A well spent Saturday

Work has been overwhelming and this workload usually spilled to the after office hours i.e. either later at night or over the weekend. Due this circumstances, I have to really plan carefully. What time I need to allocate for cooking, for housework and for other related stuff. And my dream to be a successful blogger, which I know something I have to really work hard for. It's not impossible, just need to work hard and time management is very crucial.

Saturday is an important day for me. Not only I have to complete the house chores, I also need to make sure I spend sufficient time with the cuties.

It will usually start with breakfast. FYI, for those who don't know yet, my better half works on Saturday hence life on Saturday with him will usually starts at 2pm. Last Saturday, I just tapaued food, some nasi lemak and kuih. My hero helped to serve the food and this was his creation, karipap berdonut.

Later, once my better half came home from work, we left to send the cuties to Holiday Villa, there's a magic show workshop conducted which we have pre-registered for this. While waiting for the cuties, I tried to do some work at the nearest Mcd, trying to get Wi-Fi access. When we picked the cuties up, they told us it was a boring session and not interactive at all. Kesian.....

Then, we lepaked at Subang Parade, been quite some time since we went there. Had late lunch at Yanti Rasa Thai, ordered Nasi Goreng Cina and Cantonese Kuey Teow. We were really full when we left that place, my better half was the most full one, he even had Sago Gula Melaka for desert.

We hang out at MPH, I bought some books for the cuties, of course, Cleo for me. Again, lepaked at Book Cafe to get some work done using their Wi-Fi.

It was indeed a long Saturday but well spent. Now...what should we do on Sunday...Hmmmmm.....

My hero's ambition

My hero has this one ambition since he was 7, he wanted to be a scientist.

He has always been fascinated by the world of science. He reads science, he watches science and he learns science. It will not be too much if I were to say, he embraces science. And science will be the subject he scores the highest for his exam.

For his 9th birthday, he wanted a set to microscope and that's exactly what we got him. Since then, he was examining any specimen he can find, dead insects, baby's teeth even his own skin cells.

While others love to watch cartoon channels, he would prefer to watch the science channels in Astro be it Discovery or Animal Planet.

This are all his science books collection. Off late, he is really into dinosours. Infact, most of the books that he requested for me to purchase for him would be those related to dinosours.

As a mother, I will be supportive to whatever ambitions any of my cuties wish to be when they grow up. My only wish is for each and everyone of them will become anak yang soleh and solehah and will be able to have a good life later in the future.

p/s : I have a confession, actually he wanted to be a pilot during the earlier stage of his life, but I told him that would make me sad as he may not be able to come home to me for Raya...so selfish kan me as a mother, but I guess it's true when you hear those saying no matter how grown up the cuties can be, they will always be my babies......

Short Term Incentive Plan

Being a HR practitioner, sometimes I can't help it to practise some of the HR skills to my family. Especially the good motivating one to the cuties.

I think by now, many would know our daily crazy schedule. As much as myself and my better half prepare ourselves, if we don't get full cooperation from the cuties, it will still be a chaotic day.

Just to motivate them, I promised if they behave and give me very minimal problems, I will buy them books of their choices at the end of every month provided the books do not cost more than RM20. If we don't have a ceiling clause, my hero would of course request for the whole encyclopedia set that he has been wanting for the past 6 months. Mahal tu!

So, yesterday, I went to Kino to purchase the promised books. My princess wanted to add her collection of the Mr Midnight series, my hero wanted something related to Ben10 and my baby just wanted any story books. I still have some vouchers left which I won earlier so, I used that for this.

Of course, my regular reading material. Mana boleh lupa kan?

That is short term incentive plan, still thinking what to reward the cuties for the Long Term Incentive Plan, and before you suggest, toys are a big NO NO! A holiday with theme park sounds good kan?

Lempeng BBB

On Sunday, we had to leave our crib again, this time to purchase some books for the cuties. This has been a norm, whenever the school opens, there will always be books for the cuties to buy. But, from my observation, this books would normally rarely used by them at school. So, not to put the book to a waste, I will still make sure the cuties do the exercises in the book.

We were searching for a bookstore in BBB and ended up purchasing the books in the PKNS. Although we left after lunch, by the time we have finished purchasing all the books, the cuties were hungry so we stop to eat at the food court.

I am still full but I was so tempted to get the lempeng with kuah sardin sold there. Price, RM1.50 only and the taste was not bad.

My hero wanted to have the sizzling noodles but later he complained the noodles is so tak sedap! And me being a responsible mom started my lecture on how the kids in Palestine don't even have a choice whether their food must be sedap before they choose to consumed it. And of course added with all the bersyukur talk as well. Habis pun the food!

What a weekend! Hope the next weekend will be a relaxing weekend.

Kino Time!!!

It felt sooooo good after purchasing books, especially when you get to purchase it using vouchers aka FOC!!!!

