Nomadic Mom

Anniversary Run?

2011-10-10T20:28:00.002+07:00

Been so busy... till I don't even know what is my name. Okay. Okay.. That is an exaggeration. But I think tomorrow may be our 'official' anniversary. Yup. We have two anniveries to mark our union. The 'official' one at the Registry of Marriages and the 'Chinese custom' one. Why I said tomorrow MAY be the day because I also don't know. Yikes! How bad can one's memory get? Perhaps it is too late to send out Anniversary Invitations to mark the special day. It is our 15th Anniversary after-all. Guess we'll have to wait for the 20th or 25th anniversary then.

Been Neglecting my Blog....

2011-09-29T18:18:00.002+07:00

Boy! Have I been neglecting my blog. Been soooooooooooooo busy with the Centre.
In fact, I should NOT be here trying to blog.

Everything is KELAM-KABUT. Even kids also KELAM-KABUT.
Complaints from teacher and detention and all.
Have I been neglecting them as well?

Not trying to defend myself... though I have been busy working, I have been home when boys come back from school... and I'll go with my usual "how is school, what homework do you have, any problems etc ". Short of me taking their books out and holding their hand to write or type, what am I supposed to do ah? Been getting complaints that they have not been doing their homework. I sit here next to them every night in the Study area summore. Must PHYSICALLY CHECK that each piece of homework is done?

They are so big liow .... and still need that? I donno lah..
Anyway, they are both being punished by the father...

New Maid...

2011-09-15T21:10:00.002+07:00

Continued from here....

We did have pork quesadillas, pork omelet, fried bacon, pasta carbonara with pork bacon the last few days. Had to test her out - whether she would handle the pork or not. I guessed she passed.

When I came home yesterday, she had already made the boys' teatime snack as requested by the boys. Maggi mee for S1 and fried bacon for S2. And in the evening, told her to make the pasta and the carbonara sauce with bacon. She did understand my instruction of al dente. I didn't use al dente, of course. I had to use my finger and thumb to try to illustrate the 'bite' on the pasta. Yes. The pasta WAS al dente.

After dinner, I asked if she wanted to continue to work... and she was like blah blah blah..menyenangkan. Aiyo. I where understand. Told her to just say YES or NO. And she said YES. I clarified with my partner this morning - apparently it's supposed to mean "working here is nice". I thought she meant "easy".

Today, bought some foods from the supermarkets - chicken, salmon steak and broccoli. Gave her instructions to deep-fry the chicken, pan-fry the salmon steak (to medium done) and stir-fry the broccoli. And the dishes did turn out okay.... except fried chicken not salty enough. The salmon steak was done just right - NOT hard like rock. The sauce was okay. The broccoli was still nice and crisp. Not lam-pek-pek like how most maids would cook it. So overall, no complaints.

She said she can make Thai Pomelo salad one wor.... Will get her to make one of these days.

Okay lah. Got to go pack my bags for tomorrow....

PARTY! PARTY!

2011-09-15T20:56:00.003+07:00

Yup! Yup! Yup! I am flying back home to KUL tomorrow to celebrate my 40th with my sisters. Okay. Okay. Technically, my birthday is not till next week.... but my school is having a REUNION and 40th Birthday Dinner for the Class of '88 on Saturday. I was err-ing and ahh-ing for a while before deciding to go home. Afterall, how often does one turn 40?

My dinner (PARTY??) tomorrow with my sisters .... the colour theme is BLACK and RED. I saw a dress at GUCCI's window display last week.... and it IS a gorgeous dress. Decided to go in today to ask about the price... just to kepoh. Of course I knew I wouldn't buy it.
Guess how much the dress was....
.
.
.
.
.
.
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USD 2,200/-!

And you know what? Because I was gonna do some banking .... I did have THAT amount of money in cash in my handbag. My friend kept joking "Eh! you got money in your handbag what. One for you and one for me!". (Yes. People do carry cash around here cause a lot of cash transactions as opposed to other methods ....)

In case you are wondering... am ditching the three boys here on their own. H kept asking the boys "where shall we go to have OUR party whilst your mom is away? Bali?"
The boys were like choi-huei-ter-sor, then he said "you all want to just stay at home and play games is it??". Well... that's exactly it. They just want to veg-out at home without mommy here to ngam-ngam-chamm-chamm.

In progress...

2011-09-15T20:46:00.003+07:00

As you all know, my Centre is still undergoing renovations. Last week, not much seemed to have been completed. Visited the place yesterday... was quite impressed with the progress in one week. The partitions are all up, electrical wiring done, Aircon tubings done, toilets retiled, lighting fixed. I'm told that aircons will be installed today. We've finalised on the wall colours. YES. Orange is OUR colour! And it is indeed the colour in the reception area and the our 'Chill Zone'. But we decided to go for softer pastels for the classrooms. The only problem of visiting the Centre was that we sure made a mess of the car mats. The whole place had plaster of paris dust and debris and what-nots! So you can imagine the footprints we made INSIDE the car. Luckily it was my partner's car and not mine. Heheheheh... I bet her driver was cursing us!

New Maid came in...

2011-09-10T09:25:00.004+07:00

From the last post:

New Maid came on Thursday (8th Sept) evening.... supposed to come in the afternoon but she didn't know the way. So had to wait for her cousin to finish work to bring her in. This one is true... cause the cousin in my partner's driver.

When I saw her, I was a bit surprised cause she had her head covered. Donno why I was surprised. Maybe because I kept asking if 'she can handle pork' and her cousin said 'no problem'. Anyway, when she came it was already quite late in the evening. So obviously didn't ask her to do anything except to clean and tidy her bedroom. H removed the DVD player and LCD TV from the maid's room prior to her arrival. I was thinking this one very 'siew-cheh' don't know whether can work or not. Her last job was in a household of 16 maids! She only prepares food. No ironing. No cleaning.

I told H that she might have problems with the 'porky' and I should just use her to at least IRON all my 10 days of clothes. hahahah...then I will whip out my bacon for her to cook. If she cannot tahan, then she will just leave on her own accord, rather that I tell her to go.... H said I should be worried that she will burn holes in all our clothes if she cannot iron. And he joked "so this weekend, we are going to have siew yoke, bak kut teh, pork chop is it?"

The next morning, she was dressed in long sleeved shirt and long pair of jeans and head covered. I was like "aiyo... how is she gonna work like that?". Briefly gave her instructions to make the beds, clean the floors, wash the toilets. She started making the boys' beds. Again, I was like thinking "how to work like that?". But I did see that the beds were really quite nicely made lah. So I went back to my room. When I came out, she was already changed and cleaning the toilets. Yes. She had the sense to change to something comfortable for real cleaning. She was in a T-shirt and shorts and NO head-scarf. Hair was tied-up. I have to say she looks so much more pleasant this way.

She didn't manage to finish the ironing yesterday, so have to continue today. Once that is done... my 'porky' will come out. I think this 'porky' will be the test lah. No point that she can clean well, make beds nice, iron well, but cannot handle 'porky'. My S2 is a bacon lover. I've bought her gloves ... so will see how...

Wish me luck!

Desperate to Lose Weight!

2011-09-10T09:19:00.002+07:00

No. Not I.
Okay. Okay. Yes. I am quite desperate to lose weight....but not to the extend of going under the knife or needles. The most that I will do is to pop some weight loss pills to get rid of the flab, and perhaps starve a little, go to the gym to 'pretend' to sweat it out. But my friend... is a different story. She goes to some beauty salon to get injections into her body - stomach and thighs to 'melt' the fat away. She swears that it works. I don't know. The sound of it seems quite scary... Needles piecing through skin and injecting god-knows-what by beauticians masking as a medical practitioner? Scarily dangerous.... is all I can think of.

Get Ready for the Cold!

2011-09-10T09:05:00.002+07:00

Time really flies.... I know I've said it many times. But I can't help it. Time does fly!
It's already Autumn now, and soon it will be winter. Should I be happy that I am not sitting in a little corner waiting for time to go by? That I am busy? Or should I be sad that time whizzes by so quickly that I have no time to enjoy life?
Which is it?
Maybe I should NOT answer this question. Just go with the flow!
Yes. That's what I will do.... But I will look forward to our Winter holiday this December. We are going to Vail, Colorado for skiing! Exciting. My first skiing trip. Only thing is the cold... Bbbbrrrrrrrrrr. Hope the apartment is well-equipped with a super-duper infrared heater to warm up those frozen fingers and toes after a long day out in the snow!

Fried the Maid Sotong...

2011-09-07T20:27:00.003+07:00

Yup. Finally did it.

Remember my last post? I mentioned something about getting a new maid... Heheheh.

Well, fired the maid yesterday. Why? If you have been following my posts about my maid, you will know why. This time was really really the last straw.

This time? She was supposed to be back by Monday, 5th Sept morning - boys back to school. Driver was here at the apartment at 6.30 am as usual. I didn't expect her to arrive so early. Perhaps 7 am or 8 am. When she didn't turn up at 8 am. I texted her and ask her what time she is arriving. STOOOOOOOOPID woman said she couldn't get bus ticket for Sunday. And only managed to get bus ticket for Monday. She will only arrive in Jakarta either afternoon or night. What kind of stupid baloney is that? She don't know in advance she don't have bus ticket meh? Even if she didn't buy her ticket waaaaaaaaay in advance lah, she should have called me on Sunday night already, right????
Why must wait till I contact her to see where she is, then only inform me? Why do I have to see that shedid not turn up for work, then I be the one to find out what happened?

When I told H about it, H immediately said Tell her NO Need to come back. But then, my keycard and all was still with her. So I didn't tell her that she no longer has a job. I only texted her that Boys STARTED School today. She said she didn't do it deliberately. Yah. Right! I am so stupid is it?

Seriously, everytime she goes off, there will some stupid excuse as why she can't come back as intended!!!

I was ironing on Tuesday morning (10 days of clothes!!), when she opened the door and couldn't get in. Cause I've double-locked and latched the door. The moment I opened the door, I said please give me the keys. You don't have to work here anymore. Please pack your things. That's all I said. Very calmly.

When she was leaving, I just couldn't help it. Had to say it. I told her. Just tooooooo many times that she do all this nonsense. Fed-up of telling her the same thing over and over again!

And you know what? Today, she asked me for a letter of reference via text. She said she worked more than one year blah blah blah. And donno what else. I asked "what do you want me to write? That you always leave without permission or that you always have all sorts of excuses?". I mean what is the point of me writing a letter of reference if all I am going to say is SO-and-so worked for me for 1.5 years. FULL STOP.

Certainly she wouldn't want me to have potential employers call me. Because if I am still living here, people would ask Why did her employment stopped? If she is good, why did I let her go? What am I supposed to say? I certainly would not lie for her!

But I have to say that I did teach her to cook lots of stuff. She can make banana loaf, pancakes, proper omelets and scramble eggs, Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak, chicken casserole, curry chicken, lor mai kai, lor pak kou, chicken pies, pork chops, chicken chop, roast chicken-my style, roast chicken ala Jamie Oliver, Grilled fish with lemon sauce, lasagne (tomato sauce and the bechamel sauce from scratch!), quesadilla, tacos, pizzas, pasta carbonara, gyoza, fried hokkien mee, wantan mee, mee suah soup, fried beehoon malaysian style, chinese style fried rice, one pot rice, bak kut teh and the 'yau fann', thai-style pineapple rice, all sorts of chinese soups, angmoh mushroom soup, pumpkin soup, french onion soup..... etc etc. *sigh* now got to start from the very beginning. BLEAH...

I have a new maid coming in tomorrow. My partner's driver's cousin. We'll see how she works out. If this one don't jadi, my driver has two lined up for me this weekend. Yeah. Now is quite easy to find maids because they have all returned from their kampungs to the city. If it was before Lebaran, then it would be difficult...

Wish me luck with this new one...

Oh.. I know I am very bad. But I hope her next job is with a local family. NO off days. NO long paid holidays (with us, she gets at least 3 weeks paid holidays when we go away if not more! Actually more. We go away during Summer holidays and December holidays.), NO TV in room. NO Free time. MUST wake up at 4 AM. MUST mop floor twice a day with floor cloth and not with a mop. MUST make FULL breakfast for the ibu every morning. MUST bring the Ibu's handbag into the car. MUST bring Ibu's little bag and towel to the gym (see this post) etc etc...
So bad hor... but she really had it too good that she wants to take advantage of me. If I don't fire her this time, she will definitely think she is indispensable and climb ALL over my head!

I need a holiday!!!

2011-09-07T20:18:00.004+07:00

I have been working like a dog lately. So many things to do for the new business. And so much red tape here there everywhere. Really tiring - both mentally and physically. I feel so drained. I really need a holiday. So much so that I will take ANY holiday. Even a fishing holiday! Yes. Me. Miss Spa&Pampering. Can't imagine it? Well, seriously I am NOT afraid of slimy fishes. What I am afraid of is waiting for ages for a fish to take the bait! So if this chick is going out fishing, she is going to hire those flats fishing guides to show me the way to hook those huge fishes. No way, Jose am I gonna wait till the cows come home!

Cannot Imagine ....

2011-08-28T16:36:00.003+07:00

Really. I can't. I can't imagine that such things would happen...
Riots in London.
Hurricane in New York.
You know... people always have their branches/ stores in London, New York, Paris....
I wonder if something is going to happen in Paris next.
I'm sure Parisiens will say "choi choi. Luei hau swei kong koh". Errr... I suppose Chinesey Parisiens. Hahahaha

Just been reading Yahoo News on New York. Go here to read the article.
Broadway shows cancelled. Starbucks closed. And so are the Golden Arches!
Can you imagine a deserted Times Square? Empty Grand Central Station on 42th Street?
And after the storm, I am sure the city will be in a mess.
I can't help it. I have thoughts of Will Smith's I am Legend playing in my head.
Scary..... Really quite unimaginable.

Great photos

2011-08-26T19:19:00.002+07:00

Did I mention to you that my dive instructor is a travel journalist?
Why am I suddenly bringing her up when it has been ages since I got my advance diving certificate? Well, I just saw her Facebook update that she is now in India doing a piece. I'm sure she'll have wonderful photos to accompany her writings. I remember the wonderful underwater photos that she took with her waterproof cameras when we were out diving. Did I show you the photo she took of me? Here it is.....

Yup. That's me being the horsey.....

Sizzling Hot!

2011-08-26T19:11:00.003+07:00

Ssssssssizzzzling HOT! Check out these sexy bodystockings!
As I am turning 40 soon, I have been using FABULOUS FORTY very very often. In fact, was just chatting with my sisters about what theme my 'birthday party' should be. All RED. All BLACK. WHITE AND BLACK. Or what? When I saw these sexy bodystockings, I thought maybe I could get these sexy bodystockings! Errrr.... only problem is that my H will not be going back to see this sexy hot mama. He has to stay put to babysit the boys while I jet back to KL for the party. Alright. Alright. Not exactly a big party... but nevertheless a party with my sisters, and then the following day, my alma mater is having a reunion and 40th birthday party for everyone... Well... everyone turns forty this year!
Can't wait!

