Going into 2010

For those who play Farmville in Facebook, would know what flowers are these. Poinsettia! Yes, real Poinsettia; photo courtesy of Ms Lee from Australia. Thank you for sharing this beautiful flower photo.



What a year it has been for 2009.....

1. QUIT my job for first time in my 9 years of working life. Being a full time mother and spending more times to my 3 years + daughter for 9 months. It was tough but I am happy I am able to have more times and understand her more.
2. I am happy to be part of little gal's first year of her school life. I attended most of her Teacher-Parents Day (actually it is more like update of her progress from her class teacher), competitions and prize giving. I know if I were working, I would not have such times to go to her school and do all those stuff.
3. Learn to cook and experience new recipes. I am glad that hubby commented my cooking is improving. *wink*
4. Welcoming a new member to the family. Little gal has a little brother to share toys and play with.
5. Have obtained licenses to sell unit trust and insurance. So I am a certified UT and Insurance Agent!

As for New Year resolutions, it would be the same as before. Nothing new. Probably I have to add one more resolution. Save money for 2 vacations next year. Lol!

So, what is yours?


glitter-graphics.com

Happy working

After been in this company for slightly more than 1 month, I only managed to secure 2 cases for my company. It is not that I have been lazy. Most of my cases are pending and customers are to get back on their confirmation. I did do my follow up calls (but mostly on holiday for past weeks), and usually my customers’ comments would be rental too expensive, lots too small for their business, not enough parking spaces, many small lots, worry no sales and the list goes on. Time is tough but I did not lose hope. I treated it as a challenge. I have been in sales before and previously the target was way higher.

Compared to previous companies, this company is much better in sense it is smaller. Decentralized system, decision-making is faster and no red tape. Colleagues are helpful and no office politics around. Everyone is working in their respective cubicles but we mix around. One thing I like is that less paper works and meetings in this company unlike my previous companies. For me, meetings are waste of times and to be result-orientated, I would much prefer to use the times for meeting to call and meet customers, and close deals

You can say that I enjoy my job. I set my own targets, my own appointments and manage own times. Irregardless of everything, I am still planning to pursue my interest in business. Hubby and I have plan to do new business but that would not turn reality soon. We have not really sit down and discuss in details on our business plan, but we are definitely plan to do something.

Our Christmas Day

I love Christmas. I love Christmas Eve as that is where family gathered together for a Christmas dinner and toast. Luckily the night of Eve was cleared of rain, as it has been gloomy most of the day yesterday.

We bought a lamb leg from Tom's which cost us around RM150.00. A bit tough I felt or probably I have a bad tooth. I couldn't chew my lamb well last night. Ouch! However I enjoyed the grilled fishes and potatoes dish, compliments from my BIL.



This morning we brought Baby Jay to his first church outing. Since it was his first, we decided to stay in the children room which is on the first floor. Most of the time, he enjoyed what he sees, but he managed to take "eye shut" for 30 minutes.

Half way through the summon, I received a call from my dad (s**t, forgot to put my phone into silent mode but what the heck! The room was filled with noisy children so it was very rowdy and I hardly can hear the priest talking). My dad is suggesting to us to follow him to visit an aunt's house for lunch. Well, we obliged to the request since it has been many years since I didn't see this aunt and cousins. Actually this aunt was given away and adopted by a Bidayuh couple when she was a baby, but throughout the years, she still keep in touch with dad and other uncles.

So after the church, we went home to bathe Baby Jay and off we went to pick my parents and sis. It was about 30 minutes or more drive to aunt's house which is situated after Taman Kwong Khiong in Batu Kawa. So coincidence, when we reached aunt's house, we bumped into other uncles and cousins. So a very big family reunion we had; a lot of catching up, exchange of numbers and emails, snaps etc. I didn't know most of them, which happens to be my cousins-in-laws, nephews and nieces. Lol! You can say, how big my family is.....And Baby Jay being the youngest, was the centre of attention. Everyone asking about my little gal's whereabout. If she was there, I am sure she will be excited to play with her cousins.



