Welcome!

             

Here, you’ll find a chronicle of thoughts and vignettes from our life.   This blog reflects mainly the things happening in our lives at home and everywhere else – things that touch or interest me (or us) at any particular time - from the topics of motherhood, being parents, parenting, kids to thoughts, tales, simply things! You will most definitely see blogs about our son Ian,   Otherwise, you’d find rants that happen to meander into my head – nothing too serious tho!   Whatever it is, I think blogging is interesting; it motivates me to express what I think in a meaningful way.

Read on and feel free to post a comment or two.//cheers   

//mmj                                                                          

fruit-picking again

Despite  the  attempt to stay home and complete some stacks of unfinished business, we were out the whole day.  We went fruit-picking again, brought back lots of  Langsat!  We had a great time despite the heavy rain on the other side of the hills!  We started out before noon with such humid weather.  As we got nearer to my parents’ house(on the road for less than 3 minutes), rain started pouring down real heavily -  that felt weird!

Late last night, I received a shocking news  that one of our office staff was on  board a boat whch capsized in bad weather yesterday evening.  He and some family members were on their way to Pulau Banggi for the Aidiladha. As I type this, about 12 people have not yet been found; 3 have died. Not a good news at all, I just hope they woud be found soon.

Ian was chatty today – telling Mom and Dad stories about his friends, school, cartoon characters etc.  He had fun getting his  hands and feet on the mud, no use refraining him as it would just spoil the fun -as we already know,  kids  learn a great deal more through these hands-on activities than the formal lessons on reading and counting.  I’ve learnt not to mind the mess:)   On the way back, he asked if he was happy today!  He was.  He didn’t have to get Optimus Prime’s help after all as the proposed project in the kampung has been halted — .  Apparently, too many unhappy folks opposed to the plan!   

cashless

It’s 5.30am friday and a holiday. Long weekend ahead,  simply wonderful!  I’ve actually been awake since 4.30am, enjoying the quietness and undisturbed wee hours of the morning. I think many people have found that the early morning is the best time to reflect, scribble, or write – I can totally relate to this group! 

Yesterday, Ian and I dropped by the gas station kiosk on the way home to refill my empty wallet!  I only had some coins left!   “This machine is not currently in switch mode”, it indicated something like that.  In simple language, the machine could not dispense any notes!   And…  there was Ian with  “potato chips” in his hand. I had to asked him to put it back on the shelf.  Some minutes of explanations, persuasions, and so much hesitations, he finally did.  He  appeared as if he was going to make a scene, but TG did not.  Small place, rather packed at that time…geeez … it woudn’t have been a pleasant scene.  Getting him to put back things he was already holding took quite an effort!     

Here’s wishing  friends and those who stumble upon this blog, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha.  No particular activities are in placed to enjoy the long weekend. But random activities can be quite rewarding sometimes. Probaby go out and take some pictures, havent done this in a while.

another quiet sunday

Sunday  Two sundays ago, I walked  into the wrong classroom and confidently defended my ‘territory”. The crowd who were already seated  left politely but with puzzled looks on their faces.  As they were leaving, I overheard one telling another that probaby there was a last minute change of room. They being there puzzled me too but I simply disregarded the notion! I was  that confident!  That sure was one embarassing moment as I had to do what I had to upon realizing my mistake! 

So, this morning, I woke up early. I made sure I was clear-headed!  I made sure I got in the right room!  My last sessions turned out good, today was not a bad day at all.  I took a deep sigh of relief  – no more waking up early on Sundays, no more staying late to get things done.  At least not for a while perhaps.