This is what I got for the cuties...How can I make any purchases if I don't get anything for the cuties...

And this is for me...

The total RM160...so got another balance of RM40, then can make more purchases later!!!!!

Bestnyer!!!!!!!

Stay tune for the book review once I am done with this.

Latest reading as a gift

I was waiting for the latest Sophie Kinsella's book to be printed in paperback(ke paperbag-blur lah skit this morning), can't afford the hardcover version, mahal , cost about RM70+....

So, yesterday, when Mrs YK called me and said that this version is available ak Kino and whether I want one...The answer is an obvious YES!!!!

After lunch, she gave the book via lurza and I thought she is buying it for me hence I need to pay her back...However, she was kind enough to give this to me as a gift, terus akak rasa terharu, so sweet of her...Thanks dear, you are the sweetest!

Now I have something to read during my LRT ride, takde ler boring surfing berry jer...

Good book, good company

After my appointment with the doctor, I decided to drive to Subang Parade while waiting for my better half to finish his work. I haven't been eating, no appetite. Went to Kenny Rogers to grab those delicious vanilla muffin and a cup of coffee from Mcd.

I just started with the next Shopaholic series, this one called Shopaholic & Baby. So far, the most intriguing compared to the others that I have read, but then again I said that everytime I start on the new series...

Sometimes, you may have all the friends around you, and yet you just need to be alone, by yourself, to gather some thoughts. Shut everything out, not responding to emails or messages...That's how I feel yesterday, and at the same time I have to restrain myself from shopping. And doing that in a shopping complex!

That's a good personal accomplishment, as far as I am concern.

Burning bridges

Before I start blogging about the fun part i.e. our family retreat, during that trip, I realised something about myself...

And I just finished reading the 4th edition of the shopaholic series, Shopaholic and Sister. One of my close friends once saw me with the book and his immediate response was what am I doing with a bimbo book...sorry, terside track skit.

What I am trying to tell you, I learnt something from this book. During this 2 separate occasions, I just realised how many bridges have a I burnt. Not literally lah, but metaphoricly...how many relationships have I wrecked to the extend not in speaking terms anymore

I have always been categorised as a outspoken person, free to speak my mind and giving my opinion, sometimes upon request, otherwise volunterily...and the latter sometimes may not be welcomed.

And while doing this, I tend to hurt feelings of others. I never thought of this earlier but now this became much clearer.

I know it may not be possible for me to rebuild the burnt bridges, trust is not something that can be developed in a short time frame. But, I will be at my best behaviour to avoid from burning more bridges. It does not benefit me in any way and at times it hurts me inside.

I'm not here to be popular but I'm not here to be hated as well...

Hope Allah will lead me towards the right path

Caca merba

I will be away from office today and tomorrow ; attending an interview session for unemployed graduates scheme as one of the interviewers. Previously, I was also one of the interviewer for a scholarship given by my company.

This kind of interviews are different from job interviews that I have conducted. These are hopefuls youngsters ; one to start off their working path and the other to start their path in their studies...both has the same goals though, to improve their life!

It is kind of heavy responsibilities for me, I have some influence in their future and that is sooooo difficult...Some have good paper qualifications, lots of straight As students but very poor communication skills, such a waste!!

Another thing happen yesterday, the latest stock of kerepek just arrived. 3 types all together...kerepek ubi biasa, ubi pedas and bawang. Fresh from the kitchen. And now, half of this are gone...

One last note, I started the 3rd shopaholic series, Shopaholic Ties the Knot. The stories are getting hotter and spicier...can't wait till I finish the whole collection!!

Now you know why this entry called caca merba!!!Ha ha ha!!!

Latest addition

I left early on Monday for doctor's appointment and it ended earlier than usual. So, I dropped by Subang Parade while waiting for my better half to come back from work.

While browsing, I bought a cute orange colour pouch for my blackberry. Dropped by MPH and purchase the next shopaholic series, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. As I am a member of the MPH, I got to sit at the member's lounge while reading...

Itu baru about less than 2 hours in Subang Parade...Kalau satu hari, harus banyak duit akak habis....

All gogo gaga over shopaholic and torch

I have read this book 3 times and all this time it was by borrowing from someone. And now, I decided to get a collection on my own. The collection must start with this edition, Confession of a Shopaholic. Once I am done with this, I will proceed with the next one. But, let me tell you this. This book is a book that when you start reading, it will be difficult to put it down.

On another note, yesterday, there was a massive traffic jam in KL due to the Olympics torch running around the KLCC area. I don't who in the right mind would have this on Monday and during rush hour traffic. But then again, this is Malaysia....

While I was walking towards the LRT station, I saw there was a photo session going on and apparently this guy was one of the torch runner. So, went ahead to snap his photos though I don't even know him.