When we reached home around 2pm, we were too tired and lazy to visit a neighbour's house. *paisey* Baby Jay has a busy day as he hardly slept. As I was typing this post, hubby went out to buy dinner from BIL's cafe. I don't feel like going out again after spending most of the day outside. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful Christmas Day. How do you spend your Christmas?

Counting my holidays

I need holidays. I have been working for 6 whole days for past 5 weeks. Pretty fatique. And I lost count of what day is what day! Some days when I woke up in the morning, I have to think hard what day was it. Lol! Some mornings I just wish they were Sundays and I can snugged in my bed longer......

So I am looking forward to Christmas and New Year; I want to do nothing but rest and spend my times with my family. It is not that I don't like my new work. I actually enjoy it, as I meet a lot of new people and learn more from them. However once a while I would like to take a break; away from those deadlines and targets. *wink*

I am working whole day today, but will be creeping out early to get present for my little gal. Yeah, I haven't buy her present. Last minute Christmas present shopping. I couldn't wait to see her open her present on Boxing Day when she is back from hometown.

Here, I am giving a big warm ('cool'??) hug to all of you. Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!! Hope 2010 is a good year for all of us!!


glitter-graphics.com

Pieces that give Peace on Earth

It’s always fun to see the amazing talent from other artists and today I want to share a few lovely creations from someone I get to call a friend and fellow artist. The samples are from Kara, who has the wonderful ability to take a variety of design elements, bits and pieces, if you will, and turn them into wonderful art. She was kind enough to use some of the Swell Noel art from the scrapbooking collection and I have the privilege of showing it off.  To learn more about Kara and the beauty she brings to her creations please visit her blog, My Studio Pink. I know you will be as delighted as I have been when you see her unending talent and precise attention to detail. What’s more, Kara is a true gem!

Winter Solstice & H1N1

It is time to have your tang yuen (glutinous rice balls) today. When I was small, my mother will get all of us to roll the rice balls into small round balls and throw them into hot boiling water prepared with syrup and pandan leaves. After that, we were to eat the rice balls with the syrup. I remember that I have to eat the rice balls according to my age; so if you are 15 years old, then you have to eat 15 tang yuen.

I remember last year I bought some tang yuen from supermarket. You know those with some black beans in them? Hubby enjoyed those tang yuen, but I do not quite like it. Too sweet I think. This year I did not cook any. I only knew that today is Winter Solstice when my colleague told me about it this morning! Yeah, I do not keep track of those Chinese special occasions.

When it is Winter Solstice, then you will start to think that Chinese New Year is just a couple of months away. Winter Solstice marking the end of Winter and beginning of Spring. Usually we would gather around the dining table and have dinner together, but as we grow older and who ever is married, move out from the house, we seldom uphold this tradition. However on this occasion, I did not missed going back to my parents' house for lunch this afternoon. As I expected, without fail my mum prepared the tang yuen for the family. And I did drink and ate few tang yuen, but of course I did not eat the numbers of tang yuen according to my years (age)! Otherwise I would not be able to eat my mum's delicious lunch if I drink a big bowl of the rice balls. Lol!



To a more serious matter, I heard from my mum today that H1N1 second wave started to hit the USA. So, parents, please be vigilant. There is vaccine for H1N1 but I understand that this vaccine is still new and not widely tested. One of my parents' neighbour just told her that her grandson (7 years old) was given the H1N1 vaccine in school in Taiwan recently. Less than a week, he was down with fever and just passed away. He was a healthy child but the school is required by relevant authority to give vaccine to all students!!

Another neighbour recently brought his children for vaccine in Australia after went there for holiday. The neighbour commenting that the vaccine there is much cheaper than ours. There were few cases of casualty in USA where children died after given H1N1 vaccine. So unless your child is sick, bring him or her to clinic. Do not bring your child for H1N1 vaccine yet. This is my personal opinion, and I am not trying to be judgmental to this matter as I am not expert or doctor to make comments. I am a mother to 2 children and as a parent, I am only concern for their health and safety. Unless this vaccine is proved successful and safe in containing the viruses, I would not bring my children for its vaccination.