If the phone didnt ring, I would have continued napping.  As usual, Mom called asking if I have news from everyone. The truth is I don’t, not always. Everyone is busy getting on with life, sometimes it’s just understandable if we don’t hear from each other, sometimes for a month or two, sometimes longer!.  The holiday season is fast approaching – Josie and Tony would be home for christmas they say. Mom and Dad are excited, they would soon see their grandchildren again.  Kids are such heaven’s blessings – they just know how to make our day!   Yesterday, Ian asked me a very interesting question.  He asked how long it takes to reach the outer space!  I gave a reasonable answer and asked why he wanted to know to which he replied, “because I want to go there to meet Optimus Prime! I want to ask Optimus him to go to Papa and help chase all the bad people”.   I asked, “which bad people?”  ” Th ones  in the goxxxxxxt who are going to building the dam and make the kampung smelly”.  Ooops  he remembered “the details”.  He asked about this proposed project over and again when he heard Dad mentioned them about two weeks ago.  See how kids process details. First, they listen; ask lots of questions.  Then, they ‘revitalize’ them; finally, put them ‘in action’. I had a good laugh listening to him tho! Really should be careful with things we say to kids.

Note: 1. “kampung” is a Malay word for “village”. 2.He was refering to the ”proposed water treatment plant” when he mentioned “smelly” .

Updated post

what’s with veggies

Wednesday   Daniel went fishing this past weekend; came back with plenty of catch. It was raining heavily hours before their boat finally docked in but amazingly, Daniel mentioned,  not a single raindrop at sea!!  We’re still getting so much rain, mostly towards the evening.  We normally have experience this type of weather around this time of the year anyway.  

This week started out ok. Yesterday, Ian’s class teacher handed me his January school fees and class schedules. Quite a number of extra curricular classes he can choose from.  One class which caught my attention is Abacus Mental Arithmetic but not sure if he’s ready for it.  Will let him attend the trial class this week.   

Ian has this thing about veggies.  Except for broccoli and certain types. he wouldn’t take them. What about your kids?  He said this when I picked him up today, “Mom, I vomited two times just now because of the veggie lah”.  Some articles suggested the need to introduce and encourage this food real early in life so kids will love them.  I’m not sure if this is backed by any research tho. I do, however, personally  know some kids who never liked veggies as a child and now loving them.  I don’t quite understand nor do I know how to explain it, but it seems like they just eventually liked them! 

Note:  I have Sarah Brightman’s music in the background.  Love her angelic  voice! Favorites:  ”In the Bleak Midwinter” and  ”I’ve Been This Way Before”. Recommended listening time: late evening

camping area

It’s friday again.  Today felt ’short’ but that’s probably so because it’s simply friday and lunch hour starts at 11.30am! Slowly and steadily, I managed to complete half of the tedious tasks by noon, there are stacks at home, still waiting! But first thing first. Yes, I wondered if I should do the same cycle next year?

Just got back from KK Adventure Park, was supposed to camp there but changed mind at the very last minute.  So after dinner, I headed home.  The group sounded excited - eagerly waiting for their next round of fun  activity – treasure hunt at night!   The park was fairly crowded,  and generally felt safe.  This is the first time that I’ve been to this place; surprised me how interestingly near this place is,  just a mere 20-25minutes drive from home!  Hop over to KK Adventure Park to find out other things you can do there.  The beach buggies and quad bikes looked fun!  

Related post:  Wanna join me for indoor camping?

that one perfect moment

Wednesday I wonder. Have you ever exprienced a perfect moment in your life? You know, like things just fall into place – as you want it, exactly?

I’m not sure if this corner is still my favorite corner in our home. I don’t spend time here as much as I used to when we first moved back in.  Some time back, I remember sitting at this corner feeling just right, in other words, perfect.  Mid-day, no music or TV turned on, it  was one quiet afternoon.  From where I waas sitting, I saw my neighbor preparing something in his kitchen, possibly lunch but was making minimal noise. The stacks of laundered garments to be folded sitting next to me was not a bother. The moment was magical in a sense that at that very instant, the feeling was just right – the right level of noise coming in from the neighborhood, the right level of quietness from within and outside, the weather was perfect – not humid and stuffy as how it could get sometimes. It was just a harmonious surrounding. My mind was so relaxed as I closed my eyes,  so much so that it brought me …. to places I would love to visit and re-visit, cultures I would love to comprehend, people I would love to interact, lifestyle I would love to discover, things I would love to do and enjoy…

I liked what and where that  magical moment experience brought me - such harmonious feelings.

