Friday, March 6, 2009

healthy health and being chicken

OK OK OK, I can practically hear the comments... When she blogs she puts on a few blogs at one go and then she will disappear for a period. Well that's me when it comes it pours. ha ha ha.
February sees me giving attention to my health.
Started with my blood test and ultrasound of my womb(do you know it is torture having a full bladder and having the radiologist pressing on your abdomen?) followed by the face to face with my physician and the gynaecologist. That accounts for 4 trips to UH.Result.. Cholesterol is slightly over the border( doctor thinks it is due to CNY and I believe so too with all the oysters, scallops, prawns and all the rich food). Action... on the treadmill everyday for approximately 1.5 to 2.5 km over a period of 20 to 30 minutes. Hope to increase as the days go by.
Next 3 fibroid are seen and a new procedure (introduced to M'sia for the first time in January 2009) is recommended. Forget the medical term. I need to be lying face down, still, fully conscious for 3 hours. Ultrasound will be used to kill the 3 little bumps and then I get to go home. Simple non invasive, safe blah blah blah.says the Doctor. Yes I agree but lying still for 3 hours? I wish I could be fully sedated!
Finally went for my dreaded dentist visit and had one filling done and a spare denture. I have a dentist who is so caring, soft spoken, patient, gentle, understanding( he has to listen to my expression of fear every time I visit him and he still assures me and calm me down as if I am a 5 year old ) Thank you Dr, Mak.
All that done, time to look into the finance since hoping daddy will retire at 55, planning financial freedom and hoping for enough porridge to last us through. A good reason to be slim and fit as we approaches ooooooold age.
Not forgetting beloved LL's wedding in May. Shopping for presents, clothing again and welcoming a nephew-in law to the family.
Cheerio.

Year of the OX

End of January marks the beginning of the year of the ox. As usual the cny was celebrated with angpows baking, cooking, shopping, angpows and eating not forgetting the meeting of all friends and all family members.

Baking............ ahhhhh. together with Au, we added a few new recipes to our cookies collection. The macadamia chocolate was a hot favourite (even uncle fit fit who normally does not take cookies love it.) Next was the sesame which was also a hit. The rest was the normal peanut (JH love it so much that he requested for a carton when he flies off to England!!!), the melt in the mouth butter cookies, coconut cornflake raisins, and the cheese sticks which was another favourite of JH. It is nice to be baking and finds so many enjoying them.I always wonder when will the kids grew out of the cookies craze at which time I hope I have grandchildren to bake for.

Cooking cny's special dishes is always daddy's love. I will do the suggestion and talking and he will hold the wok and presents the dishes. His favourite is our prosperity pot and the vegetarian on the first day.This year Au broke the vegetarians part before midday as she casually comes down stairs and plop a cookie into her month!

Shopping for new clothes is always a hassle not because we don't like shopping or that we don't know what to buy. Rather every member of the family will complain that the wardrobe is filled to the brine and can't put in another outfit. Daddy will always try to pass his down to free some place thus resulting in the boys resisting anything more than one t-shirt. One would think that the simple solution is just to get them to donate or to give away some old clothing.Unfortunately, the children can't accept that and I have been baned from their cupboards. In their words,those are ours and not for you to throw.Well, who ask you to request for thrifty kids?

CNy is also the season for reunions and along with it feasting. This year we had 2 dinners at The Gardens (his group and mine), one tim sum brunch and course dinner at, Kepong and at the Desa Waterpark.Lucky CNY comes but once a year. itself 12 months is not enough to work off all the extra calories!

Not forgetting are the visits from my ex students.The phone calls came non end and the groups gathered all through the 15 days. IT is nice to catch up on their activities for the year and cute to realise that many are in their 3os and 40s. Boy am I old or not!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

2 Special Ladies

There were 2 ladies in my life that I would like to pay tribute to. Our encounter was brief but they left an everlasting impression.
In the year 1979 when I first step into a rural school to take up my first posting, I got to meet with JL. She was a thin willowy lady with such burst of energy. She laugh and talk direct from her heart and of course that do not go down well with some. But to me, she was the lady who took me under her care, picking me and sending me home. I was that 21 year old ignorant new teacher. In the 7 miles journey thro and fro school everyday, I got to know the sad side of her life. A child who was dying and under the care of parents miles away. When the child did die, she spend minimum time away and came back telling me that she will always love him and he will always be that special first born to her. That was the only 5 minutes I saw her crying. Years later during one of my early meetings as a HEM, I met up with her again.Without a hesitation, she (being a HEM much earlier)took me in and was there to advise and help.I actually remembered her bringing me back to her home to take an afternoon nap in her daughter's room during the meeting and making me refresh myself, towels and soap provided.I remember her for the direct and sincere care she show without any second thoughts.She appear out of the blue and disappear in the same manner but the short time we had presented me with such lasting appreciation of her care. God bless u JL where ever you are. I didn't get to say it then but thanks for all that you shared and gave.

