The Miracle

14 years ago today, at 11pm, I thought I must have eaten too much Haargen Daz ice cream. Three ice creams after dinner! My stomach is aching so much. What is happening? Dr Goh said you would not be due for another 3 days at least. Must be the ice cream. Too greedy.

You are not due yet. Not now.

Stain. Daddy you ready? I certainly am not. Not ready for the pain. Not ready to be a mummy. Too soon. I am not ready.

Come on settle down.

I need to go to the hospital. Need to take a shower before that. Need to pack. Need to look nice when I greet you. Daddy, you need to drive.

Ouch, that’s quite a kick.

Wow! Why are the nurses not as panicky as us? Come on, mummy having a baby here! Get your *** moving!

Ouch! Take it easy in there.

Gosh! The searing pain. What have I done to deserve this? I am not ready.

I am not ready, are you? You sure?

I was there for the whole night and so was daddy. We waited till the next day. Push! Push! That’s a lot people screaming at me! Hey, I am the one doing the pushing. So, shut up! You think it is so easy! Try it!

Sorry, it has to be this way. It’s the pain. I hope you understand.

After 21 agonizing hours. Ploop! There you go, Mrs Ho? A beautiful baby girl. Scream!

That’s daddy. He is the one who kept saying the word “miracle”, repeatedly. Yes, it’s you – The Miracle.

How thrilled was everyone! So adorable, this screaming baby! You curiously opened your eyes to peep at us and promptly close it back again. Maybe you are wondering what all this commotion was all about and went back to sleep.

Hey, open your eyes, baby… those beautiful eyes.

We named you Jamie. Jamie means love. How apt. We love you to bits. We can’t help but stare at you. This wonderful creature that makes small gurgling sounds. How amazing is that?

It’s mummy, baby. Can you recognize mummy’s voice?

How everyone fussed over you. Look at those tiny hands that are clenched all the time. Boy, do you sleep a lot. There is a lot that I need to learn about this small bundle in my arm.

Would you forgive mummy if mummy makes a mistake?

Hmmm, why do you throw up every time I feed you milk. I cried. What am I to do? This is worrying. Aaah, the doctor said you are lactose intolerant. Have to get you a new brand of milk. There you go, you are now happy.

Mummy is learning, baby. Would you be patient with mummy?

There are so many things for me to discover. I have to catch up. A yawn, does not mean she is sleepy, get it? A sneeze does not mean she has a cold! You had better catch up, woman, she is learning faster that you!

Is that a smile? Hi, to you, too!

Oh, gosh! Your first smile! How excited am I? Look, daddy, she will smile for you too. Just wait. Wait for her to smile. Wait. She will smile when she wakes up. Wait. She will smile when she finishes her milk. Wait. She will smile after her diaper change. Ah, there you go! See I told you she smiled!

You learn to smile and I learn how to be a mummy, deal?

It was the proudest day of our lives. This perfect little creature turned up and our lives are now up side down. Up side down in the most contended way. A beginning of a new chapter.

We will be there every single step of the way when you want us. I promise.

Happy birthday.

I Have The Answer!

I am now convinced why I can’t cope as a mummy. Cos, I am expecting my children to learn from ME!!!

As the old Chinese saying goes, learning does not stop and at age 80 is still not too late.

From today, I will concentrate more on learning from my children.

I shall learn from them and keep an open mind. I shall try and understand their passion and nurture them.

I am MUMMY!

Teenager vs Mummy

Ok. I don’t know how to handle teenagers. How on earth do you do that? What on earth happened? This is a REAL TRIAL FROM GOD.

I am such a failure at that I blame the neighbors, the grandparents, the friends, the teachers and the government but should I be blaming myself?

I kept reading articles on how our kids do not need designer shoes, clothes, cell phones, computers, iPods but is that true?

Is it true that their only need is parental guidance, discipline and love on a daily basis? Question is, how do you give it without seen prying?

Things are going out of control, ain’t it?

