Halloween Party

Today was Jia Wen's first Halloween Party. Caterpillar organized a Halloween Party for kids so Shien Wei and I thought it would be a good idea to get her dressed for it. At first I wasn't too sure whether Jia Wen would agree to the idea of dressing up in something and as something to go for a party so I didn't go through too much trouble to even pick out a costume, I thought worst come, I'll dress her up in a pink dress or something and go as a fairy or a princess or something lah. But Jia Wen's grandma and uncle couldn't resist the fact that she was going for a Halloween Party and they had to get her something to dress her in. So they went shopping for a costume for her.

They called me from Toys'r Us asking me which costume to get and I thought we had agreed on a ladybug costume but my brother-in-law couldn't resist the "witch" costume so that's what they got her. We didn't see the costume until today when we went by Puchong to pick it up. At first I was a little sceptical about whether Jia Wen will agree to wearing the costume or not but surprisingly, she did and we went to the party. The costume was a "free-sized" costume so it didn't quite fit Jia Wen, it was a bit short for her but can do lah. She met another fellow "witch". I don't think the costume should be called a witch costume - I think it should have been called Purple Fairy - or something along that line. It didn't resemble anything of a witch at all.

Jia Wen enjoyed herself very much at the party. She met a lot of people and made new friends. She enjoyed dancing the most. But it was pretty tiring for me as I had to be with her throughout the activities and dances. I think I hurt my back at it. Where's Shien Wei, you can't possibly expect him to be dancing the "Chicken Dance" with Jia Wen would you?!?! hahahah..

Anyway, Jia Wen had a good time but was pooped at the end of the party and was ready to go home. Now, I am only praying and hoping that she wouldn't ask to wear that costume to school or anywhere else!

Halloween Party

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Malaysian Mathematics

Malaysian Mathematics found in school these days:

Example 1:

If an egg costs fifty Sen, and if you buy one-eighth of the egg, how much would you have to pay?

Who in heaven's name will want to buy one-eighth of an egg? The shopkeeper will probably think you are crazy and he will be equally stupid to break the egg and measure one-eighth for you. Yet, this is how they structure the questions in Malaysian schools. Why not pose questions that would be more useful later in life when you go out into the world to earn your living?

If my daughter ever comes back with such a question, I'll personally BASH the teacher

Example 2:

If you drive from Kuala Lumpur to Penang along the PLUS Highway and there are four speed traps along the way, and if each speed trap would cost you RM300.00 in fines, how much in fines would you accumulate by the time you reach Penang ?

ANSWER (Choose one)

• I would not suffer any fines as the oncoming cars would flash their headlights and I would slow down before coming to the speed trap.
• I would only need to pay a total of RM80.00 as I would pay aRM20.00 bribe at each speed trap.
• I would not be stopped as I am an UMNO Wakil Rakyat so I am exempted from speed traps.

Example 3:

If your Bumiputera company is awarded a RM150 million government contract, and you make a 20% profit, how much profit would be at the end of the contract period?

ANSWER (Choose one)

• I will not be making a 20% profit as I would have to pay the Minister 10% and UMNO 5%.
• I would make 30% profit, which is the progress payment I receive, after which I will abandon the project and let the government call for re-tender.
• My company will not make any profit at all as I will siphon out all the profits and show a loss to avoid paying corporate tax.

Example 4:

If the ruling party obtained 54% of the popular votes the last election and won 151 or 80% of the seats, and if it saw an increase of 10% in votes this election, how many more seats would it gain?

ANSWER (Choose one)

• The ruling party will not show a 10% increase in votes, as it will stuff the ballot box with another 20% to give it a 30% vote increase.
• The ruling party will win a ich are the newly created seats in the delineation exercise recently done.
• The ruling party has already decided it will win 90% of the seats and the votes have nothing to do with it.

Example 5:

If the national petroleum company, Petronas, pays a 5% royalty to Terengganu State and if the amount paid is RM800,000,000 per year, how much should Petronas have in the bank accumulated over the last 25 years?