Mange

2011-08-26T19:00:00.003+07:00

How ignorant of me!
When I saw the word mange, the immediate thing that pops in my mind is Japanese comics.
Ooops! I could not be more wrong that this.
Mange is actually a painful skin condition in pets caused by mites!
What is scary is that mange can occur in people too!
We used to have four dogs in my parents' house, and though they did have some problems with mites some time or other, I'm not sure if they did suffer from mange.

Second Wives, Mistresses and Girlfriends

2011-08-26T18:48:00.004+07:00

H had a meeting the other day.... and as he parted with his business associate, the associate asked "Settled? Where is your new place now?"
H answered "S.M. It's near...."
Associate ' "Oh. I know. I know."
H - "how do you know?"
Usually, we have to explain to people where it is..... in relation to one of the popular supermarkets.

And you know what he said? "That place ah? All the Second wives, Mistresses or girlfriends all stay there!"

Obviously, when H came back and told me... my immediate thought was "mmmm... is that woman with something wrong with her hands a mistress????"

Now, when I pass any woman in the lobby, I eye them and guess if she is a Second wife, a Mistress or Girlfriend! Hahahha
Ok. Ok. I only do that with the local ladies... Not the many Japanese ladies that also live here...with their little toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Mmmm..... wonder if anyone thinks I am a Yee Lai... Hehehehe

Good Employer

2011-08-26T18:24:00.002+07:00

We are in the process of employing staff for the centre. My partner and I have had numerous meetings to discuss on the remuneration package for our employees. We strive to be a good employer that employees will feel happy working for us. However, as a start-up we are limited with what we can provide. So salary aside, what makes a good remuneration package?
Is it the number of paid vacation days? Medical benefits? Allowances? Or is it the annuities?
What say you?

McDreamy....

2011-08-26T18:11:00.002+07:00

What comes to mind?
Let me tell you what comes to MY mind...
Those hunky doctors in their medical scrubs in the TV series Grey's Anatomy. Mmmmmm... Dreamy yummy doctors.
Ever fantasized about a doctor in his uniform?
Oops. Better stop now before I reveal too much. My boys do read this blog of mine. Don't want them to think that their mommy has gone whacko!

Do you know how to use one?

2011-08-26T17:51:00.002+07:00

Do you?
A micrometer I mean.
In the first place, do you know what micrometers are?
They are precision measuring devices for measuring lengths. I supposed in our everyday lives, we do not really need such precision. However, precision is important in industries. For example, how do we know that the electrical cables are 1.11 mm thick and not 1.05 mm? Can you measure such difference with a normal ruler? You can't!
But you can with a micrometer.
So if you need such precision, do go get a micrometer from the hardware store!

What is wrong with her hands???

2011-08-22T18:56:00.004+07:00

I don't even know why I am blogging about this. Basically, really none of my blardy business.

I went down to the apartment gym this afternoon for my long overdue workout. And halfway through, a woman came in followed by her maid (I guessed it is the maid. Looks like a maid. Dress like a maid. And behaving like a maid). The maid brought her little bag and towel.... I was like "What is blardy wrong with her hands? Come down to the gym to workout, and cannot even carry her tiny bag". Besides the gym is only downstairs of the apartment.
How far does one need to walk to the gym???

I really beh-tahan. Why are these ladies so blardy pampered to this extent? Or should I say so pann-yia? Really wanted to go up to her and ask her if she has got problems with her hands.

I told H about it, and he joked that next time, HE will carry my towel and water bottle down for me. Aiyo.....

Some people will probably say that I am JEALOUS because I am not priviledged enough to have someone carry my knick-knacks.

But do you think that I am the kind of WOMAN that wants people to tag behind me with my handbag?

S2 promoted?

2011-08-21T08:44:00.003+07:00

I thought I should have a different post for S2... cause the other post on S1 was already MEGA long.

S2 is now in Year 7! My little fellow is now in Secondary School... I refused to buy new uniforms for him so he is now swimming in his kor-kor's old uniforms. hahaha...

When I found out that S1's old Maths teacher was going to be the head of Year 7, I was mega scared that he was going to be S2's class tutor or Maths teacher. Thank goodness. NO. That did not happen. This teacher will be teaching Set 5.

My S2 - whom has a more natural knack for numbers did do well in his assessments (when I was tutoring S1, he actually did some of the math problems and had correct answers!), and is in Set 1 for Mathematics... so no need to FIGHT hard for him. And I know this guy is quite competitive and he will want to work hard to remain in the top set, so no need to worry so much.

When he came back on the first day, he told me that he is in Set 1 for Mathematics, then showed me his sad face and said that he is in the last class for English. Me being the mean old nasty mom was like "See. I told you that your English sucks. " This S2 of mine always refuses to read or do any work. Then S1 piped in "I'm sure you are mistaken. You cannot be in the last class. Maybe Set 2 or 3 but surely not last". That. I have to agree. Can't be the last set. Go find out properly. Case closed....

Over dinner the next day, S2 was like "what is criticise?" I was like "hah??? You don't know what is criticise? That's why we all say that your English sucks! That's why last set!". Then the fella was like have this cunning smile.....
"Actually. I am not in the last set. I am in a special set. All the kids from last year's 'authors in the making' are all in my English class." then proceeded to name the others. Then continued with "What is patronise? " and some other words that I've forgotten.
I asked "is this what you have to do in school today?"
S2 - "Nope. I searched Dictionary.com myself"
He was pretty pleased that he was 'promoted'. Just him being DODO lah. Never find out properly, and be sad on Monday for nothing.

Overall, I think he is pretty happy in Year 7. Errr... but then, it has only been a week. Was very motivated to finish his homework. His dad took him out to the DVD/games stalls in the morning, and he kept telling his dad that he had to go home and do his homework. And he was doing his "Health and Safety" poster for ages last night. Rewriting and rewriting to get it perfect. Hopefull this lasts, and I don't have to ngamm-ngamm-chamm-chamm the boys to do their homework.

Okay lah. Better go do MY homework.

S1 promoted ...

2011-08-21T08:09:00.005+07:00

If you recall... I had written many previous posts whereby I vented about the Mathematics in the boys' school? Do you remember the part whereby S1's teacher said "let's look at his final exam results and we'll see if he is WORTHY for promotion". Yes. THOSE exact words.
You say lah. This mom .... always keep quiet. People think she pussycat tai-tai. Donno anything. Never see my TIGER mom face before.

So... that was the start of S1's intensive tutoring from Yours Truly. Everyday (except one or two days lah) we worked on his Mathematics - from the basics up for an hour minimum. Sometimes two. Obviously, our effort paid off. S1 did pretty well in his final exams. People even queried if he copied! What an insult! He had better marks than quite a number of people in the top set (the set that I want him promoted to... because only kids in this set get to do Additional Maths) so obviously, I would assume that he will be promoted. He did surprise a lot of people - my tidak apa attitude son. One friend actually commented "What happened? You used to be F-king stupid. What happened?". An insult or a compliment?

For the next week after the results were out, I kept asking S1 if they told him that they will be promoted to Set 1. His reply "My teacher said MIGHT". What kind of C!B@I answer is that? Toying with my son ah? F%$K man. So I wrote to the teacher and then only the stupid fellow replied to say that "We in the Mathematics department have decided to admit S1 to the Top Set on a TRIAL BASIS blah blah blah ". I told S1, the teachers are WAITING for you to slip to bring you back down to Set 2. And S1 was like "that is mean!" ... but it is true. Because I was fighting so hard to justify my son's place in the top set, and he did prove to them that he can indeed do it when they are so adamant that he does not have the 'special mathematical skills or love for subject'. Thank goodness that it is a NEW teacher that is teaching him this year. One that is not yet in cohorts with the OLD gang.

School has started for a week... and obviously I continued to encourage S1 to do work - at least bits of it every day so that he will not be overwhelmed with so many subjects. He is quite receptive... doing some topic revision when I told him to last Thursday - which paid off on Friday's end-of-topic assessment. He said he aced it with 100 percent. I think that brought some feeling of satisfaction... hopefully that will motivate to continue to work hard.

Seriously, there's really so many subjects. On top of the usual Maths, Sciences (Physics, Biology and Chemistry), English, there's Mandarin (which he says it's easy), Resistance Materials, ICT, Economics. Quite a handful .... He asked if he should drop Resistance Materials and take up Geography instead. And if resistance materials more useful than geography. I was like ahhh-errr...And he said "or you prefer that I take PE instead of Geography?".
Me - "I am not a geography person. Nor a history person. I don't know. If for Resistance Materials...if you are learning about properties of materials and their uses, then it is good. Why do aircrafts able to fly further? It's because of the materials of construction...."
Then he himself added about the new properties in Speedo swimsuits which can be streamlinedto an extent that the resistance in water is reduced dramatically such that it is banned in competitions.

I didn't really want to force him to do this or that. Because some people want to balance out with easy to score subjects with harder ones. So no need to study so much. I think he did decide to stick with this option, which may require him to do lots of project and design work. This, I think I can help. Cause when I looked at the textbook, it's alot about processes, project management using Gantt Charts, flowcharts etc.... which is sort of my forte. :-) Thing I can't help him is identifying type of wood joints. Yikes! But shouldn't be that hard lah. I did learn about type of weld joints when I was working. Other subjects I cannot help with...biology, ICT, English and Mandarin. Economics can abit lah.

The only thing is that we were working so much on the Maths that we neglected the sciences. He did well but not good enough to be in the top set. So instead of doing the triple award, he is only doing the double award, i.e. doing three sciences but only getting two credits.
Yes. WEIRD British system! Too late to fight for him for this. :-P

Turned down 5 students ....

2011-08-19T18:56:00.003+07:00

Yup. Had to turn down 5 students in the last 3 days. I just couldn't take them on.... With my current schedule of trying to get the Centre on-line, I hardly have time to tutor my own kids.

Okay. I didn't turn down my girlfriend. I was ahhhing...errr-ing.. and then she was quick to reply "better not. I know if you say yes, it is out of obligation. If she really needs it, she'll have to travel to you".

I have to say that it felt good that I am actually wanted! It felt even better to hear that my tutoring did help them in their exams last term. :-) These kids are all from the boys' school. Although I did 'promote' my Centre, I don't think they will be so hadap for my tutoring that they will actually travel to my Centre. It is located in the other side of town. I haven't decided yet, but I probably WILL have my kids travel to the Centre for tutoring....

Why have it on the other side of town? My partner and I felt that that is the ideal location to start, with many International and National-Plus type schools offering the Cambridge, IB and HSC Curricula. We will be the only centre focusing on Maths, Physics and Chemistry in English Language. Read more here, if interested. Errr... why not Biology? Perhaps later. But at the moment, I can only teach these!

This blog will remain to be an 'anonymous' blog about my private life.... :-)

Do you think my maid is priviledged?

2011-08-17T16:41:00.002+07:00

Yes. This post is going to be about the maid AGAIN.

Seems like of late, I have many posts about my maid. Read here, here and here. She will be famous soon!!

I can hear you ask "now what?"

Ok. Ok. I know you guys are going to say "serves you right for spoiling the maid". Read here for the TV we bought her.... My Ibu friends here were rolling their eyes all over when I told them about my maid.

Let's start from the beginning.... ever since we moved into the apartment, i.e. July 2011, she has had less work to do - smaller sq footage, no garden to sweep, no plants to water, no terrace to sweep and mop, no garage floor, no service area etc etc.... So senang, right? And when we moved here, boys were on holidays and mom was over to help with the move. Mom was here for three weeks. And throughout mom's stay, the maid actually woke up later than mom every single day.

I have also been waking up early for the last few months, and I usually make my own coffee/tea or breakfast, and didn't reprimand the maid even when she only shows her face at 7.30 am and sometimes even at 8.00 am! I was like 'cin-chai' since boys on holidays, plus I don't really care as long as she does the work. So... whole of July and half of August, our sleeping beauty has been taking her own sweet time to start work.

Come Sunday night... I told her that tomorrow (15 Aug), boys will have school. Prepare breakfast to be served at 6.20 AM. As a maid, you should also know your place right? School starts mean no more sleeping till 7.30 or 8 AM right? I tell you..... I was FREAKING MAD on Monday morning. Really really mad.

My alarm rang at 6.00 AM. I went to wake the boys, then thought I should just go check on the maid. WALIOW! She also just woke up and in the toilet. I went ballistic! I really screamed at her. And she dared to answer back and said "you said breakfast at 6.20 am".

After the boys left for school, I really gave her a long screaming session. "For one whole month and more, I didn't say anything when you started work at 7.30 am or 8.00 am. But when boys started school, shouldn't you WAKE up earlier and make sure bottles are wash, filled, tables wiped and breakfast is prepared. You tell me. As a maid. You wake up same time as the boys. Got meaning or not? Some days, even Pak has gone to work then only you wake up. You say Got meaning or not? Where in any other households, where maid wake up later than boss one? ALL households require the maid to make coffee and breakfast for the boss. You? Wake up later than boss. Got meaning or not? You want to work or not???"

Then she said "if you still want me, I still want to work"
I shouted back at her "you work like this, I don't want you ah! Don't think that just because I am busy, you are indispensable. So many people downstairs want to have your job. Moment I ask, many people want your job. Easy job. Cook 2 omelets in the morning, clean for 2 hours, load clothes in washing machine, then 4 hours free, iron some clothes, free time, cook dinner, and then free... soooooo much free time. And all I have to do is make a call, and my mom or dad will fly here to train the new maid. Easy. So you think you are indispensable? Forget it. Even when my kids were little, and very attached to a nanny, the moment they act up or say want to leave, they expect me to say PLEASE stay, I increase your pay. NEVER! I would never. Want to go. Go. So you??? My kids are big. You think I will ever ask you to stay? Even if I am soooooo busy with work? NEVER! "

Waaaaaaa.... I tell you, so so mad. And then on Tuesday morning? 6 AM, our friend was up and cleaning the floors and what-nots. Let's see how long this last.

Actually, got some more story. ... Other day, I told her to collect the boys from downstairs when they return from their Chinese. Have to collect because this apartment funny one. Cannot buzz from upstairs. Must go down and collect people and boys don't have the key card. Boys buzz and our friend donno dreaming or what (or happily watching her Sinetron hearthrob). So didn't go down and get the boys, and obviously boys got maang-chang (especially my big one) and I am the one that faced the maang-chang-ness. Of course I scolded her again lah. "go down and get boys so simple to do, also cannot do. How can I use you??"