How do I toe the line in this society as a mummy?

What if they voluntarily soak up all the bad things and like little sponges and I continue to pretend that I am stupid, act dumb and be ignorant?

I am blaming society on how I view things and how a teen view things.

Raising a child would be the most difficult job I have ever had.

The word concern now has a new meaning – stalking.

The word “ask” is now called desperate.

What happened to LOVE, RESPECT, MANNERS, RULES, RESPONSIBILITY, DISCIPLINE and TRUST?

Only About 1-2 Months Only-ma!

Hiya, there! Long time no see, hor? Yes, I am fine. How about you?

Recent Happenings

We went back to GC (again!) for a fantastic holiday with Rachel tagging along. This time round we did more than usual. Theme park (of course!), forest reserve, went to Brisbane, shopping (went mad and crazy at Quiksilver and Billabong's warehouse) and without saying, CHILL OUT (big time).

As usual, we stayed at Ocean Royale again - front view, sea facing, damm big, fully equipped kinda apartment (so cool, right?). There are two rooms (Daddy and I shared one and the girls took the other). Marky had the TV in the living room and the sofa bed all to himself! There are 2 balconies in the living area and 1 balcony in each room - everywhere you look, blue sea, blue skies, hot bods jogging by the beach, oldies walking, so bliss. What do I have to do to deserve this kinda life, huh? I am saying, EVERYDAY, I want!

Crank up the volume!!!


Influenza H1N1

Marky's school had a few cases and he is staying home - no school for him for don't know how long - self quarantine. He is getting bored and actually want to go to school! How pelik is that? Here, I pray, for all my family and friends to stay healthy, be careful and stay safe.

The Rodwells

How come you only miss people when they aren't around and when they are, you take them for granted. I miss Baby Dylan sooooooo much.

That little heartbreaker better come home soon!

School

Still fighting for Science and Math to be maintain in English! Stupid flip-flop gomen! Those flers, huh - I am really doubtful if they know what they are doing-lor. Kejap ni, kejap tu! Apa masalahnya? Don't only think of the ballot box-la - our children's future are at stake, yo!

We (PAGE MALAYSIA) went for a meeting in SMK Seri Hartamas on Saturday last week and got locked out. All the press came. We were told that we can't have a meeting in the school premise because of "ARAHAN DARI JABATAN". Eh, we are not taking to the streets-la. Just housewives and daddies wanting to discuss our children's future-la. Give us a break, can or not?

Anyway, the press came, right? So, the next day it was all over the papers - and then Muhyiddin who was in Perth says, "Eh! Tak boleh." He said, parents SHOULD be ALLOWED to convene an EGM and apologise on behalf of his over zealous officers. If only all the "over zealous officers" could focus on how to better the education system. I mean, common, have you heard of "over zealous gomen officers" in our country before-ar? Suddenly got! Suddenly they appear! Another pelik incident that I came across (hairannya!).

Rachel!

My baby niece is turning 21! How can? When did this happen! I love this young lady very much. She is a gem. Got her head screwed on properly. Acts like an old lady sometimes, but she is smart, pretty and everything nice :-). I LUP CHEW, my baby!

The KOP comes to ASIA!

Oh, my GOD! It was unbelievable! We were staying at Pan Pac in Singapore, just opposite to their hotel. The moment we reach, dump our bags and went over to try and catch a glimpse of our HEROES.

The stupid security over at Mandarin tried to chase everyone who are not staying in the hotel away. When came my turn, I said I am staying in this hotel (so fib, right?). They started asking me for my room number and such until I got stuck-la! Gosh, I felt downright "DUH"! But then again, desperate-ma. Anyway, I manage to stay and boy-oh-boy, we saw almost all the players up close and personal, man!

Rafa, Kuyt, Alonso, King Kenny and then some, signed on Marky's t-shirt - so star struck, so amazing! I will never forget that day.

Everywhere in Singapore, all you see is RED, RED and RED!

