Nightly post

Both hubby and little gal have just tugged sleepily in their respective beds. I will call it a night too myself after this post. Yawn! It was a tiring day at work with nothing less but excitement. The time passed pretty fast today too. I couldn't believe it when it was time to go home at 5pm.

After 2 days of craving for nasi lemak, I managed to got a pack this morning. *laugh* I have gone to the same place 2 days in a row. Much to my disappointment the nasi lemak is not ready for sale yet. I wonder why they are slow as no such problem in the past. It opens at 730am daily and in the past, I reach there around that time and the nasi lemak is freshly packed and out from the kitchen for sales.

Alas! Not wanting to disappoint my colleagues (as I promised them yesterday and today), I drove to another place for nasi lemak. Thank god, the stall opens as yesterday it wasn’t. If cant get from our favourite place, this nasi lemak will do for our craving. Like a friend said “just when you want it, there is nothing for you, but when you don’t want it, it is plentiful” *wink*

Keep blackheads at bay

My face used to be very oily. Friends used to tease me that my face was so oily that I can use the oil to fry an egg. *laugh* I would not hesitate to buy and experiment with any skincare products over-the-counter in departmental stores and even consulted doctor on my problem.

Unfortunately my skin condition did not improve and pores were quite visible from near distance. Nothing cured the occasional “eruption of volcanoes” and get rid of the blackheads. Fortunately few years ago, a friend introduced me to a reputable skincare brand that fit my skin condition. Thank god, everything turns out right. Now my skin complexion is better and blackheads are much at reducing rate. Make up is easier to apply too.

Oily face produces more oil than other skin type, making them prone to breakout and blackheads. I have learnt that forceful squeezing will not get rid of the blackheads and prevent new one from occurring, so the best way to deal with them effectively is to deal with the source of the problem:

(Following tips are taken from Shape magazine, July 2008)

Squeezing and pinching skin with nails or pressing too hard can make things worse
Squeezing and pinching may lead to more infection, or permanent scarring. Try not to touch your skin. To get rid of the blackheads, why not head to the dermatologists or skincare professional?

If you are using makeup, be sure to use formulas that are non-comedogenic and oil free so they wouldn’t block your pores
Always remove your makeup at the end of the day and do not sleep with your make up on. Keep all makeup brushes and sponges clean. If can, dispose used sponges every month to avoid bacteria from accumulate on the sponges. Cleansing tip: Wash your tools with a mild shampoo once a month and let them dry completely before using them again.

Avoid scrubbing with harsh abrasives
Irritating your skin with harsh chemicals can cause inflammation and further damage

Smoking dries out the body both internally and externally
Even if you are recipient of second-hand smoke, it can still cause dehydration

Ask your dermatologist about Retin-A
It is a derivative of Vitamin A. It increases cell turnover and can help prevent clogging and subsequently, blackheads and acne

Consider using salicylic acid, a gentle, organic acid, to exfoliate your skin
It removes dead skin cells on your skin surface and subsequently makes blackheads easier to remove

Movies catching up to do

There are so many summer movies around the cinema now that I can't hardly decide which one to watch. Usually hubby and myself will choose the better rating movies to watch in cinema. Usually those sci-fiction movies with impressive sound effects. Romance movies we will buy DVDs instead. *wink*

I got preview from friends that X-Files movie not so good, but I have yet to watch it. As a die-hard X-Philes, I shall grab a DVD and judge for myself. For now, I am keen to watch some of the available and up-coming movies, such as this Wall-E movies. I think my little gal will enjoy it in cinema.

Oh yeah! The mummy movie returns with Brendan Fraser fighting against the resurrected Chinese emperor. I cant wait to watch this movie as my favourite actors (Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh) are in there!!

An avid fan of Abba, it would be interesting to catch Mamma Mia The Movie starring the handsome Pierce Brosnan (former 007 agent). Never know that he can sing.....hmm

Pictures courtesy of Yahoo!

Beware of Coxsackie

Lately I have been hearing news on children around Kuching with suspected case of contracting Coxsackie virus. I am wondering why the affected nurseries did not close down to prevent further children from getting the diseases as it is infectious. Younger children are receptive to the disease as their immunity is not that properly develop compared to older children and adult.

If you remember, last year there were cases of children death resulted from Coxsackie virus in Sarawak. Some nurseries and schools have to be closed down and total disinfection of the area was conducted.

Coxsackie virus symptoms are similar to hand, foot and mouth diseases. Children will have fever and rashes on the skin. So do not treat it lightly when your children suddenly lose appetite, no energy to play, have mild fever or have HFM symptoms. Bring them immediately to clinic or hospital for check up.

There is still no effective vaccination for the disease yet, but practises proper hygiene is the best weapon against it. Wash your and your children’ hands with disinfectant. Do not bring your children to crowded areas such as shopping malls and playgrounds to minimize chances of contracting the diseases.

Kenapa Serius Sangat?

Didi, thanks for passing me this long tag. It is also your first for passing me one! :) Hahaha! One glance I thought I couldnt possibly finish them all tonight, but luckily it only take me about 15 minutes to sum up all the answers. Don't tell me, am I too serious or what? But I can tell you my answers are nothing but the truth!