The fruits reign again

Yes, it is that season again. Local fruits hit the market with fruitful harvests. Langsat, rambutan, durian, you name it, we can buy them everywhere from the road sides, wet markets, to people pushing a small cart in coffee shops asking people to buy them.

Usually I try to avoid those fruits because I cannot take too much of them. "Heaty". However I did take a few bites of durian and rambutans though. I don't really fancy the fruits but there are too many of those fruits around. For past 2 weeks my house is packed with durians. My BIL got them from friend so they comes in a big box. You can imagine the smell of the fruits in the house. Phew!

To avoid the fruits from been spoiled, we split open the fruits and keep them into containers to be stored away in fridge. Actually durian tastes nicer when it is eaten cold. Lol! Have you eaten the King of fruits?

Passport is not approved!

What is the logic here? Why I am not allowed to enjoy myself and catch up with old friends once in a blue moon?

I am complaining about my hubby. He does not allow me to go clubbing with my lady friends on Christmas Eve. His reason given is “family’s time”. Alright, I usually used this excuse when he gone out with friends at night, so now he is using the same excuse back to me. The only logic I can think about is that he does not want me to go and leave Baby Jay to his care. Baby Jay is also one kind. Demanding baby and loves people to carry him around. He is pretty strong now. Kick and cannot be still when he is carried or lied down.

It is not like I frequently go out at nights. Heard Jen is coming back to Kuching for Christmas so I would love to catch up with her. The last time we met was when she held her wedding reception a year ago.

Well, I wonder how should I get my passport stamped that night? Or maybe I get my friends for a lunch get-together instead. I actually much prefer a quiet place for meeting, rather than a noisy and loud pub. Hardly a great place to chat, don’t you think?

The mood is not there...

Have you start shopping for Christmas presents? It is about 2 weeks away and I have yet to think or have the time to shop for my family.

My 6-days job requires too much commitment on my side and at nights and Sundays, I am taking care of Baby Jay. By Sunday, I am too lazy to go out. I have been driving most of the times from Monday to Saturday, so I would prefer to relax and stay indoor.

Maybe this year is slightly different than the previous years. It is a tradition every year to bring out the Christmas tree, decorate it with ornaments, buy and wrap presents for family members and place them under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. However this year would not be the same as my little gal is not around. She is the centre of attention last year when we bought a new 4ft tree and she helped in setting and decorating it. My SIL bought a new Christmas tree for her in Kapit, saw her photographs in FB. *smile*

No one take the initiative this year. The festive mood is not there. The tree is still in its box and so are the ornaments. I guess it has to wait for another year from the look of thing. Lol!

I was browsing through the Lelong.com.my the other night looking for some inspirations, hoping to find something good to buy for the Christmas. I have been thinking of getting a digital camera. I could not resist getting one as the price is low. But I guess that would be at the bottom of the list for the time being. Probably will get it next month, as I know I am going to put up a big hole in my pocket this month. Too much “withdrawals” than “deposits” this month. Headache!!!

Are they the cause?

My simple dinner. Cangkuk Manis Vermicelli and Bamboo Clams ("Tek Thang" in Hokkien) cooked in Chinese red wine.



One of my favourite dish of all times is cangkuk manis; I can cook it with egg, or anchovies. But I love my cangkuk manis the most with vermicelli. Hakka specialty.



BIL cooked this dish. Very "steamy" as he dashed a lot of red wine and ginger. It reminds me of my confinement day when I have to take a lot of those Chinese red and wine wine. Lol!! I usually love my bamboo clams to be cooked with curry powder, but I find this dish very appetizing. It brings out the sweetness of the clams. The clams are fresh and sweet, and with the taste of red wine, it added more sweetness to the clams.



Sorry if this bamboo clam looks obscene but I want to show how big those clams are. Telling you the truth, it is about the size of my little fingers. I love fresh seafood. Since I delivered my baby about 3 months ago, I have not indulge myself in much seafood for the fear of developing skin problems.


