First Time Dad

It’s A Wonderful Life

2010-09-13T10:18:00.000+08:00

It’s A Wonderful Life

That, my friends, is the title of my all time favorite Christmas movie that stars Jimmy Stewart. It’s been a Christmas tradition for me to try watching it each and every year at Christmas time (if they showed it on TV), until I managed to order the DVD (it’s not sold locally either) to ensure that I’d not miss it at Christmastime anymore. I hope that I can pass on the tradition to my little one but for now I don’t think the show will appeal to her much since it’s in black and white and she’s only five.

It’s a Wonderful Life is a touching story about a simple man, George Bailey, who faces adversity in his life and has to forego his dreams and aspirations due to circumstances. He is honest and hardworking and leads a clean life, while making ends meet. However, after everything he’s been through, he is down on his luck through no fault of his own and wishes he was never born. With the help of an unlikely angel in training called Clarence, he sees that he has made a significant difference to society and is really blessed.

Okay I know that it’s a little early for Christmas for most folks but for me it’s Christmas everyday LOL Actually, this year I can draw a little comparison to ol’ George Bailey. I’ve been facing some adversity and to tell you the truth the challenges have been literally piling on one after another, after another. While it hasn’t come to the stage of me challenging my existence it is really trying times for us. Thank goodness wifey is really understanding and helpful for I don’t think I’d be able to handle it on my own.

We’ll try to do the right thing for everyone but sometimes the right thing is not the best thing, however, therein lies the challenge. It’ll be a balancing act but hey what’s life without a little challenge, right? The trick is to try to see the good in every difficult situation you’re facing but trust me; it’s not easy and I’m sure most of you who’ve faced tough times will agree. Griping won’t get me anywhere. It’s ironical because I’m a perennial griper but on something like this I choose not to gripe, at least not yet!! LOL

FLUFFY FRIDAY …GrrRupert Report

2010-05-07T08:00:00.002+08:00

Okay okay I bet you think I was gonna write about my mutt Rupert. We’ll yes and no…Rupert is slowly blending in with the family. His only problem is that he still hasn’t been toilet trained. It’s taking longer than I expected and I expected a miracle and hoped that he would follow commands like any good dog. Wake up…he’s just a puppy! He act like one and eats like one and relieves himself just like one!! Yup Rupert is a Rupest sometimes. I don’t know how long it is going to take but it better not take too long!

Another thing is as much as my little daughter loves him and adores him she is a little afraid that he’s gonna bite her. Again he’s just a puppy and his favorite pass time is biting stuff. His favorite toy is a pull rope and that had been chewed apart. She has played tug with him and but the minute she stops he’s at it again. To dodge his little nips…Ellie has mastered the art of chair hopping and leaps on with ease and aplomb. It’s hard explaining to her that all she has to do is just tell him to stop and walk away.

So until that fine day comes when the dog listens to us and peace reigns we’ll just have to wait and be patient. Remember I said that this story is not going to be about Rupert alone…well here is a picture I took of a little cat in the pet shop recently. The little guy was trying to make a break for it and it was hilarious! I was goading him on to make a break for it and there were others who soon were cheering him on until someone informed the staff and so ended the exploits of the little fellow…maybe next time!

Woof woof!! My master seems to think he can write for me…geez…thank goodness he walked away and let the computer unattended…after all it’s not called GrrRupert Re'paw't for nothing! Woof woof It’s about me and what I see and my new found family!! Woof woof…he did a pretty good job of summing up what happened at the pet shop. It’s difficult to type with paws…when are you humans going to make a paw friendly keyboard!! Woof Woof! Speaking of which why not make an iPAWD® when you’re at it too! Grr

I’m enjoying my second week at my new home!! My family is not home during the day and only let me out when they are back because I can’t seem to find the toilet! Not that it helps because I’m not going to “GO” where I sleep so I still wait for them to return woof woof They are an odd bunch…man master likes to rub my head when he watches the TV. Lady master feeds me and combs my hair….I overheard her say that she never had a dog…but she’s doing fine. The little lady master is a little afraid of me…

That’s because I like to bite…actually my teeth are itchy because they are new…I can’t help it…she likes me I’m sure by the way she sits outside my cage but until my teething stops she’s not going to let me near enough to her for me to sniff Grrr She does like to play pull with me though…but that’s cause I like pulling so much I forget about everything else woof woof Biting on a rope is so much fun…you should try it sometime! I’ll ask master to lend you my rope sometime…but you have to give me a bone, OK! Woof

Owwww my paws hurt…this keyboard is killing me! I better go now…but before I do I’d like to ask master’s friend to bring along that hot looking bitch….hey that’s what female dogs are called okay you filthy minded humans…how would you like it if I called female dogs “woman”!! Not so nice eh Grrrr Anyway her name was Pebbles and she was a little shy this time around…may next time she’ll wanna play catch…if you know what I mean…woof woof

Err about the picture master wanted to post of that intrepid feline err...well it was supposed to be uploaded but I think I messed it up when I took over the keyboard...but no worries master will surely put it up when he has a chance. Let me end my first post with a little brain teaser… I’m a Schnauzer so I’m German, right? Well how do German dogs bark? Stumped, like my docked tail…well the answer is simple…

WOOFEN WOOFEN…see I told you it was a teaser for little brains!! GrrRupert Signing Off

How much is that doggie in the window?

2010-05-03T14:21:00.000+08:00

We recently got a puppy for our little daughter as her pet. Wifey and me have been at odds these past few years on what type of size the dog should be. Wifey wanted a large breed to guard the house and I wanted a cute little animal to pet. I think I have a phobia for large dogs because of an incident long ago whaen I was a young boy where a huge dog lunged at me as I was walking by. I think I saw my life flash past me because if it weren’t for the fence that kept us apart I’d have been a goner.

Anyway, we’ve been going to pet shops at random to look at puppies and could never agree. This year though we decided that it was time. The little one was getting older and could do with the responsibility and the company too. It was meant to be her birthday gift but because we were going to be away we had to delay it a little. In the meantime, we visited an uncle’s place and she really liked their poodle. Now I’m no poodle lover but the dog was really well behaved and playful.

To compromise we asked the little one to choose, and she decided that she wanted a poodle type dog just like Spike, my uncle’s dog. So as soon as our scheduled permitted we went pup hunting. I had a Schnauzer in mind from the beginning and even contacted a few breeders. Unfortunately because we were a little busy we didn’t get a chance to go take a peek. Last Sunday however, for some strange reason I just said lets go look for Rupert…okay I had named the dog before picking it…hey I was going to get a male regardless.

We had been to most of the malls to look at their pets so we decided to look at the smaller petshops and on our second try we found this tiny little grey furball that was to be Rupert. Ellie liked him too. To be fair to her we also showed her a poodle and other breeds but she was unfazed. I was happy because we were getting a dog that both of us liked. Importantly, wifey liked him too. A smaller dog would be a little easier to handle for Ellie.

We were surprised though when we got home and she seemed to develop a little fear of the dog biting her feet. No matter what we said and did, she was still fearful and would take flying leaps on the chairs whenever the puppy got too close to her feet. She is however, slowly getting over the initial fears. She does love him and whenever he’s in his cage she’ll sit by him and stare at his eyes. A Kodak moment!! We’re happy that we got him too and happy to see that the little one is gradually being taken in by him.

Well the story would normally end there but yesterday when we went out we popped into another petshop to look for a bed for our little fellow. We didn’t find what we were looking for but what we found was a two-year old Siberian Husky sitting there with his owner. I must admit that in our pet hunting I have seen Husky puppies and they looked cute with their lovely eyes. If we ever were to get a big dog this would be it I told wifey too.

Anyway, there were a few people crowding around the Husky and he lay quiet but as we got near he suddenly got up and went to wifey and stood up to her with his paws on her chest and gave her a lick on the face. Wifey is not the type of person who likes the doggies smooches so it was a sight. But I was not over because he sniffed our little girl and then came to me and put his paws on my chest too. Okay flashbacks of my big dog phobia were intertwined with amazement at this big dog’s behavior.

I was not going to let the big fellow anywhere near my face but I did give him a nice back rub. I don’t know why he came up to us but we’re thinking that it either because we smell real bad or he could get the scent of Rupert off us. He only came to us too. His name was Milo…odd name for a dog but so is Rupert LOL Either way he was friendly and had lovely eyes. I told wifey again that she could get a Husky if she wanted and I would have no objections. Who knows?? Her birthday is coming up soon too LOL

Introducing....

2010-04-30T08:19:00.010+08:00

I’d like to introduce the newest member of our family Rupert. He arrived on Sunday…and he’s a wee little fellow. He’s small in size and has darkish hair. He loves to eat and always wants more. Whenever he drinks he dribbles down his chin. He also loves to sleep too and will catch a little shut-eye any chance he can. His favorite toy is a little blue ball which he tries to hide when he’s not playing with it.

The only problem is I don’t think he likes his cage. But that’s only temporary until we get him a proper bed. We’re trying to get him house trained first so he doesn’t poop and pee all over the place. Which, I must add, he’s still managing to do even during the short periods of “freedom” he has. He’s not a bad boy just a baby really and it’ll take time. My little girl is a little afraid of him right now…but she’ll get used to him eventually…err I hope…

More to come...

The Star

2009-12-19T07:30:00.005+08:00

My old Angel tree topper...still nice...

My new Star Tree topper...

The Star...up close...

My Star and Angel!!

I've been looking for a long time for a star to replace the angel on top of my tree...and after my long searc I found this one ...hard to explain but it's so hard to find a really nice star to top the tree here...or should I say it was really hard for me to find a star to meet my specifications here ho ho ho

A walk down memory lane...

2009-12-19T06:01:00.004+08:00

One of the uncle's taking a break...he walked all the way with us

At the old folks home with the man that got me started on leading the caroling 1983

The group I led back then...no costumes...just candles and kids...before I donned the Santa suit

At the same home 26 years later...with one of my carollers...he made me smile when he called me the original...Santa that is...Ho Ho Ho

The carollers at my home last night

In the spirit of Christmas this year I decided to let my little girl go caroling. Be managed to make it for one practice session only but that was okay. My daughter knew most of the songs. Being a Christmas fan...I listen to carols months ahead and have a wide collection of Christmas CDs...although there is one Johnny Mathis CD stuck...I mean literally in my cars CD player Ho Ho Ho

I must say that things have changed a lot since the last time I went caroling. back then we did everything old school...I mean we had no guitarist so it was bells and tamborines. I guess for those who continued witht the tradition may have wanted to try something new this year and maybe inject some life into the songs. For me and my good buddy whom I convinced to join us though we were was just happy the way things used to be.

The groups previous leader proudly allowed his teenage daughter to conduct and lead. She did have the energy and some know how to her credit but she wanted to make most songs NEW and bring her schoolgirl style to the carols....a cross between a high school musical wannabe and Hannah Montana meets Christmas. Anyway to cut along story short, I was a little disappointed with the whole business but I can't complain because I didn't step up now did I...not that I am the greatest singer but I know how to preserve traditions. Enuf said I guess but the rest of the carollers were a diverse group and families in the area usually joined in the caroling too.

Overall it was fun to visit homes like I used to 25 years ago with my merry bunch of carolers. I saw so many familiar faces and it brought back memories. On the second day of carolling we visited the person who had asked me to lead the carollers back then. He was in an old folks home as he was confined to a wheelchair and had difficulty speaking. I was really taken aback as I have not seen him in ages. Memories came flooding back as his wife and my mother used to be the best of friends. My mother is now gone and his wife had just undergone surgery and could not take care of herself too. I was really teary-eyed and choked with emotion...it was sad.

As we went to more houses we used to visit on our caroling rounds I saw that more and more people had passed on. Many people were still alive though and the young ones were all grown up with families of their own. It made going caroling a lot more special to me at least. For my daughter...she didn't sing much since she is such a quiet person among strangers and even after three hard days of singing it was not enough to bring a peep out of her. It was okay...she's only four and it was her first time besides I know she can sing...so next year I hope she'll be ready Ho ho ho

Santa's Galore

2009-12-12T07:58:00.002+08:00

While in Bali recently we really didn't get to do much shopping. We choose to relax and spend time at the pool rather than go on tours and sightseeing. However, on the third day we thought that we should see a little more of Bali and not just be confined to the hotel and its surroundings.

So after an early breakfast at the hotel we went for a tour to Kintamani and a few other areas. Our first stop was to Tanjong Benoa. Over here the famed attractions are watersports and other sea activities. With two kids in two we were a little reluctant to try anything. The one thing I wanted to do was go for a submarine ride which I had read about. Alas, the guide said that the operation had gone "bangkrut" or belly up. Doh!!!

We did take a look at some great loking hotels in anticipation of our next visit. On this side of the island it's a little less hectic than Kuta and can be more relaxing but less fun. All depends what you're looking for I guess.

We headed up to the volcano next and the journey was long and the kids were of course not amused. Not wantign to eat when we ahd a food stop and wantign to eat as soon as we started our journey LOL Well we survived. We saw loads and load of shops selling all kinds of handcrafted goods. From shrines, to animals, to people to anything you could imagine.

As we headed up to the mountain the road was lined with shops selling more and more of the same handcrafted goods. We didn't stop as I was overwhelmed. Besides I was looking for more Santa's to add to my collection Ho Ho Ho

I did see a few places but the driver said we could go there ont he way down from Kintamani. So I ahd to patiently wait. Argh...Truth be told when we reached the point to view the volcano we were a little disappointed with the view...okay so it was a real volcano but I did really prefer the Grand Canyon because we were quite a distance away. Doh!

On the way down we saw the rice paddie filed on the mountain slope of Tengglung which are in pictured in my previous post (along with most of my pictures of Bali). The view there was excellent but the natives were trying very hard to push their wares. I would have mined but they were kinda desparate and I know I should ahve bought sommething because it was really very cheap but I would have no real use for it apart from gathering dust besides I already have a vacuum for that LOL

After that we stopped at some of the shops selling Christmas stuff. Unfortunately they didn't have many Santa's and the one thing else that I wanted was in short supply. Doh!! Anyway, we evenually stopped at a Christmas shop and I had a field day. Wifey was in the car with the resting kids and I was on my own in a shop full of Sant's holding millions of rupiah LOL I practically grabbed everything I could. I left behind those that were of lower quality or too big to handle.