I donno lah... let's see how many more posts about my current maid UNTIL I get a NEW maid!

Are you a surprise gifter?

2011-08-17T10:33:00.003+07:00

I mean do you give surprise gifts for no apparent reason?
I for one, am not.
And if someone were to give me a surprise gift for no apparent reason, I would be highly suspicious of his/her motives. Why do I have this kind of skeptical attitude?
Can't that he/she just appreciates me as a person and want to do something nice?
Maybe I should start the trend and be a surprise gifter... starting with a surprise food-ladengift basket for dad, and spa product basket for mom. What say you?
Bet they would be wondering what ulterior motives I have!

Vail vs. Lake Tahoe

2011-08-17T10:22:00.002+07:00

We are in the midst of planning for our year-end holidays. Boys decided that we should go skiing together with another family.... and that would be in Vail, Colorado. But H was saying that we should go to Lake Tahoe, which is about 3 hours car ride from San Francisco. And there seems to be more to do at Lake Tahoe. But our friends are loyal travellers that will not budge from Vail. So how? Wherever we choose, I want to stay in a down-to-earth lodge that has log cabin beds and fireplaces.Ooooooh... I can imagine the warmth and romance!

School STARTS Tomorrow!

2011-08-14T08:31:00.004+07:00

This year, the school term is starting a week earlier.... Not only that, school day will be 30 minutes longer now. When they first announced it, lots of hoo-hah from the angmoh moms and moms of little kids. I, on the other hand, welcomed it in a way. Okay. Granted. The traffic is the killer. But I think the kids do need the extra time to cover everything in the curriculum.

Starting tomorrow.... I have TWO in the Secondary school. No more visiting the Primary school. S1 will now be in Year 10, i.e. he will be taking his iGCSE examinations in May/June 2013. And my S2 starts Year 7.

I had to run to the bank to pay their school fees last Friday (deadline is Monday. Otherwise they charge interest! Darned school!). I have to say that I have never carried so much cash in my life! At the counter, the guy was like "did you confirm?". I was like "Ah??". And he said that above a certain $$ have to confirm. Confirm what I don't know. Then he went off to ask his superior if he could proceed with the transaction. I had a whole list of errands to run and I certainly was not going to carry the $$$ USDs in my handbag! Thank goodness his superior said okay.

I tell you... only in this country that they are soooooooo particular with the notes. They will only accept the USDs in a certain H series and up. And the notes must be crisp. No folds. No tears. No blah blah blah. The guy actually CARESSED every single bill. No joke.

I had a note that is really 'charnn' and that one they totally did not want it. No need any CARESSING. After CARESSING 204 pieces of the notes, he said that I had TWO bad notes. I was like "so what does that mean?? Those came directly from Citibank". They were surprised that Citibank had BAD notes. Seriously, the notes look okay and crisp. But like I said, he was CARESSING it like nobody's business... and found that the little silver strip on the side is 'broken'. So what it means is that I have to pay USD 3 per BAD note. Damn cut-throat. So... I had to pay an extra USD 6 for them to accept the two pieces of BAD notes. .... ONLY in this country that the USDs must be like newly-minted.
In America, even if the note is damn 'charnn' and had SHIT, also good as gold.

I tell you ah... I damn 'simm thia' man.... especially when I am not exactly satisfied with the academic quality of the school. Pay so much, and still not as expected. *Sigh*
We told S1 that since we are paying school fees now, perhaps he should think of going to a better school in one of the countries that the Ah Ees reside (England? Australia?). But he doesn't want to, of course. His friends are all here... plus he is still a bit young, hor?

Anyway, there are two more terms of fees to pay. And each time I have to do this, I will moan and groan.

What happened to his e cigarette?

2011-08-14T08:23:00.003+07:00

H used to smoke his e cigarette instead of real cigarettes. But I don't know why he has reverted back to real cigarettes. The real stuff is not only unhealthy but cost a lot more, plus it leaves a bad stench! The e cigarette on the other hand, is cheaper and smokeless. Not only that, it is cleaner - doesn't have the yucky ash that needs clean-up. I remember when we were in New Orleans last year, the lady at one of the cafes was pretty surprised when H took a puff from his e cigarette and then put it right into his shirt pocket. You should have seen her face!

Don't you hate it?

2011-08-14T08:13:00.002+07:00

.... When you are involved in a collision and it is NOT your fault?

Don't you just hate it when the other driver thinks the road belongs to his grandfather and just swerves into your lane? Sometimes we are able to avoid the stupid driver. But other times we are not so lucky. So it's not our fault, right? But whether it is his fault or other, we still have a damaged vehicle. And it is such a bummer to have a collision estimating company to assess the damage, submit to the insurance companies, wait for approvals, send the car for repairs etc. etc. etc.
One word - HASSLE!

Lazy Days in Bali....

2011-08-14T07:57:00.002+07:00

Yes. Lazy Lazy Lazy indeed!

We went for 4 nights. Read my earlier post here. Stayed at the Melia Bali at Nusa Dua. Hotel and rooms were decent enough. Kids had their DVD and PS2 players in the room. Service was pretty good. But the real bummer was the shower! Aiyo... I think this hotel needs a major refurbishment of their plumbing system. Seriously... the shower's trickle was a smaller flow than my pee. And quite a few times, no water actually flowed from the shower head. And the water temperature was like up-and-down and no where near the temperature that I like. So will I stay here again?
I don't think so.... Errr.. actually, I try NOT to stay at the same hotel anywhere. To me, staying at a different hotel is like part of a new vacation. Isn't it?

Other than the Quicksilver Cruise out to Nusa Penida, we did nothing touristy. I slept and slept and slept. I slept out on the balcony. I slept by the beach. I slept on the bed. H was like "why are you sleeping and sleeping and sleeping?". But isn't that what a holiday is all about??

We did try to go cycling as a family... But that didn't work out too well. S2 was like goyang-goyang. I was like goyang-goyang. Because we wanted to cycle out to the Nusa Dua kampungs on the road, H was not too happy about it. So Activity abandoned. We tried again a couple of days later, and same thing. S2 and I were still goyang-goyang on our bicycles. Hahhahaha... So we decided that just he and S1 should go ahead on the bicycles, S2 and I will follow suit on foot. Needless to say, we were the tortoise and the hare (except for the ending bit lah).

I think S2 was the most active of all. He could actually sit out on the beach by himself...enjoying the waves. He was moving from beach to pool and back. Participated in the beach soccer games, played tennis with his father etc. S1 was either reading his book or in the room watching TV. H played tennis twice and joined S2 for beach soccer (errr damn funny). Me.... err... laziest of all. SLEEP only lah. Not to mention EAT and DRINK as well....

All in all, it was a good break for us .....before chaos. School starts tomorrow!!!

Big FOUR-ZERO

2011-08-14T07:47:00.002+07:00

Yikes! Day is getting closer to the BIG FOUR-ZERO.

Am I scared? Excited? Or what?

I really don't know. No feelings whatsoever. I don't feel old. In fact, I still feel like I did 20 years ago..... emotionally, I mean. Physically? That's a different story.

So what's in store to celebrate this BIG FOUR-ZERO?
Some school friends (YES. From 25 years ago.....) are planning to have a dinner to celebrate ALL our BIG FOUR-ZERO together... in mid-September. I am still contemplating whether to go. But I think I should. It's not everyday that one turns FOUR-ZERO! Right?

Perhaps I should get everyone an artcarved rings as birthday/souveniers. Mmmm.... wonder how much that would cost though.... as you know, I am a pretty stingy person!!!

They don't cook.

2011-08-14T07:29:00.003+07:00

....nor wash the dishes. Nor throw the garbage.

Who am I talking about?

Well, I am referring to the 'IBUs' here. Take my apartment as an example. I have two kitchens, thus two cookers and two sets of stainless steel sinks. Unfortunately, the cookers are the small ones that you can't exactly fit a wok over. And gosh... the flames are too small to make a good Malaysian Char Kway Teow! Know what I am talking about? And the sinks? Mmmm... they are the single bowl/single drainer type. I like the double ones.

And the garbage? Well, when I first moved in, I asked my landlady where do I throw the garbage. She was like "errr... I don't know. The maid does it".... and she had lived here for 6 years before she decided to move to a house.

Basically, the 'IBUs' here do not lift a finger. My girlfriend said that she had seen IBUs walking straight into the car with the maid walking behind her holding her handbag. Really? What is wrong with the 'IBUs' hands, I don't know!!!

It is so common here. 'IBUs' walking hands-free and the poor maid with TEN things in both hands trying to keep up with the IBU. No wonder... the doormen at my apartment looked at me funny the first few weeks of moving in.... cause my hands were always as full as my maids, if not fuller! I think they have never seen an 'IBU' (errr... I am also sort of considered one) carrying a table and what-nots!

How Chinese am I?

2011-08-05T14:18:00.003+07:00

In recent years, I've been saying that "the older I get, the more Chinese I get"

Errr... But is this true??? We went in the Quicksilver Cruise today (actually, cruising back to Bali from Nusa Penida as I am typing this), and the whole boat was filled with Chinese. Yes. China Chinese. Though our skin colour is the same, we may look similar, we are worlds apart. After today, I feel that I am not that Chinese after all. I guess I am a Malaysian?? But those sword wielding fellas call me a pendatang. So what or who am I??

How things have changed... In the olden days, (okay..not that olden la) people were all learning to speak Japanese to earn Japanese Yen. Now, everyone is learning Mandarin to earn the Chinese Yuan. All the cruise guys started speaking to us in Mandarin first... And naturally my H and my S2 was like blurr. Whole boat of hundreds, only 2 sets of Caucasians. My S2 was like "finally! Some western people" cause whole boat was chattering in Mandarin...

And now on the return trip, there's karaoke!! When the first couple went up to sing, H was like "I knew there's going to be trouble when I heard the music!" hahaha... And S2 commented "their singing is worse than yours!"... Meaning I should be happy that I am better than some people??? And the cruise director or what you call her is singing Mandarin songs....with an accent of course!

I was telling H that times have really changed. Even when I was shopping in Ubud market, the market vendors were all hawking their goods in Mandarin!

Okay lah.. Later

Hello BALI!!!

2011-08-03T19:52:00.002+07:00

Yup! In Bali....AGAIN.

Flew here this afternoon... Decided to take the boys for a short vacation before school starts in less than two weeks! The boys have basically been cooped up in the apartment for the whole Summer holidays. Poor guys! Or maybe not... Depending on who you ask. Cause they have been sleeping late, waking up late, watching tv, playing games and eating junk! I supposed it's my fault too. Been so busy. Even this morning, we were supposed to grab a bite before heading out to the airport. But I was working to try to send out an email before I leave and by the time I was done, it was too late. We HAD to then eat at the airport.

Even though I've been to Bali countless times, it is still a nice feeling. The moment we arrived, I could feel the breeze, see the bright blue skies. Oh...how blue the skies were today! This time, we are staying in a hotel in Nusa Dua. Booked a split-level family room. Boys downstairs. Parents upstairs. Because it is a family room, the kids area is equipped with tv, DVD player and Playstation (on request). Don't know if I did the right thing of requesting for it....as I am trying to pry boys off those electronic games and gadgets!!! But when I told S1, he immediately came to give me a hug. Talk about addicted to games!!!
Once school starts, all these games stuff will have to stop!

Anyway, we decided to eat in the hotel as I didn't fancy traveling out to Kuta or Seminyak for a meal. And what do you know...the barbecued pork ribs were sooooooooooo yummy and tender. Really melts in the mouth. H had so much that he said that he doesnt want any pork any more. ....and added "including your porky mommy" to the boys! He said he must have eaten my thigh's worth! Hahaha...

Okay... Better go back into the room. Have been blogging via my iPad out in the balcony, and it us getting kinda chilly.

Later...

Happy Birthday, S1!

2011-08-03T19:48:00.003+07:00

My little baby turns 14 today!!!

Seriously no longer a baby...though he still sometimes behaves like one. That fella is already about an inch and a half taller than I am. Overtook me about a couple of months back. And you know that I am 165 cm, right?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, S1!!!

AWOL Maid did come back....

2011-08-03T19:34:00.003+07:00

She came back at about 7 am the next morning. I was working at my desk and she came to apologize and wanted to explain herself. I said "no need. You wait for Pak". Well, usually I am the one handling the domestic side of things, and when H opens his mouth, means serious liow. H started by asking if our room is miles away from hers that she will take hours to travel to tell us that she needs to take leave. One more time she does this, she won't have a job in our home.

Again, like I said... They uinderstand but don't understand. Know what I mean? I pay her a fairly decent salary. When we go away, she gets days off too. Yes. Paid off days. For example, When we went to the Statesfor 3 weeks, she actually had three weeks of paid leave. And then there's the other shorter breaks...like now! She will be getting 3 nights off. So a pretty good job conpared to many maids here. And she has kids that go to school blah blah...so she should know that she should work hard and not piss this ibu. But does she know that? I doubt it.

Anyway... I'm sure there will be loads more of maid stories!!

The moon and starts are aligned for.....

2011-07-30T05:27:00.004+07:00

..... maid problems?

Do you believe in astrology?
That the alignment of the planets, moon and stars will have an effect on certain happenings on earth?
I won't exactly call myself a believer, but then don't you agree that sometimes the occurence of similar events at the same time just makes it more than a coincidence?

RE - maid problems. I actually received an email from a girlfriend back in Malaysia two days ago... asking if I have jalan to find her a maid here. The thing is I've not heard from her for quite a bit... and out of the blue, I hear from her. Her maid had just left and she is having problems finding one... even after going through the regular channels. I even joked that I would start a maid agency complete with training facilities after I'm done with my current start-up. Will train the maid to speak either English or Bahasa Malaysia, how to cook Western and Chinese meals, how to use washing machine, blender, vacuum cleaner etc etc.
Yeah. Right!

One maid in my house also driving me GILA liow. If I have an agency full of maids, I think I will go INSANE to the extent that I become the most feared!

And then I just read about mamapumpkin's maid problem .... I cannot believe that she actually paid RM 2100/month for her part-time Filipino maid that works half-a-day for a five-day work week! Certainly more than what I earned when I graduated from college, and mind you...I am a UK-trained engineer with a Master's degree from one of the top engineering faculties in the world! The best is yet to come.......
This maid of hers cabut to another employer!
Because a driver is provided to ferry her to and from work!!!!
How very spoilt!
Furthermore, mamapumpkin gave her a load of goodies...thinking that she will work harder blah blah blah...

Doesn't work in the world of maids. Regardless how well you treat them, they will not 'behave' how you think they would. They will not be the loyal employee that you think they would be...