ANSWER (Choose one)

• Nobody is supposed to know as Petronas need not show its accounts to anyone except the Prime Minister and this information comes under the Official Secrets Act.
• Petronas earns only 50% of its petroleum revenue from Terengganu so Petronas' total income accumulated in the banks over 25 years should be RM800 billion.
• Petronas has nothing accumulated in the bank as all the money has spent bailing out companies and finance mega projects.

You don't only learn Maths, you learn how our Government works which is a bigger lesson.

Nelly's Wedding Pics

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Nelly's Wedding

Delayed entry

24 October 2006 - Today was a historical day not only for Nelly but for me too. My bestfriend, one of my oldest friend got married!

The day started out quite early in the morning for me. I don't know how on earth my dear friend slept through the night before her wedding, I think I was more excited than she was that I couldn't sleep a wink! Woke up at 6.30 before the my alarm (set for 6.45) and started getting ready - dressing up. Darrell and I left the house at about 8 ish and got to Nelly's place just a little after 9 AM.

When we arrived, Nelly was in her room getting ready - make up artiste was there doing her hair, etc. It was so exciting but she seemed calm and composed. The professional photographer was taking photos from every angle and of everything wedding. My wedding "sisters" aka "chee muis" arrived and we got ready with the "obstacles" that I have planned for the groom and the groomsmen before reaching the bride's room.

Nelly got all made up, dressed up and sat down waiting just as the groom's party arrived and that's when the "action" started. It is becoming a very common Chinese tradition that the groom and the groomsmen would have to go through a series of "obstacles" before the groom is allowed to pick her bride up and proceed with the wedding proper. There has been many ways and many types of tricks played on grooms in the past and I must say that it is quite a fun game to play and it livens up the event. It brings so much laughter to the atmosphere and this is something that is always welcomed at any wedding.

Here's what we did to the groom's party:

Obstacle No 1: Bra & Panty - the guys had to wear bras and panties and do "ketuk ketambi"
Obstacle No 2: 4 seasons - Wasabi, Lime, Almond Milk + Coffee, Honey
Obstacle No 3: Ang Pow
Obstacle No 4: Reading of "wedding vows" by the groom

Anyway, after having gone through all the obstacles which many thought was quite mild by standards - Seng Choon (the groom) was granted entry into Nelly's room, handed her bouquet of flowers and "picked her up" followed by photo session with the family and all those who were there.

After all the drama in the house - we proceeded to the hotel (Concorde Hotel KL) where we hung out at the bridal suite till 4 PM for the church ceremony. Nelly was banned from taking off her wedding gown, make-up, etc until after the church ceremony, that's why we were allowed to hand out in their room (no need privacy mah). We had quite a while to catch up and there wasn't much to do. I don't know how Nelly got through 5 hours of not taking off her wedding gown or make-up or hairdo when the bed and shower just there. If it was me, I would have been in my shorts and hair down! I salute you Nell.

Just before 4 PM, I got ready for the second half of the wedding day - church ceremony. I changed and changed my make-up. See, even I had to do it.

It was a beautiful church wedding - short and sweet with quite a good attendance. It was held at the hotel and it was followed by the Chinese tea ceremony and photo session. After all that, I followed Nelly back to the room and helped her get dressed (she finally got to take off her wedding gown and change to another gown). The make up artiste was there to do some touching up and re-did her hair.

The wedding dinner took place and surprisingly the dinner ended quite early - by 9.30 PM, we were having our dessert! By this time, I was already feeling very tired and wanted to go back. So Darrell and I quickly packed up our things and left of course not without saying goodbye to the couple.

I didn't realize that I look so pregnant until I saw the photos taken at the wedding! So so fat - eew!

Nelly and Seng Choon, once again - Congratulations on your wedding and marriage. May God bless you both always and may you both cherrish and enjoy each other forever. And to my dearest Nelly - I am so happy for you. Love you so dearly.

A friend in town

An old, old friend arrived last week and have been staying at Villa de Nilai. Darrell Ng who was my kindergarden and primary school friend when we were in Labuan came to visit and also to attend another of our friend's wedding (Nelly Poh). Darrell has been around for almost a week now and have had a good time catching up with him. The last we met was in May 2005.