I managed to fill up a box full and serriously had I know I was underweight instead of thinking I had exceed my baggage allowance I'd have got even more DOH!!! Anyway, there is always a next time LOL SO you can see my booty at teh bottom of the post. Some old looking some new looking but all Santa's. Even have duplicates which I had wanted to give to my brother and sister....alas they have not made it there yet muahahahah

To give perspective...the small round Santa in the middle is about 3 inches high

In the end, we finally caved in to the kids and let them have adip int he pool as soon as we got to the hotel. ALl their tiredness and complaining disappeared. We stayed in the pool until dark and it was excellent as the pool area was quiet as it was less crowded. There was an office function held on the pool beach and parts of it were cordoned off...but it was okay as we didn't need that much space anyway. We actually went around the whole pool in stalth mode...believe me it took a long time to get around the immense pool.

I love Bali!!!!

Rockin' Getaway

2009-12-05T08:20:00.012+08:00

Woo hoo I'm so glad that we went fot the vacation. The body may be tired but the mind is refreshed. What is it with holidays that it somehow drains the body so. Mind you we were mostly lazing around the pool and only went on a tour on one of the days. Anyway I'll just let the pictures do the talking!

Getaway

2009-11-28T00:22:00.004+08:00

Yahoo....It's only a few hours before we go off a much deserved holiday! This year has been terrible for me...with the last parts of my MBA being completed under some serious office pressure. The less said the better!!

Anyway, I can't wait to go away with the family for a much needed retreat!! We're taking our little 10 year old neephew along too. He and my little girl are always at odds with each other and I hope they'll be able to keep it in check during the vacation. I will try my best to keep them apart but don't think I'll have much success as usual. Anyway, wifey and me are going to enjoy ourselves regardless hohoho

It's also a great way to start the end of the year festivities. We've already finished some of the decorating and will have a little more to do when we return. Nothing elobrate or over the top...just lights lights and more lights LOL Wish we had those Santa's in sleighs that we could put up on the rooftop hohoho

Hopefully we'll have some nice pictures when we get back in a few days. Until then see ya! :)

Going Italian

2009-11-24T15:56:00.002+08:00

For the longest time my favorite restaurant has been Tony Roma’s and it still is but I’ve rediscovered a new place that I have not been going to for a while. It’s called Italiannise. I remember going to the branch in 1 Utama and enjoying the experience. Not only were the food portions hearty but the music was excellent. Hey listening to Sinatra croon while eating Italian food has that effect.

Well last week we had lunch at the branch in the Garden’s. We were pleasantly surprised as they now had a kids menu. To top it off, they also had a new two course menu. Now it was a little difficult to choose from the menu because everything looked and sounded so good. While we scrutinized the menu the waiter brought some Tuscan and Herb bread slices and served them with Olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The Tuscan bread was simply excellent!!

We ordered next and the little one decided on a Pizza Margarita, which turned out to be pretty good. Wifey had the Minestrone Soup and Shrimp Linguini. The soup was rich and flavorful and the linguini was more than enough to feed a small army of hungry wolves. I was surprised at the amount but it was tasty and full of fresh shrimp. I myself had the Pizza Caprese and Pepperoni and Meatball Calzone. I enjoyed the pizza more than the Calzone but it was still pretty decent. We couldn’t finish and had to pack half the linguini. We couldn’t even finish it for out lunch the next day!!

Again it was not only the food that was good but the ambiance. The restaurant was cavernous and overlooked the Klang river…not the prettiest sight but still with Sinatra music playing I told wifey that we’d be there a lot more especially at Christmas as it had that soothing feeling.

Yesterday, we went again, this time with my nephew in tow. My little girl wanted the pizza again although we wanted her to try something else. My nephew had the spaghetti Bolognese, which was full of meat and truthfully, he wiped the plate clean with the bread. He said that the sauce was so good. By the way this is not a paid post or sponsored post. Wifey had the clam soup and grilled chicken with wedges and broccoli. She enjoyed the fresh clams on shell. Then the chicken came….it was a half a chicken but that was not all the way it was plated gave it a very homely look. Very appetizing. I had the minestrone soup and the Sausage Carbonara. The portion was huge again and it was simple yet very tasty to say the least. Wifey and me just had our respective leftovers for lunch again and it was still delicious.

I actually can’t wait to go again. This time I want try their bruscheta and grilled chicken Milanese or Risotto with asparagus and chicken or maybe the grilled beef skewer with rissoto…doesn’t the sound of it just make your mouth water….I know mine does…

Mamma Mia I canta waita goa againa!!

Pictures source from Italiannise Malaysia website.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

2009-11-18T15:39:00.003+08:00

Well I’m not talking about my blog but the malls. (I love going aroud to all the malls at Christmas to see how well they've decorated.) Everywhere you go you see Christmas trees springing up and hear the sounds of carols playing. Does anyone know why they are called Christmas Carols? If you do, please let me know before I google it…I never really wondered that until just now…why not Christmas Sues or Christmas Marys…why Christmas Carols? LOL

To me Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. At home we’ve already started on decorating the Christmas tree…I had an idea for the lights and while it turned out right…it’s a tad bright. Anyway, that can be easily rectified by hiding the lights behind the ornaments. As usual around this time every year I start looking for a new tree topper…nothing really wrong with the old Angel we have but I want something different.

Just like the lights…nothing wrong with the old ones…except I wanted something a little different. Wifey was a sport and helped me scour the malls looking for the lights. I tried so many places and they were all sold out and finally at the last place I looked they were in abundance. So I grabbed five boxes just to be on the safe side although I really needed two. Thus we ended up putting three sets on the tree and like I said earlier…the tree is a little bright.

Over the weekend we were trying out different ribbon combinations and could not come to agreement so in the end I let wifey decide and she came up with a good combo. The little one not to be left out wanted to help too with unwrapping and putting up the ornaments. My nephew who is with us for a few days was also roped in to assist. It was a fun time but we ain’t done!!

Yesterday we went around to Robinson’s to check out their decorations and ornaments. We had a fun time fooling around with the tree skirts. I told my nephew about the time I went to the US and brought back a whole bunch of tree skirts for the family. As I was passing through local customs, the officer asked me what they were, and I said tree skirts but he didn’t understand and asked me if they were for caroling and I said Yes to avoid further confusion. So I had my nephew put on the tree skirt as a smock… this tree skirt was designed like a Santa suit and he looked hilarious…in hindsight I should have taken a picture. Maybe I’ll get him to do it again.

Tonight we’ll get down to a little more decorating…probably finish the tree and maybe start on the outside. The Santa’s are already out and once the tree is done we can start moving furniture about to accommodate the decorations. Over the years the collection has steadily grown to ginormous proportions. Plus I’ve even bought a few new things already this year. Ho hum… thank goodness Christmas comes but once a year…but to tell you the truth I wish Christmas was everyday!

The Concert

2009-11-09T12:05:00.005+08:00

From the title you’re probably thinking about Beyonce or something bootylicious, right? Nah, nothing so fancy but it was to me, just as exciting and entertaining. The performers were none other than my little girl’s pre-school students.

I must say that I was not really expecting much since the last time I went to a kiddie concert was close to 17 years ago when my twin nephews had their first concert. I must say that times have changed…for the better. No to take away anything from their performances but it was more so the sophistication of the teachers and performances that they choreographed. Wait wait wait…back up a minute…did I just say sophistication and pre-school concert in the same breath. Well yes I did. I was pretty much impressed with most of the performances and apart from one where the teacher took center stage (not going to comment on this….maybe the kids were having an off day…yeah sure) everything was very well coordinated. Believe me I’m a complainer and will complain about everything but this time I found little to complain about and a lot of kudos to be given to the teachers who managed to turn a bunch of noisy kids into pretty well oiled machines.

We’ve known about the concert fro sometime now and have been asking the little one what she would be doing but she would say “nothing”. We of course assumed that for four year old kids they would be doing some jumping and singing at the top of their voices or something along those lines. As the day to the concert drew closer we probed even more but all we could get out of her was that she had to shout the word “batik”. Not much to go on was it?

So we resigned ourselves to an average show at most. With the little ones just having a small role to play. After all the school had said when we enrolled her that there might not even be a concert for kids her age as they had to wait for a long time. Even her costume, while it was nicely colored was just a pair or pajamas. Our expectations were low although we were still pretty excited to see her in her first concert. Actually that alone was enough to make us happy.

On the day of the concert we were pretty much in a hurry. I didn’t read the notice properly and thought that the concert started at 9.00 am so I was rushing everyone and being a real pain. Finally we left and reached the place in fifteen minutes although I allocated 30 minutes since it was pretty far and in unfamiliar surroundings. (Note: I tend to get lost a lot and must get a GPS system because I’m hopeless when it comes to directions). Well I didn’t miss the road and found the place easily this time. So we were really early. Fortunately the concert was in a nice auditorium and waiting was not that stressful plus we also got pretty good seats. After passing off our little one to the teachers we settled down to wait. Fortunately there was some refreshments and drinks provided which helped a little.

After about an hour and a half (yes we were very early okay) the usual speeches and pleasantries started and it was followed by the graduation ceremony for the older kids…yes folks you do get to graduate from pre-school too. So trooped in a bunch of kids in their tiny graduation gowns and mortarboard’s. They looked adorable to say the least. Everyone received a scroll.

It was then that the concert commenced. We were really impressed by some of the performances and were really entertained. We had to wait patiently for our little girl as her groups turn was close to the end. One by one the shows went on and apart from that teacher who stole the limelight it were so entertaining. Son it came to our little ones group. The program said that they would be doing a Samoan themed performance in a Malaysian style.

The lights came on and we looked for her high and low and finally spotted her at the anchor position on the far left which was close to were we were sitting. She seemed to be looking for us in the crowd but could not see us as the lights around the audience were out of course. The performance started and…I started recording. The quality of the recording is pretty bad as I was more interested in watching her rather than recording but I wanted to save this moment for eternity even if was just to hear her say one word. This is what we saw…

Hello Dolly!!

2009-10-14T12:28:00.004+08:00

I want Emila’s cute handmade dolly because I secretly like playing with Dollies…wait that didn’t sound right. Seriously, I’d like to win it for my dear little daughter to love and cherish. She’s at that age where she hugs her favorite dollies to sleep every night. Audience cue ... Awwww

(word count 50)

Happy Birthday Emila –
you’re really an extraordinarily gifted person who loves giving. May you have many happy and healthy years of success in all your endeavors.

Malaysian Safari?

2009-08-29T06:37:00.006+08:00

Recently I posted about a trip to Bangkok and the fun time we had at the Bangkok Safari...well this has got nothing to do with it! LOL Last month the family went for a little restaurant hopping to celebrate our wedding anniversary and my birthday, which is only a day apart.

No this is the first ime we've done this but I was pretty down then and wanted to just celebrate. hehehe

A moment of peace...

On the day eve of my birthday we went to Tony Roma's of course...my favourite joint (which reminds me that I haven't been there in a week because of that blasted flu). I'm not going to elobrate cause the food there is excellent and we always have a good time. Then on my actual birthday we ended up in Chili's for another wonderful meal. The day after that was our wedding anniversary...now for that I wanted to go to somewhere different. Oddly enough someone in the office gave me a keychain that day and it was from Africa. The tagline was out of Africa...after the movie. That reminded me of this restaurant near my place that goes by the same name. So i actually googled it and found that it was a great restaurant that was highly rated by one of the expat magazines, which meant one thing to me....authentic.

My fav ribs...all 10 of them just for me...unfortunately could eat only 3...

Okay so we watch TV when we're out too...wife and her darn spy cam

To think that it's been around for ages and was so near by (five minute drive) that I have driven past it many a time and that had great reviews and that we had not been there at all. So we of cours decided to go there to celebrate our 16th wedding Anniversary! We didn't really want to eat that much because it was the third day of celebrations but the minute I saw the Johannes Burger with blue cheese grlled on an open flame...I had to have it and it was excellent. The next time I want to try the Broewars sausage....

Entrance to Out Of Africa

The restaurant was actually quiet when we got there becaues we went early and pretty soon it was filled to the brim as there was a group of visiting African students and their Malaysian and South African counterparts there for some gathering. The pictures below don't realy do justice to the place as the athmosphere was really great and I'd recommend this place to anyone.

My Johannes Burger with melted blue cheese

We were still enjoying ourselves actually. So we went for the fourth day of celebrations. It was Saturday and we went to Bubba Gumps in the Curve. They had a set menu promo and it was the ribs again for me...but this time it was babyback ribs which gave Tony Roma's a run for their money. Being loyal is one thing...good ribs is another LOL It's always fun when the family goes out...in fact I rather go out because at home I'm glued to the TV like a moth to flame. LOL

Nelson mandela was there to say hello...NOT

Entrance to the bar...err...or was it the toilet... That deer gave up it's life to bring us closer to Africa and it's preserved wildlife...pun intended LOL

This was the set at Bubba's

My favourite gals...

Green Jeans

2009-08-26T13:25:00.003+08:00

My good friend and fellow Genie Marzie is having another one of her fab contests over at her Mariuca's Perfume Gallery blog. This time it's in conjunction of her upcoming birthday and the prize is a mini Green Jean's Mens Perfume.

I rememeber having a bottle of baby Blue Jeans a long long long time ago and I think I still have the can it came in somewhere around the house. Winning this Green Jeans perfume will bring back some memories considering the fact that wifey did own an awesome pair of green jeans before...er the denim kind that is hehe

One of the rules of the contest is that I have to guess how many mini bottles of perfume Marzie has in her collection. Boy that is gonna be tough cause I think she has a million or so hehehe

Anyway after some sluething my official guesses are 130, 133, and 135. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed and making a Genie King Wish that I guess right!!

ALAKAZAM

Bangkok Safari

2009-08-02T06:26:00.014+08:00

Another thing that we did on our recent trip to Bangkok that we have not done before was to go to on a Safari. Yes you read right a Safari! You see now that the little one is older and more demanding LOL we need to find stuff that is more entertaining for her. So instead of the usual shopping and stuff we have to find new and improved things to do.

Now when I first heard about the Safari I too was skeptical but boy was I in for a pleasant surprise.

There were birds and macaws of wonderful colours at Birdland. This picture was take by my little girl.

There was a Sea World that had several dolphins and beluga whales in the show which was very impressive.
Above you can see one of the whales taking a bow and below are the dolphins lined up for treats.

This is at the beautiful entrance. As you can see we take the part of looking like tourists very seriously LOL

There was a neat place to have lunch with food cooked fresh from little boats.
This little black swan took a liking to us and we gave him some goodies for his troubles. Pic by daughter.

This was the Orangutan show that was pretty amazing. At firstI thought it was going to be totally exploitative but it wasn't so bad. There was a fake boxing match, with cheering fans, nurses, drives, stretcher bearers and boxers and all Orangutans.