I remember my friend/landlady back in Bangkok. She told me about her maid of more than ten years, whom she treated well (annual bonuses of USD 10 K ) etc... when she left, stole soooooo many things from her. And not only that, the maid had been telling everyone that her employer (my friend) ill-treated her etc etc. What the&^**&$*#, right???

And then my aunt - she had a nanny who looked after her son right from birth ....and worked for over ten years too. Also stole jewellery and money, and MORE - took my aunt's passport!
You say lah! Why like that?

That's why I never ever say that my maid is 'good'. Even if they appear to be 'good', inside you donno what they are plotting. And I certainly do not treat my maids like 'friends'. Don't get me wrong..... I don't ill-treat them. I just don't sit down and chat and ask her about her family blah blah blah. Don't be overly nice. I do not get attached to them nor totally rely on them like some of friends do. I will not 'die' even if my maids run away or whatever.
Yes. I admit I will moan and groan, because of the inconvenience.
But I won't be totally helpless.

Errr... do you think that is why I have frequent maid problems?
They hate working for the WWW - Wicked Witch of the West!!!!

AWOL Maid!

2011-07-29T23:09:00.004+07:00

Some people have good luck when it comes to maids. Their maids are almost perfect - they clean well, smart, can cook well, takes care of the kids etc etc.
Me?
Always not very good luck with maids.
My current maid?
Not exactly the best cleaner, do not exactly cook well, nor follow instructions well....
And what's more?
She has gone AWOL.

I wanted to give her the 'sign' with Sis No.2's name to give to my driver tomorrow morning. When I knocked on her room door, there was no answer. I entered her room... Lights on, radio and fan all ON. She was no where in sight. I texted her ....and guessed what she said??
Said she panicked and went home immediately the moment she received a call informing her that her child is ill. She didn't think of coming to inform me! She swore that she was telling the truth..using the usual 'swear to god' baloney. What kind of mother says things like that about their child ah?

H immediately told me to tell her NO need to come back tomorrow!!

Aiya... But knowing me...so forgiving one. My bark is worse than my bite. That's why people take advantage of me......like my kids too! Anyway, back to the maid...H then said if I really don't want to get rid of her, then Give her ONE final warning. If she does it ONE more time, she'll have to go.

I supposed I should just fry her sotong, but then looking for a new maid, training her.....is time consuming and Damn sien, especially I am so busy with the business start-up.
What to do?
The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know!!!

Bleahhhhhhhhh....

Sis No.2 Visiting....

2011-07-29T21:51:00.003+07:00

Finally. A guest!

I won't count mom nor dad cause when they come visit, it is because we ask them to.... to babysit the boys when H and I go away.

Sis No. 2 is arriving early tomorrow morning.... at 9.05 am. Unfortunately, I will not be picking her up from the airport. Just sending the driver... He will be holding a sign with her name on it. I have an interview to conduct tomorrow.....

So what have we in store?

Already made an appointment for manicure/pedicure at 1.00 PM and facial at 3.00 PM at my regular places. Initially, wanted to bring her to a Korean spa...but their facial is more for 'relaxation' rather than really for 'cleaning'. Can't save it for another day because she is only staying for two nights.

When mom was here, took her to the Korean spa for a facial... she was pretty impressed with the price. About RM 45 for 1.5 hour facial which included full body massage. So basically, two ladies attend to you. One to massage your face, and the other the body. Yes. Very shiok .... especially when it is soooooooo cheap. The other thing that my friends raved about is the Korean scrub. Apparently, you are really really scrubbed clean. ALL crevices included. My friend said that she had a cultural shock the first time she went.... because you are really really totally stripped naked. Ahem. Ahem. Err... I still have yet to try this one out....

Later...

Really Really ONE Boring Summer

2011-07-28T12:17:00.003+07:00

I think this must be the most boring Summer the boys have ever experienced!
All they have been doing is watch TV and play games.
They sleep like at midnight and wake up at 11 am till almost noon!
AIYO!

H tries to get S2 to play some tennis or table tennis. But my S1 is perpertually glued to the screen. I try to get him to do some Math problems .... which of course is not welcomed. :-P
Both of them are too big for the zoo, or the small aquarium or Kidzania.... So how to entertain them? Plus I have been busy with the new business start-up items.

Hopefully, our trip to Bali next week will be an exciting one for the kids... and I was telling H that we shouldn't bring ANY work with us... We just REST REST REST.

Where's my engagement ring?

2011-07-28T12:08:00.003+07:00

Actually, I do have an engagement ring.
But... as the years went on, pounds were added on.
And I can no longer wear my engagement ring.
A little sad because I am no longer the sweet and slim chick that I was.
No longer can slip my finger through that sparkling ring....
Who am I kidding?
I was never a sweet slim chick! Hahahaha
I tried ENLARGING the ring, but it is maximised to the max already.
I wonder if H will get me new custom engagement rings... Is there such a thing as buying the wife replacement engagement rings? Or is it a NO NO?

BIG Business

2011-07-28T11:58:00.003+07:00

H has an ex-colleague that made it BIG on his own after leaving the corporate world. Shhhh... apparently, it's more of the wife's efforts than his. Anyway, they started a small restaurant business which eventually turned into a multi-million dollar frozen ready-cooked meal business. They were contemplating of exporting their sauces only, and have the meals locally cooked and frozen. I wonder how are they going to do that? Send it out in stainless steel drums? Let me go check the stainless steel drums at drumsofsteel.com.... if that's the way to do it....

Two Weeks Already!

2011-07-28T11:45:00.003+07:00

It's been two weeks... and my carpets are still not back yet.
What am I talking about?
I sent three of my carpets out to be cleaned more than two weeks ago, and until today it is still not delivered to my home. Do you think I used the right company to do the job? Perhaps I should have shopped around and contacted carpet cleaning raleigh as well.
But guessed that's too late.
Just hope that my carpets are properly cleaned....and returned.
Better late than never.

One Step Closer....

2011-07-28T11:31:00.002+07:00

We are a few steps closer. We have just received our business licenses, which in turn allowed us to open a corporate banking account. And with this done, we have to transfer funds to fulfil the mandatory start-up capital requirements.

What next?
Sign official lease for our shop, get the keys and start the renovations. And then there's the permanent business licence to apply... so on and so forth.
So many things to do.......

Scary yet exciting... Will update again soon!

Cool and Hip!

2011-07-24T21:05:00.003+07:00

I think I am at this age in my life that I feel like I need to prove something....
To show that I am still young. Still capable of achieving things. Still hip. :-)
I am even thinking of getting some hip hop clothing! Crazy it may seem to you, but I think the thought of turning FOUR-ZERO has such an effect on one. Suddenly, this year I am doing so many things in my life. A real turning point. Evem something as simple as walking. In the last five years, we never ever walk on the streets. We get chauffered everywhere ... But in the last ten days, we walked here there, everywhere! Then there's me trying to complete my TESOL course. My move. My business. Hopefully, all these activities will keep me young! Or at least make me feel younger???

Low Fat Diet??? NOT!

2011-07-24T20:55:00.002+07:00

I was doing so well in recent weeks... eating quite healthily and staying off from fattening foods. But then... the other day, my friend stayed for dinner and she wanted to 'contribute' to the meal. What did she contribute?
Two TUBS of rich creamy imported ice-creams! Couldn't resist and ate two scoops. And the next day, I finished off the remaining tub. Yikes!!!!
Looks like it is time to pop those fat burners!
Otherwise, how to be trim and fit?

Did something that I said I wouldn't do...

2011-07-24T07:57:00.009+07:00

What?

What did I do?

Steal? Rob? Kill? Have an affair????

Errr..... NONE of the above...

It's something simple..... like....

Buying a TV for my maid's room.

I know. I know. No big deal... but I was always against of the maid having the TV in HER room. I mean all along, my maids do have access to a TV, either in the kitchen or in the service area, but my stance was always NEVER in the room. So why the change?

Well, as you know... we now live in an apartment. Naturally, space is a constraint. There's not much space in the kitchen areas.... And surely we don't want her to be watching my cable TV in the hall, right? I supposed you would ask "why must have TV? Don't have cannot meh?". Well, it is quite isolated up here... not like when we lived in Singapore whereby the maids can just pop their heads out of the balcony and talk to the maid next door. Am sure she will be bored till gila - and we don't want her to be gila... that's for sure! Plus the contrast of us living in a house and here is so great in terms of the social aspect. When we lived in a house, she had my driver, gardener (some days), my security guards, not to mention the number of strangers that loiter outside my front gate for conversation. Now? Even my driver is not exactly nearby for her to have a chat. No outlet to b*tC# about the ma'am of hers. Hahahahah...

Thus the need to have a TV.... to de-STRESS. :-)

Want to know what TV we got her?

Well, obviously we wanted to get the cheapest and most basic one... H went to those hypermarkets to look around. And some unheard brands were selling for USD 80. Then we decided to get a USD 110 LG CTV. But when we want to the shop, they were having some mid-year clearance sale.... we ended getting her a USD 130 Panansonic LCD TV. So now, my maid has a canggih TV in her room... Not only that, when we came back... we took one of the boys' old DVD player to give it to her... Hope she will not be watching TV until apa pun donno how to do. Or cannot get up in the morning to work!!!

Whilst I was typing this post, I can almost hear Laundryamah screaming into my ear about me spoiling my maid.... YIKES

Updates.... 20 July 2011

2011-07-20T22:20:00.003+07:00

I know that I have not been updating as often as I should. But really been so busy. Or if not that, then so tired. So obviously blogging would be the last thing on my mind.

Almost 3 Weeks into the SUMMER break now, and boys have been literally stuck at home.... cause H and I have been so busy. Had some friends over (errr... actually only 2 sets of friends as EVERYONE is out there enjoying their Summer Holidays except us) last week. We didn't even go out for any movies... not that there's anything to watch because of the stoooooopid boycott. So other than playing games and watching TV until their eyes pop-out, I made the boys do some Math problems on some days. And just the last two days, S1 has been helping out with the layout drawings for my shoplot. He helped to sketch the 3D-drawings on Google Sketchup. Have to say that he is pretty good at it. :-)

We managed to find a shoplot for our business... hopefully it is the RIGHT choice and RIGHT location. Paid the downpayment on Monday.... and have to pay the rest of the rent when we officially sign the lease in about 2.5 week's time. And just had news from our lawyers that business registration is completed, and we can now open a business account...and to deposit the paid-up capital blah blah blah. And I have the contractor going to have a look at the shoplot to give me a quotation. The sketch that was done by S1 will prove to be invaluable, as it will give the contractor an idea on what we want. Hopefully, the costs can be kept down...

On a different note... I itchy-fart told my girlfriends that I will join them for the 10 KM run in Bangkok in November. So gung-ho. Say can have fun, shop, spa, wann-sann and run. How lah? Can I chicken-out? Or must I perservere on and train for it? I've got about 4 months to train for it. A bit scared lah. This morning, I went to play tennis out in the open, and not too long (errr think about 15 minutes or less :-P), I was damn tired and thirsty liow. How to run 10 KM in 2 hours ah? But I must. I must....

A Boring Summer?

2011-07-14T05:54:00.004+07:00

SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Boys have been complaining that this Summer is sooooooooo boring. No travels to ANYWHERE.
Are they spoilt or Are they spoilt?
School holidays must go somewhere one meh?

We've been so busy in the last couple of months. So many things to do.. the start-up, moving house, my TESOL course etc. How to plan to go away for a Summer Getaway like usual? Not possible lah. At first, I thought I will send the boys back to PJ with my mom... but then H said that the house (I should say apartment now) would be toooooooooooo quiet without the boys, and he says we would need the constant need of 'scolding them' to break the monotonous mood despite of our busy schedules. Hahhaha.. So boys had to stay put. They were not to happy I have to say.

Parents being parents... we tend to spoil them ... I know I said "School holidays must go somewhere one meh?", and yet I went to book a short 4 night getaway to Bali for early August. YES. Bali again... because we can't getaway for too long, and easy to book. Plus boys look forward to it all the same. H initially thought about Perth. But with Perth, we'll need more days.. plus the flying time... (or rather the connecting at Changi etc). Bali at this time is pretty expensive compared to other months... SUMMER holidays and all. But what to do.... we spoil our kids, right?

NEW HOME
Move and unpacking all done. Did I tell you that they (the movers) had to chop off 3 cm off my dining table legs? They tried and tried to bring it through the door, but they just couldn't. The carpenter was then called upon and off the legs went! But it's okay lah. My dining table was slightly higher than the norm to start with. So it sits pretty well now. Re-upholstered my 6 OLD dining chairs....FINALLY. After donno how many years of saying that I was going to. Thought they were quite reasonable.. Less than 100 ringgit each. Then I asked them to make 2 new chairs (so I have 8 chairs...) ...then my throat almost got cut. But I guessed still okay lah. 350 ringgit per chair. Okay, right?

Everybody is setting in our new home. And with the internet fixed... all is good!
Am happy that things (my furniture, junk etc etc) can fit in quite nicely. Well, I did sell quite a lot of stuff (maid's bed, maid's stove, 2 teak loungers, teak chairs and table, Ikea dining table, a sofa...). I do still need a cupboard though. YIKES! More buying? As if we don't have enough stuff?
When I signed the 'Completed Job' sheet.. saw that we have over 225 boxes (big and small, including sofas and beds). Took the removal company four whole days to pack and move the stuff over. How did we end up with so much stuff, I don't know.
I tell you... really scared of moving!

TESOL COURSE
As for my TESOL course, am working vvvvvverrrrrryyyy slowly. Completing only about a unit per week. To date, already completed 12 units. 8 more to go. Not bad lah hor? More than halfway through! My next unit is the tough one.. ALIEN symbols!
Okay. Not exactly Alien symbols .... but those funny (phonology? Or whatever they call it) symbols that you use for pronunciation. We never learn it, and neither does my children at the British school... So how come we only use it to teach Speakers of Other Languages? Why native speakers do not require them? Mmmmm....

START-UP
We are still looking for a location for our start-up. We have found one that we all liked but the owner might be a problem... telling our assistant that the price is not negotiable, then giving a higher price than what we were told, then the lot is let out already etc etc. We then contacted the agent, and then received an official proposal. So donno lah.. Off to see more shoplots tomorrow...

And once we finalise on the lease, we need to send the renovators in... Lots more to do!

Website is coming on nicely. Still need to purchase photographs, add and edit content, and some bits and pieces here and there.... Met with the website designer yesterday and I could see that he was a bit unhappy when I complained about the drop-down menu. I mean I DO want the drop-down menu, but when I click once on say "Our Services", I expect to see the main page of "Our Services", and I don't want to need to click TWICE. He kept saying drop-down menus are like that. I said if it's really either/or, I will rather have my main "Our Services" page shown than the drop-down menu. He was like "you want this menu, now you don't want this. Drop down menus are complicated to make blah blah blah ". I got a bit cheesed-off and then said "that's why I am engaging your services right? If I don't need all these fancy things like drop-down menus, I could design my own website like what you saw before" and proceeded to show the simple yet workable website that I made with Joomla. Lucky the 'manager' was more sik-chou and he said "yeah yeah".