1. Where is your cell phone? In my bedroom. I am next room.

2. Your significant other? Hubby? He is still in his office

3. Your hair? Black by nature, a little light brown highlight

4. Your mother? She should be at home right now

5. Your father? Hhmmm, he should already have dinner by now...

6. Your favorite thing? Food, what else

7. Your dream last night? I can’t remember what I dream about. Or did I have a dream at all last night??

8 Your favorite drink? Fruit smoothies

9. Your dream/goal? Financially secure and free from worries.

10. The room you’re in? My sis-in-law’s room

11. Your hobby? Reading, aerobic, sleeping

12. Your fear? Lizard

13. Where do you want to be in 6 year? Sure hope not in Kuching by then

14. What you’re not? A famous writer

15. Muffins? Banana muffins and blackberry muffins

16. One of your wish list items? Hit a jack pot

17. Where you grew up? Kuching ...

18. The last thing you did? Finish my dinner

19. What are you wearing? Office wear (skirt and blouse)

20. Favorite gadget? Handphone

21. Your pets? Don’t have any at the moment

22. Your computer? In my bedroom. Acer brand

23. Your mood? Happy and busy at the same time (try to finish this long tag)

24. Missing someone? Hubby. Wonder what time he is coming back tonight

25. Your car? Toyota Corolla

26. Something you’re not wearing? Earrings

27. Favourite store? Shoes outlet

28. Like someone? Everyone.

29. Your favorite color? I like torquoise

30. When is the last time you laughed? In the office this afternoon when sharing a gossip with colleagues

31. Last time you cried? Hmm, I cant remember. Maybe last week??

Okay now it is time for you to judge my answers...... :)

Passing to anyone that is serious (or not) to try it.

Would you do it if you have to take a jump?

There was this incident happened last year in Kapit when we went back for Christmas. There was one fine afternoon after me and little gal woke up from our afternoon nap.

We slept in the master bedroom on upper floor with a front balcony. You know old houses with spacious balcony where you can dry your laundry there. After woke up from my nap (3pm something), I went to retrieve those dry laundry at the balcony. Suddenly there was a “bang!” Oh god! My own daughter locked me out. The door lock was not in good condition and I totally forget to put a door stopper to prevent it from closing.

So, there I was, standing in short pant and t-shirt under a hot sun. I was shouting and banging the door, hoping that my FIL that sleeping in the living room downstair would hear me. The whole banging last 15 minutes but it felt like ages with me standing, shouting and banging. The problem was no one heard me, as no residents around during that time.

I even consider jumping from the balcony after attempt to attract my FIL’s attention was futile. I did climb out from the balcony but with no shoes on, the roof was very hot for my feet. And when I looked down, it was pretty high and if I jump, I will landed on the hard tiles of the car pouch. If I used the water spout to go down, I was worry about the condition of the spout as it may not hold my weight. It does look like it can break easily. So there again, few minutes passed by with my feet hanging out from the balcony, deciding whether to take the leap or not. I know that if I jump I will hurt or sprain myself but if I did not jump, I don’t know how long I will be there. There were times when I near to tears but I told myself to think of a way to get down instead.

Then, suddenly a neighbour rode in bike passed by. I shouted for his assistance. Luckily there was a ladder in front of the house so he held it to let me down. Of course while climbing down from the roof and down the ladder, I got few scratches but it was a real solace to find someone passing by during that hour. And the funny thing is that, before I knock at the front door, my FIL suddenly opened the door and said “How come you were outside?” I guess he has heard some noise in front of the house by then. Geez! He heard my shouting and banging but thought it was next-door neighbour’s children. So much for his assumption. Pity me for standing outside for so long.

And guess what? When I reached upstair, my little gal was standing on the sofa, peeping through the window looking for me! She did not make any noise or cry, otherwise my FIL or myself would hear her. I was completely overwhelmed with anger and relief. I cannot be angry with her anymore because at the same time, I was happy to see her safe and I was safe too.

That was my true experience. When think of it again, it was pretty funny. How did it happen, and how I climb down from a ladder that hardly tall enough for me to climb down. I never tell anyone else. I totally had forgotten all about it when back to Kuching. Just suddenly came to my mind today while I was chatting with my colleagues on our children progress.

I learnt a lesson too. Never take your children lightly. They may be smart, listening to your instruction but they are unable to differentiate when it is time to listen and when it is not. My little gal always has the habit of closing the door. I instructed her at home so she got very used to close the door when we are out from the bedroom. She did not know the consequences of shutting her mother out in the balcony that fine afternoon as she just get used to close the door then. So, I do not blame her because she simply does not know what is right and what is not.

She keeps them

It is a good thing that I taught my little gal to save money once she knows what coin is. Now every time she saw any coins on the floor or table in the house, she will pick them up and run directly to her room to insert them into her coin box. Now her coin box (EON Bank’s red car) is so full that it is getting heavier. I haven’t got time to take out the coins and change them accordingly.

When ever she visits her aunty in her room, she will search around for any loose change. Her aunty has the habit of keeping her coins in her drawer, so little gal will know where to search for them. Daddy is always full of coins at the end of the day, so she asks from her daddy once he comes back. Once she got the coin, she will keep them in her coin box. Sometimes she will show me and say “Money! Buy sweets!” Don’t ask me why she asks for sweets because I nor her dad bought any sweets for her before. I guess she know that with coins she can buy sweets only, not other stuff. *wink*

She understands the value of money. She knows money is needed to buy things. We ask her does she has money to shop, she will say “No money” while shrugging her shoulders. Then she will start giving excuses to go shopping such as go buy milk, go buy shoes as shoes are spoil, or go buy diapers. Any excuses will do as long as they can make us bring her shopping.

There were one occasion when my parents brought her shopping for new shoes as she keeps complaining to her grandparents that her shoes spoil (actually just the front part of her shoes taken off, only need to glue back). Instead of going to shoes section, she dragged them to the toys section and chosen a diver’s equipment. Her grandpa insisted that she still small and don’t know how to dive, but little gal just shrug off and told her grandpa “Pay money, over there” and pointed to the counter. Oh boy! Kids nowadays are very clever. Not easy to fool them.