There was even a few polar bears. This big guy looked so cool and relaxed in his enclosure.

There were a lot of crocodiles and this one looked nasty...probably wondering who's going to be his next meal.

This was also at the entrance. These girraffes look like they are having so much fun...but they are fake...hehe...the real ones are at the safari side of the park.

This is the entrance to the dangerous animals enclosures at the safari park. It's all drive through.

Here are the bears. They were huge.

This fellow was having a nice cool dip in the pool. Reminded me of Yogi bear LOL... Wassamatta Boo Boo?

This was after we realized that the windows should be wound up. DOH The bear looks like he is at a Japanese restaurant where the food is on a conveyor....and we are the food. LOL

The tigers looked lazy...I guess they were waiting for dinner...and we were invited...as the main course LOL. The real feeding time was a little later.

Here is a picture of a lion looking real majestic. There were quite a few big lions around and I caught one snacking in the distance with the videocam. Just wondered which tourist who left the car was the snack...hehe

We then left the predators enclosure..these are either wilderbeest or Kudu...nice pair of horns dude...hehe

This strange creature was found in the car...LOL

There was a nice little "flintstones type house" for the deer to mingle and have a "beer" LOL

Stork island...there were loads of stork and flamingos all around the lake...one part was practically covered with them

More birds of a feather flocking together...

A little lost mousedeer...okay he was not lost but he does have that deer in the headlights look LOL pic by daughter...

This is not a close up of a rhino...this was us real close to a real big rhino....

The big fella was trundling along as we drove past...I couldn't help thinking that we'd be toast if he decided to give the car a little nudge

One of the camels...this guy is probably wondering why he has to have those horrible humps to carry water when there was a lake nearby LOL

Another strange creature...hehe

Zebra... Bubt, butt, butt!!!

More rhinos and some giraffe in the distance...you can feed the giraffe over there...nice shades dude LOL

Actually this is the first picture we took...of some ostrich...we were excited cause we could actually drive in the park Then we knew why they put the ostritch at the begining...this nasty fellow came right up to the car...reminded us that it was still wild animals and we should stay in the car :)

We'll that was only some of the pictures...there were loads more to do like the Cowboy show, the Spy Show and the sealion/walrus show, not to mention a jungle cruise and loads of other things to see. I only wished that we had more time but it was our last day in Bangkok and we departed that night so we couldn't stay until later. If fact I really must thank my friend Ning who took us there. It was a fourty five minute drive each way from our hotel.

Cheers!

Bangkok by Night

2009-07-18T00:13:00.005+08:00

Okay okay buddy...before you start getting any of those filty little ideas that only your perverted mind could have I want to state it loud and clear that it was a family night out in Bangkok! LOL

Me messing with my new toy while the little one looks on as we wait for the cruise.

On by recent working trip to Bangkok wifey and the little one tagged along. We were only there for a few days but we wanted to make the most of it since the last time we came the little one was only just starting to walk.

That the ship in the background slowly coming to dock. Check out the beautiful background sky.

We had heard a lot about the night river cruise decided to try it on the first night. It was a great experience and we enjoyed it once we got there. Getting there was a whole different story though. It started at the concierge who recommended that we take the skytrain (BTS) since it was rush-hour. Believe be in the past I'd never take a cab in Bangkok at rush-hour...it was so much easier to walk or take the train. Hmmmm...now we weren't prepared for that because the station is a little hard to get to but rather than risk missing our cruise that we hed booked earlier we took the advise.

Close up of the ship/boat all lighted up...again check out the beautiful shades of blue in the sky.

The minute we got into the hotel shuttle the little one dozed off. By the time we got to the shuttle stop she was fast asleep. So we had to carry her up the stairs to the sky train station which as the name goes is "Pretty darned high up". Fortunately we had a easy time on the train as the kind people of Bangkok actually got up and gave my wife their seats. That happened at the hotel shuttle, the first train and the connecting train. Believe me we were drained but could see that traffic was indeed at a standstill as always.

Don't ask me what building it was but that was the hull of another cruise boat gliding past..

Once we reached the last station we were beat and then had to find the hotel. That too was a small challenge as we could see the dock but not the hotel. Finally after some queries we found the hotel but it was on the wrong side so we got a tour of the Shangrila...well we had to walk through the hotel and it was a really nice hotel. We finally reached the boarding area...where we sat and took pictures as we waited.

Another place with no name...I could bluff you and you wouldn't even know right? LOL

The boat was really very nice...it had better be for the price we paid. The food was excellent and there was dining on the deck as well as in the air conditioned cabin. We opted for the cabin because it looked like it might rain. Fortunately it didn't and we were able to move outside freely to enjoy the sights. There were many things to see and I was busy with my handycam (okay I haven't downloaded the clips yet). It was a really marvellous experience.

And this is the view of the...urmmm...whatever. I must say that the river was really clean and odourless plus theere were dozens of boats all over. There were even barges that were running silent and dark so as not to be obtrusive to the tourist. Very well done.

Some folks actually dressed up really spiffy (not you Spiff) and we did wonder if we should have worn our Sunday best...errr NOT...it was a cruise on the Chao Phraya and jeans was okay if you ask me...but we did think that if we did it again we dress up too LOL Just for the fun of it!!

The temple by the river...might have been the palace...DOH!

All in all we had a nice experience and the food was simply excellent. I guess I should have taken some pictures of the food but wifey was holding this camera so I'll just blame her...besides she's fast asleep now and can't defend herself LOL

Okay this is my in my favourite pose...drinking my coffee while gazing out...I kinda like the little hand on the side too!

Well that's it for the cruise. It was an delightful event and I recommend it. There are several different boats and we saw one huge one speed by while blaring Hindi music....I guess it was for the tourists on board. However, our little Shangrila boat was kinda cozy and romantic and I guess that says it all.

Cheers!

Whacky Wednesday - "Life" with a Computer

2009-07-15T08:13:00.006+08:00

This post is dedicated to the millions and millions of computer users worldwide. The source/s is unknown but it's still funny nevertheless. Cheers folks and hope this brings a smile to you today!

A fun day at the beach!

2009-07-06T15:27:00.005+08:00

It was a beautiful day...

spent making sandcastles on the beach

and taking walks along the shore...

even venturing into the waters edge for a taste of the sea...

and a taste of the best Curry Laksa in PD...

capped off with a gorgeous sunset upon the gentle waves!

It was fun in the sun for the family over the weekend as we took a quick trip to a nearby beach. It was a really good break and we had a fun time. Going with my best buddy ensured that I had the best possible time with family and friends. Also after a long time, I didn’t have to worry about assignments that were due and could just relax and enjoy the retreat.

I think that my little girl had the best time of all. Although she one doesn’t know how to swim yet and we couldn’t really venture to the sea she really enjoyed walking into the waves, making sandcastles on the beach and frolicking in the pool. The smiles and laughter are precious and I’m glad I brought the camera.

The best thing about it was that although it was an overnight affair, but because we went early and checked in early we had so much more time on our hands. We were on the beach and then the pool and then the beach again and the pool again…I lost count. We were so tired that night but my good buddy and I wanted to stay up late like old times.

Unfortunately we are like “old timers” now and couldn’t stay up past 12. We did try to talk a walk on the beach after the kids went to bed but the place was pretty deserted. I recalled the time I went to Siloso Beach in Singapore and how crowded the place was and couldn’t help wondering why our old beach which is the closest to the capital can’t have even the slightest semblance of what is at Siloso.

My buddy and I could see the potential for so many things and wished that we could be given a half mile of beachfront and we would turn the place around with the right planning. Maybe it was just wishful thinking but I think there is potential for more. After all it’s not that far from town and great for a quick rendezvous, all it needs is a touch of class to attract the crowds back.

Anyway the next day as we drove into town for lunch we did see that there were certain stretches of the beach that had started to do what we were thinking about so there is still hope yet. Speaking of town, we also discovered what I think is the best curry laksa and the best ABC – Air Batu Campur (literal translation “solid water mix” or as the stall owner so aptly put to a foreign customer “it’s like Malaysian ice cream”) in Port Dickson!

The curry laksa was think and creamy and the ingredients were plentiful, even the sambal chili was laden with dried shrimp and really spicy. The ABC on the other hand was not too sweet and full of red beans that were cooked to perfection. It was lip smackingly good food for a very decent price. I strongly recommend the place if you happen to stray over to PD town someday.

Anyway that was it. A quick getaway that ended all too soon. Wish we had more time to stay but maybe next time. We're planning to do this more often...considering that it's only an hour or so away...it does't get any closer that that! Sometimes you get stuck in the parking lot of a mall for longer than that hehehe

Cheers and have a nice week!

I’m Back!!

2009-06-30T10:52:00.001+08:00

I’ve finally handed in my last assignment and I’m unofficially done with my Master's degree. Of course I need to get my results for my last two papers this semester but after that I’ll be graduating. Woo hoo!!!

This has dragged on for more than a year and a half and I’ve totally neglected my blogging pretty much throughout the whole period. Worse I’ve neglected all my blogging buddies during that time too! SORRY FOLKS - I'll make it up to you!!

Wow so much has happened since then! The worst news was the recent passing of Michael Jackson! I have grown up to his music and been a fan of his for a long long time and it was unbelievable when I heard the news that morning that there were unofficial reports of his passing. I quietly wished that it was just a rumor but within minutes, the news was confirmed.

We spent the whole weekend catching up on the news and tributes to the King of Pop. As I watched past performances it reminded me of just how remarkable he was. One funny thing was as we listened to the car radio on Saturday morning while on the way to breakfast, my little girl who is only four and listening to MJ’s music for the first time remarked that she liked the music. She doesn’t usually say things like that about any songs whenever we listen to music. Unfortunately I can’t remember which song it was because I was thinking that even in death MJ’s music is timeless and can still reaching out to win over a new little fan!! Amazing!!!

I remember when MJ performed in Malaysia for the first time, I without hesitation went for his concert (I am not the concert going type and this was my first and only paid music concert that I have ever attended). While I remember the show very well, what left a lasting impression was after the show as we were walking back to the car. There was only a few of us on the road as the majority of the fans were still at the stadium trying to catch a glimpse of MJ. As we crossed the road and were standing on the divider I look up and see Michael’s vehicle drive slowly by right in front of us and he is happily standing up and waving through the sun roof. I personally call the place Michael Jackson Road whenever I drive past. Just goes to show that although his performances were out of this world, he was really a down to earth person. Rest in Peace Mike!

Okay that’s it for now.

Peace!

PS I’m long overdue for a Blog makeover so stay tuned!!

Oh to be young again...

2009-03-08T00:32:00.002+08:00

No no I'm not feeling down or anything. It's my little girl's 4th birthday today and I'm as happy as can be! I've been so busy lately that I feel that I've been neglecting her a little and wifey and me almost did not have a party because we have exams both this week and next. But try explaining that to a little girl. Besides it's something I've wanted to do since last year and I didn't want pust it another year. Moreover she asked for a party this time. She is growing up I tell ya! My little girl is growing up!
Anyway we somehow managed to get things done between classes. It wasn't ahrd getting a caterer. In fact I had my mind set on this new Eurasian Restaurant that serves the lovliest food. It's my new hang-out on weekends. The food is tasty and reasonably priced too. So of course we had them cater. Simple. I'll post pictures of the food tomorrow if I can spare the time. Remember I have a party to plan and an exam to study for too.
Now when decided to have a party it was not just going to be any party it had to have a theme. Of course I ain't no fan of Barbie or Disney Princess etc. And we already had a Winne the Pooh theme for her first birthday...not that she remembered anything. Anyway, when the little one wants to watch cartoons it's usually something we both agree on. I like the action toons...yes always have and always will. Superman, Batman, the Justice League or the Legion of Superheroes...okay so I'm a DC fan. She on the other hand loves the Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry and Ben 10 so of course dear old dad has to keep her company....I must say I am still a pink panther fan and although I never liked Tom and Jerry after watching their antics...they kinda grow on you. Now BEn 10 you say...what is a little girl doing watching Ben 10...don't look at me...I started watching becaue of her. The cartoon is pretty nifty and the dialogue is quite funny too. So like I said when it came time for her party the Ben 10 theme just screamed at me. I had an idea for the tables...gonna make them look like Omnitrix's...Ben 10 special aliean changing watch thingymajig. I elicited the help of my best buddy to come up with the back drop and he didn't disappoint me...he never does. I'll bet you'll see pictures on his party blog tomorrow night...well before mine being the avid blogger he is!
Now it's just time to wait for morning to come to give her her present...of course the latest Omnitrix...boy do those guys sure know how to squeeze a parent dry. I don't think it's worth the price...but you can't have a Ben 10 party without a Ben 10 toy I guess. To my delight Secret Recipe also has a Ben 10 cake promotion. No not a price reduction type promotion, more like a higher priced specialized Ben 10 type cake. believe me I went to the branch next to the restaurant I was catering from last Sunday to place the order after ordering the food and would you believe that y it was their last day in business and they were of course not takign any orders. DOH!! Godo thing I knew of another nearby outlet. Talk about luck! Anyway, February was a pretty bad month for me luck wise and I hope all that bad mojo is gone.
Today after the exam we rushed to get some party packs for the kids. We didn't invite many folks just some close family and friends. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Can;t wait to see the look on her face when see sees what we got her!! :) She's really looking forward t the party and I hope the weather holds. We ned to put up the balloons and the banner and decorate the tables and pick up the cake too! Oh this is gonna be so much fun and such distraction from studies!!
Cheers or in the words of Benjamin Tennyson...It's Hero Time!!

Lost

2009-02-18T00:04:00.003+08:00

Okay Okay...so I've been lost for a while. Can't help it....busy at work and busy at school and of course busy with the little one. Yes, it's a juggling act of enourmous proportions. This term is deemed to be a short term, which essentially means that we ahve to cram three months work into two months. In addition to that at work we're down two staff at the office so basically it's just time time time or the lack of it.

Actually I've been meaning to post about my little one's first day at school....which was of course last month. Man were we proud parents just beaming at the sight of our little one in her new school (pre -school that is) uniform. The camera was snapping away like crazy because we wanted to record the momentous occasion. Alas as fait would have it the day I wanted to post about it, I tried to download the photos and lost the whole lot. Boy was I disappointed and so was wifey when I told her. Fortunately everyday is still an adventure for us.

Her first week was fine. We took the whole week off to try to get her used to the routine. It was us who actually needed to get used to it. She took to school like a duck to water. Never turned back. We felt kinda sad but also a little happy too to see her love to go to school. Of course getting up in the morning is another issue.

