Just wondering...

• Why do people rather use cash to pay their tolls and suffer in the long, long line rather than use touch 'n' go or smart tag? Okay, some people might not be willing to pay for the smart tag cos they need to fork out RM50 ( I think) to pay for that device; that I understand. But I don't get the touch 'n' go. There's no additional charges for getting the touch 'n' go card so what's the deal? The only conclusions that i can come up with is that some people might need to get receipts to claim for their company expenses, they find it a hassle to reload the card, or they are afraid that they'll lose the card hence lose the amount loaded into it. But isn't the long waiting time just to get pass the tolls trumps all these reasons?

• Why some people are unsure where Sabah or Sarawak is? I spoke to this person before, (a Malaysian, no less) and he asked me whether he can get to Sarawak from KL by train. T_T

• Why is it when most people (strangers and friends alike) hear that I am carrying a girl (when I was pregnant at that time), their immediate reaction would be "It's okay, girl is also fine". Did I say I wasn't okay in the first place?? *&$#%$ I know I know sons carry family name, they will take care of you at your old age, they are the heirs and all that yadda yadda yadda but what century is this may I ask?? Jeez. Haven't they heard of this adage "A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life" ?

• Why are restaurants or shops hiring foreign workers who can't speak English nor Malay as their front liners? Very hard to communicate leh, unfortunately, because usually they are very helpful and friendly. It's a problem when you are at Subway and you have a hard time telling them that you want regular wheat bread, and NOT honey oat glaze.

• Why do I get nauseous when I drink coffee in the late afternoon?
  

Enough wondering, y'all. It's the weekend again! A long one this time, and though I don't feel so patriotic, Happy Merdeka Day!

Short updates

Most mornings I wake up to this, staring into my face if she's sleeping in the same bed as us. Plus I get some freebies too: drool dripping on my face, or arms. Whichever is nearest to her.

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So I spent almost one hour on Saturday, looking through the "Parenting" section in MPH, picking out random books on parenting. Then i sat down in one corner flipping through each and every one of them; discarding those that relied too much on scientific theories & written by so-called Professors who never had a child on their own.

And i ended up with this: "Loving Without Spoiling by Nancy Salamin".

It's very easy to read, practical and lots of good advices on how to phrase your sentences (cos it's all about how you say it isn't it??) And best of all, it's useful on kids from aged one through the *horror* teenage years. Worth the RM60 when it's not even hardcover.

Reading a book is not a be it,be all strategy for parenting your kiddos, there's still a lot of other factors involved, but i feel it's at least pointing me into the right direction :) Sort of like an instruction manual for newbies like me.

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Peanut hates the Bumbo chair. Period. I'm selling it, any takers????? Picture taken above before bursting into tears.

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And yup, she's still quite bald. I'll be patient. After all, both me and BigB are quite hairless when we were babies too. We have no plans to shave whatever hair that's remaining on her to "encourage" growth cos I don't believe in it.

My parents never shaved my siblings' and mine and yet we still have super thick hair. It's all herediatry right?

Living at home

I have been living with my in-laws since Peanut was born, from my confinement up to now, and so far, so good. Not bad for someone who really likes a lot of privacy and "me" time, i think i'm due for a pat on the shoulder LOL.

Our house has been ready since the end of last year, but because of my pregnancy, and at that time we were still living in a rented condo, and because of the "dunno whether it will affect us or not recession" and also because baby's priority is number one, renovations was never started. Until now. I think i'm getting too comfortable staying with the in-laws. We really need to kick start the renovation and the plan is to start somewhere in September / October, and comfortable as i am now, I really miss having a home to call our own.

