Blog talking

Without realising it, I have been blogging for 7 years now. I never knew that blogsphere was that big that time, as I were initially planned to pen down my personal thoughts on my favourite stuff in my blog. Little did I know that I enjoyed blogging and still blog till this day. 

Back then, I remember tags and awards were very popular and everyone was doing it. And then someone started to do meme and got others to link along.

7 years sound long but that ain't make me a blog expert. I am like others, humbly call myself a "blogger". Thoughout the years, I learnt, as I went along.  Experimented with new setting and layout, props and tools.  I did not really like my blog layout when I started it, but slowly, I made changes here and there.  Still not the best blog layout, but for the time being, I am pretty comfortable with what I have here. 

Along the way, I get to know friends who shared the same blogging interests and passions.  It was a joy to know everyone of you through blogsphere.  We may not meet in person, but it just feels like I know you guys that long and we shared and been through a lot.

Now, if you do not mind to share with me, "If you could go back in time before you started your blog, what would you advise your former self on blog?" *wink* Interesting question?? Everyone is welcomed to comment and share your thoughts. I would love to read them.

Lastly, I would like to wish my blog a "Happy 7th birthday!"  We have been through a lot together. You are not perfect, but you are mine no matter what. I love you!

Currently

Ain't I glad that weekend is finally here!!! 

Have a quick snap of both kids at home before we went for an early home-cooked dinner at my parents' house. And I did window shopping and book browsing in Hills today but no, I gone home empty-handed. No luck this time.

Got to go. Going to fetch hubby and Jay from the airport later.

Happy weekend, guys! It is the last weekend of the month. So you know, what it means? DECEMBER!!

Miscellaneous Picture # 30: round and red

A very short post today.

Taken this photo a month back in Sibu. Saw this little plant in the backyard with round fruits. Like berries but I don't think it is.

Introducing my new plant craze! Thought this red radish was cute so I put water in a glass bowl and dip it in last week. And guess what? It grows roots and leaves!!

So next time you drop by my house and see a couple of pots with red radishes in them, please do not be surprised. ^^

In the beginning

It is hard not to think about our days in Sibu and not missing it a bit.

Missed my sil and her hubby who have been helpful during our stay there. Missed my cousin sis who I were able to meet a couple of times there.

Not forgetting the charming Mr Suituapui who is gracefully acted as my breakfast date on couples of times and as my directory when ever I need help or idea on where to go. Oh yes, thank you STP for the thoughtful farewell gifts. You are very sweet and I am glad to meet up with you in person.

Thank you once again, STP!

Of course I missed those lazy days, some nice and some quirky people I got to know; and great places and food that I have been to and tasted!

But life goes on....since more than a week ago.

For the past one week, I were busy settling ourselves down that I did not have much time to go online. Too many unpacking, re-arranging our stuff and settling everyone at home. Some boxes still left untouched. Maybe better leave it that way. ^^

Some more Jamie and I were not feeling well since moved back. Allergic reaction and caused dry cough. Jamie also develop some skin rashes on his face, legs and arms. We both went to see doctor on Friday morning. I am fine now but Jamie is still recovering from cough; and he contacted flu bugs yesterday. So a little cranky on his part but he is adjusting fine now. No more crying pot whenever I am out of his sight.  And he is getting along with my parents too so I have "baby sitters" to carry him whenever we went out together.

As for updating, it is quicker and easier to upload photos and updates in Facebook than sitting down in front of pc drafting a blog post. And the only peaceful time I can do that would be once the kids have fallen asleep. I think I would do that more from now on.

I still blog-hopping and leaving comments but have not have times to gather my thoughts and put them into words. Hopefully to find times to update and blog more. I find writing to be therapeutic and de-stressing. I missed writing over here. *wink*

It is tiring and testing period for me to take care of the kids full time without hubby or help around. But I am happy that the kids are around. They meant a world to me.

It is school holiday some more so basically I am stuck with my kids. Fortunate for me, Jay has gone for a short holiday in hometown and be back this weekend. Not so miserable with Jan and Jamie with me as Jan can be independent and help me around. It is wonderful to have a girl as a big sister. Reminded me of how I were when I were the big sister to my siblings.