One thing abut school is that that there are a load of germs around...cause she got sick after the first week and then in the second week too. It seems like this is normal for all kids and helps them strengthen their defences. Don't know how true that is though.

For the first month, whenever we asked her what she learnt in school the answer was an outright "nothing". Doh...I wasn't sending her to school to learn nothing LOL However, this month she seems to have opened up more and is busily telling us about what she did and which teacher did what and about her friends and what snacks she had. So we breathed a small sigh of relief....hehehe

In fact on Monday, because wifey and me were both on leave, we popped in to school to talk to her teacher and we were pleasantly surprised to hear that she is attentive and active in class. Our first Parent Teachers Meeting LOL It sorta reinforced that we've been doing okay with her at home.

Her birthday is coming up next month and I'm also trying to squeeze in being a party planner. She is a Ben 10 fan for you cartoonaholics and we want to have a Ben 10 theme. Yes just having a party is not enough....some people are just suckers for punishment. I've got a few ideas and have aske dfor help from my good buddy. He's graciously volunteered to do the backdrop and the table centerpieces. I'm planning to make each table look like the fact of the Omnitrix....again for not cartoon type people....google it please. I also got the help of a Ben 10 subject matter expert...my 9 year old nephew...and he suggested pin the tentacle on Vilgax...as opposed to my pin the tail on the alien. That should be fun....in fact planning hte party is half the fun....the last time we had a party for her was her first birthday...and last year because of exams we ahd to forego it....this year is the same....I mean exams...but I can't postpone this party any longer. The show must go on hehehe

Now all I need is a caterer that will serve alien gunk LOL

Cheers!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T08:36:00.005+08:00

We' like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

If you know the tune Grandma Got Run Ove By A Reindeer...play it or Hum it before starting this clip...my gift to you all! HO HO HO

Bear With Me...

2008-11-04T14:01:00.012+08:00

My good friend and magical Genie Princess Marzie is celebrating her 2nd Blogiversary this year! What an achievement! Congrats!! To commemorate the event she is having another one of her great contests!! The prize…a Mariuca Teddy Bear….the challenge naming the bear!

Well that's easy…a name came into mind right away… I dub thee.....

Marzipan!!! and my sister Penelope!

Why I chose Marzipan…well firstly because it has Marzie in it and secondly because the color of the bear was a shade of almond and since Marzipan is also made out of almonds, plus Marzipan s sweet just like Marzie is, so what better name could it be.

An almond...notice the color similarities with the Mariuca bear!

Not enough just to name the bear I decided to do a little research….and came up with some interesting facts…

From Wikipedia…(scroll to the end of the article for the main point)
Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of sugar and almond meal.
It derives its characteristic flavor from bitter almonds, which constitute 4% to 6% of the total almond content by weight. Some marzipan is also flavored with rosewater. Persipan is a similar, but cheaper product, for which the almonds are replaced by apricot or peach kernels.

Marzipan is often made into sweets: common uses are marzipan-filled chocolate and small marzipan imitations of fruits and vegetables. It is also rolled into thin sheets and glazed for icing cakes and is traditionally used in wedding cakes, Christmas cakes, and stollen. In some countries marzipan is shaped into small figures of animals as a traditional treat for New Year's Day. Marzipan is also used in Tortell, and in some versions of king cake eaten during the Carnival season.

In Italy, particularly in Palermo, marzipan (marzapane) is often shaped and painted with food colorings to resemble fruit — Frutta martorana — especially during the Christmas season. In Portugal, traditional marzipan (maçapão) fruit shaped sweets made in the Algarve region are called morgadinhos. There are other regions, as Toledo in Spain in which marzipan is shaped into simple animal shapes, and usually filled in with egg yolk (yema) and sugar. In Latin American cuisine, marzipan is known as mazapán and is also traditionally eaten at Christmas, though "Mazapan" is generally made with peanuts in place of almonds. In the Netherlands Marzipan figures are given as presents to children during Saint Nicholas' Eve.
In the Middle-East, marzipan (known as lozina, which is derived from the word "lows", the Arabic word for almonds) is flavored with orange-flower water and shaped into roses and other delicate flowers before they are baked.

The South Asian sweet Badam Barfi is also made from almonds.

History
Although it is believed to have originated in Persia (present-day Iran) and to have been introduced to Europe through the Turks, there is some dispute between Hungary and Italy over its origin. Marzipan became a specialty of the Baltic Sea region of Germany. In particular, the city of Lübeck has a proud tradition of marzipan manufacture (Lübecker Marzipan). The city's manufacturers like Niederegger still guarantee their marzipan to contain two thirds almonds by weight, which results in a juicy, bright yellow product of highest quality. Historically, the city of Königsberg in East Prussia was renowned for its marzipan production. Today, the term Königsberger Marzipan still refers to a special type of marzipan in Germany.
Another possible geographic origin is Toledo, Spain (850-900, though more probably 1150 during the reign of Alfonso VII, then known as Postre Regio instead of Mazapán) and Sicily (1193, known as panis martius or marzapane, i.e., March Bread)[1]. In both cases, there is a reason to believe that there is a clear Arabic influence for historical reasons[1] (both regions were under Muslim control) and there are also mentions in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights of an almond paste eaten during Ramadan and as an aphrodisiac[2]. Other sources establish the origin of marzipan in China, from where the recipe moved on to the Middle East and then to Europe through Al-Andalus[2]. In Toledo, Mazapán is also one of the city's products. Almonds have to be at least 50% of the total weight, following the directives of Mazapan de Toledo regulator counseil[3].

Under EU law, marzipan must have a minimum almond oil content of 14% and a maximum moisture content of 8.5%. Optional additional ingredients are rosewater, honey, pistachios, preservatives, and sometimes hazelnut. In the U.S., marzipan is not officially defined, but it is generally made with a higher ratio of sugar to almonds than almond paste[4][5]. One brand, for instance, has 28% almonds in its marzipan, and 45% almonds in its almond paste.[6] However, in Sweden and Finland almond paste refers to a marzipan that contains 50% ground almonds, a much higher quality than regular marzipan. In Germany, Lübecker Marzipan is known for its quality. It contains 66% almonds.

Etymology

Bears made from marzipan.

The German name has largely ousted the original English name marchpane with the same apparent derivation: "March bread. (This is the clincher because Maricua was the name given to Marzie by her old Italian professor when she was in the univestity….and she is a hopeless romantic, 3rd & 4th degree)" Marzapane is documented earlier in Italian than in any other language, and the sense "bread" for pan is Romance.

Next fact (5th degree)
How many bears do you know who have birthdays? Well this Polar bear named Knut does and how does he do it? Well on his first birthday last year Berlin's biggest celeb rings in the occasion with massive marzipan cake LOL I guess that means he also celebrates being two this year on December 3 ….the same day the contest end too...

Knut the polar bear with his 1st Birthday Marzipan cake!

And finally (6th degree)…

Seeing as how the US elections are going on right now (just in case you’re from Mars and didn’t know!) a Presidential fact - "Teddy" Bears are named after former US President Theodore Roosevelt. His distant cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt was also a US President and married to Eleanor Roosevelt, who my daughter shares her name with and whom I'm writing this post for to win the little bear!

Teddy and the bear

So those are the BEAR facts that I came by in my little quest to win Marzipan the Bear on Mariuca’s second anniversary with a little six degrees of separation thrown in!

Extra Extra Read all about it!

I just realized that Mariuca's Perfume Gallery is also celebrating her birthday! Two for one! Happy belated birthday Marzie for MPG! She is also having a competition to mark the special occasion and me being me (shameless and all) decided to try to give a name the bear Penelope after Penelope Pitstop of the Wacky Races cartoo series! I'm not going to be as elobrate as before but here is a little fact about the name that I found out after giving it...err from wikipedia again...
Penelope
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Homer's Odyssey, Penelópē is the faithful wife of Odysseus, who keeps her suitors at bay in his long absence and so is eventually rejoined with him. Prior to recent readings, her name had been associated with faithfulness.

I kept it short this time but Homer's Odyessy...LOL I couldn't help myself because that was my first and only avatar when I started blogging! Doh!!

Penelope and Homer and pals! Priceless!

Cheers!!

Defining moments....

2008-10-01T06:27:00.004+08:00

There comes a time in a persons life when you have to take a step into a new stage in life. Yesterday was such a day for our little girl. It was the day she got her ear's pierced, well more like the day we got her ears pierced.

We've been wanting to do it for a while but have not had the opportunity because of classes and all. So this time since we have a decent break from school and work too we decided it was time. After work we mustered up the courage and took her. Wifey wanted to have the little one's hair trimmed too which is something I was slightly against since I like her hair long. Alas for practical reasons wifey's arguments prevailed. So after a quick visit to her regular hair salon we went over to the goldsmith where they do the piercing. It's supposed to be very quick because they use two guns so no time for protests after the fact. I kept insisting on getting the best people for the job as I was getting a little apprehensive. They reassured me that it was okay and everything would be fine. Wifey held the little one tight and the two girls marked the ears and cleaned the spot with alcohol. Then everything went quiet...well for me at least as I waited for them to put the guns to her ears.

She was such an angel and did not protest although you could visibly see that she was uncomfortable. I went over to look at some little earrings for her to choose from so as to distract her. I found two that I thought she'd like, dolphins and dragonflies. She picked the dragonflies. Then it was time...to be honest it happened pretty fast since they did it at the same time. I had my phone ready to snap a shot and did...just a split second before she burst into tears from the pain or fright or attention. I don't know....I was just feeling guilty for inflicting unnecessary pain to her. Wifey quickly distracted her and she was alright in a minute. I was relieved.

The studs are in there now....they are put automatically when they use the gun...Okay so i don't know about these things and it was all intriguing for me. Anyway, only after a couple of weeks will we be able to use the real earrings. I tried to snap a picture of her with the studs but she just refused to sit still. Will have to do it quietly without her knowledge. hehe

It's HARI RAYA today and I'd like to wish all Muslims a very Happy Raya especially, Marzie, Lady Java and Emila. Peace to all!

PS Don't forget the rendang folks....hehehe

Happy Merdeka (Independence) Day!

2008-08-31T06:49:00.015+08:00

I've been so busy lately that I've totally neglected my blog and to a certain extent going out for a little fun! So yesterday, ont he eve of Independence Day we got up late and had a heavy brunch of thosai and coffee at our old haunt and then headed to the park. Our little one...well she's not that little anymore but she'll always be little to me...aw you know what I mean!!

We haven't taken he to the park in ages and she loves going there so we made it a point to go. When we got there we hear a lot of music and loud goings on! It was a pre-Independence Day Celebration organized by the city council. We didn't really want to get involved because we thought it was for invited guests only at first so we headed to the slides and swings for some action. We had fun, when I say we, I mean my daughter had most of the fun sliding down while Mummy and Daddy had the honor of carrying here up for her next bit of fun. The apparatus were a little too high for her so to make things easy that's what we did! Liek I said, we had FUN!! LOL

Anyway, we heard that there was an art competition and a sand art competition too. Since the little one loves sand art we decided to mosey on there for a look see. There were a whole lot of kids there and they were happily drawing and "sand-arting" away. So we got Ellie one of the thingys to get going. With a little help from Mummy to remove the stickers, she happily colored her sheet. By the time it was completed it looked pretty nice and we went back to the booth to get the cover . The attendents there asked us to join in the competition and we said okay since they were going to announce the winners in a little while and we stil had some swinging and sliding to do. So we submitted her little "masterpiece" and she was the last entry or at least thats what the attendents said because it was supposed to close at 11.30 and it was 11.35 then.

So we went back to the swings and slides and continued with the fun. It was getting pretty late and after a while we decided to head back. So we went to retrieve the sand art from the judges table and gave her name. They said not to go back because she had won something. We were elated because it was totally unexpected. So we headed to the tent and waited a few minutes more for the announcements and soon heard her name being called up for the kindergarten category. The announcer called her name first and said that she had won a consolation prize, she also said that she was the youngest competitor. We were happy and a little excited since it was her first "official" competition and all. So Mummy helped ehr up stage amidst the clapping and cheering since the crowd saw that she was so little and encouraged her. Proud parent moment!!

After that we headed for home since it was getting late and we had a group assignement to work on that afternoon in college. So we made a quick stop to get her her favourite "Hor Fun noodles" at her favourite restaurant "Old Town White Coffee". She just loves the place and doesn't wanna go anywhere else and we give in because she is a fussy eater. We got home and after a quick rest it was time to go to school.

When we got back from group we decided to take her out for dinner. Wifey wanted to try somethign new and we decided to go to "Bubba Gump" at the Curve. We almost regretted the decision because they had blocked several roads leading to the place to facilitate a performanc ethat was being held there in conjunction with Independence Day. Somehow we hmanaged to take the right turnings and ended up at the mall without too much hassle. We headed to Bubba Gump and found that it was a nice place. A litttle like being on a boat, especially upstairs where it was all woody and well decorated. The place ws packed and many had made reservations but being first timers we had left it to chance and I guess we had to make do with whatever seats were available, which were upstairs. Fortunately a booth opened up and we went back downstairs and made our orders. It was there that we saw the staff "perform" for someone birthday! I won't reveal too much but it was very entertaining!!

For the little one we got her some linguini that came served in a little paper boat which she was delighted with. Also instead of fries we got to substitute it with fruit, a healtier option. Me loves shrimp... so we ordered "shrimp heaven" which came with four baskets of shrimp and some sauces...the most unique being the marmalade and mustard I think...Me like. We also ordered the "Pulled Beef" Sandwich which turned out to be pretty tasty and might be high on my favourites list. We were getting prety full but we just had to order some dessert. The ice cream and chocolate chip cookie....oh mama...that was so nice...Ellie and Mummy finished most of the ice cream and I got most of the cookie which was pretty darn good...it came in a small pan which was a BIG COOKIE!!. We didn't finish the sandwich and the cookie so it was all packed up and brought home. Fortunately the trip home was less stressful and we didn't have a jam to contend with.

A rather fulfilling day don't you think. We got back pretty tired and played with the boat which we had to bring back if you get my drift. Soon we were all tired and went to bed...it was twelve by then and we heard the sound of fireworks in the distance as we drifted of to sleep. What a day...

Today I'm looking forward to the rest of the pulled beef sanwich and that chocolate chip cookie. Ah the little one just wok up...talk about timing...I'm gonna get her to hold up the sand-art for me to take picture of...

Happy Merdeka to all!

My New Pet

2008-08-02T07:29:00.003+08:00

I haven't had that many pets in my time that I can remember. Our first family dog was called Bingo and he was a nice old fellow. Of course I was rather small at the time and the story goes that we used to cling on to him and we'd pull us around. Well at least that what my elder brother told me...I was young and gulliable then! Old Bingo went to Doggie heaven one fine day and we never had a dog who could replace him.