Still so much to do... instead of one step at a time, think need to accelerate a bit liow....

Yippeee! We are finally connected!

2011-07-14T05:07:00.003+07:00

I have to say that we did feel a little 'DISCONNECTED' the last 12 days with no internet connection. Yup. You read correct TWELVE DAYS! Enough to sing the TWELVE days of Christmas countless times!!

Why took so long? Well,... I tried to save some money by going direct to the provider... so lots of phone calls to them and speaking to operators who repeats like a parrot. Turns out that this whole area is 'monopolised' by a "middleman" and I can't go direct. So...what to do, have to get them to come and install the cable TV and the internet. So, once I sign on the dotted line, they had to send me the invoice and we have to PAY before they arrange for installation. But once payment is made... service very fast lah. They came immediately the next day (ie yesterday) to fix the lines. So here we are... CONNECTED!!!

My 'LABEL" still reads 'House and Garden' and I no longer in a house and no longer have a garden. So how? Must change new label ah? No need lah hor?????

Mobile Batteries....

2011-07-14T04:55:00.004+07:00

Nobody really talks about their mobile batteries.... yet it is the very heart of what makes a mobile work! I guess the only thing that gives the humble mobile battery a worthy mention (or not!!!) is when we blurt out "My battery is dead!". You would think... "Poor batteries. You give all you have ... and nobody notices you until you run out of juice!"
Oh well... that is the LIFE of a battery, I guess.
Speaking of batteries, I think H's Samsung Galaxy needs to have its batteries replaced soon. Know where I can get the cheapest and best samsung mobile batteries?

Why the weight gain?

2011-07-14T04:33:00.003+07:00

I seriously do not understand how I could so quickly gain back the 2 kgs that I lost. I admit that I haven't been to the gym for about 3 weeks..... packing, moving and then unpacking takes the toll on one, you know! So with things (i.e. the move, the unpacking etc... not other stuff) more settled, I am determined to lose the weight gain. I have begun going to the gym to build up fitness and to tone those flabby arms. But to be able to see the results QUICK, I need to supplement with some Diet pills that work fast. Come On! Lose the weight, GIRL!!!

I'm Loving It!

2011-07-07T09:07:00.003+07:00

Sounds like McDonald's advertisement.... but I'm pretty happy with our new pad. It is really totally different from living in a house. The convenience is really such a BIG plus. We can pop down to the gym anytime we want. Supermarket (very well-stocked with imported goods) is just next door... and there is a small food court, bakery, kuih stall, pau stall. Also a little cafe, hair salon, LaMien place, laundry etc. Not to mention another food court across the road. And Starbucks too! Thought that I would need a fair bit to Starbucks... then I saw the GREEN parasol-like thingy from my living room balcony. WEI?? Just opposite wor.... Green Tea Frappucino with Whipped Cream... YUM YUM.

And what's more... few big malls are 5-10 minutes walk.

Mom certainly is quite pleased that she doesn't have to worry about the traffice when she comes to babysit the boys.

I really like the idea of NOT having to rely on the driver to take me to the grocery store or the laundry or wherever.

The real test? When school reopens and the boys have to get to-and-from school! See if they will complain till the cows come home. Why? We are now slightly further from school than before...

Bus will come 15 minutes earlier...

We'll see....

NEW PAD!

2011-07-07T08:57:00.003+07:00

We are now officially living in our new pad!
After 5 years in a landed property, we are now on the 11th floor of an apartment building right smack in the city. And we are all loving it. The convenience is great... supermarket next door, food courts and restaurants a stone's throw away and I can see Starbucks from my balcony. Errr... hope I will not be putting weight from the Green Tea Frappucinos with whipped cream!
Few complaints though... Okay. Not exactly complaints. Just need to get used to the idea of less space for hanging out my laundry in the sun... and the need to jump up to get my clothes!
Why?
Well, the wardrobe hangers are pretty high, and because we do not have any step stools, I literally had to jump up to get my clothes! And mind you, I'm not exactly a short gal.

I need to get a metal step stool that not only serves the purpose but look good as well....

New York Pad...

2011-07-07T08:46:00.006+07:00

Did I tell you that my husband for a thing for New York City? He feels that he needs to go to NYC every single year. I'm sure that many people do too.... but we live on the other side of the globe and I certainly do not fancy flying 20 over hours all the way to NYC! Perhaps when we are old and grey, we might get a small place in upstate New York or Connecticut... close to NYC and perhaps more affordable. A plus point would be a small garden for my little grandchildren to run free... Better have the numbers of swing set installation new york companies handy!

Finally. I am doing something to my chairs!

2011-06-22T18:35:00.005+07:00

Remember my OLD and DIRTY dining chairs?

The ones that I have been harping on and on for years that I was going to replace or re-upholster?

After 5 years.... I finally am doing something to them.

Nope. Not replace them... but getting them spruced up.

They are going to be plumped up with more cushioning material, and re-upholstered with a suede-like looking fabric. They'll look as good as new in no time (I hope!).

I am still considering to get two additional chairs ... but these two gonna be the expensive one. Still waiting for the guy to email some photos of chair models that I want. So we'll see.....

By the way... these 6 dining chairs are about 9 years old. Not too bad that they are still standing. Just no more cushion and look really really disgusting with my son's food and snort stains! Hahhahaha

Shopping for a new Computer...

2011-06-22T18:27:00.003+07:00

Yup. I am looking to buy a new computer.
The thing is .... do I get a laptop or a desktop?
I kinda like those new desktops with their HUGE screens, but then what if I need to bring work with me wherever I go? Can't exactly lug the desktop on a trolley with me, right?
Guess... I'll have to go with a laptop. But what brand?
What do you think of compaq laptops?

Are they any good?

Reliable?
How do they look?

Do they have good support in the city that I am living in now?

Well... gotta hit the shops this weekend!

Two Presents for Dad!

2011-06-22T18:21:00.003+07:00

No. Not referring to my dad. I am referring to the boys' dad, i.e. my H.
He was away in Europe during Father's Day...(actually, he is still away) and we didn't get to celebrate Father's Day with him. BUT at least he will arrive home right on time to celebrate his birthday with the family. So what presents for father? Do we get him two presents? One for each occasion or just get ONE really nice one?
Any advice?

Updates. Updates. Updates. 14 June 2011

2011-06-14T22:36:00.006+07:00

First thing first...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!!!
Today is my beloved Mommy's birthday. Wonder what she she did for her birthday today.
Yes. I did call her earlier this morning to send her birthday wishes. As for boys, think they called about 2 hours ago.

PACKERS/MOVERS
The packers will be coming in 2 week's time. Actually, less than two weeks ~ 10 days.
I'm told that they will take 4 days to pack my stuff. Need 4 days meh?
My main concern is my 2.2 m (or longer? donno) 8-seater dining table. It's not the size.... it's because DUMBO me agreed to have solid legs for the dining table when I had it fabricated .... forgetting that I am a nomadic mom! Helllllooooo. Mana brain oh?

So how to move the blardy huge table with jutting legs ah? I thought when the packers came to look-see, they would say the legs need to be chopped. They were unsure... and they went off to check. When I emailed them a couple of days later, they said the table can go into the apartment without chopping the legs. REALLY?
Now, I just pretend everything is okay. But deep down hor, I am scared that they are gonna tell me ON THE DAY OF THE MOVE that my table cannot masuk loh. ADOI!
My girlfriend tried to reassure me ..."They know their stuff lah. That's why you are NOT in that business!". Sure hope she is right!

SELL. SELL. SELL.
With us moving into an apartment; naturally I had to sell some furniture... especially those that currently sits on my terrace. I printed out some coloured leaflets and pinned them on the school's notice board after school yesterday. I had also placed an advert on one of the expat mailing list service this morning. And what do you know? Everything is sold (though not picked up).

Go here to have a look at my stuff for sale.

I think I may have put tooooooooooooooo low a price for them! Otherwise why so laku?
But I really wanted to sell them quick. I didn't want to have to resort to giving them FOC to my staff. This morning, my maid already came and ask me for one of the unused mattresses!

H AWAY. MOM ON THE WAY
Yup. H has gone to Europe again. Supposed to visit 4 cities, but I think he has decided to trim it to just 2 this time round. Too hectic.... with our impending move etc.
And dear mommy is coming to help her hopeless daughter to monitor/supervise the packers. She'll be staying for 3 weeks. Kinda worried if she will go GILA staying so long.

okay lah.. am quite tired and sleepy. Gonna go to bed now. Nite Nite.

How did I learn the English Language?

2011-06-14T22:25:00.005+07:00

Seriously, I don't know. I cannot remember how we actually learn the language.

I tell you... I have to say that now that I am studying for the TESOL (Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages) course, I wonder if it was that difficult when I was younger?!?!?

The contractions, infinitives, verbs, adverbs blah blah blah were fine. The present and past tenses were okay too. But today, I did a unit on Future Tenses and I am shy to say that I was caught in a bind in a few of the questions in my Worksheet. Eh.. Mind you. I had an A for my 1119 Cambridge paper, and my recent IELTS score was a perfect 9. So why do I find today's unit so difficult leh??

Really soooooo old meh??

I forgot I have a Blog!!

2011-06-07T09:27:00.003+07:00

Yeah. Yeah. Been so busy the last week that I totally forgot I actually have a personal blog!

Busy doing what? Busy building the basic website for my business using Joomla! CMS. Took me about 3 days to understand how Joomla! Works. I guessed I could have totally outsource this to a professional web designer but everyone seems to want to cut your throat.... Cheapest was USD 600 for a basic 5 page website. Thus, I felt that if I understand the basics, they will at least be more reasonable in their quotes. So far, I've built a website with about 10 pages and links to our word press blog and e-learning portal. Both also set up as well.

Anyway, will engage an IT guy to help in polishing the website and advise on security/ archiving.

Later... Gotta go.

We are moving into an Apartment....

2011-05-30T08:53:00.003+07:00

Yup. It's been confirmed.
Closed the deal (what deal??) with our friend/business partner/landlord yesterday over drinks....

We will move into the apartment at the start of July. Or rather commence moving on July 1st.

Our lease on this house ends on 4th of July (Independence Day!!! Errr... but who's Independence day?) and that gives us some time to play around.

I told H that maybe we should check-into the Ritz Carlton for two nights during the move - when our beds are still not fit to be slept on. Afterall, it is only about 5 minutes walk from the apartment and he can get corporate rates. Heehheheehhe...

Why the move? Read here....

I won't say the apartment is cheaper since the water and power rates are higher... amongst other things. BUT our rent is below market rate for that size, which is approximately 3000 sq ft. Boys will still get their own room with attached bathroom. I will have to sell all my terrace furniture though. Yikes! I need to put out the advertisements!!!

Pros of moving to an apartment?

For one, I don't need to have my own security guards. No need to do the monthly transfers to the security company. No need to buy coffee/tea/biscuits etc.

Two - Can cut out our gym membership. Been paying over USD 60 a month per person.

Three - Next to a big supermarket. I figured this will really really be handy when my business starts and I can't do grocery shopping often. At least the maid can pop down to buy the necessities. I've had remarks like "mommmyyyyyy. There is nothing to eat in the fridge or cupboards!!!".

Okay... I gotta go. More later.

I need a massage!

2011-05-19T23:09:00.003+07:00

I really do need a massage. No joke!
Have been so busy the last few weeks that I am absolutely knackered.
My body really aches for a massage.
I had initially wanted to schedule a massage session for this afternoon, but one thing led to another and I just couldn't keep to the appointment. And by the time I had some time, the spa had already closed. Perhaps I should sign my helper to a massage therapy program online. Then I could just ask her to work those tired muscles out anytime! Errr... but do you think my helper is computer-literate?

"Not eating from next week..."

2011-05-19T23:00:00.003+07:00

That's what the hubs said... he's not going to eat any dinner from next week onwards. Guessed he felt that his pants are getting too tight.
No muscle and all flab!
Maybe I should be the GOOD wife and get him a bottle of creatine supplements to help him build the much coveted 6-pack. I think some supplements even increase energy levels - this would be beneficial for his weekly tennis sessions. Any advice?

Stress = Acne

2011-05-19T22:45:00.005+07:00

I have been so stressed about everything lately - the house, the business start-up, the TESOL course, the kids etc etc that my body has just gone totally whacko on me. My sleeping pattern is totally non-existent and my face is filled with acne.
It's true. Stress = Acne!
So how do I get rid of the acne? It's not that my face is overly oily. In fact, I think my constant application of acne cream has over-dried certain parts to the extent there is scarring now. Sigh...
I'm told that I need to have to balance between cleansing and moisturizing. So what is the best skin care products that will help me rid of my stress acne?

Really. Should I go for a House or an Apartment?

2011-05-18T22:31:00.007+07:00

Actually.... Apartments are generally MORE expensive than houses here.
And if they are in sought-after buildings/areas, the rental price of a two-bedroom apartment can be Much Much MORE than my 4 Bedroom + Study + 2 Maid's Room House with Swimming Pool. You would then say that the logical thing to do is to get a house then. Right?

But the problem with living in houses is the security. Not that it is unsafe but having security gives one a peace of mind. My house is a single house and we engage our own security guards.... Not that these guards can FIGHT or anything, but they act as a deterrent. Well, this peace of mind cost a whopping USD 700 per month. So in order to cut our overall expenditure, we need to either move to a cheaper house and have these security guards, OR move to a house within a complex which has it's own 24-hour security.

Normally, we wouldn't consider moving to an apartment (higher rents than houses. Remember?) but my business partner has offered to rent their apartment to us at a very reasonable rate and payment terms. One CRAZY thing about this country is that landlords demand the lease to be at least one to two years duration, and with that, the RENTAL amount for the WHOLE duration. Which means, if your property's rent is USD 2000 per month and you are renting for a year, you need to fork out USD 24,000 UPFRONT!
Anyway, my business partner told us that we can pay on a monthly basis....which is a great help.

Why the sudden change?
Because we WANT to stay back in Jakarta, we have to localise, i.e. our benefits are cut back. We still get housing allowance and schooling. Previously, the company pays direct to the landlords, school, car leasing company etc. But with the change, these will be paid to us in a lump sum basis. So obviously, we want to minimise as much as we can.

Back to the apartment.... Usually, apartments are really small. But this unit is over 3000 sq ft. Boys will still be able to have their own rooms, there is a separate family room, wet and dry kitchens and a maid's room. We can save on security and gym memberships. It's convenient (big supermarket next door, a nice mall about 10 minutes walk away).