You see, Darrell and I are considered quite unique friends because of how we are linked through different groups of friends. Darrell and I share 2 common group of friends - our Labuan school friends and our Miri school friends which we only came to know about how close we are connected when I met him in Auckland (where he is living now) in 2003. And the funny thing is that, I never knew that we shared the same group of friends in Miri because he had left Miri when my family and I moved to Miri in 1992. Plus we had lost contact since he left Labuan in primary 4. Anyway, for further explanation - read here.

And the more we caught up, the more things we found about each other. For example, when Shien Wei and I were in Europe for our honeymoon in 2001, Darrell was also backpacking in Europe at the very same time. Darrell was looking through my honeymoon pictures and said "Hey Szue Fei, I was in Europe at the very same time". We stared at each other and till now wonder whether we had brushed shoulders or more freaky - took pictures and see each other in the backgrounds!

On his trip this time, I failed to gather our friends for a mini reunion. I guess it was bad timing, holiday season and everyone were away. Darrell, I hope you are not too disappointed for not being able to meet with friends whom I am sure you were looking forward to catching up with. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed your stay here.

We had Fajitas Nachos! 

3 kindie friends - Ang Chun Sean, myself and Darrell 

Dinner at Chili's with Darrell 

All Sweats

I just bloody came out of the shower, sitting under the blasting fan with the air condition turned on and I am still all sweats! I am literally dripping! My forehead is leaking, my armpit is gushing and water is just coming out of everywhere! Is it my hormones, must be!

It's been raining the last 2 days and people tell me it is much cooler now, haze has slightly cleared out for the time being and yet I AM HOT! I wish I can stay in the shower all day and not have to come out.

Aside from being sweaty and moody, I feel so stretched! My skin hurts. I don't remember feeling this kind of sensation when I was pregnant with Jia Wen. I feel like my tummy has grown to it's maximum and it is stretching my skin and making it quite painful. It is stretching the skin from my back and because of that, it is pulling the muscles behind and stressing my back. I can't slouch or relax my back as that means extra pulling. No sitting or sleeping position is comfortable. At nights, I toss and turn and toss and turn and never seem to find one comfortable position and every move is done with a moan.

On top of that, baby has been kicking non-stop for the past 72 hours! I really wonder what the baby is doing inside and I wish I can attach myself to an ultrasound machine all the time to see what on earth is the baby up to or better still have a transparent tummy. Like Kaz Cooke said in her book "...my rounded tummy momentarily went up into a tentlike shape with a point. At any moment I thought Sigourney Weaver might appear in a singlet." And seriously, that's the best way to describe the kickings and the bashings from this baby. Like this very second, either the baby's buttocks or head is grazing the front of my tummy and either the legs or hands are kicking my pelvic bone. Some of you may think this is fun but seriously it is not fun when the baby does this to you all day long and especially when you are trying to get what's left of your 2 hours of sleep at night. It's sometime painful too.

Help me get through this 2 months.

Szue Fei is feeling bruised, stretched and still sweating!

Peekaboo! 

She's found a new hiding place 

A-Ha! 

This way?... 

Maybe this way can... 

Check out what my daughter recently discovered she could do? 

My Ambitious Daughter

Yesterday, I was driving back from Kota Kemuning (my cousin's place) with Jia Wen at the back seat. As we had to go through Shah Alam's industrial area, she saw this factory which happened to be the Proton factory and wondered why there were many cars parked outside. I told her that it was a factory and there were many people working in there. Then out of the blue, she told me that when she grows big, she wants to go to work at the factory (little did she know that by the time she reaches working age, Proton might not even be around anymore haha).

Then she said that she wants to go to work and then "come home" like her dad does after work. She also said that she wanted a drive to work. Of course I told her that she would have use her own money and get her own car (like every parent does). So she said, "When Jia Wen big big girl, Jia Wen go to work, get money and Jia Wen buy car, ok?" Then I asked her what car she would buy, she said she would want to drive a car like Mummy's (Honda City)! Not so ambitious uh? I need to bring her to the BMW and Merc show rooms more often lah! Introduce her to all the "other" cars.

But at least I know my daughter already sees herself working at her age. Big things installed for my daughter?

Szue Fei is feeling alright.