During the game, the atmosphere was so overwhelming, it is unbelievable. Jamie Yeo aka The BIMBO was the opening MC - she invited two Liverpool fans on stage and ask them if they have anything to say - they did! "WHO THE FUCK IS MAN UNITED?", they sang (to the tune of Halle, halle, hallelujah). Ms Bimbo was LOST for words for a good 10 seconds and then say, "Erm, that's interesting". So bimbo, ya, no?

Liverpool won 5-0 and the fans were ecstatic. We did the wave, we were all brothers and sisters, no race, no creed, only LOVE. The only religion was Liverpool. If only the world is like that.

When all of us was singing, You'll Never Walk Alone, aiyo, so emo I felt like crying - got goose bumps all over. Can't wait to watch the real game at Anfield, to touch the Shankly gates, to visit the museum, basically, experience the real thing-la.

I love you, Liverpool - YNWA.



Gerrard, since we are going to be in-laws in future, we should hook up when we go to Liverpool. It's better for Mark to get to know Lily Ella sooner.

Yasmin Ahmad

My ex-boss passed away on the 25th July 2009 due to a stroke. I have never been really close to her but I have been friends with Ah Leong (Min's husband) since college. I know how much he loves her and I am truly saddened by this. Ah Leong will miss her so much.


Yasmin is always full of fun and laughter! Always happy. An obstacle to her is a challenge. She does not judge nor does she condemn. She's got charisma, that woman. Her sense of humour is gold.

During our WIP, which was usually on Thursdays, she would say, "Ladies, tonight is malam Jumaat, don't forget to go home and make your husband happy." She'll embarrassed the hell out of some of our colleagues, man and women included.

She would probably be the only one who could come up with the word "kench" - short for "kencing". She would pass by my place when she need to use the toilet and she would say, without fail, "Come! Let's go kench!"

She is religious but would never think her religion as the best - she respect all religion and in fact tries to understand each one of them. She started 1Malaysia 20 years ago, way before Najib (that one-huh, copycat-la). The only thing that she hates are lazy people.

An extremely beautiful person. We are going to miss you, Yasmin, RIP.

Till my next update, love you, peeps!

Just A Little Update

Wah! Damm long never blog. Been extremely busy lately.

ME: Working on contract with Ogilvy currently. Busy working on the school portal as well. It's quite fun, really. Love reading all the stuff posted by kids of SKBD. So cute. Am also getting myself involved in SKBD Greens The Earth campaign and Saving The Seahorses, too.

Met a lot of nice friends in Ogilvy. Carzy bunch of people/ monkeys. Some really irritating ones like Tall Guy and The One That's Behind me - have yet to think of a nickname for her.

The nice ones are people like Julia Mulia, Daniel the Maniel, Chok the Jock, Edmund Lemon, to name a few.

We also made fast friends with the Bam-Bams (since 2008). Nicest and coolest malay family that we've ever met and we love them! Shazli, Rosie, Airyl and Ashlyn! Coolnest! They are all Liverpool fans, well, Shazli was somehow forced to be one. Nevertheless, Rosie and I can't make it without seeing each other at least once a week and we really do bug each other with phone calls every single day.

DADDY: Daddy's been sooooo busy, its not funny! He is having difficulty sleeping, too. His year-end is end of next month, that's why. Mmmmm, please pray that he achieves his quota cos if he does, it'll be like, "WOW", we will be going for another Club Excellence trip and it will not be in ASIA!!! Happiness!

JAMIE: Jamie is now in Form 2. Getting all grown up. She's hanging out with some wonderful friends, Amanda and Kat-kat (who is soooo in love with Mark). Two wonderful girls with wonderful family. As we all know, she is still a bit spoilt and as slow as ever. Wonder when she'll learn to be quicker and faster. Moral of the story, do not criticise children (who are not your own) cos we used to criticise Something On for being like that and look where it got us! But, I love her a lot and I think she loves me too :-). Praise a lot and zipit when you have nothing nice to say.

