Mandy Chee first found her on the street.

Wow wow was fostered in our home for a few months before we decided to adopt her. Initially hubby had a lot of concerns in adopting a dog. He thought it was not a good time to have a dog since Cedric was still young and needed a lot of attention. We do not even have enough time for ourselves, let alone to take care of another being. Furthermore, we live in a terrace house without much land area for dog to roam, which might not be suitable for dog keeping. But I guess Wow wow sensed our doubts, and tried to show us that she really wanted to stay. There was once she escaped from the backyard (where we usually keep her), only to be found at our front car porch the next morning. And the rest is history...

Favourite evening walk

She is an extremely smart and opinionated dog. Picky eater too. She dislikes doggie biscuits very much, and to show her disliking, she would cover her bowl of biscuits with a towel, and of course refuse to eat. She can go whole day without biscuit, but when she sees us having dinner, she would immediately wag her tails and come to sit under our chair waiting for a few bites of the "real" food treats. Mandy told me she used to survive on leftover "chap fan" when she was a stray, but now...she has official joined Terrance and Cedric's picky eater club.

Boiled chicken breasts - Yay!
Doggie biscuits....Nay...

Looking miserable when chained

From a quiet cage dweller when we first fostered her, she decided that she needed an accommodation upgrade a week later. She would cry out loud for a long long time and bang the cage aggressively if we put her into the cage. We got her message, so no more cage.

We then leashed her with a long chain and allowed her some freedom to roam about the backyard while waiting for her leg to heal. That only managed to keep her happy for a short few weeks, after which she refused to be chained. So we unchained her, and the backyard was all hers to explore.

Unleashed for a few weeks, finally she decided that she belongs indoor and she wanted to be an indoor dog very badly. Same old tricks - crying out loud, scratching and banging the door demanded to be in. Her tricks worked, again, and now she is happily sleeping in my living room enjoying air-con and watching TV.

New Study shows that pets may reduce children's risk of allergy (http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20110613/pets-may-reduce-childrens-allergy-risk)

She has been quite a good girl ever since we allowed her to be indoor. Except a few accidents, where she peed on Cedric's play mat, presented me with a broken door mat, a few holes on my cardigan, and the scattered rubbish at the kitchen every morning.

My mouth is itchy...yum yum...

I realized to keep a dog is like having another baby. A lot of responsibility and patience needed, but the reward is unconditional love and affection. 

We are still trying to adapt to each other's needs and habits, it may take some time for the both the human and dog to adjust and to learn, but I am sure eventually we will find a way to live happily and peacefully together.

Welcome on board Wow Wow! Now you have a place called home, where you will be safe and sound, and away from pain and suffering.

Harvey Norman Warehouse Sale : 31st May - 2nd June 2013

Harvey Norman organized a warehouse sale at Citta Mall from 31st May till 2nd June 2013. Over the years the location is always at their Shah Alam warehouse but this time the location has changed. We have been to their previous warehouse sale many times and prices offered were extremely reasonable and value for money.

Based on our previous experience, we have no doubt that we might be getting a good deal this time too.
What I noticed on this warehouse sale

• Prices will change according to "demand"
• "DJ's price" is always cheaper than published price; however it might be different from person to person. Meaning ...Published price for a TV say RM2,599 after discount; I might get it at RM2,000 from the DJ, and you might be offered RM2,200 from the DJ. Its all based on "feeling and mood at that particular time"

Published price on 31/05/2013

Published price on 01/06/2013

For the fridge above, I got it for RM7199 including delivery on first day. That was after special discount given by the DJ.

The following day, we noticed the price increased. When we asked the salesperson how much would it be, I was quoted RM7199 excluding delivery. If I was there only on second day, I would have the thinking that I got a real good deal with the huge discount given. It's normal to see price being slashed but I was surprised to see its increased instead.

Published price on 31/05/2013

Published price on 01/06/2013

* Same model, price increased on second day.

* Not everything is really good deal. For example :

Published price RM6699. Internet Price RM6200

Published price RM5199. Internet Price RM4888

                              
                             

 Will I visit their next warehouse sale ? I will....and I will not buy on the first day. I will scout the price on first day, and do the survey back home and nego again the following day or last day of their sale.

Hair Cut Day

It is not easy to be a mommy. Mommy is a milk machine, a pacifier, a cook, a cleaner, a driver, a teacher etc...with the latest addition of being a barber.

The story begins when little Cedric's hair was growing longer. So did daddy mommy's anxiety level.