Win An LG Chocolate Phone

Write people, write! Win give me the phone ah... I lost my phone remember!!!

I baked again

This morning, I woke up feeling like I needed to bake. Since the last chocolate cake I baked a few months back, I have been wanting to bake that very same cake again but hadn't got round to doing it until this morning when I just had to bake!

So after breakfast with my daughter, I started preparing and started baking. I took my sweet time (just how I like to do it) and prepped the cake. I like to do things step by step and not get messy in the kitchen. Last thing I want is to have to clean-up a spilt milk or a broken egg. So it took me about 1 hour to prep the cake but towards the end, when I was beating the ingredients, I started losing energy quickly. I could hardly stand and I could hardly breathe at this point. Although I had an electric beater, I was finding it very hard to even stand and beat the cake. Luckily my sister was around to help me out at this point. Seriously, I wanted to give up already man! I was panting and had to kneel down to catch my breath every few minutes. I don't know why. Looks like this pregnancy isn't getting easier.

Anyway, finished the cake and put it into the oven. Wala! I got the cake I have been craving for a while. God only knows when will be the next time I'll bake again.

Szue Fei is feeling black and blue from the baby's kicking and boxing. Movements are getting difficult and nights are getting very uncomfortable.

Tada! 

It was the same chocolate cake I baked so successfully the last round. 

Baked a cake this morning 

Jia Wwen looking at the baker make french loafs 

Fetuccine Carbonara with Shrimp 

Spaghetti Arabbiata with Shrimp. We had lunch at Italiannies 2 days ago - Wednesdays - Eat All You Can Pasta

Spicy! 

Jia Wen enjoys a good meal of tosai 

No 2 Ee Poh & Jia Wen

Just before leaving. 

My Mum, 3 Ee, 4 Ee, 5 Ee & 2 Ee 

Jia Wen playing scrabble with the family 

Jia Wen absolutely loves mangoes! 

5 Ee and DJ Victor G 

My Loving Parents 

My Beautiful Mum 

2 Ee, My Mum, 3 Ee & 5 Ee 

5 Ee, My mum, 2 Ee and 3 Ee 

Beautiful Saloma Boon Fallander 

Stress

Talk about stress in life. I don't know whether I have ever been so stressed in my life or do I feel it a lot more that now that I am pregnant = emotional. With all the problems I am now having with Jia Wen's behaviour, something terrible had to happen to me today. I had to lose my handphone!

It was of course my mistake and I feel like a dumbass! I went to the toilet at Jusco Seremban and because I went in without my handbag, I hung my handphone at the toilet door fearing that I might drop it into the toilet bowl (again like last time). I have had so much in my mind lately that I carelessly walked out of the toilet without my handphone! I walked into the supermarket right next to the toilet area and in less than 3 minutes, I realised that I had forgotten my handphone and RAN back to the toilet praying that it is still there. When I got there, there was someone else in the toilet. I tried to knock but she didn't respond. She took a while in there so I waited. When she came out, it turned out to be a Malay lady who is working for Jusco. I asked her whether she saw a handphone hanging - she said no. I went in and it wasn't there. I asked her whether she had noticed anyone go in there before her. She said yes and it was a girl from a shoe shop nearby, wearing orange - ESARLI! I went to the nearest phone booth to try to call my number but no avail lah..switched off already. I went to ESARLI and approached one of the sales girl there and asked whether she went to toilet - she said yes and when I asked whether she saw a handphone in there, her face immediately changed. Of course she didn't say that she took it but her facial expression showed she either did or knew something about it. I went to the security at Jusco and explained to them what happened, etc...at this point, I was already in tears lah. Haiya.. don't want to drag the story lah.. basically I didn't get my handphone back lah. I went back to the toilet, searched the rubbish and found my handphone cover and chain. So the person who took my handphone had every intention to steal it!

Anyway, I feel like shit because it is a new phone and feel really bad that my husband now has to get another phone for me because of my carelessness! Although I managed to get my new sim card and retain my number, my whole phonebook is lost plus my special ringtones (my daughter's singing) are gone! My luck couldn't have been worse today. Even my friend in Penang who reads my blog everyday, called me and asked "why you so 'cham' wan" (in hokkien). I feel so so so guilty. I hope the person who took my phone realises what she has done to me, how it has affected my emotions! Could have left the sim card there!