MARK: Someone in school is in love with Mark!!! He got his first love letter. He thought I have thrown it away but I haven't (hehe). His BM is improving lots too, and his now playing footie 3 times a week with Little League Malaysia and thinks he is Mascherano.

People, this is just a quick update and well, you can't cramp everything into one blog posting after not blogging for so many months, right?

Before I sign-off, just a quick one - Baby Dylan started walking - soooo cute, I tell you! I will be blogging about the rest of my family, hopefully soon. So hang in there, all my sisters, my niece, my bros...

University Tun Hussien Onn - Mind Your Language, yo!

I know my command of the English language is not good forget about it being great but I can sure tell if there are certain grammatical errors when reading simple stuff like shop signages or maybe an "Ah Long" advertisement on the street, etc. but this, my dear friends, is hilarious, side-splitting, comical and mind you, entertaining too :-D. This advertorial was produced by someone in University Tun Hussien Onn to honour Raja Zarith Sofiah and it was published in our very own local newspaper - The New Starits Times. I am not quite sure if I want to receive this "Honorary Award".

ADVERTORIAL
New Straits Times
23 August 2008, page 43

HONORARY DEGREE AWARD 7TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY UNIVERSITY TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
TO YANG AMAT MULIA RAJA ZARITH SOFIAH BINTI ALMARHUMSULTAN IDRIS AL-MUTAWAKIL ALALLAHI SHAH D.K.II, S.P.M.J., S.P.C.M.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah has born on 14th of August 1959 in Hospital Batu Gajah, Perak. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith is a third son to Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Darul Ridzwan and Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Mazuwin binti almarhum Raja Arif Shah.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah get early education in Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Datin Khadijah Kuala Kangsar in the state his birthplace namely in Perak. After end of the education in primary school, Yang Amat Mulia continue the education to form one at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Raja Perempuan Kalsom Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

In the month of September 1972, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah have set forth to England for further education in Chaltenham Ladies College, Gloucestershire to form six. Then, Yang Amat Mulia continue learning it in Davies College London in September 1977 and his following year in receive enter to Somerville College, London after having passed Oxford Entrance Examination.

After graduated at Oxford University with Bachelor of Art in June 1983 and follow the traditional University of Oxford, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith will receive Master of Art after three years in 1986. Yang Amat Mulia also is a linguist follow several courses including language Mandarin at the tertiary level, French and Italy language.

As his father, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah is a person that talented in picture arts. Refinement of soul, Yang Amat Mulia always watching natural beauty environment immortalize in the form photograph and painting to make look and reference. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith performance become guide to deliver the message education to general public. Yang Amat Mulia concern on women and natural world and it custody aspect in become deep theme in painting.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah comply have interest profoundest field documentation. Apart from producing book, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith doubled up guest writer in the The New Straits Times newspapers and in personal column it “Mind Matters” in The Star newspaper. Besides writing, Yang Amat Mulia comply active presenting a working paper at the conference national level and international.

Education from her father and mother over concern to the people, make Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah likes engaged in voluntary activities about as Deputy President of Majlis Wanita Johor (ROSE), Chief of Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia Johor branch, Chairman of Nationalistic Community Service Red Crescent Malaysia, Patron of Spastic Children School in Johor Bahru, Patron Rotary Club of Tebrau Foundation, Advisor of Traditional Arts School International in London and become Pro Chancellor University Technology Malaysia (UTM) and becomen Royal Felllow Faculty of Language and Linguistic University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

As the appreciation towards her contributions of ideas and efforts in the development of education in Malaysia, Chancellor of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Duli Yang Amat Mulia Tunku lbrahim lsmail lbni Sultan lskandar, Tunku Mahkota Johor, has approbation to presented the awards to Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at 7th Convocation Ceremony of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in this year. Congratulation from us, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia members.

NST has since apologies for overlooking this atrocious advertorial that escaped their eyes.

Just Ignore This Post

I had to post this pix for Mark's school project. That's all :-)