Waka Waka Dance

As a proud mom, when Yoel got the chance to perform on stage, I was aroused with excitement. Words just couldn't express my heart overflowing with joy.

It was the annual event of Krista Pusat Bandar Putra Permai. This year, in conjunction with Krista Puchong Hartamas, they did the annual convocation in Engineering Faculty in University Putra Malaysia. My son was involved in a dance-- Waka Waka made popular by the singer Shakira, a common yet catchy tune.

This was the first item of the day. Yoel was seen holding hands with his partner, a graceful looking malay girl. As he saw us from the stage, his face was lighted up. I knew he was glad that he could perform on the stage. He knew that I would be so proud of him. That made him held his head up high in acknowledgment of his mom's pride. At that moment, I realised that all the hard work of the teachers and my nurturing have bore fruits. He knows, understand and believe that God was always with him. Therefore he could do all thing through Him who strengthen him. Praise be unto God !!

Gua Tempurung & The Lost World of Tambun

So it was something else to do rather than sitting around the house and do the ordinary stuffs. Yeah !

As mentioned in my yesterday's post, the trip to the north was postponed. Yes, we, Cikgu Mazlina, Cikgu Azimah and I, together with 39 Year 5 and Year 6 pupils finally boarded a school bus headed to Gua Tempurung, Perak. My school headmaster drove his Vios accompanied by Sir Zaini. Wasn't a long journey especially one has a good book in hand.

The cave was awesome on the inside. We got to climb up a thousand steps and walk don't know how many miles, go in the water and slide down the cliff !! What a first experience to the rest of the people. For me, it was my second time in the cave, after all, it was where I knew my husband. Oh yes ! In the cave !!

After a modest lunch at one of the stalls there, we left for the theme park. Children were excited too. There were wet and dry parks. I went to both... yes the wet park all on my own.

As we came out, as usual there was a souvenir shop. Our kids went wild shopping before calling it an end at the theme park. When we stopped at the R&R they claimed that they had no money to buy food. I thought that those kids really need some kind of money management in them. It's troubling to see younger generation do not have this set of essential wisdom... and I ponder...

Pra's Convo 2010

The date was 12 Nov. 2010.
It was then another busy day in SK Cyberjaya. Cikgu Roshida and I were involved in the Pra Sekolah convocation. What did we involved in? We were in charged of an item - chorus speaking that entitled Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Still can't figure out how did we manage to come out with the script. English being the second or even the third language to us, we were just perhaps thankful that we were able to produce one... when forced to.

On this actual day, we dressed all the 50 tiny dots in jeans and white T-shirts. Cikgu Shakirah lend us a helping hand to do the face painting. To be accurate, we, Cikgu Shida, Cikgu Sha and I painted 50 bear faces in 15 minutes. Three of us were panic. I wanted to start painting earlier but the teachers in charged refused it... and so we waited till the last minute and we rushed like mad, but thank God, we did it. Anyway, couldn't have any spare time to take a photo of it. What a pity.

Annual Hi-tea

OK ! OK ! I know I like food a lot. Ada rezeki, jangan ditolak. It was our school annual event. We had makan at Marriot Putrajaya. The food tasted good but it would be even better if there were more choices. That does not mean that the food was not enough. I just wanted more !

Forgot to bring my camera... sigh ! Anyway, as I can recall, there were 3 types of fruit, some vege salad, sandwiches, many types of cakes, fish fillets, fried rice vermicelli, fried rice, ais kacang and some other things that I can't recall.

The dress code was santai and so I assumed that a pair of jeans would be appropriate. After all, comfort is all I want, always ! Well, I think I wasn't out of place though. When I am comfortable, that's when I feel secure and confident. Nevertheless there were some ladies who actually go all the way out... They dressed really well.

Below are some photos I got from my friend's camera.

Arrgghhh... can't copy the photos here from facebook.

She Gave Birth To Me

Ah... it's my birthday finally. I must give praise to the LORD for preserving my life to date and thank my mom Jenifer Ung for have given me a chance to live.

So glad that many people did remember it. My first-born Yoel was happy for me. I came back from work and found that he wasn't there to welcome me. Was being informed that he hid himself in our helper's room, drawing something for me. This, my son is really a little artist. Think he's born with it. Later he presented his masterpiece to me. Was truly proud of it.

Later in the evening, my hubby took me out. Many have recommended that I should give Tao a try and so we did, that night. A friend of mine told that it's a 2 hour buffet. Kevin wasn't happy with it. For him, 2 hours won't be sufficient. Anyway, since it was my birthday, Kevin obliged. We sat down and ordered the food. From abalone to prawns and from prawns to many types of fish. The food was nice with varieties, but most of all it's worth the money paid for. Just after half an hour, Kevin had already raised his white flag. He's full !! That night, we got our stomachs bloated !! Thank God I wore a long cardigan that help me to do some cover up.