My mother, told me that my uncle had once brought a baby monkey for me as a pet. Of course I never even saw that one. Mum gave her brother a earful and so went my chances of having my own little monkey....that would have be so cool!!

One pet that I do remember very well was my parrot, his name was Bobby! We used to try to teach him how to talk and he was a bundle of fun for a youngster like me back then. I was like eight or nine then and had just lost my father to illness. I remember everyday after school I run to his little corner to play with him. I had so much fun. in fact the whole family enjoyed him.
One day though after school I found him motionless at the foot of his space. I couldn't believe it. I cried so much. My brother and sister were so nice that they got an old shoebox and put Bobby in there. Then we had a small procession in the garden and buried my little pet red parrot. In hind sigh we must have looked wierd but I still remember that day and it meant a lot to me to put Bobby in a nice final resting place.

After that we never really had any pets...we had fish and bird, budgies to be exact and bubbies too. We once had a grey bunny that we called Bugs and he was still a wee fellow...after work we'd take him and his sister, Blackie, out for a few minutes to have fun in the garden. One day, we went into our routine and all was well until our insurance guy came along. So left the bunnies outside for a moment near the budgie cage and went inside. All was well until we heard the budgies making a huge ruckus. Budgies a re pretty quiet bird but this time they were shreiking. We ran outside only to see a stray cat with little bugs in her mouth. He was still alive so I gave chase. Cats can move real fast when they want to and he bolted throught the garden and over the wall in a blink of an eye. We searched all over for hours but that was the last we saw of poor old bugs.

Okay all my stories seem to end with my little pets meeting their maker but thats why they are pets, right? Anyway, I have one more story of our arowanna fish that also met an untimely death but that was due to an accident and while w like that fish...he was almost two feet long he was just a fish.

Anyway, my new pet is actually a plant. Yes, folks you read right!! A plant....a venus flytrap to be exact. I've always been fascinated by this insect eating carnivorus oddity and I've finally got my hands on one. They are pretty rare and I've looked through countless plant shops but to no avail. So would you believe that I found it in Carefour hypermarket!! Of all the places. He's just a little baby right now and who knows if I feed him right and treat him well he migh grow into a giant tree that eats more than just mere little insects Muahahaha

Simple Economy of Cows

2008-07-31T09:54:00.001+08:00

SOCIALISM
You have 2 cows.
You give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both and shoots you.

BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away...

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.
You sell them and retire on the income.

SURREALISM
You have two giraffes.
The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.
Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.

ENRON VENTURE CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island Company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. You sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States, leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release. The public then buys your bull.

A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are.
You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you.
You charge the owners for storing them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them.
You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity.
You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You worship them.

A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Both are mad.

AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows.
You tell them that you have none.
No-one believes you, so they bomb the shit out of you and invade your country.
You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy...

AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Business seems pretty good.
You close the office and go for a few beers to celebrate.

A NEW ZEALAND CORPORATION
You have two cows.
The one on the left looks very attractive...

Source Unknown

The Return of the Genies!!

2008-07-07T23:40:00.009+08:00

Alakazam!

The mighty Genie King and the beautiful Genie Princess from the magical Land of Faraway are back! Upon escaping the clutches of their Evil Master after being held captive for 1000 years, the magical genies have been busy flying on their Magical Flying Carpet, granting wishes and spreading love throughout the blogosphere.And now, the genies are back with a special gift for everyone! Behold the sacred, Magic Lamp of Luck! With this magic lamp, your blog will enjoy much good luck and fortune, warding off all things evil lurking around in the blogosphere. We would like to share this magic lamp with you so please pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to those in need of some good luck. Remember, do not be greedy or unkind, evil or vengeful and good luck & fortune will always be with you! Join us on another exciting magical adventure as we spread goodwill and good luck to one and all!

* Start Copy Here*

1. Add your site(s) to the list once you have received the Magic Lamp of Luck.
2. Pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to as many people as you like. After all, everyone needs some good luck!
3. Leave a comment HERE once you’ve passed on the Magic Lamp of Luck. Once the Genie King and Genie Princess have visited your site to make sure your links are complete and proper, you will then be added to the Master List.
4. To ensure everyone receives equal link benefit, please UPDATE your list regularly!

1-First Time Dad 2-Mariuca 3-Mariuca's Perfume Gallery 4-Emila's Illustrated Blog 5-The Other Side of Emila 6-My Sweet Escape 7-Bay Head Blog 8-Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 9-LadyJava's Lounge 10-Petty Ramblings of a Petty Queen 11-The Real Deal 12-Pinay Mommy Online 13-Perpustakaan 14-LadyJava Life's Pages 15-Make Money Online 16-Cat Tales 17-LadyJava's Food Paradise 18-Being Woman 19-Spicybug 20-Biz-N-Honey 21-Aeirin's Collections 22-Sasha Say s 23-Project Heavy Traffic 24-Picture Clusters 25-My Wanderings 26-Maiylah's Snippets 27-Moments of Colours 28-Life Quest 29-BigMoneyList 30-The Best Parts 31-Morphed 32-Buhay Pinoy 33-Galatayo 34-Blogging Tips 35-Apples Of The Eyes 36-My Own Utopia 37-Sasha's Corner 38-Under One Roof 39-Say Cheese 40-A Great Pleasure 41-A Life in Bloom 42-Because Life is a Blessing 43-Digiscraptology 44-Xixi 45-Ode to Adrienne 46-CrankyDave 47-Simple Life 48-Dew Drops 49-The Journey 50-Mastering Your PC 51-Day Break 52-A Little Girl Talk 53-Mom Knows Everything 54-Day to Day 55-1 of a Kind Wis 56-It's a woman's world! 57-Breather 58-Photo Hook 59-Letterbox 60-Asian Mutt International 61-Dream Doe Philosophy 62-MommyAlehs Up-Close And Personal 63-Livin' the Life! 64-Restnrileks 65-English Corner 66-English Grammar 67-Bodybuilding & Fitness 68-Everything you need 69-One Stop Games 70-Blockbluster Movie Trailers 71-Bodybuilding & Human Growth Hormone 72-World of Tennis 73-Men's Health & Tips 74-Internet Marketing Strategy & Tips 75-Latest Technology 76-Tentang Binaraga 77-Berita Seputar Selebriti 78-Panduan Kesehatan 79-Insurance For You 80-Crissy's Zone 81-Crissy's Library 82-Crissy's Haven 83-sHeNzEe's wOrLd 84-Voice Of The Spirit 85-Best Cuisine Recipes 86-Stand My Ground 87-SeeNRead 88-This Is A Miracle 89-I AM KCAT 90-Traipsey Turvey 91-GBeX & DOm 92-Spun By A Seanachie 93-ISL Family 94-D' Cooking Mudra 95-'Story' the Great 96-UmmiRosma 97-Munirah Abd 98-Atie 99-Hit-or-Miss 100-Twisted Sister 101-Laketrees Artist 102-Blessed Sanctuary 103-Comedy Plus 104-Blogging By Sandee 105-Living Life to the Fullest 106-Speech-Less 107-Happy Life 108-My Discoveries 109-Strangely Out Of Place 110-Rooms of My Heart 111-The Paper Vision 112-Luxurious Retreats 113-Reef 114-Weekend Snapshot 115-Blessie's Finds 116-Confessions of An Army Wife 117-My Pooch Life 118-Five Martini Lunch 119-TIPS FROM THE TRAILER 120-PoeARTica 121-STAY AT HOME MOM 122-Rantings of a Woman 123-Sjtl's Weblog 124-Turn-u-Off 125-My World in My Own Word 126-Shawie 127-A New Saga 128-Janeth Vicy's Life Journey 129-Simple Reveries 130-Berry Blog 131-Touts4u 132-My So Called Life 133-La Vida es Hermosa 134-Speedcat Hollydale Page 135-mangosteenskin 136-Choc Mint Girl 137-Of Colors And Styles 138-Pinaymama's Diary 139-My Life's Rollercoaster Ride 140-My Life...My Journey! 141-Bonoriau 142-Jenny and Belle 143-Read My Mind 144-A Sweet Taste Of Life 145-Shopping Blog 146-Precious Moments 147-Feydakin 148-Hot Shit Form Here 149-A Mother's Simple Thoughts 150-Daily Ramblings Rendezvous 151-Miss Moneypenny's Comical Posts Undercover 152-My Precious Niche 153-FunFierceFabulous 154-Colorful World of Shiela 155-Me,myself+2 156-Ozzy's Mom 157-Let's talk about MJ 158-Great people make us feel we can become great 159-A Family Man 160-Just the way it is... 161-In Depth 162-Attitude, the ULTIMATE POWER 163-Are You Grateful? 164-Complain Complain Complain 165-My Little Black Pot 166-Notes By Marvic 167-Aku Pelukis 168-Jiwasintetik 169-Foster Me Up 170-Life: Thoughts & Inspirations 171-The Callalily Space 172-Mommyhood and Me 173-Bits and Pieces 174-La Place de Cherie 175-Through The Rain 176-Blogfixes 177-New England Lighthouse Treasures 178-Chez Francine 179-Tsinay 180-Hailey's Domain 181-Hailey's Beats and Bits 182-My So-Called Life 183-PinayWAHM 184-Rusin Roundup 185-Sweet Temptation 186-Lynn's Chic Spot 187-Kai Kriye 188-LiLo n StiTcH 189-Lights and Shade 190-Easycrafts 191-Ideasmoney 192-My creations 193-Sukanya-hobbiesandcrafts 194-My Kraft 195-Adam: @geNda iNsPiRaSi 196-The Working Mom 197-My Touch Of Heaven 198-Her Name is N.O.Y. 199-Fida Abbott 200-Hesitant Wife's Blog 201-YOU Next!

*End Copy Here*

And now the genies would like to pass on this Magic Lamp of Luck to Nick, Jean, Janice, Jackie, Speedcat Hollydale, Ann of a Nice Place in the Sun, Mel of Attitude, the Ultimate Power, Juliana's Site, Rusin Roundup, Grow Rich Along With Me, Comedy Plus, lynda's loft, Amel's Realm, MAX, Complain Complain, Life Is A Roller Coaster, Sugar Queen's Dream, Life, My Life, My Thoughts, DatCurious.com, Little Aussie Cynic

Now Go Forth and Spread the Good Luck and Goodwill!!

ALAKAZAM!!

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-14T18:43:00.010+08:00

I'd like to wish a very Happy Father's Day to Nick and especially fellow First Time Dad Sean, my two best buddies. Guys we're all finally in the same boat...times have changed so much since we first knew each other (see pic above...err we were a lot skinnier back then). Nick's boys are actually fast approaching the age we were when we first met. Time sure flies, so enough of our good old days, we've got new memories to make so lets get it on!!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to also hand out a little something to some of my best blogging friends who left comments on my little Humpty Dumpty Story! LJ, Nick, Marzie, Jean, Janice, and Jackie! It's an brand new "Grade AA" award I 'whipped up' today just for special eggheads like you!! I know there are many other friends around that I should pass it to...but you know what...you guys were the only ones thick 'shelled' enough to want something for commenting!! LOL Well you are deserving besides the squeaky wheel always gets the 'hot' oil!!! Feel free to 'scramble' it around to your friends too! As the old saying goes...if you can't 'beat' them...sunny side up will do!! LOL Okay enough of the egg 'cracks' Doh!! There I go again...don't 'fry' me okay! LOL

A Happy Father's Day to all Fathers and Father's to be!

Humpty Dumpty

2008-06-13T01:18:00.002+08:00

I was in the supermarket the other day when I stumbled upon this sight. I've never seen such an eggciting mess before so I whipped out my phone and snapped off a picture to the protests of the staff there. Some clown of a customer actually put the basket on a shelf and left it unattended...tsk tsk tsk

It reminded me of good old Humpty Dumpty...I wonder if all the King's Horses and all the King's men could have a nice omelette with this lot.

Cheers!

The Concert

2008-05-18T00:06:00.006+08:00

Today our little Ellie amazed us both. It wasa getting close to her bedtime when out of the blue she suddenly seemed inspired. She left whatever she was doing and sudenly said she wanted to have a show. A show...we thought? Odd...so we asked her what show she wanted...and she said she wanted to have a special show. We were a little confused becasue this was the first time she's done this. So we exchanged looks of bewilderment.

Ellie made me hold up a strip of plastic (for her clips) as if it was a spotlight Then she ran to the room and dragged out the maid...another of her audience. Next she grabbed one...mind you she said only one..of her xylaphone sticks and then came out. I wasn't allowed to put the strip down even for a moment...No Daddy...must hold it up...was her command! LOL Then she picked up all the cushions and laid then in a row to form a stage of sorts...we wondered where she got all the ideas from. We didn't teach her for sure.

These pictures were taken some time last month but those are the yellow sticks that she's holding!

Then she went under the "spotlight" and started singing on the stage...using the xylaphone stick as a microphone!! Well it was the favorite nursery rhymes...A, B, C, D...and twinkle twinkle little star then a combo....it was so cute...I wish I could have taken a picture but I was busy holding up the lights!! LOL Next she made her mummy sing too and then it was my turn while mummy held the "lights" LOL We really had a blast. My visiting Aunt was enjoying the show too!!

After a bout of songs and some dances too the show ended but not the nights festivities...

Next she ran into the room and got a blue cloth and laid it on the floor. Hmmm...what now? Okay mummy...come swim in the ocean with me. I am a small shark and am going to bite you okay!! So she pretended to swim the length of the ocean and then proceeded to shark attack poor mummy. LOL After that it was laps in the pool...first she and mummy...Daddy don't forget German...German???...has she been watching Telematch I wondered...then it dawned on me...Ladies and Gentlemen. Gentlemen became German!!! hahaha So daddy became the annnouncer...ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...etc. LOL and I had to announce the swimming competition!! So she and mummy did "laps" while I gave a running commentary!! After that it was my turn to take a dip LOL

I really had fun tonight and learned a little more about my daughter! She is amazing to me and wifey!! Either that or it was the delicious orange and poppyseed cupcakes that wifey baked tonight...then again she didn't have any until after the show!! LOL

You know those proud moments fathers have of their children...Yup...I had one tonight! Cheers

RED MARBLES

2008-05-02T10:17:00.003+08:00

Someone sent this to me last week and with the global food crisis that is upon us PLEASE spare a moment to think of those who are less fortunate and do your part to help them ease their burden.