So what's the problem
If you know me... you know that I am a sucker for drying out my clothes in the sun. How to do this if we live in an apartment? Use tumble dryer all the time? I can't lah

Also, I am a little apprehensive to rent from friends.... cause if something is not right, I don't feel too right to complain or demand for things to be done. Plus, we are business partners, and our sons are currently the best of pals. What is something turns sour? Will we be shoo-ed off? Or am I being paranoid

The other reason is that the apartment is slightly further from the school. I am told the journey in the morning might be an extra 15 minutes. I supposed this is okay

I don't know lah. Summore the houses that I have seen around my area aren't that appealing.

The ones I like, H doesn't like. For example, a really nice huge single storey bangalow with 3 very large bedrooms and a nice big garden and swimming pool within a 4-house complex. It was within our budget, but H thinks it is too old. :-P

The ones he like, I don't like. And there was this small house - 3 bedrooms + 1 study. New minimalist style with a small swimming pool in the backyard. It looks nice BUT I didn't like the idea that there is no access to the pool other than RIGHT through the house. I don't like the pool maintenance guy to come through my house lah! H couldn't understand what was the big deal!!! Bleah

So how

Dilemma. Dilemma.

House or Apartment?

2011-05-18T22:23:00.003+07:00

As you all know, I am in the midst of looking for a new home.
Naturally, there is the dilemma of choosing either a house or an apartment?
There are pros and cons for both options.
I personally prefer a house, but a house would generally have more costs associated with it, and perhaps more problems too. At the top of my head, I know security is going to be costly. And and if the house has a swimming pool and a big lawn, there would be maintenance costs associated to pool-cleaning and lawn upkeep. I don't know how to clean a pool, but I sure can upkeep a lawn if I have one of those toro zero turn lawn mowers. So what say you? Go for a house or an apartment?

Printing Costs

2011-05-18T22:00:00.006+07:00

Although I have a printer at home, I loaded up my USB drive with document files and opted to have them printed at a professional printing shop. Why?
For cost-savings, of course!
Do you know how much my printer cartridge costs? Just the black-and-white one is about USD 17 and will only print about 200 pages. And want to know how much it cost me to print 1000 pages and to have them all bound as well? It is so cheap that if i tell you, you will probably fall off your chair! USD 40! See the cost-savings? Should I need to do any color printing, I definitely will have it outsourced! Easier and cheaper!

They need an Upgrade

2011-05-12T20:48:00.000+07:00

Don't you hate it? I am sure everyone has experienced this before.... going to the supermarket and there is a problem with the barcode scanner. The cashier would be attempting to scan the item umpteen times, or when the scanned item reports a wrong pricing. This greatly frustrates me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love shopping. Yes. Even if it is just grocery shopping. But when a BIG name supermarket uses sub-standard POS systems, I just get so cheesed off and wonder why they can't just upgrade to a more efficient system. Do you agree with me?

Family T-Shirts

2011-05-12T20:31:00.000+07:00

Whenever we go on a family vacation, I will somehow get paranoid that my S2 will wander off on his own and get lost. I know he is already 11 years old, but that doesn't stop me from worrying. I actually told H that I wanted to get Personal Creations Tshirts for all of four of us .... All the T-shirts will have the same colour and have a distinctive look that is uniquely for our family. And if any one of us gets lost, we can report "so and so is wearing exactly like me"! Good idea?

Am I drowning yet???

2011-05-12T19:41:00.000+07:00

Not yet... but almost!

Really have been soooooo busy with all sorts of things. See my last post on the list of things that my feet have got into. Plus I have resumed my painting sessions on Mondays......as if I have a lot of leisurely time. As we usually say "no time to even pang-sai"! Errr... actually that isn't quite true as my belly hasn't been well for awhile, I have been running to the loo pretty often.

S1
For some time now, I have been tutoring S1 every night (with some exceptions) to ensure that he is confident in his Mathematical concepts. End-of-Year test is in a few weeks time, plus there is a end of Key Stage 3 Standardised Testing. As he is keen to get to the top Maths set, he has been quite determined. No need to nag him to do those past year exam papers. And today, he came home with 3 sets of past exam papers..... He knew that he needed the practice and I am stingy with my printer ink so he got it all printed at school..... all out of his own initiative!
I have to say that I was impressed and a little bit proud. For years, I have been complaining about his tidak apa attitude. This new determination to excel is a great change. ... Err but of course he is still determined to have his weekend PS3 Game time!!!

S2
The ABRSM results came back. Our friend just narrowly passed! He was pretty disappointed with his results, of course. Told him that he should practise more diligently the next time. I kept reminding him that Grandma complained that he didn't even practise for 15 minutes, when he should have practised for at least an hour. Hopefully he has learnt his lesson and will not be too over-confident about his abilities. Next year then....

Private Tutoring
.... from zero student last week to three this week. Yesterday was my first fee-paying student. Don't know whether if I was boring or she was really indeed tired as she kept yawning and rubbing her eyes (she came straight from school and said she was up earlier than usual). Not sure if she will continue....although her mom wants her to. But teenagers being teenagers, cannot force them if they are not willing to. I mean I could be blabbering for 2 whole hours and if she is not concentrating, she will not be learning either. And tomorrow I will have 2 students in 2 different sessions - 1 in the morning and another just after lunch. Hopefully they will be awake.

TESOL Course
I am only at Unit 2 and there is still 18 units to go. Want to pengsan liow. Have to squeeze-in time to complete each unit. Took me about 3 hours to complete Unit 2 today. Prepositions, Conjuctions, Infinitives, Gerunds, Adjectives... Waliow! Cannot remember all liow....
In case anyone is interested, I am doing this with ITTT. Don't ask me if they are good cause I don't know....

Business Start-UP
Quite a number of challenges....that is keeping me up in the night thinking and worrying. I know it is rather silly to be worrying in the night when I can't actually solve anything. But what to do? I am a worrier. Been so stressed that pimples are coming out everywhere..... and I mean everywhere! Leave it to your imagination on where exactly pimples are coming out! Hahaha...

House-Hunting
Yup! We may have to move to another house. Why?
Because we have been living in this house for the last five years and things are all starting to wear and really tear. H just came in and told me to get someone over to fix all the toilet bowls... water flowing continuously. And a few days ago, water was leaking through the S1's ceiling and some of his books were soaked. Boy! Was he mad!
Plus we want to find somewhere cheaper and within a complex. At the moment, we are paying almost USD 700/mth for our security guards, and that is a lot of money. Especially when it is out of our own pockets. So...wish me luck to find a lovely and affordable home.

Okay lah.... gotta go. Gotta send out a work email.

What kind of jobs?

2011-05-12T19:26:00.000+07:00

What kind of jobs will always be in demand?
In my opinion, I would say healthcare jobs - doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, lab technicians, and the list goes on. Afterall, one does not choose whether to fall ill or not. And people do fall ill in both good economic times as well as bad.... although I have heard of the phrase "too poor to fall ill"! Aside from illnesses, there are medical emergencies that arise from accidents and disasters - which definitely one does not choose to be befallen!

What happens?

2011-05-06T08:41:00.004+07:00

I wonder. I wonder what happens to one who is injured and finds himself no longer able to work.
What if he has no proper insurances and no able family members to support him?
What happens then?
Where can he turn to?
Some governmental-run social bodies? Charities?
Is there some kind of a disability appeal?
I would be interested to know where one can seek help if such a calamity has happened.
Please do share your information.

We are HOUSE fans

2011-05-06T08:33:00.002+07:00

Almost everyone in the family... Except for S2. The hubs, S1 and I are all HOUSE fans. I try to get up on all the episodes whenever I have some downtime. The last episode that I watched was when Cuddy broke up with him AGAIN and he had been back on Vicodin. Why can't House just clean himself up GOOD? He really needs to find a mighty effective place for hydrocodone vicodin addiction detox. Maybe someone should tell him to go to Malibu Horizons. Might be good For House to get some real Californian sun whilst undergoing the detox program!

I am absolutely Knackered!

2011-05-04T19:38:00.003+07:00

You won't believe how much so....
Was rudely awakened up at 2.15 am by my own heart palpipations.
Yeah. GILA right?
I supposed was just a little worried about my S1.
Found out yesterday that his supposedly close friends have been calling him 'Chicken', and as a consequence he has been ignoring them and blocking it all out.
My initial question was of course ...whether if he had provoked them or whether if they had asked him to do something that he had refused hence the name-calling?
He said that he hasn't and doesn't know why.

He doesn't want me to get involved and says he will handle it himself. Of course, the mommy in me really wants to pounce out and protect my cubs!

Didn't managed to sleep till about 4.30 am.. and then woke up at 6.10 am as usual. Made Lor Pak Kou in the morning, then had a meeting with my "business partner"', and then met with a rep from one of the institutions.. came home. Was almost zonked out. But here I am still awake... trying to supervise the boys on their Mathematics revision/homework (and blogging at the same time).

Can't wait for my head to hit the pillow!

Myriad of Activities

2011-05-04T19:31:00.002+07:00

A fellow mom from S2's class was lamenting about the myriad activities her kids are taking up. Or should I say the fickle-mindedness of her kids. There was the Tae-kwondo phase, then the horse-riding phase, then the Kendo phase etc etc. She said she wouldn't be complaining so much if it weren't for the amount of money spent on buying all the equestrian riding apparel , the Tae-Kwondo or Kendo attire. She had accumulated so much stuff over the years and wanted to put those items for sale. But when she looked at the little and cute tiny sizes, she just couldn't part with them. Talk about hoarders... she sure is becoming one.

Challenging but Exciting

2011-05-04T18:29:00.002+07:00

Don't know if you have heard.... but I am finally doing it.
For years, I've been talking about this but not acting about it.
As people say... NATO (No Action, Talk Only)!
Do what?
Start-up a business.
What business?
Can I not divulge until paperwork is in place?
Basically, we have big dreams for this start-up....perhaps even to the point that we can provide franchise opportunities to interested parties.
One step at a time.

Need to De-Stress

2011-05-04T18:19:00.002+07:00

I have been quite stressed the last few days... boys, the business start-up, my online course amongst other things. The worst is that H is not around for me to moan to, nor to give me a comforting hug. Where is he? Still in Europe... I am so stressed that perhaps I should get him to buy gurkha cigars from the duty free shops on his way back. Do you think this will help me de-stress? Afterall, H smokes when he is overly stressed....

General Updates - 30 April 2011

2011-04-30T07:56:00.008+07:00

Yeah. What a boring title for this post. But what to do?
Cannot think... plus this post will have a myriad of topics...

PJ Visit
Took boys back to PJ during the 2-week Easter Break. Arrived in KUL on MAS on Saturday afternoon (9th April). Normally, don't really take MAS but as we booked quite last minute, the price on MAS worked out better compared to both AirAsia and KLM.

As you know, I left the boys with my parents and flew-off to the States with H on Monday (11th April), only arriving back in KUL on Friday (22 April). Basically, did some last minute shopping, visited the dentist, checked my eyes at Vista and then flew off the next day with the boys. So no time to do anything else. Didn't meet up with anyone..... Perhaps next trip.

US Trip
This trip was basically a vacation for H. He was so busy working prior to the trip. Weeks in Europe and then conference calls till 9 - 10 pm. Many times, I had to bring his dinner into his 'conference room' (which is actually our downstairs TV room). And now, he has gone to Europe again. My mom always says that my husband takes the plane as if it is a bus.... He arrived home on Friday (US to Asia), and then left on Sunday for his work trip (Asia to Europe) - basically circumventing the globe.

I have to say that we did nothing except eat, sleep, shop. No rushing to places. No visiting of touristy sights etc. Only touristy thing we did was watch The Jersey Boys.
The whole trip, my DSLR did not see the light of day. No photos to scrapbook with
So what's the use of me buying more scrapbooking stuff??
H thinks it is so that I can compete with my girlfriend KL, on who has more stuff!!!
hahahha... eh. But she wins hands-down lah.
Go check out her stuff.....

Start of Term 3
Term 3 of school started on the 25th April, 2011. So basically, boys only had Sunday to chill out before going back to school.

This term, both S1 and I are going to work hard for the Year 9 Assessments. He needs to show that he can do well to get into the top set. I have droned on-and-on about the stupidity of his school in my older post. They have decided that they will not extend the Additional Mathematics class to the 2nd Set (which is where S2 is currently at). As my friend kept saying " The School is 'DUMBING DOWN'".
I can accept all the nonsense if this is a FREE Public School... but it is NOT.
So you can imagine how frustrating it is.

Starting a Business
Yes. I am going to do it. This time for REAL.
Have been talking about doing something for years, and it was all NATO.
No Action Talk Only ....
Lawyers have been engaged (and paid) to draw up papers.....
Will let you know more details later when things are firm-up.

Tutoring
Okay. This one still NATO.
Only action that I actually did was to purchase the relevant books, and studying... Maths, Physics and Chemistry. I have the leaflet (to advertise my tutoring services) prepared but yet to be printed out. Still need to amend some text.
I probably only want to have one or two students per week. Need some time for all my other pursuits (be it fun, work or mommy obligations).

Online Course
I have recently signed up on a TESOL online course, i.e. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Errr... not that I really want to teach, I just want to get the Certificate. Why? Not sure why yet. Hahahhaha
Just did my first Unit yesterday, and have yet to receive feedback from my tutor.
There will be some kind of test (not sure how it is going to be done. Perhaps I have to go to a Center in town) at the end of the Course, in order to be certified.
By the way, did I mention that I actually went to take the IELTS test?
My score?
9.0 of course... Ahbahden??? hahahah

Okay lah... S2 is up. Need to ketuk him to complete some Math worksheets.
(What to do? All these ang-moh schools don't do enough.....don't give homework... don't challenge kids. Need to send them a copy of Amy Chua's book!!! )\

Malibu Beach House....

2011-04-30T07:43:00.003+07:00

When we took the boys to Malibu beach last December, somehow the topic of owning a beach house in Malibu came up. And my boys actually said that they would buy us one in Malibu! So sweet of them!
I don't know about Malibu beach houses, but I did check up on the house prices on Manhattan Beach, which is located just south of LAX. Still pricey but I am sure we can afford a tiny-weeny holiday apartment to squeeze both H and I in when we retire..... And you know what I always wanted?
Shutters.
Yup. I just love shutters on the windows. So if we do buy a little place by the beach, I will install custom plantation shutters on my windows. And for a beachside home, it will have to be WHITE!
We have dreams of owning a chalet up on the Swiss Alps too... and of course, shutters on my windows too... As for the colours, .... perhaps BLUE....or GREEN.... with a pretty flower boxes ...
Dreaming......Dreaming......