Right now, a lot of my stuff are everywhere. Our current room in the in-laws resembles a refugee halfway-house. Everything is stuffed to the max, and I have to really reorganise all our stuff to make everything fit. Thank God for Ikea containers. Most of my stuff are also kept in boxes in the new house, and if you ask me to find my beloved comfy sneakers now, I have no idea where it is *uhuk uhuk* Ditto to all my cute fridge magnets which we have collected on our holidays, our photo frames, or my notebook, or my coffee percolator or even my yoghurt maker. yeah, i was quite the model housewife when i was still living in the condo. Wanted to make my own organic, preservatives-free yoghurt konon.

ok ok let's get back on track, back to my in-laws. My in-laws are very easy going people, they are never interfering, takes really good care of Peanut, they give me lots of space, and never tells me what to do. My MIL especially is a very caring woman, and I'll always remember how she takes care of me when i had that operation in January. I had to lie in bed most of the time then, and she'll bring me hot milo and crackers to my room daily "just in case I'm hungry", brings warmed up chicken essence to me, and makes nutritious soups for me daily. To the point I felt very embarassed. Embarassed that my MIL had to serve me and I coudn't do anything to help. and I was also very, very touched. Touched to the point I cried one time during lunch when she put down a bowl of hot herbal soup with a huge drumstick in front of me. Cos that time I was an emo wreck la. I was worried bout the baby, worried about myself, basically, worried about everything la(I'm Worry Queen remember? lol) and when someone shows that they care when you're really down, you will cry rite?? haha And I also missed my parents greatly then, who lives in East Malaysia. *sob sob*.

So yeah. Anyways.....now that i've lived with them for a few months, here are a few things which I *think* are key to a harmonious family life with the in-laws keke

a) Always greet your in-laws, when you see them for the first time in the day. and before the big meals of the day i.e. lunch / dinner
b) Be respectful at all times.. Always smile and say okay no matter how much you disagree. haha and get the husband to "correct" them later. Let him be the middleperson hehe. Actually, scratch that. let him be the spokesperson la whenever you need something done haha
c) if possible, have a helper / maid at home. So at least there's no conflict with regards to laundry, cleanliness and usage of stuff cos you don't have to do it
d) Get a tv in your room. Ah, super important for me. Cos you know how i like my privacy and stuff, and alone time, so you get to chill in your own space watching what you want without any interference.
e) Tell MIL about your day at work or whatever (not the gossip type), so at least she feels she is part of your life.
f) Sometimes there are things that are just not worth sweating over. Like sometimes my MIL has her own way of doing things. Things sometimes i find quite absurd or doesn't make sense. Like putting socks on Peanut at all time to make sure her feet will be in shape, and slim, and not flay out like a duck in future. I find the reasoning quite illogical, but what the heck, so long as she's happy doing it, why not. After all, she meant Peanut no harm and only wants the best for her.
g) And ooo lastly, it's very important to have an understanding hubby. BigB has always been supportive of my needs, no matter how crazy they are sometimes and he's always happy to be the middleperson and spokesperson haha (see point b) and he knows I need my "alone" time away from everything, so he'll bring me out for dinner or shopping alone just so I can have more normalcy in life.

Eh 7 points only but whatever la. I've been staying there for 5 months plus only LOL. But i think other factors also play a part lah. Like how easy going they are. I think if my PIL are the super naggy, super kaypoh type, or I have monsters SIL or BIL, i dun think i can take it either even if i have the patience of a Saint. And i think it works also because I'm working so I don't spend a lot of time at home. True, not?

oh geez.. The weeks are really zooming by. Is it because as you get older, time goes faster?? It sure feels that way. And don't you just love the weekends? Thank God it's Friday!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Worrying myself silly

As Peanut is reaching the 6 months mark, it seems that there a lot of things that i need to learn to start nurturing and developing her into a well-balanced, sociable, happy child. But where and how do I start? *scratches head*

I've done the simple basics: Talking to her like an adult all the time; without resorting to baby talk. I do not like to use "baby talk" on her for example "oh oh" for sleeping, "nen nen" for milk, and "kai kai" for a walk but sometimes I do find myself saying it. I can't help it cos her grandparents uses it sometimes on her. I've also started reading to her, and showing her flash cards and letting her watch Disney Clubhouse which i find quite educational. I hug her, I kiss her, and tell her that I love her all the time. So hm..am I doing enough? *scratches head some more*

I've been reading this mom's blog, and she's really doing a lot for her 2 year old son: bringing him on play dates, signing him up for baby classes, educating him at home etc etc, so now her son is really well adjusted, speaks well and...you get my drift. And to tell you the truth, i felt really quite inadequate.like I'm not doing enough. *eek* and being a working mum, I do not really have time to interact with Peanut. I'm usually quite tired when i reach home after work, and can only do whatever i can during the weekends.