I was at the corner grocery store buying someearly potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean,hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin'them peas. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr.Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of thosepeas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one isblue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost..'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in thatIdaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho '

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath..

A Post

2008-04-23T00:00:00.005+08:00

For the lack of a better title I'll settle for that!! Today wifey went to Singapore for a business trip and will be back tomorrow! No big deal right! We'll it is to me. It's been ages since she last went on a trip and the last time she went was whe I started my blog...can't remember when but I know it was close to a year ago. Okay that got me curious...it was in May and my second post was "Cathastophe Averted"...my first was just a welcome message because I wasn't sure what i was doing here!!

Anyway, it just brings back memories of me putting the little one to bed and then using my old dial up line struggling to publish a little post about my day! It was my frist time alone with the little one then and I was worried how she'd be missing her Mommy and my fears weere justified. I was kinda pround that I managed to survive that episode and be a better dad because of it. It's not easy trying to put a two year old to bed especially when she is so used to having her mummy around. Anyway that episode was in the past. Today was supposed to be the same except that the little one is now 3 and we hope she might be a little more understanding. We told her that Mummy will be away in singapore yesterday to prepare her. Wifey called and said good night to her today too and she seemed okay with that except that ever so often she would ask "Where is mummy...in the room" Which started my spidey senses tingling...okay I don't have spidey senses but daddy senses don't sound as nice.

Well like I said everything seemed to be fine until I took her to bed. Tried to get her to calm down but she was restless as usual and wanted to play. Lately we've been trying to be a little firm with her and so me being me raised my voice a little and then all hell broke loose. DOH!! She just started wailing and just wouldn't stop. I tried my best to calm her down but everything I did was absolutely fruitless!!! I walked her, talked to her...tried everything but she wouldn't stop. So I took her outside to try to let her watch some of her cartoons and the maid woke up because of the ruckus. Fortunately she was able to calm her down and before you know it she fell asleep!! Boy these little things sure put a mighty dent in your precieved fatherly capabalities. So here I am feeling rather guilty for making the little one cry before bed when her mother is away and I can't sleep! Darn... fatherhood is not easy is it? You think you have the answers but you are always learning new things.

Muffins Anyone?

2008-04-20T01:16:00.002+08:00

Okay okay!! I know I haven't been around much lately and I've also not been doing my usual rounds on the other blogs! Don't even talk about leaving comments and responding to comments or tags that I've failed to do!! Taking this course is really taking up most of my time and what ever time I have left I spend with my little one so I hope you understand. Work has been busy too so no chance of sneaking a post here or there. I guess when it rains it pours as the old saying goes.

Anyway, today was no different except we had to do some grocery buying and also needed to get a couple of new toys to distract the little one. More toys? Well the maid/helper we have will be leaving for home soon and the new one will coming. Our little girl is understandably very attached to the current one so a little smoke and mirrors will be needed to help with the transition. It's not going to be easy but at least it'll keep her mind off the old helper, well at least that is what we hope.

We got her a few books and some finger puppets and a few other things and then had a quick lunch at our favourite place and then headed home. We didn't want to take her along as she has a cough and cold. When we got back we decided to bake some chocolate muffins...well wifey did and I just set the oven. This time it was my favourite chocolate chip muffins.....mmmm... unfortunately I have a sore throat too so only sneaked one....can't wait till tomorrow...

Well I really wanted to share the muffins with you guys who have been visiting although I've hardly been posting! You're all wonderful frineds! Enjoy!!

Hot from the oven!!!

Monday Morning Madness

2008-04-14T08:46:00.001+08:00

LET ME TEST YOUR IQ....DID YOU GET THE ANSWERS?

A first-grade teacher, Ms Neelam was having
trouble with one of her
students. The teacher asked,"Boy, what is your
problem?"

Boy answered, "I'm too smart for the first-grade.
My sister is in the
third-grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I
should be in the
third-grade too!"

Ms. Neelam had enough. She took Boy to the
principal's office.

While Boy waited in the outer office, the teacher
explained to the
principal what the situation was. The principal told
Ms Neelam he would
give the boy a test and if he failed to answer any of
his questions he was
to go back to the first-grade and behave. She
agreed.

Boy was brought in and the conditions were
explained to him and he agreed
to take the test.

Principal: "What is 3 x 3?"

Boy: "9".

Principal: "What is 6 x 6?"

Boy: "36".

And so it went with every question the principal
thought a third-grade
should know. The principal looks at Ms. Neelam
and tells her, "I think Boy
can go to the third-grade."

Ms. Neelam says to the principal, "I have some of
my own questions. Can I ask him ?"

The principal and Boy both agree.

Ms. Neelam asks, "What does a cow have four of
that I have only two of?"

Boy, after a moment said, "Legs."

Ms. Neelam: "What is in your pants that you have
but I do not have?"

Boy: "Pockets."

Ms. Neelam: "What starts with a C and ends with a
T, is hairy, oval, delicious and contains thin whitish liquid?"

Boy: "Coconut"

Ms. Neelam: "What goes in hard and pink then
comes out soft and sticky?"

The principal's eyes open really wide and before he
could stop the answer, Boy was taking charge.

Boy: "Bubblegum"

Ms. Neelam: "What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and
a dog does on three legs?"

The principal's eyes open really wide and before he could stop the answer...

Boy: "Shake hands"

Ms. Neelam: Now I will ask some "Who am I" sort
of questions, okay?

Boy: Yep.

Ms. Neelam: "You stick your poles inside me. You tie me down to get me up.
I get wet before you do. Who am I?"

Boy: "Tent"

Ms. Neelam: "A finger goes in me. You fiddle with me when you're bored. The
best man always has me first. Who am I?"

The Principal was looking restless, a bit tense and took one large Patiala Vodka peg.

Boy: "Wedding Ring"

Ms. Neelam: "I come in many sizes. When I'm not well, I drip. When you blow
me, you feel good. Who am I?"

Boy: "Nose"

Ms. Neelam: "I have a stiff shaft. My tip penetrates.
I come with a quiver. Who am I?"

Boy: "Arrow"

Ms. Neelam: "What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' that means lot of
heat and excitement?"

Boy: "Firetruck"

Ms. Neelam: "What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' & if u dont get it
u have to use ur hand?"

Boy: "Fork"

Ms. Neelam: "What is it that all men have one of it's longer on some men
than on others, the pope doesn't use his and a man gives it to his wife
after they're married?"

Boy: "SURNAME"

Ms. Neelam: "What part of the man has no bone but has muscles, has lots of
veins, like pumping, & is responsible for making love?"

Boy: "HEART."

The principal breathed a sigh of relief and said to the teacher, "Send
this Boy to the University, I got the last ten questions wrong myself!"

Baking & Booking

2008-04-02T22:01:00.005+08:00

It' s been another hectic week what with classes and the usual stuff. However, we decided to do a little baking between the "booking". Anyway since I'm not a man of many words lately I'll do another pictorial...hey pictures are supposed to paint a thousand words right! LOL

Wifey made some delicious chocolate brownies...I baked sausage rolls...
close up of my little creations hehehe

Wifey tried her hand at cupcakes...

the blue berry kind,,,none survived!

as you can see! hehe

Then it was time for books...
and a little sunshine...

and more books...

and finally group study at my place!!
Yes...books strewn everywhere...sad ain't it!

But it was fun to tell you the truth...if it weren't for the assignments and exams I am really enjoying this!! Cheers!

And thanks Ellie for helping me with this! :)

Wham Bam Thank You BIG BANG!! Repost

2008-03-20T19:18:00.005+08:00

This is a repost of the original Big bang Meme!! We're lmost reached our target of 1000 and would liek to invite more folks to join in the fun! So what are you waiting for...

"Let’s face it; one of the main goals of joining a meme is to increase links. So, let’s call a spade a spade and see how “Big” of a “Bang” we can get. The goal is to exceed 1,000 sites. Can it be done? With your help we will leave all the other memes in our dust! Just follow the instructions. No thought necessary. Simple as simple can be so lets see if we can break the bank on this one!! "

*Start Copy Here*
You do not have to be tagged to play along. This game is simple and so are the rules.
Copy from *Start Copy Here* through *End Copy Here*
Add your site(s) to the list. Just be sure to post at each site you add.
Tag or don’t tag, your choice, however, the more tags you create the bigger the list will grow.
Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list. (If you would like the scroll box code, leave me your email address and I will email it to you.)
Come back and copy the master list back to your site, often. This process will allow late-comers to get as much link benefit as the first ones in.