Father's Day Pressies...

2011-04-30T07:30:00.002+07:00

Did I mention that my H is away in Europe again?
For work, of course.
He's been pretty busy with his work.... even when he is home, he would be on conference calls till 9 pm. At times, he had to skip dinner as the calls were made with colleagues stationed on the other side of the globe. With all that he does to provide for this family, I wonder what we can get him to show our appreciation this Father's Day. Know any father presents that would appeal to my H? Something that will make his day unforgettable?

Did you watch THE ROYAL WEDDING?

2011-04-30T06:46:00.006+07:00

I almost missed it!

Well, I never ever turn on the cable tv as I seldom watch TV on my own accord. So when I turned on the TV at 2 pm (local time. Wedding at Westminster at 5 pm local time, but there was already live coverage), the stupid scream display read "SmartCard is Expired"!
Wah! Boy! Was I mad! I immediately called the Cable company and complained!!!

Luckily they managed to fixed it. Otherwise?????

Did anyone go "Awwww...." when they saw Diana's little boy all grown-up? ...with a wee bit of tears?
I have to say that I did.
She would have been sooooooooooooo proud and happy.
Errr... except she probably would wonder "Why does he have to have his father's hair??Why? Why? " or rather the lack of it!

Anyway, here is The KISS......

I too, want a KISS! But as H is thousands of miles away working in Helsinki, I had to resort to a kiss from someone else.
Who did I call upon?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
My S2. Of course!
He gave me a big smacker! Hahahhaah

And with all wedding commemorative items, you will get some tasteful ones and some ghastly ones. Check out this Wills and Kate PEZ Dispenser!!

ADOI is the word, indeed!

And you know what was the other thing that caught my eye? Besides the ugly hats and dresses worn by The Duke of York's two daughters? Really fashion faux-pas!!!

So who caught my eye???

David Beckham!

I was never a fan, and he never really appealed to me.

BUT. I thought he looked pretty dashing at the Royal Wedding...

He certainly looks good here...
It's something to do with age? Like Richard Gere? I think he looks damn good too!

Okay. Gonna go droooooool now. Hahahhaha

Leaving the City of Angels...

2011-04-21T04:16:00.002+07:00

It has come to the end of our trip. Time does fly real quick. And in about an hour and a half, we will depart from LAX.
Didn't do much here either... Other than SHOP SHOP SHOP!!
I tell you ah...America is one big big big shopping mall. Laundryamah will go crazy when she cones later this year for her Laundry convention!!!
We went to the Caramillo Premium Outlets on Monday (The same company is opening up in Johor in November 2011!) and Banana Republic had shirts going for 13 dollars! Some dresses for 20 dollars!! Timberland shoes from 30 dollars!! And when we were at Beverly Center yesterday (Tuesday), I saw a pair of Banana Republic trousers at the retail shop at 8.97! And it's another 40% off! 5 dollars for Banana Republic trousers??? Where can find such deals in Asia???
And scrapbooking stuff... Said I wasn't gonna buy anything but of course I did. But not that much la..just 3 DCWV stacks, some Stickles, and punches. So basically, this was a shopping trip ...YIKES! As if I dont have enough things to pack when I move house!!
Errrr GILA us also bought hand soap from Bath and Body Works, plus shower gels and lotions. Not forgetting the vitamins for the boys...
And a Kate Spade handbag for MIL's birthday....and one for moi.....
Really cannot shop anymore... I supposed we did the right thing when we turned down the job in Dallas, otherwise ALL we do will be Shopping! haha....
Okay lah... Later

Utter Laziness in the Big Apple...

2011-04-18T01:15:00.005+07:00

.... We have been here for four nights and all we have done is eat and sleep. Actually more of sleeping than anything else. I supposed that's what a holiday is all about. Utter relaxation and laziness!
Since I have already done most of the must-do touristy stuff the last two trips, I didn't feel the need to pester H to go on any sightseeing tours. Initially, our plan was to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art yesterday (Saturday, 16th April) as H wanted to show me the REAL Assyrian Lion. As I am not exactly a keen museum visitor, I told H that I would probably say MY Assyrian Lion looks better (go to artbynomadicmom.blogspot.com to have a look of MY Assyrian Lion) so ended up not going and stayed back in the hotel to zzzz. Basically, we shopped and ate in the morning/ early afternoons and then head back to the hotel by late afternoon.

Where did we stay?
The Hudson at Central Park South. Only one block from Columbus Circle Subway Station..very good location, I must say!! Well, I didn't pick this hotel, of course. As usual, it's good ole Priceline's Name Your Own Price that selected the hotel. Got it for USD 155 plus tax per night. The cheapest rate I could find online for our dates (if the hotel name is known) was USD 220 plus tax. So we sorta saved USD 65 per night. How was the hotel? Errr...rooms as usual was tiny but at least bigger than The Paramount, which we stayed-in for New Year's 2010. But the bed was very very noisy. So cannot be too notti. Hahaha... Hotel had lots of bad reviews but overall I thought it is kinda okay. Philip Stark designed rooms, and the dark lobby was kinda cool.

What did we eat?
Think the best meal was at Eataly on 23rd and 5th Avenue (I think). We had Parma Ham (yum yum), some other cold cuts and a myriad of Italian cheeses, Baked Sea Scallops and French Fries of the Sea paired with crisp Italian white wine. We also went to Gramercy Tavern, Bourbon Street Bar & Restaurant, Red Lobster. Worst I think was this morning's Dim Sum meal in Chinatown. Not only Dim Sum was sub-standard, we had to 'tapp-toi'. Have not done that in ages!

What did we buy?
Nothing much as we didn't go to Woodbury Common this time. So just some GAP shorts, Naruto T-shirts and a G-shock watch for S2, 2 tops each from Loft and Uni Qlo for me, Cole Haan sneakers for me, 2 pairs of Fitflops for me, some Calvin Kleins for H, iPad pen and some scrapbooking stuff (they were 50% off in this Paper Shop on Spring Street). Looks like I didn't get anything for S1...but he was very specific on what he wanted...some cards that will be launched tomorrow and I am to go to ToysRus to get it.

What did we watch?
A visit to The Big Apple will not be complete without watching a show on Broadway!!
This time, we Saw The Jersey Boys. Didn't even know so many songs are by them.

This trip is really such a lazy trip that I did not even take a single photo!....... Although I did lug my DSLR and zoom lens with me..cross the Pacific Ocean, and then across continental USA! I suppose good also la... Less photos to develop as I have yet to develop our December holiday photos with the boys. Speaking of boys... Where are they? With their grandparents back in PJ lor. Mommy and daddy off and away on holiday without them.... H says last December holidays was not a holiday as he was so stressed with the boys constantly fighting o er everything. After this trip, he'll be off to Europe for work again. And I have to continue with my studies...
But until then, we still have few more days of our holiday to enjoy. We are off to Los Angeles now...

My Mind is Rev-ing Up...

2011-04-09T06:47:00.003+07:00

Yes. Indeed. My mind has been rev-ing up in the last week..... after being dormant for the last five years. And I kid you not, it is not an easy task of re-starting an idle mind. At the end of the day, I am dead tired. Though I can doze off quite quickly, I find that I wake up before the alarm clock which is a NO-NO in my books! Even woke up at 4 am the other morning and couldnt' go back to bed. What do I do to try to compensate? Snooze in the car if the opportunity arises. Hope my driver didn't see my dripping saliva!! Hahhahaa

So what have I been up to?
Studying!
Hahahhaha....
But it is true. I have been brushing up on my Maths, Add Maths, Physics and Chemistry.... well at least to the iGCSE Levels for the time being.
Why?
Two Reasons:
1) My brain will go kaput if I don't do something.... So have decided to offer private tutoring to students in the boys' school once Term 3 starts. This will force me to 'work' the brain. '
2) S1 needs to work hard to get into the Additional Maths group, and also ...he takes in iGCSE in 2013. Seems distant but need to start condition him. (Hey! I will even make him complete a couple of Maths problems in the plane later...and he agreed!)

Actually, already decided before I went to Bali with my girlfriends a couple of weeks ago. There are also a few things that is in the pipeline.... partnering with a Malaysian and some local partners. Will update when it is MORE official.

Okay. Better go to see if there is any last-minute packing...
Boys' two week Easter Break starts today, and we are flying off to KUL this morning.
ADIOS!

HOT and COLD...

2011-04-09T06:36:00.002+07:00

HOT and COLD... Opposites right? But what would you think if I said "Hot and Cold goes together?" Will you be thinking in terms of Physics, say Heat flowing from HOT - a higher temperature body to COLD - a lower temperature body? Or would you be thinking about the HOT and COLD moods of your spouse? I actually have something totally different in my mind... thinking more of the simple pleasures of life. .... Have you ever sat out in your backyard or terrace in front of an open fire pit, sipping a mug of hot cocoa in the middle of winter? I tell you, it is rather exhilarating yet comforting at the same time. Yes. Even in the -10 deg Celcius Helsinki temperatures, HOT and COLD goes together. Ever heard of jumping into the famed frozen lakes after a sauna?

Sleeping on Someone Else's Bed Tonight!

2011-04-09T06:27:00.002+07:00

THAT statement caught your attention, didn't it? Wondering whose bed am I going to be sleeping on tonight? What will my hubby think? Oh! Mon Dieu! Hahahaha ... Well, in case you are wondering, there is nothing sinister nor having any tinge of hanky-panky going on. In fact, I will be on my mother's bed tonight.... all comfortably fitted with sferra sheets. Surprised? Don't be. It's the boys' two week Easter Break starting today, and we are flying off home in about 4 hours time. See you around town this evening!

Offshore Engineers.....

2011-04-03T08:25:00.002+07:00

Did I mention that I am a trained Chemical Engineer? Before I joined the work force, when I was still a fresh-eyed student, I had dreams of working offshore in an oil rig. The thoughts of working 2 weeks on, and 2 weeks off seems so ideal. But my vivid imagination squashed all those ideas, as I kept thinking about the what-ifs. I kept thinking of my safety.... I mean most oil rigs will be filled with men, and I really didn't fancy to be the only female on the rig. In addition to that, Offshore Accidents can happen and I am a scaredy-cat. What did I do then? I opted to start off in a water and wastewater engineering firm.....

What really works to get rid of thunder thighs?

2011-04-03T07:55:00.003+07:00

My friend recently took me to a 'Beauty Clinic' for treatment of a cold sore that popped out by the side of my lip. This 'Beauty Clinic' seems to provide a whole lot of services from consultation with dermatologists, to normal facials, to IPLs to injections with Vitamin C to dissolve body fats. I was a bit surprised with the Vitamin C injections, but my friend who has tried it swears that she no longer has thunder thighs. I don't know about 'injections'.... scardy-cat like me would probably just get a bottle of adapexin-p fat burner pills and try my luck.

S1's Sensitive Skin

2011-04-01T21:55:00.002+07:00

Did I mention that my S1 has very sensitive skin? It didn't take long before his skin started to react to the dry Californian air when we were in Los Angeles last December. His lips cracked really badly even with the application of lip balm. He used up so many sticks of lip balm that you probably thought that he ate them! His skin around his ears also cracked badly. We joked that if we were to move to Helsinki, his ears would immediately fall off the moment he got off the plane! hahaha... I guess if we ever relocate to a place with dry air, we would have to buy a humidifier just for him.

Our Malaysian Education System is not that bad...

2011-04-01T07:05:00.006+07:00

First thing first. When I said that, I am basically referring to MY time in school. Waaaaa... that is over 20 years ago. Or perhaps I should say 25 years ago???
I do not know how it is TODAY so can't comment.

What compelled me to use that as my blog title?
Well, as you know.... I have been reading up on iGCSE Mathematics while lounging by the beach in Bali. The more I read, the more questions I have regarding the system at my boys' school, the more upset I got.

The school segregates the kids into 5 different Maths groups. Currently S1 is in the 2nd Group. All this while, S1 tells me that 1st Group will take their iGCSE in Year 10 instead of Year 11. Being the relaxed mom that I am, I certainly didn't feel the need to push him to be in the 1st Group - thinking they are all learning the same stuff, just difference in speed. I mean why wanna do the Exams a year earlier?

Anyway, I found out recently that the 1st Group will write the Cambridge Board and the rest all Edexcel. And not only that, they will get to take iGCSE Additional Maths in Year 11. My thoughts are why the difference in Examination Boards?? Why only the 1st Group take Additional Maths? Why is the school depriving the kids from learning MORE? And why split Mathematics and Additional Mathematics to be taken in two separate years? I remember taking BOTH papers the SAME year, and that wasn't a problem AT ALL.

What irks me is that in general, the examination boards, the school is lowering the bar and NOT pushing kids to do their best. I tell you... I have never seen my S1 do Maths homework. Only homework I see regularly is his Japanese Language... which even then takes only 20 or so minutes to complete. Mind you. My S1 is at the 'PMR level' this year (Year 9), and taking his iGCSE in 2 years time. When there are 'challenge questions', it is always an OPTION. So surely kids OPT NOT TO DO. How can? They (other kids) say the 1st Group is waaaaaaaaaay ahead than the 2nd Group. Well, from what I hear, almost ALL kids in the 1st Group does outside tuition. Compare this with my S1 who has no tuition, does no homework, and lazes in front of the TV every single day. Everytime I ask him about homework, he says he has completed them. (Once he answered me "Mom. Please trust me when I tell you that I've done my homework. There ought to be some trust between mother and son." I tell you. I was really flabbergasted. What could I say? When he is so right?), and his report is always on target. So I am a bit weary about their so-called reports. And don't you think if my son just does a weeeeee bit more... he would be as good as the 1st Group students? So he can do it. So why why not challenge him? And why close the doors at this early stage when higher level Mathematics will open some doors??

So what is mommy going to do??
I'm spoken to the Class Rep (her son is also in the 2nd Group and keen to do Additional Maths. She and hubby are Actuaries) and she has spoken to the Principal, and is arranging to meet with the Head of the Maths department etc to GET Additional Mathematics subject for the 2nd Group. (Everyone can't cram into the 1st Group. There is always a maximum, thus not enough slots.) We have had a new principal and he is determined to bring the academic standards UP, which is great news.
Meanwhile, I am going to write to S1's Math teacher to voice my concern etc etc... Will try to bug him to PUSH my S1 to the 1st Group. *sigh* I don't want to be the kiasu mom, but I don't want him to NOT do Additional Maths. I really don't mind him staying in 2nd or whatever group as long as the kids are accorded the same learning opportunities. Clearly this is NOT the case. Further discussion with more moms made me even more disappointed. I suppose I was ignorant about the schooling for a while. Thinking we were leaving the school last July, and need not bother. And now we are staying in Jakarta I have to plan to see what is best for my children's education.