The LRT station was also jam packed with people and mostly from the Republic of China catching the train going to KL Sentral...I had to wait for 3 trains before I can get into one going to the opposite direction and then took the next train back to the actual destination. If I don't do this, harus akak tak balik sampai ke malam...

KL International Book Fair 2008

Today is the last day for the KL Book Fair 2008 and only today we got the chance to take the cuties to the fair. Ya Allah, ramai giler orang, like they are giving away things for free.
The exhibition is being separated to several places in PWTC. One was in Dewan Tun Hussein Onn where you have to cross the bridge of Klang River to get to the hall. It was raining so when we look down, the river looked rather scary.

Loads of booths with lots of distributer, publisher and many other parties participated for this book fair. From very established ones to those that nama pun tak pernah dengar. They were also famous personality like Sharifah Shawati, Nur Farahim Jamsari, Imuda and Ujang. The cuties took picture with Imuda and right after that my hero was asking me, "Sape tu Mama, kenapa kita ambik gambar dgn dia?". And somehow, I knew Imuda heard that and we quickly walked away from the booth.

The cuties also took pictures with few characters, don't ask me what character...Ntah, akak pun tak kenal. But, ambik je ler gambo.

Baby trying out the interactive corner.

The food there were rather very expensive. I am not paying RM7.50 for a plate of fried mee and RM3 for a glass of Teh Tarik...So, to satisfy our hunger we walked across the road to The Mall and had Mcd instead. Murah, satisfying and I even can enjoy the dessert.

We bought the cuties quite a number of books. My hero, whose interest in science is like he is going to be a scientist, pleaded for a series of encyclopaedia of science. I've seen this series before cause thought of buying for him earlier this year but it cost RM270...nasib baik I didn't purchased it. During this book fair, the same series was sold at RM40...That's about 85% discount. I got many magazines for my princess and my baby, all 2008 edition selling for RM1.50 each, original price is RM4.00. And some more books for their reading pleasure.

We decided not to purchase any so called exercise book like for maths and science and just purchased the fun stuff. Asik belaja jer, boring pulak kan.

All and all, we had fun. Hope to bring the cuties to more of this kind of exhibition.

Weekend pictures

Just to share with you some photos during our weekend

Dessert time!!

The books that we purchased(of course, CLEO is mine ;) The cuties doing their performance in the middle of Carrefour, malu akak!

Happy moments...love this pics so much!!!

Mama and Papa pulak nak posing...

You are what you read

I am currently reading this 3 books...(mind the messy desk, just came back from 2 days conference)

2 are work related and 1 is my favourite magazine ever!!!

And yes, I read CLEO...you have a problem with that(sorry ler ter emo cause someone was asking and giving me the look this morning when he saw my mag, as if i'm too old and not classy enuff to read CLEO)

Another busy day

My to do lists are getting longer, not only for work also for home. But, I guess this is the path that I chose and no one have actually forced me to do all this. So, stop complaining, whinning...bla bla bla...

We had our very own unit lunch today. First time ever. We went to the Little Penang in KLCC though someone made the remarks that this place tak kelas langsung. Whatever!!! We really had a good time talking about everything but work and had too much laugh. I just had some Rojak Buah since again...I don't have the apettite to eat.

Jeling lain macam jer, marah ke bos...

Mana lak waiter nie, tak nak ambik order ker???

After that, I need to go to EPF to settle some work and personal related matters. Honestly, I was very nervous to go to EPF. It has been quite sometime I liaised with a government related company and all the previous experieces were scary. Some being screamed at, some being thrown with sarcasm...Yelah, if we know better, we won't be needing all this people around. Ini tanyer jer marah!

But, this trip was really a pleasant one. Everyone was so helpful and very polite. It didn't take me long before I finished submitting my application. Less than an hour in fact! I was very impressed. I requested for William to accompany me since I am very the buta jalan in KL and don't even know where is the EPF office. Once we finished, William buli akak tau!! He wanted me to stand right in the middle of the EPF office and want me to posed. Alah, nie kan untuk blog...that's what he said...

When I came back to the office, another pleasant surprise arrived, a chocolate cake for 2008 was delivered to me. It was from one of the director in my company. She was the one that head hunted me for this current job. She has never failed to give me stuff whenever she goes for her holiday or when she has goodies to share. How sweet of her to still remember me...

I forgot to mention that I bought a book. Part of my new year wish is to read more and stop making excuses that I don't have the time...Like the Astro tag line...I got time!!! This should be my readimg material on my usual ride to and fro via LRT. I will start this new habit with this book called "The Art of War" by Sun Tze. My lecturer have been asking me to read this book and now I am finally doing it...

Let see whether this book really tell us how to win a war without fighting :)...

Before I forget, Selamat Menyambut Maal Hijrah to all. Let's pray that this new year will bring us more blessing and properity(not the burger yer) for now and here after....

thumbprint : William, have a safe trip to Langkawi and remember, that's for work tau! And don't forget to come back