You see, few months ago daddy excitedly did a haircut for the boy, which turned out to be a moon-craters-creation disaster...! It ended with the poor Cedric being shaved botak. 

After that traumatizing mishap, daddy was very phobia of scissors and refused to do Cedric's hair anymore. So this time, he suggested why not we get "professional" help to make sure Cedric get a really nice haircut. 

Off we went to a Indian barber shop located at Tesco Setia Alam. I was praying that the barber would do a terrific job in giving Cedric the most handsome haircut in the world, as there are always some kids queuing n the shop waiting for a hairdo. So I assume, high traffic = highly skilled...

What is this ah neh doing mommy?

 

 

Are we playing something fun?

Cedric was all happy and cheerful to be seated on the barber chair. In my heart, I was hopeful, maybe there's hope to a nice haircut for Cedric after all. 

Who knows, in a split second, disaster again! The minute the ah neh turned on the electric trimmer, the sound of the machine scared the pants off the poor little boy. Cedric started crying and struggling. I tried to hold the boy's head so that the barber can do his job properly, but that only invited more struggling and screaming. And the worse part was, the trimmer accidentally created 2 uneven patches on the hair above the ears due to the struggling. 

Then the ah neh said: "Macam ini tak boleh potong handsome lah. Kita kasih botak senang."

The minute I heard BOTAK, immediately I grabbed my son and ran away. No more botak please!

Out of desperation, mommy bravely took up the challenge to do the boy's hair. 

Firstly, we prepared some of Cedric's favorite snacks. Then put the boy on his high chair with his snacks. Then....in super lightning speed, snip, snip, snip, here and there, everywhere...Voila! Amazingly we were done before the boy made noise.

The end result...not too bad I would say. **Proud**

Yummy snacks is more important that anything else

Let me help you comb

Little tail as requested by daddy

How do I look?

Driven: Mazda CX-5 Review

After driving the new Mazda CX5 for 7000km++ within 2 months, I can feel that the 2.0 liter Skyactiv engine moves it without too much fuss. There isn’t a ton of power, but there is enough to keep up with traffic without any issues. The 6-speed manu-matic helps in this regard. The engine doesn’t seem to get bogged down at low RPMs, and it doesn’t rev too high on the highway with the generous overdrive.

The Mazda also delivers in the interior department, with logical controls and nice materials.

You can find all sorts of creature comforts inside. The seats (only the driver’s chair is power adjustable) are wrapped in leather. The seats are very good for long journey drive. They have solid bolstering and support, especially for the lower back. Likewise, the dashboard is well laid out.The gauges are white-on-black and very easy to read at a glance.

The stereo is a Bose® unit that has 9 speakers and produces sounds strong which makes me enjoy my ride more.

The CX-5 does what the rest of the segment doesn’t—it delivers great handling, yet best-in-the-entire-industry-among-SUVs gas mileage of up to 600km full tank on road and approx 680km full tank on highway which comes about 8.1l/100km on highway and about 9l-9.5l/100km on city. It also features thoughtful and useful design, inside and out.

I appreciate the CX-5’s intuitive controls and high-quality materials, but its predictable list of standard features disappoint me . No infotainment system, No autolock and side mirror autofold available which I think it’s a standard in modern cars.

Push start button and a 5.8-inch touchscreen is standard fare and can be commanded by a round multifunction controller located on the console. Bluetooth and the essential USB and auxiliary connections are provided. It also includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera which I find it useful, automatic headlamp-beam control, rain sensor etc.

The navigation system fails big time. I don’t  like the Tom Tom navigation system, it’s one of the lousiest in the market and not user friendly at all. 

With the rear seats in use, the Mazda CX-5 has in my opinion a small cargo space, and when the rear seats are folded, cargo volume increases to about almost double size. These figures don’t rank the CX-5 at the top of its class for cargo capacity, but as one of the smallest entries in the segment

The CX-5 comes with stability control and a collection of six airbags. All this helped the car achieve a five-star crash rating from Euro NCAP. Security measures include an alarm and immobiliser. 

The ride would be complete without a few gripes and could be more forgiving, and the overabundance of wind and road noise ruins the car’s refinement. 

This is a good car, a fine family SUV that will serve me well for the next 5 years or more.

Performance   4 star – slightly underpowered for a 2.0 engine

Ride & Handling 4 star – wind noise is irritating to me when cruising above 90km/h

Features 4 star – lousy navigation system and no DVD playback.

Quality & Reliability 4 star

Security & Safety 5 star

Space & Practicality – 4 star – cargo space way is small compared to other SUV such as Renault 3008, or Honda CRV