Note:  Picture by Andreas Manessinger

false alarm

Tuesday   It rained today.  Some states in the country have been badly affected by flash floods after intermittent rain showers over the past days, forcing the evacuation of people in some areas. Sometime last week, I mentioned to Ian that I love the rain because it basically “give” us life,  but not too much of it.  He asked why not.  I shared some facts and showed him some pictures of flooded districts around the country and in other countries too - with people sitting on rooftops waiting to be rescued and so forth.  He was quiet. I think he was trying to make sense of what I had said and what he saw in the pictures. In other words, he was trying to comprehend the situation.  Some days later, he asked his Dad, “Mom doesn’t like rain.  Why?” I hope rain showers for days which caused flooding like this, in any country, will not persist.  Some sources have cited the climate change as the culprit.  But other factors need to be seriously considered especially drainage systems and rapid developments; these probably are the bigger culprits!

the false alarm of some sort This morning, as I was preparing to listen to students’ presentations, my cellphone rang. It was Ian’s class teacher calling to inform that Ian was not well, complained of tummy pain and has been crying.  She put Ian on the phone.  Still crying, he said, “Hello… Mom…my tummy is very painful. I want to go home”. Still thinking what could have happened, I said, “Daddy will pick you up, just wait there”.  “Okay, I will wait here”, he replied, with increasingly loud sobs.  “He just wanted to pass motion”,Daniel got back to me some 40 minutes later. My guess is he has never before experienced, at school,  tummy pain and feeling of wanting to pass motion at the same time.  I gue…sss he wasn’t comfortable communicating to his teacher the need of wanting to do his business at home, a place where he is comfortable the most – his territory.

Side note: I used to hear some grandma stories that when a child becomes sick, this basically indicates that he or she is going thru another milestone in his /her life.  Many actually believe this.   I’m not sure.

sunday reflection

Sunday It’s 9.20pm, and I have this sudden urge – of wanting to write a lenghty post!

Nothing had planned for today as I know I’d surely be all tired if not semi-tired after the morning tutorial sessions.  After a tiring day, I always yearn for some quiet moments to re-energize; works wonders for me! When I reached home this afternoon, the house was quiet – the rest were apparently out grocery shopping - a normal sunday routine. I procrastinated a couple of things – especially taking care of the laundry! Instead, took a nap – my hour or so nap felt like heaven! I recalled the same after-nap heavenly-feelings during my first trimester years ago – you know those feelings whereby nap is just not enough –  you need sleep instead and  boy! how you feel so good afterwards!  (no, I’m not pregnant!) This recollection got me thinking about the reasons I blog as my blogging experience actually really started around this time too.

I seriously started to blog in 2005, that was a little over four years ago.  I recalled we had just recently decided to have someone joined us to share our life! What happened was Daniel came home one day and said, “I know someone bla bla bla ….. It’s a baby boy.”  Clouded with so many questionss,  we discussed the possibility of adoption. Let me not get into details on this but the idea of recording precious moments was elating.  Scrapbooks, baby book and the like all came mind; not so much of blogging, not until later.  

Well, the adoption didn’t happen as the mother of the child changed her mind  but the blogging continued!!  It wasn’t long after this that we found out we were expecting Ian!  Blessings in disguise!  My world suddenly seemed new and fresh, and still is in so many ways.  How things have changed and evolved in these four years… how short the four years seemed.

When I started this blog, I actually had no idea where it would lead me or if I would actually keep on blogging.  I didnt have any subject of particular interest to religiously blog  – blogging was merely about recording daily happenings and meant for, me us, Ian, family members, or friends to read.  I know my sister reads what I blog!  Over time, I have made an effort to be more engaged in complementing posts with pictures.  The pictures are all part and parcel of our life, it pretty much tell more or less me as a person and us, as a family.  I love the fact that I’m able to share that moment with someone else – as in whoever reads this blog.  Other than that, I honestly don’t know who else reads this blog but I know you are there.

A couple of days ago, I read on some online forums) about blogs becoming obsolete in the future.  My piece of opinion about this is blogs or blogging will not become obsolete as long as there are still people who love sharing and writing   

Hope your weekend was wonderful!