Apparently, the school is discouraging kids from taking Higher Level Mathematics at IB telling them that it is hard. WTF? As a school or parent, we should not discourage our kids to NOT do something because it is hard. What are we teaching them? Take the easy way out ALL the time? My friends tell me that the school wants to have lots of As and if students take harder subjects, it might result in less As and more Bs or Cs. Aiyo. How can? My S1 says he wants to be a doctor (maybe too much HOUSE, perhaps?) and that would require HL Maths, HL Chemistry, HL Biology in a lot of universities. So I can't let him miss out on Additional Maths at this level. Otherwise, the jump from iGCSE Maths to IB HL Maths would be very great.

I was also disappointed to find out (though it does not concern me) that the 5th Group in the school is doing Foundation Level Mathematics instead of the Extended Level. This means that the maximum grade attainable is a C .... no matter how hard the kids slog. I feel that being a fee-paying school, they shouldn't even have this Level. I am sure a lot of the parents do NOT know this. Otherwise they would be doing all they can to move their child up the learning curve, be it by extra tutoring or whatever. It's like before they even try to study hard, you put a limit to a maximum of C. And from last year, expansion of brackets will be removed from the syllabus for this Foundation Level. This instantly brought to mind an email that circulated around...
If you recall-
The question was: Expand (x+2)(x+3)
The student did this: ( x.....+.......2 )( x .....+.......3 )
This will be what the 5th Group students be doing if given this question!!

And I went to my first trial tutoring session yesterday. Didn't really teach as she was waaaay ahead in her class already. She is in the 3rd Group, but she had some old books from 2 years back from her previous British school in Europe. And the work she has done in Year 7 then is not even touched-upon in her current Year 9 class. So you say lah. The standard of Mathematics in this school must be waaaaaaaay below normal. So what was the only outcome of the session?
Mom was pleased that she is now agreeable to move to a higher level group, i.e. 2nd Group; whereby she previously strongly opposed (so much so that she would shutdown and not do any work). Kids!
So will I get another session? I told her mom "No need". What's the point when she is already waaaaay ahead in her group. Perhaps only when she moves up to the next group, and has to play catch-up.

So back to my blog title.... Everybody in the Science stream does both Mathematics and Additional Mathematics. All sama-sama same same. No need to fight. Better kids get better grade. The not so good kids get lower grades. I still think a C in Additional Mathematics is better than NO grade in Additional Mathematics.
We cover more topics in more depth (eventhough my class then was like 40-over people)... maybe because we were FORCED to do practice sheets as homework???
And when I look at some PMR workbooks, the topic depth coverage is more than what my S1 is currently doing. *sigh* The sad thing is my school fees then were in the tens of Ringgit, and here... the school fees can make my nose bleed.... As the Cantonese saying goes "LAU PEI HUIT" especially when we have to pay our own school fees in August...

PENGSANZZZZZ

Royal Wedding of the Century

2011-04-01T06:51:00.002+07:00

Unless you have been living in a cocoon for the last umpteen months, I am sure you have heard about the Royal Wedding. What Royal Wedding??? Wow! You really are living in a cocoon! I am referring to The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday, 29th April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, London. I had wanted to fly over to London and drag my sister, G (the one living in London) to 'attend' the wedding festivities. Yes. Yes. I hear you say "security would be so tight that you will not get near enough to see anything!". Perhaps if both of us wear designer bridesmaid dresses might fool the security folks into thinking that we are Kate's bridesmaids. No? You think it would not work???

"Coast-to-Coast LA-to-Chicago"

2011-04-01T06:34:00.003+07:00

Remember the British singer, Sade? The song "Smooth Operator"? The Title of my blog post today is a line from that song. And me being me, I had to sing it out loud whilst typing it out. Errr..... whether it is in tune or not is another thing. Why the sudden thought about coast-to-coast LA-to-Chicago? Well, my silly H suggested that we drive coast-to-coast, but not from LA-to-Chicago but from LA-to-NYC. That would be great if we have ample time. But to do it within a week? I think not! That would be torture rather than relaxation. Perhaps in our retirement, we would get a RV (one that is as luxurious as the one in the movie 'Meet the Parents') and take this trip. Only worry is rv breakdowns. What would two oldies do in the middle of the Mojave Desert? Really have to equip ourselves with the right rv repair insurance or company that will provide swift 'rescue' service.... wouldn't want us two oldies to be eaten up by coyotes!

Getting our own car....

2011-04-01T06:24:00.003+07:00

Come July this year, we will have to either purchase a car or continue to lease a car. I've been calculating that perhaps buying a car would work out to be more economical. The only problem of owning our own car is the cost of maintenance and the exorbitant car insurances. I wonder if there is a cheap car insurance that I can sign on. Ok. Not any Tom Dick and Harry insurances, but one that is reliable, economical and provides the best coverage. Any good companies to recommend?

More about our Bali Trip, March 2011

2011-03-31T06:02:00.004+07:00

This is a continuation from here. With any girly holidays, naturally a spa visit is a MUST. So after a satisfying martini-laden lunch on Friday, we staggered off in search of a spa. Okay. Okay. It was not that bad. We were not drunk. We actually sat and chatted over cups of latte and tea for a couple of hours.... :-P

Took a cab to coast along Jalan Seminyak Raya in search of a spa. When CC saw a sign for 'Jari Menari ' (translation: Dancing Fingers), she directed the taxi driver to go there. We were wondering why he was SNIGGERING away and seems too amused with his repeat of the shop's name. When we got into the shop, we found out that ALL the masseuse are MEN. No wonder the stupid taxi driver was sniggering away lah... he must be wondering this FOUR ladies gonna have some 'fun' in this place. Immediately thoughts of whether this place provides a bona-fide massage or otherwise crept up in our minds.
CC and JC read the brochure and I remember the words "professionally-trained" were mentioned. But WN and I were not comfortable to have male masseuses. I would be too conscious to relax and enjoy the massage. I will probably be mumbling "don't go there. don't go there" in my mind!
CC and JC were quite keen to try it, especially the FOUR hands massage but again... they weren't sure if the masseuses are really "professional". What if they are TOO sexy for the masseuse? And he cannot tahan. How?
We decided to give it a miss...
Later on, I had to google 'Jari Menari' and what do you know? It's rated No.1 Attraction in Seminyak on TripAdvisor. Some of the reviews... damn funny. Expressions like "Floated out of the Room"... CC was really keen to also "float out of the room"!
Basically, it is a bona-fide place. Not one with hanky-panky. It even provides massages for kids.

We went to Espace (No.2 on TripAdvisor) the following day. I have to say that it slightly less than satisfactory in my opinion. The premises are so-so. Showers are small and located away from the massage rooms. There are no proper hangers nor tables in the rooms to hang our clothes/store our items. The masseuse seems to be rushing to meet the 90-minute duration. There are many spas in Jakarta that have better facilities and do a better job. Most of the spas that I go to here have showers in every room; proper hangers and little boxes etc to store jewellery etc. So much more convenient. Can you imagine if you have had a scrub, and you need to dart out to the common shower room but it is occupied? Adoi!
That was my only spa visit in Bali. The other two ladies, JC and WN were on a spa-mode and visited the spa across from our hotel twice. Yup. 3 Spa visits in 4 days...

CC and I were more into lounging by the beach ... she with her Chit Lit and me with my....... iGCSE Maths!!! Hahhahah Nope. Not kidding. I was reading up on the syllabus and doing some revision (going to start tutoring.. my first class is today!), and that brought upon some questions regarding S1's Maths class at school. That started a whole chain reaction which resulted in more worries & stress for me, and a meeting with the Class Rep for Year 9 that will take place this morning at 10 AM. That will be in a separate post... don't wanna spoil this post. It is a HOLIDAY post after all.......

Basically, we didn't do any real sightseeing. Just hopping around to different places having tea, coffee and makan-makan. This allowed us to visit EXPENSIVE resorts that we would never have stayed-in, like the Como Shambala and the Ubud Hanging Gardens. With prices from USD 500 and 300/ nite respectively, it is definitely OUT of our price range. But these resorts are very very nice lor.

As WN have not been to Bali, and is planning to come with her family in June; I was more-or-less telling her the things-to-do in Bali with kids. And as Sobek (White-Water Rafting Company) is just next door to the Como Shambala, she was interested to have a look at the facilities .... thinking she could do this with her son and hubs in June. The Sobek supervisor was kind enough to walk us to the starting point (okay... not the whole way but up to where the path descends down to the Ayung). Haven't even reach, WN was grabbing my arm so hard cause she was afraid of heights. As we approached the edge, she just stopped and squatted at the side.... TERRIFIED. The three of us couldn't help laughing (okay. very very bad friends to be laughing at her vertigo but it was indeed very funny) and took our time taking photographs of the beautiful views. The Sobek supervisor wanted to guide her towards the edge but she just refused and wouldn't budge from her position! We had to go and squat with her to get a picture together (no view lah, of course). Needless to say, White-Water Rafting will NOT be in her itinerary.

Okay... gotta go. Continue later...

Do you have what it takes?

2011-03-31T05:42:00.004+07:00

I have just been thinking... practically everything in the commercial marketplace involves sales. Be it selling a service, a product, ideas or even time. I supposed that is why there are relatively more sales jobs out there. With most jobs requiring 'selling', it makes sense for everyone to acquire this important skill. Even a school teacher would need to 'sell' her knowledge in an interesting way to her students. Don't you agree?
If you have a knack for 'selling', I guarantee that the world would be your oyster.

For Fitness or Other?

2011-03-31T05:32:00.002+07:00

Do you own any Fitness equipment? Cross-Trainer, Treadmill, Exercise Bike or a simple pull up bar? I have a friend who will be relocating back to Canada in a month's time and she is selling off all her Fitness equipment. Though I am really tempted to get the threadmill from her, I am worried that it will only be used vigorously and frequently in the first month only. Thereafter? It will probably end up to be a clothes hanger! That was what happened to the Exercise Bike ......

Back to the Daily Grind...

2011-03-29T20:44:00.005+07:00

Yup. After 4 nights away from hubby, kids and chores, it's back to the daily grind.
So much so that I actually went straight from the airport to the supermarket to get some groceries.
4 nights is waaaaaay too short. :-(
But better than nothing lah.
I had a great time. Eating, Drinking, Gossiping, Chatting, Sharing, Crying, Sighseeing, Spa-ing and of course LAUGHING. Lots and lots of it.
This is what to be expected from FOUR patt-pohs!

Never miss my annual girly holiday with my girlfriends from home. They flew into Denpasar an hour earlier on Friday (25th March), and waited for me at the Black Canyon Cafe over at the airport. Blur-Blur Nomadic Mom could not find the Cafe, and thought it was closed. Called the girls and had a loud "IT IS OPEN. WE ARE INSIDE" blurted into my ear. And when I reached the Cafe, I saw a table with 3 ladies and without bothering to look at their faces, I blabbered away.... And what do you know? It wasn't my friends. Hahahhahaha. They were all sitting INSIDE the cafe. You say lah. Blur or not??

Anyway, we stayed 3 nights in a budget 3* hotel (Puri Saron on Seminyak Beach because one of my gf had 2 nights FREE. This works out to be only RM 240 per person for the 3 nights. Needless to say.... budget means no-frills in the rooms. Though I did not get bitten by bed bugs, my pillows smelled funny and I had to have my sarong draped over them. The room also didn't smell too pleasant, and the shower rail design was rather odd such that when you shower, the toilet seats will certainly get wet. The service is so-so and they didn't really have enough deck chairs. The only plus thing is that it is located right on the beach. Luckily we spent most days out of the hotel....
Nope. Will NOT stay in this hotel again.

After 3 nights, two of my gfs left for home but CC and I stayed on another night. We moved to a nicer hotel in Tanjung Benoa - The Bali Khama. Have to say that this resort is sooooooo much better. The room smells good and so did my pillows. Everything was much better. It was of course more expensive lor. Prepaid a discounted non-refundable rate of USD 123 per night for the room a few months back. Compare this approx. RM 369 per room per night with our budget RM 160 per room per night. Sure 'yatt fann cheen, yatt fann for'.

I supposed the first 3 nights in the budget was also good.... allowed us to splurge in our culinary adventures.
Where did we go?
Friday Lunch @ Anantara, Seminyak with 'shaken not stirred' Lychee Martinis
Friday Dinner @ Jimbaran Bay for seafood (More for the ambience and environment rather than the food)
Saturday Lunch @ Gabah, Kuta for yummy Indonesian foods
Saturday Drinks @ The hotel's beach bar Saturday Dinner @ Chandi, Seminyak with very potent Sangria
Sunday Coffee @ Como Shambala, Ubud
Sunday Lunch @ Ibu Oka, Ubud for BABI GULING
Sunday Tea @ Ubud Hanging Gardens
Sunday Dinner @ La Lucciola, Seminyak (Lovely beach front views!)
Monday Lunch @ Bali Khama's poolside
Monday Dinner @ Tao for Thai food
AND today, Tuesday?? Errrr... McDonald's lunch at the Airport!!

More about my holiday later...

Want a hot tub?

2011-03-29T20:23:00.004+07:00

Have you ever imagined soaking in a hot tub with snow-capped mountains as the backdrop? Sounds dreamy and exhilarating, doesn't it? But if you are a practical person like I am, you probably would be wondering about the time required to fill-up such a tub and the cost of heating the water up. However, I just found out that you do not have to drain the water after each usage - by using proper hot tub covers. Not only that, the covers actually keep the heating bills to a minimum. Time to get that coveted hot tub?

Getting Rid of the Holiday Weight...

2011-03-29T19:53:00.002+07:00

As with any holidays, I have a BAD habit of putting on weight. It could be a kilogram or two, depending on the length of the holiday and the activities undertaken. The worst was when I went to Melbourne last year - I put on 2 kilograms in 5 days! Can you believe it? What's the damage this holiday? Yikes!!! This 4-night holiday is just as bad. I just weighed myself and I've put on about 1.5 kilograms. Time for a fast weight loss regime. Need to lose some kilos before the Easter Break in two weeks which would mean more weight gain. Need an effective weight loss pill. I just saw some not so good lipozene reviews online. So what other weight loss pills would you suggest?

Girly Holiday Shots

2011-03-29T19:26:00.004+07:00

Just came back from my annual girly holiday with my girlfriends in Bali. We were there for 4 nights, and that is definitely too short. Don't you think? We had a blast! Eating, drinking, chatting, gossiping, sightseeing, lazing, spa-ing and of course laughing till our bellies ached. Couldn't be better.... Wait a minute. It could have been better if we had brought our digital slr cameras for great photos. Unfortunately, all of us were travelling light and brought only our point-and-shoots and camera phones. Hopefully, we will still get some decent quality photos of our 2011 Girly Trip.