I am so look forward to the weekend. Hubby is flying back for a weekend break. Jay is coming back too. Missing them. 

Spent our Saturday

I were whatapps-ing with hubby on Saturday morning and I were surprised that he replied me back as it was just a little before 7am that day. Thought he would sleep through the Saturday morning in his hotel room in Miri but he told me he needed to do some paperwork so need to get up early and get done fast. 

After have few rounds of whatsapp-ing, I brought the kids to the nearby shop for breakfast. It was around 730am so it was not packed (which I like the best). Our noodles came in less than 5 minutes wait.

Jan has her usual bowl of kolo mee which came with mince meat and charsiew. I had its seafood noodle. Very fresh prawns and crispy deep fried fish fillets. I do not mind to have more of these prawns and fillets than those sliced meat. Lol.

I also ordered a cheng laksa (all ingredients without mee hoon) to taste. Love it so much!

By the way, I blogged about coffee shop before. I like its deep fried fish soup very much.

We stayed at home in the afternoon as the sun was very warm. Good day for laundry. That was what I did!!

School holiday is here so it means I need to crack my beautiful head to entertain my kids. Bring them here and there, let them relax and de-stress and venture into something fun.

So in the evening, we went to this building which open for business early this year, Megalanes Adventure World for a game of bowling and dinner with my parents, and sis.

Only me, Jan and my sis played. "Cuci longkang" more but at least we get to do some exercises right? Fingers exercise! ^^

We had dinner on the floor above the bowling alley thereafter. The Redpin Restaurant serves Indonesian and Western cuisine.

I ordered chicken chop set that comes with drink and soup (RM20). Reasonable price, I think.

My chicken chop that has separate black pepper sauce for you to dip or pour onto your chop!

Creamy mushroom with garlic bread

Big glass of Iced Ribena Sprite

Sis had its prawn pasta (RM17) which was tasty and well cooked.

Jan as usual, had fish and chips for RM15. Rather dry, I think.

My dad and mum each ordered ayam penyet rice (RM9.00 each). The chicken was not too dry but I thought the chilli dipping was good. Very spicy!

With full tummies, we headed home. My sis spent a Saturday night sleepover with us. Great to have her around. And she and I had a nice chit chat in the bed like the old days when we would hid in our blankets and talk. ^^

From Sibu

Officially school holiday starting tomorrow in Malaysia but my kids are taking a week early because of a wedding and moving back here. So my girl kind of missed out on this week's activities in her school but we got my sil to help in that matter. She went to collect some of Jan's stuff this morning.

Today is the last day of school so it was the last school assembly held. The principal presented some trophies to the best students and one of the award goes to Jan. 

She took part in an English story competition last month and won 1st prize in her category! 

Her Primary 3 textbooks to be brought over to new school here.

And not forgetting her report book. Well done, Jan for the good marks. Happy that she has improved her Chinese subject.

Just this morning Jan told me that she could not wait to go back to her previous school in Kuching. Counting down to 6 weeks time. Lol. School holiday is just starting and she could not wait to go back to school??

Barks N Meows

These photos were taken last month in Sibu on a morning when sending Jay to his kindergarden. Noticed at the side of the road, a dog was barking at 2 cats. At first, all three were looking at each other and then the dog started to bark. The cats stayed put and purred at the dog. Could not help but took shots of them as we watched for a minute or so on the animals.

Eventually the cats left and the dog stopped barking. Maybe the dog was claiming his territory and asked the cats to go away.

I do not have pets at home but I do love dogs and cats. I grew up loving dogs more as my mum keeps few dogs around the house. Cats, I adore them as I used to play with my grandma's cats when visiting her almost every weekend.

Maybe when the kids are bigger, I can keep a pet at home. Probably a cat as easier to take care of. 

Jamie really loves dogs. He does not even afraid of my mum's dog.

For now I let my kids enjoy the company of my mum's pets when we visiting her. Introducing Mimi or we nickname her "Ah Pui" for the obvious reason. She is a darling when around children.

Still going

Hi guys! A quick update while Jamie busy playing and do not disturb me. ^^

Time really like ticking very fast this few days. Firstly helping out with a cousin's wedding on Sunday. It was a simple ceremony with Hakka tea ceremony, Registrar representative visited and officiate the marriage signing ceremony.