Pachelbel's canon in D Major - Very nice version

Michael Learns To Rock - Blue Night [video lyrics]

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Think many of us have heard or even read this book. It's not a new book though. I personally think that this book has actually opened my mind on many areas.

This is a book about money, written by Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter ,C.P.A. I am attracted to the title and the cover of this book. It says it all when it is printed on the cover "What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money - That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!"

Parents, it is wise that we instill the concept of money in terms of income, expense, asset and liability. It is not wrong for a child to know about money even at a young age (yes, even before entering pre-school).

I believe and agree that studying hard and getting good grades are important. However what is the point of getting good grades when at the end of the day our children work for others and make other people richer?

Read the book and you will know what am I talking about!

Sea Creatures

It was really a blessing in disguise when all teachers in the whole country were asked to go back to school for the so-called 'gotong-royong' (spring cleaning). Our team was given the task of drawing murals. Am really glad when we can see that many teachers worked together to achieved something. We can also see and discover many hidden talents that the teachers have. It was fun doing the job together. Was truly tired too.

Reuse Before Recycle

Saving the earth does not only mean recycling. In actual fact, before we ever think of recycling something, we should reuse the things. Only recycle things that have been reused. These are some examples that I have attempted to reuse used bottles at home. I seriously hope that everyone will do it to help save the earth.

Recycle

Recycling is one of my favourites. Besides doing my part to save the earth, gaining some extra cash is nice.

I always like to encourage people to do their part to make the planet a better place.

Types of Seeds

A friend of mine who is a science teacher in school, likes to use realia to teach her pupils. So the other day when I saw her having some seeds, I quickly took some shots.

Seeds of Rubber Tree

Seed that dispersed by wind. I have yet to check out the name of the plant.

Seed of the Cotton Plant (Kekabus)

Papaya Soup

This soup is believed to increase the milk supply when breastfeeding.

1 fish head
2cm thick of ginger (sliced)
2 teaspoon of sesame oil
5 bowls of water
1 unripe papaya (the greener the better, and preferably the ones just plucked from the tree)
2 tomatoes (wedges)
2 teaspoons of pepper
some soy sauce to taste


Method:
1. Clean and dry the fish head.
2. Put the sesame oil in a wok and saute the ginger.
3. Then put in the fish head.
4. Dish out the fish head, ginger and oil. Put them aside.
5. Put the water into a pot and bring to boil.
6. Put the fish head, ginger and oil into the pot.
7. Put the rest of the ingredients into the pot and bring to boil.
8. Slower the fire and boil the soup for about 45 mins. The soup is ready to be served.

You are advised to drink all he soup all by yourself. Nursing moms needs lots of fluid. Happy nursing.

Nursing

I am a mother who definitely supports breast feeding. However I was not really successful in doing so with my first child. Of course there were lots of contributing factors. However, I 'd have to admit that the main problem was myself.

No doubt there were many pressure coming from all sides, including my mother-in-law and even the confinement lady I hired. Though the lady kept saying that breast feeding is good, she also kept on telling me that it has to be mixture of the mother's milk and the formula milk.

My mom-in-law were then very concerned that her first grandson was hungry, asking for milk. It became worst when she kept telling me that her rich nieces were also doing the same. Yes, I was not totally happy.

My mom, was the best! When her only daughter was giving birth, and also doing the confinement, she came down all the way from the north, but NOT to see or help her daughter. She came down just because she wanted to be with her friend and she even told me that they were having a good time. She did not even bother to pay me a visit. That's my mom. So that's why, when I was facing some issues at home, I had nobody to ask for help but to only pray. No wonder my mom-in-law had all the say.

It was different for my second child. Right before I gave birth, I have already told myself that no matter what negative things other people may say about breastfeeding, I'll press on. I have also made my mindset right that no matter how much the quantity, I'll continue to breastfeed. I believe the milk supply will come. And it sure did! That's why I have fully breastfed my child for more than a year.

I hope I can continue to breastfeed my child until he is ready. Well, I don't set a target as to when to stop nursing him. I guess all I have to do is to eat well, and rest well, continue to nurse him until he is ready. It will come to a time when the child will just grow out of breast milk.

So it is my hope that all mother's should breastfeed their children for as long as the child wants. All mothers can breastfeed. Do not doubt and continue to pray. The milk will come.

Pandan Leaves

This is a common plant found in Malaysia. It is easily planted and very difficult to die, so to speak. Many people use pandan for two purposes- to get the green colouring and its fragrance.