Am still compiling phone numbers I lost.

Szue Fei is feeling like a dumbass!

Welcome Baby Saloma. My cousin Zena gave birth to her second daughter yesterday and we can't wait to see them. Hope both mum and baby are doing fine. And to darling Gaia, you are now a big che-che. 

...

For those who have been reading and following my blog, you would think my life has been miserable to the point of selfishness. All I can write about are complaints on how my pregnancy has been and how Jia Wen has been behaving. Some of you may think this "egocentric" mother is full of complaints - complaints that other mothers go through, it's a norm. Well for me, this isn't quite normal and all that I am experiencing right now is something I haven't quite experienced before and am finding it hard to cope. Other mothers may say "hey, what's new"? It's new for me.

Although this is my second pregnancy, it hasn't been the same as the first. Like everyone says, no pregnancies are exactly the same. Of course it is harder this time round mainly because I have a child to mind other than just myself and the baby inside me. Unlike the first time, I could get all the rest I want / need, I could do anything I want and still get the rest I need and not have to bother about whether my daughter is getting enough attention or not. The only problem I remember having with my first pregnancy was extreme fatigue in the first trimester, after that - it was pretty much smooth sailing (compared to many other pregnant women). This time round, it wasn't just extreme fatigue that came with the pregnancy, I had nausea in the first trimester my backache is still around. Of course these physical aches and pains isn't the toughest so far. The toughest so far is Jia Wen.

Before I got pregnant with this second child, life with Jia Wen was pretty much great with occasional pranks and she was pretty much like any other normal toddler - nothing that a child won't go through. But almost the moment I got pregnant, it all started. She started to give problems - clingy, whiny, fussy, demanding - a cry baby. She started learning the art of shouting and crying when asking for things. She was fussy at most times. She wasn't so clingy in the first few months but now she is getting to be very very clingy.

"Often, sibling rivalry starts even before the second child is born..." For a while, I didn't quite believe in this but I now believe it. It is the only explanation there is to Jia Wen's behaviour. She's feeling insecure and needs a lot of reassurance - I know and I don't think I have neglected these feelings of hers. In fact, I have been giving her a lot of attention lately, to the extent of giving in to her every whims and fancies just to avoid tantrums and whinings! I am so sick of her crying for every single thing. She has been so irritable, not to mention all the sleeping problems at nights that we have been facing for the past few months. I also believe that all this misbehaving and bad moods are due to the bad sleeping habits at nights and I have tried everything, every method there is to "cure" this problem without creating other possible long term bad sleeping habits like sleeping with us, etc.

I have even contemplated sending her back to Labuan just so that I can get some rest but I know now that will only make things worse for her and myself. She may think that I am dumping her somewhere for my convenience, she may feel more insecure and abandoned.

She has been very attached to me. When we were in Langkawi, she wanted me to do EVERYTHING for her, from changing nappies to taking her to the beach. No one else could go near her. My mum who wanted to help couldn't. She was "mummy this, mummy that" the whole time. Now at home, she's like calling for me non-stop even if I have to be in the kitchen for a few minutes. And here I thought I need to start detaching myself from her in terms of tasks - getting someone else to change her diaper, bathe her and she I think she needs to know that I can't be doing all this when the baby arrives. But instead, she is smart enough to know that that's my intention and therefore makes it known that no one else should do it for her but Mummy. Sighs.

Even going to school that past few days have been increasingly hard, she stalls at home and today, she cried when I left her in school. She wouldn't let my hands go. It was hard to see her cry in school as before this, there wasn't any problems. She had always enjoyed school and never had problems going to school. Now as the "time" approaches, she is becoming increasingly clingy. Should she stop school?

All of this make me feel so sad and depressed. I am sad that she is feeling this way and at the same time angry because it is taking a lot of my physical strength to handle her. I cry so much these days thinking of this situation, trying to understand why she is feeling so insecure when all I have done (at least what I think) is give her all the attention I have on her. And everytime she whines - it only makes me more angry and then start to resent everything!