First time I witnessed a marriage cert signing in a house. Something new and a trend, maybe?

At night we went for the wedding reception in Grand Margherita. I always love to attend wedding dinner. Firstly get to dress up for the occasion, secondly when it comes to family affair, we get to catch up with other relatives. And I also look forward to the wedding guest gifts. Isn't the pair of salt shakers lovely and creative as a gift??

 Yesterday before dropped Jay to the airport (yes, he has gone back to hometown with the grandparents), we went to Sin Chong Choon for breakfast. I ordered a big glass of its teh c peng special to go with my kolo mee. Oh boy. I shouldn't drank this big glass so early in the morning. Caused stomach upset the whole afternoon and evening and luckily everyone was tired that we slept before 9pm last night.

Btw, before I came back, I developed a pretty serious mouth ulcer. Not one but 3 or 4 of them! Ouch! So uncomfortable. Must be the past weeks' activities coupled with lack of sleep and not enough fluid. Luckily they are getting better today. The past few days I have been continuously spraying the compound watermelon frost onto the ulcers!! 

This morning, gone to settle my girl's school transfer. These are some records and student files to be passed to new school. 

We went to the Padawan administrative office for issuance of an approval letter and then we gone to the school. Bumped into the old class teacher. So we had a quick chat with the teacher and my girl will be placed back to his charge. Need to go back to school for registration and fees on 29th next month.

We did not do much at home. Pack and arrange a bit here and there. Jamie is adjusting but he is super clingy and a crying baby more as I cannot leave the car for a second. Poor kid. Hopefully he will get better as we go along. 

Go solo

Tomorrow is a new milestone for me! Hubby is flying to Miri to work, leaving me with the kids in Kuching. For the first time since I become a full time sahm, I am going to be solo parenting my 3 children. No extra help, and hubby will not be around most of the times. 

Solo parenting. Not a new term around parenthood world. Solo parents, are not the same as single parents although both go single-handed without partners. Solo parenting can be overwhelmingly exhausted as no breaks and all parenting and decision lie down to one parent. 

Am I nervous, you ask?  Of course I am. I have never been alone with all 3 children for more than a day. I have nanny to look after the youngest one while once a while my sil helped with the older kids.

Of course I have my parents around but cannot expect them to help most of the times. They stay pretty far from my house.

So I am trying to train my 2 older kids to help to look after the youngest one. Wish me luck on that!

Going home + transition begins

We are going back to Kuching tomorrow. A cousin is getting married this Sunday so we move back instead of later date.

We have stayed in Sibu for a year and 4 months and 15 days, and one cannot imagine how one can accumulate so much stuff! 

My car was packed with stuff!

Too much house cleaning and packing for past few days till I have blisters on my palms! Ouch! My dearest hubby even has the heart to tease me. Said I seldom do so much house chores till I could get blisters on my palms! Damn! I did all the cleaning, mopping, packing and moving while he did nothing! Must be the new mop that I used last week in Kuching. Should wear gloves but did not think about it, too much to do. ^^

This week has been on nothing but packing and stuffing my car to be shipped back to Kuching. Astro contractor has dismantled the dish and decoder so I can bring back to Kuching and get the Kuching contractor to connect it back.

Regardless of our conundrum, we have decided this is the best for the kids. I am happy that we are finally going home, although hubby will be stationed in Miri and travelling a lot in the central region of Borneo. We probably be seeing him once a month when he is back for meeting or taking a leave. Just hope one day he will be able to transfer back to Kuching. Hope that day would not be long.

For now, I will be busy with settling ourselves down and making everyone comfortable with the new transition especially little Jamie.

Okay, I shall update when we are in Kuching. Need to get ready for Jay's graduation concert which is starting at 7pm this evening. No, he is in K1 and another year before he is officially graduated from kindergarden. Jay has few stage performances to perform tonight. Got the kids to nap otherwise it would be so tiring as I remember how late the concert finished last year.

Have a great weekend, guys!

Miscellaneous Picture #29: Beautiful monster

Hard to spot nowadays!

