Just do it

The NIKE tagline is just apt. I could not agree more..put on your shoes, go out and play kinda thing. Last Wednesday was a little breakthrough for me, driving out of my little town to TM2 ( scary but true ) It made me think back, why was I afraid to drive out in the first place?

Dear friend Nu was ever so worried, she kept calling me to make sure I arrive at her house safely. My little son skipped his playgroup to follow me, he was ever so quiet as I told him " mommy has to concentrate on driving dear, if you make a sound, we may not reach Aunt Nu's hse" Poor guy was so obedient, bless him. Told him to look out for Jusco on the left, just a little task to keep him occupied.

The journey started just after 10am, we weaved through the unfamiliar roads with ease. Spotting the turnoff before Jusco, A called out in good time, "Mom, Jusco!" We turned into a straight but badly tarred road leading to a hill. Not sure whether it was the right road, we stopped and called Nu. Thankfully it is an alternative route, the one she seldom use but still we could get to her house albeit a little further. Turned out that the left turn we were supposed to take was at the end of Jusco, and not the front part of the building...nevermind.

As we drove along the hilltop, my son was already smiling and holding my arm. Sometimes he does that, manja or what! Told him to count the number of traffic lights, cause we need to turn left on the 2nd one. He kept asking if we are there yet (remind me of those summer movies where kids are bored at the back of the car..) Not too long now, you keep still ya..he was quite excited when I told him Aunt Nu's children have lots of toys to share..

When we finally reached Nu's, we parked and toke some Kek Lapis and Choc for buah tangan. Nu was a gracious host, having prepared coffee and roti kaya for me and spaghetti for lunch! We chatted away while our sons play and watch Spiderman. Time flies when you are having fun, suddenly it was already 2pm. Hubby called and was glad I drove alright but remind me to get back before the traffic gets heavy. A was not so keen to go back, threw a tantrum so I whisked him off with some candy . Said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch. I drove back feeling more confident. While A was asleep in the car, I told myself, that was not too bad at all...must do this again. So Nu, my dear friend, till next time!

Look after thyself

There was a time, when I feel invincible. In the cold winter, I would be the only one who can bear the cold water when the hot water is warming up. Flu or fever is a once or twice a year thing. No problem with health at all. My friends joked that the bugs are scared of me being a doctor's daughter. Never had any allergy, eat and drink almost anything halal and snack on chocs whenever.

The BUT is coming. BUT now all that has to take a second look. When pregnant with my son, I discovered I have traits of Thallasemia minor, a genetic blood disorder. Almost 9 mths ago I undergone a surgery to remove a tumour growing rapidly within. When biopsy result confirmed the fully encapsulated tumour was cancerous, a 25-session of radiotheraphy ensued. Treatment done and I got on with my life. 6 months went by and next thing I know..or chose to admit, I found another lump at the same area. Could this be a recurrence? I chose not to get worried, went straight to the hospital, got another date of surgery 3 days later. Surgery went fine, the result of biopsy was found to be negative, mass was actually the normal tissue reaction to radiotherapy. I was so relieved. I thank the Almighty for this reminder.

It can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere. As my friend said, everyone has their share of events in this life. I am very thankful for the love and support of my family and friends. Bless them all.

Evolution of the TH kind

Time zoomed by....I had an operation, therapy and the long year end holiday at my beloved hometown. The nation at large has its share of shocks too, who can forget that Mongolia thingy in Nov 06 and the BIG flood in Johor. Everything happens for a reason, we make the best of our situation. As Mum said, be grateful for the little things.

One of the most memorable thing during my therapy was the amount of books I managed to read, while waiting for my turn at the hospital. I would say it's the most I've read in many years! At the end of the treatment, even the hospital staff enquired how many books I've finished. Everyday, on weekdays my routine was the same. Little A was quite a handful but Mum & Dad were more than helpful. The first time Z and me managed to catch a movie together since A was born, they took care of him. They took him for a drive the whole 2.5hrs that we went out for :) Bless them.

This year I thought it would be best to decide on something to do. A project maybe. Decision is yet to be firmed up, but the halo is there..I've decided to work on my own, from the comfort of my home. I've got all the details needed to register the business, all I need now is to follow the leads. Excited of the product's potential, I have yet to do a business projection although I am quite confident with the viability. As if one good thing leads to another, Z also have a business proposition and we may have to form a company to realise the potential soon. It's all very exciting! Taking the first step is the hardest thing...

A new house..a new life

It has been just over three months since my last post, big chunk of the time was packing, moving, repacking and settling in the new environment that is P. I used to wake up staring at KLCC before...not to mention the sound of cars choking the highway! Now, it's waking up to sounds of chirping birds, gentle and welcoming breeze and the uplifting smell of fresh air. Aaaahhh! I thank the Almighty for this abode, this rezeki.

Adam loves the new house; he can go outside everyday! Since he learned how to ride a bike a month ago, he's out there almost every evening when Z comes home. Oh ya..then there is the taska i.e nursery, he goes there half day till noon so I can relax a bit. That wee bit of time-off really helps, I realised how we both have to adapt to this soon if I were to return to work.