Sighs... I can only hope and pray that all this will go away when the baby arrives but I am not putting all my hopes on it.

Szue Fei is feeling depressed and mentally drained.

DAMN Haze

The haze is here alright and today is by far the worst we've had for the year. I really wonder what's the API reading right this moment because it is really bad, smoky and smelly. The moon is orange in colour!! Even in the nights (like now), you can see the smoke like air outside. Even my neighbour's house opposite isn't 100% clear. My air con has been on the whole day.

Damn I*****S*A! Never learn wan!

Letter to AJ Hackett

I said that I would write to AJ Hackett about the prospects of opening a bungy station at Langakawi. Here's my letter to him:

Dear Mr Hackett

I am writing to you as avid fan of bungy jumps. Although I have only done one of your bungy (Nevis) in 2003, I will always remember that experience and great feeling.

Anyway, I was recently on a holiday in Pulau Langkawi here in Malaysia and saw this spectacular bridge that I thought is a very suitable place for a bungy station. You might have heard of this place already but I am hoping that this email might convince you further. The bridge faces the Andaman Sea (sunset) and the bridge is sitting about 700 meters above sea level. It is a suspension bridge. I am not too sure how far down you can dive from the bridge but it should be quite a length / distance. From the bridge, you can see almost the whole of Langkawi Island. To get up there, there's a cable car service which takes about 15 mins to go up.

I attach a few photos for you to have a look and hopefully you and your team will think of this prospect.

Kind regards
Szue Fei

Let's hope for a reply.

Langkawi

It must have been more than 10 years since I have been to Langkawi and for Shien Wei, the last time he was there was when he was a kid! Yeah - pathetic isn't it? Anyway, we decided that since Air Asia was giving out RM0.99 tickets and since I won't be going for a holiday for a while, we decided to book ourselves a flight to Langkawi. It was first meant to be a holiday for the 3 of us but after my parents heard about the RM0.99 tickets, they decided to come along as well and make it into a family holiday and when my other aunts heard about it, they jumped in too. It was a good family holiday.

We checked into Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort which I remember having some pictures taken at their lobby some 10 years ago. My aunt booked us all into a one room chalet which are scattered all over the resort on the hills. We are not allowed to drive up to the rooms / chalets but there's a buggy service that will take us up and down the chalets quite efficiently. Overall, the resort was nice although I think it needs some maintanence work and refurbishing. The place is getting a bit old and could do with some new woods here and there.

With Jia Wen around, of course we spent as much time as we could on the beach and by the pool although Jia Wen's tummy wasn't feeling too good and half the time she rather stay in the room. We did go out to Langkawi town and made a trip up to the mountain on the cable car. The cable car ride was worth it. It took us up all the way to 710 metres above sea level where we could see quite a lot from up there. Of course thanks to the hazy weather, we couldn't see much but imagine the prospect if it was a clear day! We could see the Andaman Sea. And guess what? There's this suspension bridge built up there (see pic) which I think would be the best spot for a bungy! I wonder whether AJ Hackett knows about this place. Will try to let him know about this place. Imagine bungy jumping off that bridge?!?! Spectacular view, great height!

Personally (maybe not so personal), I think Langkawi can do a lot better in attracting tourists! When we were there, it was like a town about to die and wonder whether it is normal or did we go at a wrong time. Most of the shops in town were closed and it wasn't easy to look for food to eat. For a duty free island, it shouldn't be difficult to look for a drinking hole (not that I was looking lah) and for an island, seafood should be an abundance! But we had difficulty finding food believe it or not. It wasn't so much the price but there wasn't anything to eat! Langkawi has so much potential and I tell you - leave it to the "you know who", and it will become like Penang! Sighs... sad.