Lucky us (kids and I) when we spotted this reptile on the road on afternoon.

Couldn't get a nearer shot as it ran quickly to the drain as our car approached nearer.

Chinese called this reptile "4-legged snake". What is its proper name in English? My girl asked me and I were not too sure but I told her it was a monitor lizard. ^^

All in the pigeon's holes

This was one of the things I did last weekend in Kuching. Cleaning and sorting out my shawls and scarves. I did not realised I have so many of them till I sort them out accordingly.

I bought this storage compartment a year ago and never used it till now. Supposed to keep hubby's ties but he has his own storage drawers for them. I think it fits my shawls and scarves well. ^^

We also set up this playpen for Jamie. A good place to keep him in case of anything. He does not like to be "caged" now but sometimes it is necessary to keep him safe than let him roaming around the house when I am occupied with something.

By the way, I have 2 of these Bumble Bee playpen. Want to let go one of them. Very new. Supposed to have 1 in baby sitter and 1 at home but we did not use it at all in baby sitter's as she thought it was unnecessary. So we only set up one at home but Jamie hardly used it. Only used for first 3 months and then he did not want to go in there.

Anyone interested to buy? RM200 including mattress. 

The old school

No. I am not talking about my old school or anything close to that topic. Going to talk about good food today.

When I used to work in my very 1st employment in the city centre back in early 2000, my colleagues and I used to eat at this corner coffee shop called Huan Loke Cafe (next to Tun Jugah Mall). This family-operated coffee shop serves good authentic Sarawak kolo mee and chicken rice. I had my breakfasts and lunches there for almost 9 years till everyone in the coffee shop knows my name and preferences.

Last Sunday, when hubby and I were on a short break in Kuching, we went back to this old coffee shop for brunch.

Of course the guys there recognised both of us! It felt nostalgia to go back and ate there. I even bumped into an old customer of mine there.

The guys are friendly and down-to-earth but they have their own weird work ethic. We got to be patient and wait for our food to come to our table.

Yes, the old school style of Sarawak kolo mee. I asked for the straight noodle and add red char siew oil. Looks good, right?

Hubby also requested for the straight noodle instead of the curly type but he asked for chopped chicken meat instead of char siew. Not bad too.

And we shared a bowl of delicious kiaw (dumpling) soup. That is how we call "pian sip" in Kuching. Kiaw in Hokkien dialect.

After we were done, we have a little walk at the same row of shops, glancing through old cameras display in Great Wall Studio and noticed at the end of the shop we have a new outlet. A self-service laundry centre. I understand this is the 2nd so-called outlet in Kuching after the 1st one in Main Bazaar.

Then we went to Foochow road to buy some sio pau (oven-baked char siew buns) in Hong Kong Puff Co to bring back to Sibu. These delicious darlings just came out from the oven!

Then we went home, did some house chores before took an evening flight back to Sibu to the arms of my children. ^^

Weekend escape

Hello! Did anyone miss me? Lol! I think no one realised that I have gone for a day or so and hardly blog-hopping over the weekend. So what did I do for the past 2 days?

Together with my dearest hubby, we flew back to Kuching on Friday night. 

We had a wedding reception to attend on Saturday night. It was a very lovely and grand event.

The ticket-like invitation card

Lovely set up at the entrance

Ice sculpture

Door gifts for guests

It means that I got to dress up for the dinner. And I did something for the very 1st time too! Selfie in a lady washroom before the reception! Lol.

How is this for a start?

Another one

So I took this good opportunity to escape with hubby and leave the kids in the good care of others! Opps! Now I am guilty as charged!

However we did spent our times at home cleaning up and getting everything ready before we bring the kids home this week. Yeap! We are going home this week. I also took out old clothings and passed some to my sil who is pregnant with 3rd baby.

We were supposed to hit the gym and pool but all the chores took much of our times. Or maybe I should say 2 days was not enough to do much!

One of my favourite portraits

And ta-da! My family portrait! We developed 6 different poses in total and this is my favourite! Am happy with the outcome. Kids had been so cooperative during the studio shots in September.

Flew back here last night. A short break with dearest but I am glad we have good times together without the kids. Even married couples need some times together, away from kids once a while. :)