Z is also benefitting from this new environment tremendously. The journey to work is more than halved, more time to play with Adam in the evenings. He's into DIY things, and I thought my hubby can only work wonders with electricals and computers *sheesh...sorry* Even our car gets the occasional shower by its owner now...bliss for everyone and everything yay!

Moi, I have yet to bake any cookies or cakes in the oven...hubby is watching this space..at least I've got the recipes for "The best Choc Chip Cookie" or " Yummy Carrot Cake You'll Ever Have" from Allrecipes.com heheh! Slowly but surely...

Potty Training - survivor's guide

What a stressful week it has been. Excited about the prospect of sending Adam to a playgroup next month, I'm giving him the crash course on potty training. To add more spice into the stress soup, Z is making me responsible of his tax matters, due end of the week! Great...just great..ho hum!

To be fair, Adam is a fast learner. He relishes the colourful printed pants he is wearing now. "You tell mummy when you wanna go to toilet ok?" He would run around and nod his head at that. The first two days was ok, no accidents. But you just know it was coming when you've had it so good right..it's okay, it was expected..in fact I read that it can take months before it becomes accident-free. Now it has come to the fourth day, my exzema is playing up a bit due to the increased contact with water. Told Adam, this morning you just have to wear diapers for a few hours ok...he wailed!! He wants his pants, his trips to the toilet...waaaaaa!

I'm saving the environment, no more disposable diapers for Adam..
Ok, maybe just for going out and at night when he sleeps
He's going to the playgroup, meeting new friends
Gonna have free mornings all by myself
Something I'm looking forward to
So stick to the plan now T
Give Adam his potty
Let him be
Happy

The one with the OVEN

CC note: Picture above is credited to Nannydaddy@flickr. Thank you! It resembles my kitchen, white with stainless steel oven but I would love to have that floor!

Early this year, I was so excited to get the keys to the new house. No more broken down lifts, no more inconsiderate neighbour, no more noisy bikes racing illegally in the wee hours of the day...no more, enough is enough!

What I did not bargained for was the stress that comes with this Big Move. Sure, I have moved places before, but it was different this time...so much more stuff, a little man and a hubby. To add salt to wound, I keep on getting leg cramps, painful knees and the inevitable eczema flare up. Man! I wish Potter's magic wand is around..hmmm..

Weekend got off to a promising start, got things ready for the lunch do at the new house..MIL wants to test the oven, bless! Then, I turned on the tap and there was no blinking water. Yikes! The fish needs to be cleaned first...luckily another tap in the powder area is ok. MIL is a fast worker, she prepared all the ingredients for the lunch and I will cook it. When I saw the fish and chicken without any extra colour, I was a bit puzzled but I told myself not to offend her after all the effort she has put in. Confident that "it would be allright on the night", I put them in the oven and wait for it to work some magic!

Twenty mins went by, I thought the oven was still cold. There was no change in colour on the fish and chicken. I did not use the timer function as I set the time on my phone. Checked the temperature, ok. The programme setting is also ok, I saw the red light on. But wait a second, shouldn't the temperature light be on as well? Where's that manual...turned out I did not SWITCH ON the oven afterall...hahahha! The light I saw was a reflection of the sunny ray from outside to the gleaming new oven! To start the oven, the timer must be set as well or I should turn the knob to a certain icon :) Oooo ..I felt so angry with myself for not reading the manual first..am beginning to feel so undomestic despite giving up full time job over 3 years now!

True enough, i became the talk of the day. Hubby cannot contain his glee and relate the "incident" to SIL, much to her chagrin. She used the oven regularly you see..baking cakes and what nots. Luckily the fish turned out allright, could have been better I know but no one's eating my version of sushi..it is cooked allright . Thanks to the "recommended time setting" for cooking fish as detailed in the oven's user's manual. Phewww..

Friend in Need indeed???

To help or not to help, I'm in a dilemma. This ex-schoolmate M, whom I have hardly any contact since aeons ago suddenly text me for help last week. Turned out she is in L, with no place to stay and suddenly remembered that yours truly have friends there.

What made it creepy was the way she chose her words..she claimed that she sent me a text earlier and I must have missed it, but she still need my contacts...aahh! Unless my reliable Nokia has gone bonkers or my service provider is risking their business by not delivering her said text, I did NOT get an earlier text from her! It's just a ploy to get me feel "sorry for missing a call for help" and now help me..help me eventhough you have only met me once in the last 15 years! Help me because you've told fancy stories of your time here with your wonderful friends.. help me, because you can.

I laid low, partly because my prepaid credit is nearly zilch and my instinct is telling me this is not right. Something about this call for help is bugging me. Unfortunately, the strings of my heart are pulled and I thought ok, let's help her find lodging at least.

Several emails to my trusted friends and I managed to get lil N and possibly K to help M. So that's that then...noooooo!!! Another text from M today..and she pulled the same trick again...I must have missed your calls, please give me your contacts.. Groundhog Day all over again!!!! I thought, what happen to N and K? My guess is, they both called but M is afraid to answer all those calls coz she have not given her number to anybody else but moi ? Could it be that she miss those calls made by others but thought it was from me coz somewhere along the strange international mobile network, numbers calling from out of the country morphed to be from her local area??? Shucks! Why do I bother in the first place??

A friend told me, she can only take M in small doses..nice way of putting it. I'm going to bed and pretend this is just a bad dream. Good nite moon!