As for whether I had a good holiday, a good break - NOPE! It was mentally exhausting, emotionally draining not to mention physically tiring. Jia Wen wasn't in her best behaviour. She was cranky all the time and very very very very very clingy. She was mummy this, mummy that and very whiny! No one could do anything for her and no one else can attend to her but me and sometimes Shien Wei. She was driving me NUTS! And here I thought I could get a breather from here since her grandparents were around and so many grandaunts to entertain her but I was wrong - it was the total opposite. She was in a bad mood 99% of the time. She was demanding, commanding and ... ARGH! First she'll say she wants this, and the next second she'll change her mind. And since everyone said that she is in a stage where she feels really insecure and jealous of what is to come (the baby) and everyone says that I need to keep on reassuring her, etc.. so I did, I was her back and call the whole time. Attending to her whims and fancies and obeying every command, carrying her most of the time and mind you, I was nice to her and tried to control myself the whole time. It was emotionally challenging for me and very frustrating! So, whether or not I had a good holiday - NOPE I didn't despite this being my last holiday before the baby arrives. SIGH.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Szue Fei is feeling frustrated, a little depressed and HUGE! Feet a bit swollen now.

There's this suspension bridge on the mountain. Am sending this picture to AJ Hackett to suggest for a bungy - spectacular view, great height and excellent location for a bungy! 

Jia Wen actually asked for a picture with the pilots.  

Coming back from Langkawi - typical Malaysian - must run to the baggage collection! 

Jia Wen & Daddy 

Outside the chalet. 

Jia Wen and mummy at the beach 

Jia Wen whispering to baby about the view. 

Walking on 710m above sea level! 

Check out our sunnies people! 

We took a cable car up right up to the peak above. It was awesome. 

Our Eventful Flight

This was what happened on our flight to Langkawi on Thursday (5 October 2006).

A family picture taken by the beach 

Jia Wen after a dip in the pool. 

We were living amongst such monkeys. 

We stayed at these chalets. 

Did anyone see this in The Star newspaper on Friday? We were entertained by this pilot whom sang and proposed to his girlfriend (the girl on far left) on board our flight. 

I'm leaving, on a jetplane, don't konw when I'll be back again... (notice Jia Wen's trolley bag) 

3.45 PM 

2.38.30 PM 

2.38 PM 

This picture was taken at 2.36 PM (before we started the journey) 

Jia Wen & Ah Kong. 

Jia Wen & Daddy. 

Jia Wen & Ah Ma. 

See, I have so many lanterns! 

Admiring the lanterns. 

Unlike other kids, Jia Wen preferred to play her lanterns in the house! 

Enjoying a good time with Daddy and Grandma. 

Jia Wen's lanterns.

Lovey-Dovey 

Cheese! 

Jia Wen singing for her GREAT grandparents 

Jia Wen's GREAT grandparents celebrated their 60th marriage anniversary over the weekend. 

Me and her again. 

Cheese! 

Jia Wen & Mummy 

We were at MPH recently and managed to catch a few pics of Jia Wen enjoying a book. 

Another Sleepless Night

I think Jia Wen has made her mission in life - to kill me (and Shien Wei) and she isn't doing it silently.

Last night was by far the toughest night we've had. Jia Wen woke up and cried at the door countless of times - there must have been more than 20 times and it really got to us especially Shien Wei. Guess what time all 3 of us finally got to sleep? Jia Wen finally stopped at nearly 4 AM and that was after Shien Wei and I gave up and let her cry and she finally gave in to her fatigue. Imagine, she didn't sleep a wink since she went to bed at 8.30 PM!

We tried all methods we knew last night - being extra nice, be nice, be stern, be firm, be harsh, be loud, etc. We tried it all and we stood steadfast in not letting her into our room as it would mean giving into her and it would mean that she would have won the battle even though we had get in and out of bed and walk in and out of our room to her room.

Of course Shien Wei and I are zombies at the moment and so is Jia Wen. She's also a walking zombie with swollen eyes - crying + sleep deprivation. It is amazing how "cheerful" she was when I woke up this morning and how she is still full of energy although on the way to school, she was already started to be cranky. I don't know how is she going to cope class today and how her teachers are going to handle her cranks!

I don't know how well I would be able to stay awake for the day - I have so much to do before we leave for Langkawi this Thursday. Packing, cleaning, laundry, etc... plus my back started to ache quite bad yesterday, even breathing hurts. Well, at least I am looking forward to a short break in Langkawi. Sighs!

Szue Fei is feeling like a zombie.