When she reaches 6 months...i'll need to start feeding her solids (what kind of food? pureed, organic stuff, or chinese style porridge, or cereal, or baby biscuits or all? you see where this is leading to? Too many choices, too many experts' opinions out there, too confusing hehe). I'll need to start looking for activities for her to get involved in. I'll need to do...more. And oo...sensitive topic: but how do i discipline her properly without using the cane and still get her to listen to me?? (when she's older-la of course) . and in future, what pre-schools to send her, english or chinese medium and the list goes on and on....Wow, stressful or wot?


Ok ok *calm down*

I have a few more weeks to go before she turns 6 months. I'll need to start looking for a good book to sort of give me a 'guide'. In the meantime, I'll enjoy her baby-ness for now.

new best friend

oooo..look what came in the mail, my Zoobie Pet!!!! Say hello to Mr Tortoise!! Actually it has a name, and it's called Tama. Tama the Tortoise.

Bought Tama for Peanut actually. So that they can become friends wtf.

Almost the same size!

I had it customised with Peanut's name.

Forced to become friends

It comes with a super huge blanket too, which can be zipped up into the tortoise's tummy when not in use.

I really like it, cos it can be used as a pillow, a toy and a blanket! Worth the money or wot?? Good to use especially if we're travelling somewhere. Hopefully she'll like it and will remain as her buddy until she grows up *fingers crossed*.

Peanut's new stunts

Peanut has been coming out with a few nifty tricks lately..

So I took out my new panasonic lumix lx3 to do a few test shots! It was time to get a new camera cos my Sony couldn't do a good enough job. My photos are always blur, and i have missed quite a lot of photo opportunities because of these. So..anyways, it's been a month since i last bought this gadget, and I've yet to explore it fully. The manual is quite thick, and if you know me well enough, you will know i hate going through manuals, especially techie ones. I rather take the short cut way, that is to have someone explain to me all the dials & functions face to face, but alas...no one can do it for me yet. I guess i'll plough through the manual when i have the time..

Right now, i'm using the "intelligent auto i(ia)" mode. A mode made for newbies, specially for noobs like me who have no idea how to work through the functions yet. But I like the camera already, cos i can take clear shots when taking pics indoors & and also of the highly energetic Peanut. Cos you know it's hard to take pics of babies kan, since they move a lot...anyway, enough of the talking!

Say hi to Peanut already!!

*ooo, I'm a bird! See me flap my wings!!*

I think she's not really used to the new camera. cos it really takes me a while to coax her to smile. For the shot above, BigB has to stand at the side to make her laugh.

Zoning out. Miss Tortoise can now stay in that position for quite a while.

*Proud* cos just turned successfully.

"OMG" expressions throughout.. LOL

Likes to put fingers in her mouth now

So yeah, that's all the tricks she can do now. Not much, but who's counting right? And she reminds me of an eagle which spots its prey when she screams. She goes *aeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrkkkk* pause *aaeeeeeeerrkkkkkk*. I might go deaf in one ear soon.

Here's a final photo from my not-so-trusty Canon camera below. Very grainy right?

Adios!!!!

Monday blues

Yesterday I asked a friend whom i've not seen for a year plus, whether i am still fat. And he just laughed. For a bit too long.

So i think I know the answer. T_____T

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I went and returned my books yesterday. And the lady boss said am I sleeping or coping better because I looked less frazzled, less 'charn' than the last time i saw her.

I thought I looked great the last time i met her.T______T

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After two weeks of not checking my weight and eating only 4 spoonful of rice each meal, I bravely stepped onto the weighing scale this morning, hoping to at least lose half a kilo since then. After a few minutes of re-checking the scale, hitting it a couple of times just to 'make sure' it's not faulty, i've finally accepted the result.

I had gained a kilo instead T______T

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The other day, i went to my fridge, hoping to drink my never opened before soya bean milk, i realised that the box was empty. And the empty box was left inside the fridge.

I think that fler has been secretly stealing my food. T______T and ditto to my face moisturizer. and my milo bars *uhuk uhuk*

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Ah, life's great isn't it? Happy Monday everybody!!