Since that it is easily planted and the leaves of the plant produce nice fragrance, adding in a few pandan leaves when cooking rice will give fragrance to our plain white rice. Thus, we do not need to purchase the fragrance rice which is more expensive and high in sugar content. This is a wise way to save money and live healthier, without compromising the taste.

Besides, the smell of the leaves can also keep the cockroaches away. So why not tie a few leaves into a knot and put the leaves in our cars, cabinets, cupboards and etc. This is a natural way for pest control!

So folks, make use of the plant today!

Q & Q Time

I have heard from so many people, men and women, saying 'Though we can't spend much time with our kids because of our jobs, we spend QUALITY time with them!'

I have even read in the women's magazines that some couples claim that they can't spend much time with each other, so they spend QUALITY time with each other.

So, what is actually wrong?? Isn't spending quality time important?

Well, I am not saying that spending quality time is bad. My point is that, does your one month old child or even older children know what is quality time? Does he or she understand what is quality time? I can tell you. The answer is definately a NO! Children need our attention. They need our TIME, and in fact, so much of our time. To many children, if not all, what they actually know is QUANTITY time and not QUALITY time!

As a couple, as husband and wife, do you actually, seriously, truthfully think that quality time is all you need?? If that is the case, men and women can just happily get married, and leave for different paths the next day after the wedding for they have spent, as it were, the quality time together on the wedding day, and they do not need quantity time to be together any more.

If quality time is so much more important than quantity time, then all the teachers will be the first ones to shout hooray! For teachers will only go to school, teach for a solid few minutes and then go home. They have done their great job in the quality time! Do you agree to this if you're not a teacher?

Yes, yes, I know... My examples are too extreme. But are you clear with the concept I was talking about?

In short, spending quantity time with our love ones is so crucial that only through quantity time, comes quality time. You get it??

我的木瓜树 My Papaya Tree

Hee... nothing is so special about a papaya tree, especially in the country I am in. However, I was extremely delighted when I plucked my first 木瓜 papaya from the tree in the backyard!

Why?
I have planted papaya a few times but sometimes they died, and sometimes, they just didn't bear any fruits. So this time, when the 1st papaya fruit was ripen at the tree, I felt so honoured to pluck the fruit... and eat it! It tasted so much sweeter than the other papayas I have eaten in my whole life!

Now, I am even happier as more fruits are to come down from my beloved tree.

GGG

GGG... Go Green Globally!

In the effort to save the earth, many leaders in the world have urged the people to grow green wherever possible.

Here are two green plants that I have planted in my back yard. They are ordinary plants that work wonders in our lives.

Mint (daun pudina)
Daun Cengkur

Love the leaves!! Love the fragrance! Love them all in my fav nasi ulam!!

Hope in Everything

In everything, there is life and in every circumstances, there is hope.

The touch of nature is a gift from our almighty God. The blissful blossoms of the spring, the lively beaches in the summer, the golden leaves of fall and the white and peaceful winter bring new breath to the world each day.
This was a photo taken in 2003 at Mount Kinabalu. It's the sunrise of that day. It's so bright and gives us the sense of hope.

Dough

Teaching young children is always an enjoyable moment for me. I have heard from many of my profesional friends that it is hard to teach our own children. Well, first, we'll have to 'get a fix'! If we see that we are not able to teach our own children, then chances are that we won't be able to do that. Trust me, teaching our own children is not only easy but it is rewarding to the parents as well as the children.

One of the ways that I have attempted on my own children is using the clay, or play dough. Well, how do you use it? For example, we can teach them letters by asking them to form letters using the play dough. Here, we are actually doing a couple of things at the same time. We are teaching our tiny ones the letters, helping them to strengthen their muscles of the fingers, and spending quantity fun time with them!

Below is the recipe I have used to make my home-made play dough. It can make up to 400grams play dough. Not only that it is cheaper, it is also safer and cleaner. When you look at the ingredients used, you don't have to worry much if your child eats it by accident.

Ingredients:
1 cup wheat flour
1/3 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
Some food colouring

Method:

1. Put all ingredients, except the food colouring in a saucepan.
2. Use a spatula / spoon to stir until the flour and cream of tartar are dissolved.
3. Then, cook it on medium heat, stir until the mixture thickens and turn off the fire.
4. Put the dough in a big bowl and put in some colouring. Knead in the colour.
   
5. Store when cool.

Being a mom

Happy are those whose dreams are achieved!
Children are God's blessing for mothers. Being a mom is never an easy task, but it is definately a joyful ride! Many think that having children only requires love and care. When I first had my first baby years ago, I realised that true parenting needs more that those...