1-Attitude, the Ultimate Power 2-Juliana's Site 3-Rusin Roundup 4-Grow Rich Along With Me 5-Comedy Plus 6-lynda's loft 7-Amel's Realm 8-MAX 9-Speedcat Hollydale 10-Mariuca 11-Complain Complain Complain 12-Mariuca's Perfume Gallery 13-Life Is A Roller Coaster 14-Sugar Queen's Dream 15-First Time Dad 16-Life 17-My Life 18-The Painted Veil 19-My Thoughts 20-DatCurious.com 21-Little Aussie Cynic 22-A Nice Place in the Sun 23-DatMoney.com 24-The Down Side OF Up 25-Ladyjava's Lounge 26-Cat Tales 27-moms.....check nyo 28-Colorado Baby 29-It's a Woman's World 30-ENLIGHTENED BITS 31-My View of "It" 32-My Reviews and Finds Along the Way 33-Our Hep Chat 34-Rantings of a Woman 35-The Callalily Space 36-Mom Knows Everything 37-Hazel 38-Chronicles and Tales Unlimited (RED) 39-From the Mouth of Jabber Jaws 40-Sunny Side Up Foodie & Lifestyle 41-Carmel Corn 42-Daily Stock Picks 43-The Whole New World 44-Wifespeak 45-Slavery Bliss 46-Rooms of My Heart 47-Unpredictable Life 48-My Life, My World 49-At Your Service 50-All About Ebay 51-Everything Amazon 52-Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out 53-My So-Called Site 54-New Wife Blog 55-Tendre Poison 323 56-Nick's Bytes 57-My Scratch Pad 58-Choc Mint Girl 59-Life Is Just Around the Corner... 60-Amori, poseia, art... virtuali by Hanna 61-Maryannaville 62-monaco - monaco's 63-Nyumix's Blog 64-read my mind - my keyboard monologues 65-Shower You Children With Love - The Right Way 66-Secret Agent Mama 67-Pinaymama's Diary 68-Answers to the Questions 69-Work of the Poet 70-A Total Blog 71-My life, my hope, my future 72-NORTE 73-A Window to Our World 74-Life as a Mom 75-FIELD OF DREAMS 76-lisgold 77-See Me for What You 78-Caught in The Stream 79-Pinay Mommy Online - My Home 80-foster me up 81-CRUEL VIRGIN 82-Garden of Moments in Blog 83-So Cute 84-Love Everlasting 85-WeLcOmE To My CriB 86-WELCOM TO PINAYSMILE'S JOURNEY 87-Ice's Icelog 88-Jenny's Wandering Thoughts 89-Hobbies and Such 90-Sweet Paradise 91-Mommy's Gibble Gabbles 92-Rusin Review's 93-My Small World 94-Little Peanut 95-Online Ramblings 96-My Mood My Feeling 97-BLOG it with ALLEN 98-Entertainment World 99-Let's Go Singapore 100-Firelynx 101-Catsy Carpe Diem 102-Every Beat Of My Heart 103-Always Da Fresh Princess 104-Listening.. Learning..Living 105-All About Mars 106-Syii From Afar 107-Some Thoughts I Have 108-From Here and Beyond 109-My Paid To Blog 110-Scholarship Corner 111-Cell Phone Review 112-"Apples of the Eyes" 113-It's All About Play 114-The Luttrull Journey 115-RennyBA's Terella 116-Unchained Melody 117-Out of the Blue 118-The Lure Of the Unknown 119-Maricel's 120-my blog 121-Spiff, the Spaceman 122-Living Well 123-The Dog Log 124-Catnip Corner 125-A Piece of Idea 126-Observations From the Back 40 127-Poetry by The Redneck Gypsy 128-Odd Facts 129-Juliana's Lair 130-My life is murphy's law 131-lisgoldsmemoirs 132-My memories, as time goes by 133-Somewhere over the rainbow 134-Blogging by Sandee 135-Our Journey to this so called life 136-Idaho Daily Photo 137-Memories that Never Fades.. 138-Anything goes 139-Your Caring Angels 140-Little Paces 141-Laketrees 142-PoeARTica 143-fracas 144-Just FraCas 145-Archies Archive 146-Growing Up Together 147-A Woman's Diary 148-Mother's Got A Dot Com 149-Close To You 150-Hot Shit Form Here 151-Astro Galaxy 152-Detector 153-Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 154-My Life is Peachy 155-The Down Side of Up 156-Magical Milestones 157-In Search of Life 158-RebelationsdotNet 159-Jen Jen's Place 160-Mimi Writes... 161-Strange but true 162-Depois de minha viagem 163-Your Perfect Wedding: 164-Make Money Online 165-Primitive Ornies and Bowl Fillers 166-Vegetarian Diet Lifestyle 167-Looking Out For You 168-BENOLSATUEM 169-OtherSide 170-Hacko's Site 171-where was I 172-Making Money Resources 173-text's Site 174-Movie Corner 175-Rahasia Bisnis Internet 176-Online Dating Tips 177-Beauty Kissing Tips 178-Forex Trading Tips 179-Singapore Tour Guide 180-PPC vs PTR 181-Indonesian Film 182-Adsense Success Stories 2008 183-Bali Tour 184-Paypal Indonesia 185-Review Bisnis Internet 186-Blog Daniel Scardua 187-Much of a muchness 188-Gagiers Amazing World 189-Clumsy Mommy 190-Leaotheblogger 191-PBDesigns Reading and Crochet Blog 192-Gagiers Striking Zone 193-DrowseyMonkey 194-Yesterday Today n Tomorrow 195-Auntie Dar's Life 196-Sky Windows... 197-Filippino Life Abroad 198-Leao the Blogger 199-Zoop's Rantings on Life 200-My Journey 201-A Sweet Taste of Life 202-This is a Miracle 203-Lavanderia Virtual 204-Nancies's Web - Family Life 205-Dating Profile of the Day 206-my wooden robot 207-My World 208-urban : trendy : lifestyle 209-Lucel Juliana's Library 210-Cooking Momster - My Life Journal 211-Anggie & Jeremy boy Online Journal 212-'Doc Doc Doc' 213-Transforming My Life 214-Gratitude Journal 215-Simplydunn.net 216-emila's illustrated blog 217-AZZY'S BLOG-A-ROONIE! 218-MAMABLISS' TREASURED MOMENTS 219-The Sky's the Limit 220-PROJECT HEAVY TRAFFIC 221-just another ordinary story.. 222-Samuel Rolo 223-The end mission! 224-R S S Submissions 225-Laice's Pics 226-Health and Fitness 227-Brainybimbo 228-Journey with WaterLearner 229-Zoop's Rantings on Life (at Blogspot) 230-Dear Me (Ivan) 231-Tour the Tabon Caves 232-Book Calendar 233-Love me. Hate me 234-Everyday health and beauty 235-BLOGANDO & ANDANDO 236-Memoirs.:*CRoSs mY hEARt*:. 237-The Chic Shopaholic 238-CK Go Places 239-Red Empress: Hell Flavored, Taste like Valentine 240-QUEENBEE 241-Le bric a brac de Cherie 242-jaqqq in the blogs 243-Bijoux & Banter 244-When Silence Speaks 245-MadTomatoe's Blogging Tools and Widgets 246-Conceptis addict 247-Madamoiselle 248-My Wooden Robot Blog 249-A Simple Life 250-It's a dog's life 251-A Technocrat's Blog 252-Misty's Words 253-My Dogs Keep Me Sane 254-New England Lighthouse Treasures 255-NoDirectOn (not: NoDirection) 256-Additional BlogLOve 257-I am DZOI 258-Caroland's Breathtaking Adventure 259-Blur Ting 260-Rojoy's Daily Update 261-Down River Drivel 262-Momhood Moments 263-Real World Mom 264-REALWORLDMOMUNPLUGGED'S WEBLOG 265-Lucca D Jiwa 266-AngrianiWorld 267-Marketing•Review 268-sejuk sesangat 269-Everything and then Some..... 270-Gbex...reachingOut 271-Heart of Rachel 272-The working mom / Finding balance... 273-Madamoiselle ver.2 274-Latest Keyword 275-Tanny's Blog 276-Pay to Review 277-Happy Life 278-Pet Haven 279-Teratak Nurani 280-A Melhor Novela de Todos os Tempos do Ãšltimo VerÃ£o 281-TYNIE World 282-Wanmus's Blog-get cheapest web hosting 283-mokkikunta 284-BLOGHIT, POLIBLOG, TOP TOPICS 285-none of your business 286-Expat Travels 287-The Poor Mouth 288-GIRLIEGEEK.ORG 289-Tau Tau 290-Points of View 291-kimf3's Blog 292-Bing-My Treasures 293-Everything Green 294-The Pipeline Fixation 295-~Menempuh Arus Masa-Life-Photography~ 296-Pea in a Pod 297-{Me and Mine} 298-Beblan Anak Tukang Jahit 299-How Bourgeois 300-Julie's Blog 301-Emphbone 302-Simply the Best 303-Euroangel Graffiti 304-My Daily Nourishment 305-the worldwideweb addict 306-(¯`•._.• PalavraS ArticuladaS •._.•´¯) 307-The Big Life 308-Wild Borneo 309-Failure is the Key to Success 310-The muxic box's memories 311-What Goes Under the Sun 312-Cronaca di Gatteo 313-Angelika's other blog 314-So Real 315-Jaque 18 316-Overtime 317-When Life Becomes a Book 318-On the Bricks 319-Central Perk New York 320-The Simple Life of a Baghag 321-BlogBlast For Peace: The Official Site 322-Miss Cellania 323-Miss C Recommends 324-homeschooling.teacherjulie.com 325-belolats.com 326-The Original Blue Ribbon Bloggers 327-No nonsense Internet Tips 328-Its Not a Weekend; Its a Lifestyle 329-myfavehangout.com (Rich Valla) 330-Blog District 331-Official Travel Guide 332-EMJEI SAYS 333-www dot project rasso dot org 334-Work At Home Opportunities 335-VirusHead 336-Gracie de Guzman 337-Jollyjo 338-Jollyjo.tv 339-Ev Nucci's THE CAREER STRATEGIST 340-Ev Nucci's Resource Economics..Grease your brain 341-MARKETING MYSELF 342-NORTE 343-ACROSS THIS BRIDGE 344-STRUGGLING PARENTS 345-Read Between the Lines 346-Internet Lifestyle 347-THE SLEEPING TURTLE ART GALLERY 348-HIDUP BIAR SEDAP 349-BLOG ABOUT RICH 350-7101 Islands 351-Binding Ink III by Ndp the Poetress 352-mutiara hati 353-GreenBucks 354-Istilo Pinoy 355-Sweet and Complex Living 356-Angelika 357-my thoughts in writing 358-sharingplatform 359-Just the way it is... 360-LUCID CREATIVITY (Nelle-MyVirtualWorld) 361-TEACHERJULIE.COM 362-Bits and Pieces 363-Confessions Of A Breathing Tote Bag 364-My Joys 365-Fiction Earth 366-... My Precious ... 367-MY VIEWS ON MY SO CALLED LIFE 368-A Reality Bite 369-Cobb Community 370-Angelea's Blog 371-Janeth Vicy's Life Journey 372-NinaRepublic 373-Peaceful Mind 374-ME, MYSELF + 2 375-Mommy Jane and Little Sophia's Fasion misADVENTURES 376-ONKNEES - ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK..... 377-SHEENISM 378-SAILIN' THRU LIFE (ASecretPlace) 379-Project Management Tutorial 380-Labindalawang Piraso ng Kokomban 381-Gorgeous Traveller 382-Sharing Gifts and Ideas 383-MUMBLINGS 384-Because Life Is Fun 385-PsychPatient MD 386-Everything Is Free 387-BRAINY MOMMY 388-Simply Unique 389-precious moments 390-Pearly Scripts 391-LIGHTNING AND THUNDER 392-Rayani Friends 393-WORK CULTURE 394-Psychology 395-Gold News 396-Applied Psychology 397-Scientific Psychology 398-Backwoods Drifter 399-New Beginning 400-Life in General 401-Life Is Like That (That's Life) 402-Life With Roxxymetal 403-SEXY MOMMA 404-The Z Files 405-I'll Never Forget the Day I Read a Book! 406-DOODLE PAGE 407-Escape Hatch 408-The Official Afterslaughter Weblog 409-Mommy's Little Corner 410-MALTED MONKEY 411-MOM AND THE CITY 412-Life with the Two Crazy Dogs 413-the joys (and pains) of being a woman (My Untamed World) 414-Making Cents-Sense of Technology 415-USER GAME REVIEWS 416-Write Shy 417-DOMANTYS.net 418-ZWANG 419-ANYTHING GOES! (my world, my place, my views...!) 420-Matt's blog (World of Insanity) 421-Lifestyle chronicles 422-The Alien Next Door 423-CMAQUEST 424-The Mascot 425-NARUTO ADDICT MANIA 426-Friendster Layouts 427-borneo tatoo...the original body ink 428-DOMANTIX 429-CULTURED SHOCK 430-EuWorx 431-HUBPRIME 432-STAR SURFACE 433-MY KALEIDOSCOPE WORLD 434-luckycharms 435-John's Blog - Maybe I Am Joking? 436-NEW WORDPRESS THEMES 437-WEB VIDEO HITS 438-TOP MUSIC VIDEOS 439-TEXT MESSAGES 440-Homemade Haven 441-TAGMEMEAWARD CAT 442-Coriander Dreams 443-BrainLoops 444-Soul Meets World 445-Speak The Speech 446-The Tall Poppy 447-My Day Off 448-Internet Business Promotions and Opportunities 449-Gage's World 450-PIXY ROSE 451-John's Cynical Blog 452-Poliblog 453-Techcheck 454-RoseateMarketingTips.com 455-RUSTYGANGSTER 456-Napaboaniya's Music Videos 457-EZINE PRIME 458-Prime Scrolls 459-FactMundo: World of Facts 460-CHAE 461-GOLDFINGER 462-OnlineBiz and Resources 463-ASTRO GALAXY TRAVEL 464-The Singapore Housewife 465-Climate of Our Future 466-Anorexic Queen 467-Eleanoreblog 468-Turnip of Power 469-Old Life 470-Shiphire Dustbin 471-POSTCARD HEADLINES 472-crazyblog 473-V.Col 474-Simple Life, Simply Me 475-Rasso Photoblog 476-Bagwine Ruminations 477-The Travel Bug 478-Short Stories 479-OPENGIGA TECH 480-Yogatta Dot Com 481-Net Diary of Rasal 482-WORDPRESS MEME 483-divaness 484-Thinking Tunnel 485-My decisions, my mistakes, my feelings, my LIFE 486-E-News (Gossip, Scandals, Movies, Music, etc) 487-FRAPPUCINO JOWN 488-MAYBELLE DOODLES 489-And the Legend Lives 490-In His Time - Endless Frontier 491-Travels in Time 492-Money Making Reports 493-MY HAPPY PLACE 494-The M&M Online BloG 495-Carol's Corner 496-http://individualathome.blogspot.com/ 497-Confessions of a Social Climber 498-Moderately-Confused Pinay In Deutschland 499-BLOGSILOG 500-DigiScrapz: Captured Memories 501-Cherry’s Comfort Zone 502-Thinking Out Loud 503-Wishing and Hoping 504-Jobs for Davao 505-Jobs for Abroad 506-PRC Exam Results 507-Wish Washy 508-Captains bridge 509 Colourrain 510 Modus Vivendi 511-Our Hep Chat 512-I forgot where I was going with this... 513-MRS FANCYPANTS LIVE 514-Real Estate News and Tips 515-MY.........STORIES 516-Garaphernalia 5.0 517-Everything Everywhere Travel Blog 518-lane of memories 519-Avee's Adeventures 520-Celebrating Life 521-Me and the World 522-Paul, Toni and Lance ----- Bridging The Distance 523-Paul and Toni 524-This is My New Chapter of Life 525-Online Competitions 526-posh lifestyle 527-Creative In Me 528-Life's Lessons 529-KERSLYN'S COMFORT ZONE 530-Piece of Mine 531-One World One Dream 532-HUMBLE HOME OF OURS 533-Life Is Beautiful; Life Is Love 534-Journey of Two 535-Tutiger's Blog 536-JORDAN CREEK 537-NEURO PATCH 538-Tour and Travel 539-Musings of a Daydreamer 540-DELICIOUS YOUNG BOI 541-SugarMagnolias 542-Heart and Style Woman 543-SURREAL-GEORGIA 544-Girls Do It All 545-OgenDicht/EyesClosed 546-Christy DeKoning; Travels in Watercolor 547-living life to the fullest 548-Holy Cuteness 549-FILIPINOLIFEABROA 550-Filipina Love stories 551-Interracial Marriages 552-SWEETHEART ALLEN 553-Living laughing and loving 554-A Day to Savor and Relish 555-Catsy's Pet Blog 556-SimplyCatsy's BLogs 557-Catsy's Out of the Blue 558-Mohanitguy 559-ItBuddy 560-alanzain 561-3 Sides of Crazy 562-Life abroad wifey 563-My Life's Rollercoaster Ride 564-ONLINE ENTREPRENEUR 565-Verb 566-Laptop Tip 567-US GIRLS 568-Our Journey as a Family 569-Let's talk....everything... in one space 570-http://oscar-vg.blogspot.com/ 571-BENOLSATUEM 572-blockbuster movie trailers 573-Bodybuilding & Fitness 574-Lemon Iced Tea and Me 575-GoboGeek's bmx blog 576-butterfly chewables 577-The SuperStar John Blog 578-CultCase 579-Allen's-collections 580-lyrics 581-fil-amstories 582-allen-library 583-Ad Hoc Doctor 584-In The Life Of...Mne 585-The Social Network Blog 586-T-CRIB 587-The iSurfer 588-Review dan informasi bisnis internet 589-A Place of Being 590-Medicinet 591-Make Money Blogging 592-LONG TERM STOCK PICKS 593-Pet Monologues 594-fingers dot crossed 595-Simple Life 596-Small Business Guru 597-Life's a journey, not a destination 598-Blog Portfolio 599-Nurse's Dose 600-ONE STOP GAMES 601-DianeCA's Metamorphoses 602-Sultana's Blog 603-Joze's Crap 604-landscaping 605-Geng's Journal - Wonderful Thoughts On line 606-ananda 607-Moneyonlinemasterz 608-Pamp's Blog Corner 609-Photography & Morphology of SheenaEdillie 610-Almanac Queen 611-G0c3nG Dot Com 612-World News Dotcom 613-Berbagi Tips Hidup dan Kehidupan 614-Windows App Warez 615-Most Keyword 616-Music Download 617-eBooks & Tutorials 618-Web Developments 619-Non-Windows Warez 620-Hackers Lounge 621-Movie Download 622-Day Tippers 623-Alamak Oi Oi 624-PEACE GLOBE GALLERY 625-Dona Nobis Pacem: The Peace Globe Posts 626-Fertility Challenged 627-A new kid in town...Japanese fastfood 628-The Cafe at the End of the Universe 629-The Manic Bookworm's Ballroom 630-All World Insurance 631-WTIT Tape Radio: The Blog 632-Mama Pajama 633-bobbarama dot com 634-Polliwog's Pond 635-Six4Paula 636-Beth & Cory's Mom 637-Luz de Luma, yes party! 638-The Rising Blogger 639-Saturday 9 640-haekal-bloger 641-The World Through My Eyes 642-Blog Income Project 643-Nelle - EmpressReviews 644-home for business 645-Kaleidoscope 646-Intrepid Ideas 647-Life in the United States 648-Napaboaniya APAD 649-Solo-Flight 650-BlackNickel 651-Anything Under The Sun 652-Buy Blog Review 653-Are You Grateful? 654-ezvancouver.com 655-Vancouver Sky 656-Bodybuilding, Health, and Human Growth Hormone 657-5 minute foods for you 658-LUNA.LUNA.LUNATIC 659-..just ME being RANDOM 660-Cebu Lands and Homes 661-Skylle's D' Limit 662-iqbal blog 663-Tech 5.0 664-Saje Jek 665-Sehening Kalbu 666-Di Sini Berhenti 667-LADYJAVA LIFE'S PAGES 668-Shopping Fashion Style 669-Nonsense 670-Pinaywifespeaks 671-Pinaywifeatbp 672- INSERT YOURSELF HERE

*End Copy Here*

My victims are: Anything Goes! Aunie Dar's Life Brainy Bimbo Diamonds Saphire Emila's Illustrated Blog Lady Java's Lounge Listening..Learning..Living Maunie James My Life is Murphys Law NoDirectOn (not: NoDirection) Nessa's Mumblings Petty Ramblings of a Petty Queen Room's of My Heart

Red Tag!!