PS. In my second year of teaching, I was relocated to BB (supposing a better urban school) New to the staff room, I was seated in front of PS, 12 years my senior but a history teacher who loved her job. She was a mentor and taught me how to show and accept praise gracefully, how to differentiate envy and jealousy, how to be a graceful lady.She make sure others know the dedication I show to the profession. She shared her precious recipes (she love cooking) and I learn so much about cooking and baking from her.She even had a party for me when I got registered. Again she was someone who gave with no mention of getting back. I naturally became her little sister. Again I didn't get the chance to say Thank You before she goes off my life.My sincere thanks and may you receive as much blessing as you have given me wherever you are.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

DEcember 2008

Wow, year end has been busy especially the month of December. It was fun and loving spending time with Au cooking, baking, clearing up stuff not forgetting watching Chinese serial shows.Because of the melamine scare in biscuits found on supermarket shelves, we have resorted to baking cookies for Ed. and of course that means cookies for the family too. Tried out a number of new recipes and it was good cuz a 60+ year old man (who doesn't eat biscuits ) like them That was good enough for me.
Of course not forgetting new cakes and pies and new recipes for pasta. For Christmas, we served seafood pasta with baked chicken and Shepherd's pie, mummy style.
It was tiring preparing 2 dinners and breakfast for Seremban weekly but it was fun and it was all worth it.
For Christmas, 3 families, (ours, sis's and YW's) spend 3 days at Avillion PD. Had good food till we had to pack, tried out the luxurious (and expensive) spa, catch up on family happenings, swam, joke and teased.For YW's new son-in-law, he got initiated into the family.For the kids, it was a long time since they had a holiday together.For the adults, it was relaxing. Of course back from PD it was another round of makan carnival until new year eve.
All in all, though we didn't make an oversea family trip this year, it was a good year end get together. The fact that Au had her results before the trip also helped. Even Ed decided to put his medical books aside!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

2009

2008 seem to have pass thro' so fast. Before I know it, it is the new year.
The past year has been quite a year for me personally. Top most on my mind is my second son leaving home for his clinical studies in Seremban. Not far but not next to me either. I believe it has been an eventful year for him too. Physical change, emotional roller coaster and I believe he has either learn to put on a very good show to me OR he has grown up very fast. I believe it is a bit of both.In the new year, I would say a prayer for him to approach life positively whatever it offers. Everything can be overcome.
My little princess too has grown up a lot. She too has got her driving license( which gave her and me a lot of freedom), received 2 major exams results and has demonstrated to be a very strong girl while keeping her feminine side. Although she didn't achieve the best results as she aimed for,I am glad she has tried her best and is ready to move on to the next phase with varsity life. She is independent and I only need to pray that she will continue to be happy and enjoy her new varsity life.
My eldest son is the one child that I always felt I have to be on the alert.At times when I turn morbid and thinks about my death, I always feel that he will be at the top of my mind. Not because I love him most but I always have to pray that God will take care of him and do what I couldn't do for him. He has a very determined character sometime a little bit too strong.He tries very hard and for that I am both grateful and still worried.
My new year resolution is to remind myself to leave or maybe accept things as it is.Some days will be easier than others. Like I said earlier, if I am to die today, I will have to accept Ad as he is, pray that Ed will be strong and Au to find a love that will keep her company.(being the only girl in the family). As for my hubby, He will be OK.He has my blessing to find a new one which I believe he will. With my kids having grown up,there shouldn't be a problem.
With the new year, I think I will be having new thoughts and feelings which I would like to write about as time goes by. I would also like to reflect on good friends who have touched my life.
Happy New Year to one and all.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

reunions

At the first weekend of December there were 2 reunions.
First was by the year of 1985 BBBs old boys. Was invited and attended after some reservations.To tell the truth, couldn't remember anyone before the day but glad I went with SH. Gave us a rousing welcome. More important, began to recollect and recognise quite a few of the boys. Some other teachers were there too so it was a good night.
Second one involved the UM group of 1979 batch of Bsc with Ed graduates. Didn't attend cuz it was held in Penang. Organiser was a bit irritated with non attendance.
Point to note for both the events. It isn't easy to get attendance. There are those who agree but don't turn up and generally, most people are cautious about meeting up with old friends. So a point to note. Don't expect too much. It is hard work,and you won't get much thanks but just do it as you want to and that's it.

Friday, December 5, 2008

last week of november


Month of november has been a busy month for my 6th form kids at the tuition class.

I have 6 lovely kids for physics tuition and after coaching them for one and a half years, we peak with double the number of lessons in the last month. Well, hope they do well and thanks you kids for giving me the challenge. Hope to see satisfying results in February.