2008-03-14T23:48:00.002+08:00

Recently Aunty Marzie tagged me with my very first tag!! It was a nice and simple one...
And it was about RED!!!
I don't have many red dresses...
but plenty of red toys!

I hope they count!!

I tag anyone who likes red!!

Happy Birthday Little One!!

2008-03-10T00:05:00.011+08:00

Boy oh boy!! What a weekend it's been!! And I'm not referring to the elections that just passed by with some major surprises...no, it was my daughters 3rd Birthday!! Yes, she turned 3 on Saturday. I was so tired and also caught up withthe elections that I didn't get a chance to post until late last night but experienced some problems uploading the pictures. So had to wait until today.

On Saturday, after casting our votes, we took her out for a nice lunch...errr well it was nice for us but not for her because she refused to eat...fortunately she enjoyed the desert which was scrummy!!!

At night we had a little dinner and cake cutting for her too!

Sorry the pictures are all from cellphones because we couldn't find the camera charger!! DOH

All in all it was a good weekend...I enjoyed cooking for the party this time because it was a small crowd of around 25. The food turned out great and I was happy that folks enjoyed eating. Had loads of food too, the menu was Briyani Rice with almonds and fried onions, fresh vegetable pickles, beef cutlets, prawn sambal, soy sauce chicken, vegetable kurma, prawn tempura, grilled pork tenderloin, huge papadams and Chinese mixed vegetables. I particularly liked the prawn sambal which was extra spicy and really tasty even if I do say so myself!! LOL

The party ended around 1 a.m. and my little one stayed up until then too forgetting any notions of sleep. She was playing football with her cousins would you believe. LOL I myself stayed up till 5 a.m. watching the polls results trickle in. On Sunday I was exhausted and just lazed around mostly and checked out the news channels. Like I said before, boy what a weekend!!

Finally...

2008-03-04T23:24:00.005+08:00

PHEW!!! It's sure been a while since I last posted something, hasn't it? Bet most of you think I've given up blogging for good so something. NOT! It's just that I'm getting back into the groove of school life!!

Yes. Turning your mind off for over 20 years does take it's toll! LOL I'm only glad that I managed to finish a couple of my assignments in time. It was no easy task because they were back to back and required a lot of research and reading. On Sunday, we actually we spent the entire day from 7 am to 5 .30 pm in a study group. I am not kidding.

On top of that my other best buddy Sean, had a little crisis last week too. His wife's water bag ruptured on Wednesday and she was admitted to the hospital. It caused a few anxious moments and they couldn't wait for the baby to come out through a normal delivery so they had to have a C-section. The "little nipper" as Sean likes to call him was born to this world on Thursday at 3.44 pm. After the baby was born he called me and didn't say a word but cried and I was so touched I wish I could have been with him at that moment because there is so much emotion running through your veins and when the long wait is finally over you just need to let it all out. Wifey and me rushed there after work though and were the only ones there because their families had not arrived. We got a sneak peek at the handsome little guy...

Wifey and I was going back and forth to the hospital to see the little guy, who looks nothing like his old man, LOL. Seriously Sean and his wifey were pretty worried throughout the ordeal and we just wanted to give them a little support. After all the visits to the hospital we'd go back and study till late too. Our batteries were on overdrive but we knew they needed a hand besides it's not everyday a person becomes a First Time Dad!!! We did want to be there on Sunday too when they were discharged but just couldn't make it because of the study group, would you believe.

It's also our little one's third birthday this Saturday!! Woo Hoo!! We haven't even had a chance to get her a present yet and I haven't got a clue what to get either. Anybody got any ideas?

We're just throwing her a little dinner and inviting some family and friends. I'm cooking LOL I actually wanted to do a real party for her but with classes and all I just couldn't plan it properly. Oh oh I haven't ordered the cake yet!!

Okay I better hit the sack!! Got work tomorrow and study group meets too again for next weeks assignment!! DOH!!

A little story...

2008-02-28T08:02:00.005+08:00

This is a little story I got today in an email and I thought that this would be a nice item to share with everyone. Unfortunately the author is unknown or else I'd give him proper acknowledgement for his writing because this is certainly no attempt at plagiarism. It goes like this...

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer, she had lost my heart to a lovely girl called Dew. I didn't love her anymore..I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I did'nt have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a months time and she did'nt want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Dew about my wife s divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes
and said softly, don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest.. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realised she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me, .. she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly, it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.

I drove to office... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind... I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished. Then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realise that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote:

I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

The small details of our lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property , the money in the bank, blah..blah..blah. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you, but if you do, you just might save a marriage.

- Author unknown -

I actually received this story from a friend who is now divorced and that's what moved me to post it. We all know that not always do things go back to the way they began. Each person has their own reasons for doing something like this and each time the outcome can be different.

What do you think?

Wordless Wednessday

2008-02-19T23:49:00.006+08:00

Daddy...

look at me...

All gone!!

Meanwhile at home I have to pore over all these books!!
THis is only for one of the subjects mind you!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T13:44:00.006+08:00

My Valentine's

As most of you prepare to celebrate Valentine's Day in your own special ways I'd like to share this little story with you that I received from a friend today...

Why God created children

Whenever your children are/were out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was "DON'T!"

"Don't what?" Adam replied.

"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.

"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve...we have forbidden fruit!!!!!"

"No Way!"

"Yes, way!"

"Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God

"Why"

"Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering why he hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants. A few minutes later, God saw his children having an apple break and He was ticked!

"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God asked.

"Uh huh," Adam replied.

"Then why did you?" said the Father.

"I don't know," said Eve.

"She started it!" Adam said

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"DID NOT!"

Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY!

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!

1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own
children.

3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own.

6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY: Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day.

AND FINALLY: IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE:

"TAKE TWO ASPIRIN" AND "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN"

What do you think?

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Chinese New Year!

2008-02-07T00:41:00.000+08:00

GONG XI FA CHAI!!

Wishing all my Chinese friends a Happy and Prosperous Year of the Rat!!

GongXi GongXi!!

Bruises, Bumps, Coughs and Colds!

2008-02-03T08:38:00.000+08:00

What am I talking about? Well its my little girl again. She hasn't been well all of last week...firstly last Sunday night she developed a fever that kept us up at nights sponging her to keep her cool. Well it was more like having to give her cold showers becuase after a while she didn't want to be anywhere near the cold damp cloth we were using. Surprisingly, the fever went away by Wednesday night. We thought that we were out of the woods.

On thursday after work we let her play with her slide and was kinda happy to have her back. However, that night out of nowhere, she got a sore throat and cough. More sleepless nights for her and us because everytime she would get a bout of coughing, we'd wake up. We figured that it must have been why she had the fever. Anyway, it was a nasty cough so yesterday we took her to see her paeditrician and got a whole lot of medication. Things seemed to subside a little and we all enjoyed a nice long nap in the afternoon...well deserved under the circumstances.

Later my good buddy Sean came by with his wife for a little visit. It's his birthday today so we went out for a little pre-celebration dinner and took the little one with us...all wrapped up and cosy. We wanted to try the German bierhaus in the Curve but it was packed solid. Probably because Chinese new Year is almost here aand lotsa folks are oout shopping. So we headed to our favourite joint, Tony Roma's which is within walking distance. TR's was packed too and we were told that it might be a 30 minute wait. DOH...what do you expect on a Saturday night. However they did ask us if we wanted to sit outside where they have alfresco dining. It wasn't very popular last night because it was raining a little so we took a look and found that it was cozier outside not as stuffy as inside because of the crowd.

We were all so hungry after waiting that we ordered too much food. Moreover the portions were large and we struggled a little to finish but eventually did. Burp! Anyway after dinner we were in a joyouds mood and sang Chinese New Year songs all the way home! Well we only knew one song and kept singing the same song!! LOL Even Ellie chimed in...of course she wanted to sing "Jingle Bells"!!

Anyway after we got home we watched a little tv and drank coffee...and this is when I took my eye off Ellie for a second when I heard a loud thump and saw her on the floor. Initially she was quiet and then she started bawling her little eyes out. The bump formed quickly!! Gave us a little scare and while we put ice to keep the swelling down it was has to console her. Usually I'd jsut tell her get up and continue playing but this time I was a little concerned but I think she's okay now. You can see the bump below...it's subsided a lot from last night!

I really wished that I had put wooden floors like I had wanted to for a long time. The impact would have been so much less painful. Unfortunately everytime I start thinking about it I end up planning to change the look of the whole place. I really need to get some Home Decor ideas and actually did find a nice place that has Interior Design Ideas. This will be very helpful to me to make up my mind on the actual style I want. I'm tired of the old house look. I want some new ideas and maybe a new theme like the European Decors I saw. I usually get my stuff from a certain blue and yellow Swedish furniture store anyway. Hey the meatballs are great!!

Back to School

2008-01-16T13:14:00.000+08:00

No! I’m not talking about the new school year where thousands of children moan and groan their way back to school. I’m talking about me. YES!! You read right! ME!! I am moaning and groaning my way back to school! (and buddy if you laugh I’m gonna smack you so hard your eyes are gonna be crossed for life LOL)

Talk about life changes when you have a child. First it was my signing up for the gym last year. I mean I never thought for a moment that I’d join a gym because I always thought it was a waste of time and money. Besides I hate to exercise…I’d rather play games like football and basketball. However, after years of trying unsuccessfully to lose weight by every possible way I took the one option I had never tried. Exercise under a trained professional. The results were good and I lost a lot of weight. This year I haven’t really picked up momentum yet! Still getting back into the routine for the new year and hope to get back on track. The reason I was so determined was just plain simple… I became a First Time Dad.

Now, I’m doing the thing I hated the most…Study!! Believe me I never liked studying when I was in school all those years ago and I still don’t. I don’t really mind those short-term training sessions that last for a week or two or less but a full blown course is something different. But here I am now taking my Masters in Business Administration. That’s right! Me and MBA student (LJ quit laughing…I will have to learn how to spell now LOL).

Trust me I’ve tried to find ways to wrangle out of this and to avoid taking the course but unfortunately I could not find an excuse good enough. I want to improve myself and to learn. (Is that me talking?) I’m partly doing this for myself and partly for my daughter so that I can set her a good example too. Believe me I’d never have even though of taking this if it weren’t for her.

Anyway, I managed to convince wifey too that it would be beneficial for her and also that it would be a great help to me to have a partner to push me to study otherwise I’d find all kinds of excuses not to do it! Of course, ultimately she’ll diverge to her field of expertise that is Marketing and I’ll be in my area of expertise which is Human Resources Management. Yesterday was our first day at school. Believe me it’s been almost 20 years since I last did this and boy did it feel strange!! Walking down the corridors and seeing people who were mostly younger than us mingle in the hallways. In a way it felt good.

Unfortunately, taking up this course is also going to eat away at the time we spend with our little one and it really does make us both feel bad. Although, classes will be only twice a week for about three hours only there will be assignments and coursework and other little things that will crop up. It’s going to go on for eighteen long months so you can imagine how much time we’ll be away.

In fact this morning, wifey was telling me that last night the little one was talking in her sleep and asking her ‘Yaya” (Filipino for nanny) where Mummy was...So this will undoubtedly be a challenge. Not to mention that we still have to go to the gym too…what was that old saying a Healthy Body means a Healthy Mind!

I know that I am taking a step in the right direction no matter what happens and just hope that I haven’t bit off more that I can chew!! Only time will tell!!

And the journey continues…

A lesson in History

2008-01-15T10:13:00.000+08:00

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

These are interesting...

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold."

Getting quite an education, aren't you?

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. `So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

And that's the truth...

Now, whoever said that History was boring

Educate someone...Share these facts with a friend.

A Christmas Thought!

2008-01-09T23:37:00.000+08:00

Bet you thought that I didn't have any more Christmas stories to tell right!! LOL Well I have one more and I'll be brief. You see last Friday I happened to notice that there was a Pos Laju slip in my mailbox. I looked at it and saw that it was dated December 26 would you believe!!!

You see after Christmas, on Dec 26, we went away for a short holiday to nearby Port Dickson and apparently the Postie came by while we were out and left the note. We did get back on the 29th but didn't notice the slip until last Friday. We called the distribution center and they sid they'd deliver it to the office on Monday but Monday came and still no parcel...Tuesday came and it was the same so I decided to just pick it up myself on Wednesday after work (today) but the parcel finally came.

I took it home to be opened and saw that it was a gift for Ellie from none other than Emila!! Well see for yourself what she made for my little girl!! Thank you so very much Emila for the wonderfully thoughtful Christmas present! Ellie loves it!

Hmmm what is it? It's wrapped in a ribbon!!

Can I open it? Look at the nice card, mummy!

What is it? It's a bag...

Close up of the lovely hand made bag!! My young model!

And while we're talking about what happened today....this is what she drew...LOL it's supposed to be a face ...but it sure looks a lot like Barney!! hehehe

Time Flies

2008-01-07T23:37:00.000+08:00

My little one when she was a chubby little baby!!

The other day I was looking at some pictures of my little one and it was then I realized that she was starting to grow up!! I remembered her first Christmas when we were so happy to see her glide...that's walking while assisted with furniture for those of you who are not familiar with the term! LOL Now she still doesn't walk...err...she runs LOL

This is the first time she stood on her own...

and this is now!

This is the first time next to the Christmas tree and

this is now!

I don't know what to say...except that my little baby is growing up and she's not even three!!!!

A Little Prayer…

2008-01-07T22:25:00.000+08:00

Pictured are my daughters current favourites!

We’ve always been getting story books and nursery rhymes for the little one ever since she was born. Although she can’t read yet we’ve, well mostly wifey, has been reading a little to her each night at bed time to calm her down.

Initially, the little one, understandably, had no patience and would just flip through the books even as we were reading them. As time wore on, however, she became more and more interested in the stories. She’d ask questions about the characters and what they were doing over and over again. I guess it was her own way of confirming if that was what the characters were really doing LOL

Now, what really got me was yesterday as I was watching tv while wifey was putting her to bed the little one wanted to come out. Wifey said that the little one had something she wanted to tell me. So she brought out her children’s prayer book and started reading the prayers. I was amazed. Normally she’d just follow as we recited the stories or rhymes or prayers. This time she was reading it….Well I don’t know if she was really reading it (okay okay no way a twoi year old can read right!! ) or if she had just memorized it but either was good, isn't it!! And it was not just one prayer…she was turning the pages and reading/reciting several. Actually I don’t know how old children are before they can read or memorize but I felt a sense of pride in my little one’s achievement and am just plain happy that she did it!!

And the journey continues…