After delivered my baby, my skin has been extra sensitive. Is it because I developed allergy to certain food or change of hormone after giving birth? I don’t know about some mummies, but when I have my first child, I observed the 4 months of not eating certain shellfishes, belacan, etc. The elderly believed that for those undergoing C-Section, it is better to avoid seafood and certain food to ensure smooth recovery of the wound and prevent any skin irritation.




I did not observed the full 4 months of "no shellfishes" this round. Maybe I am getting bolder. Lol!! I don’t know what causes of my rashes but my guess is the former because when I take some seafood and sambal, I will have some rashes the following day. I took some sambal twice. The next day, both of my hands had rashes. Sometimes they are itchy and it takes time for them to disappear. I wonder is it because of my body’s rejection to seafood or do I have sensitive skin all of a sudden? Oh dear, how can I not taking those seafood for the rest of my life?? Anyone have such problem after giving birth?

Best Blog Award

Thank you mama mia for this beautiful award. It has been a long long long time since I received one.



Simple Rules to accept the award:
[1] Post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.

[2] Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great!

I have not done much blog hopping lately since I started this new job. Just today together with a female colleague, we drove around Kuching for almost 4 hours to deliver invitation cards to customers and potential clients. I drove my car while my colleague gone out and deliver the cards. We stopped at 4 shopping malls, Carpenter Street and Indian Street; which both is rather the busiest streets in Kuching. Some more there was some convention happening in the city area with many polices around. So, jam, jam and jam. Some more it rained heavily when we were at our last destination around 1something.

While sending my cards in the shopping malls, I am tempted to window shopping a bit. Yes, cannot stand the temptation of Year End and Christmas shopping. Some more the ambiance and decoration in the shopping malls make me in mood for shopping. Well, what to do? Luckily I did not bring much cash with me, so at least I would not spend on the spot. Lol!!


Ooopppss. Sorry, sway from the main topic of this post. Yes, the best blog award. I do not want to say that I am the best. It is up to my friends and readers to judge for themselves.

When ever I am free at night, I will try to do blog hopping, trying to update myself with other blogs. I have been following some interesting blogs prior to me working, which mostly are mummies blogs. Here I would like to add in some of my existing links too as I feel they are best blogs around too. Please! I do not want to miss out on anyone as you are great in some ways and your blogs are awesome. So, do feel free to grab this award anyway. Nevertheless, for the sake of this award passing, here are my picks and they are in no particular order:

Deana
Dora
Osindak
A mom's diary
Kucing
Didi
Merryn
Mnhl
Mummy Gwen
Reanaclaire
Little Prince
Cynthia
Wonderful Life
Slavemom
Sue Jean

Christmas surprise in Living color

I received my December issue of Country Living magazine the other day and always look forward to paging through it each time it arrives. It is a magazine that I have known and enjoyed for years. I remember my mom subscribing to it many years ago. She was one of the original subscribers when it began thirty years back. So, I feel like the magazine has been a part of my life, well, longer than even my own family. It is one of only two magazines that I loyally subscribe to and this month I was especially glad that I do.

As I came to a section in the magazine called “Dazzling Holiday Decorating Ideas” I noticed a neat advent calendar made with little matchboxes stacked into a pyramid and wrapped with festive holiday paper. It was then that I noticed the paper used for wrapping the little boxes was my paper that I had designed for K&Company. How fun to see, and what a nice surprise to find in the magazine.

I then flipped to the next page and found little nickel frames hanging on a Christmas tree framing more of my art. Well, needless to say, it put me in a happy frame of mind!

If you are interested in seeing these projects from Country Living and you are not a subscriber, you can learn more by visiting countryliving.com. Once there, go to: crafts>projects> craft ideas for Christmas decorations, to see how these projects are made.

The original paper can be found at scrapbooking shops which carry the Swell Noel collection by K&Company.

Triple missions

First mission is to lose some weight. Yes!! My current weight is 53kg. Still some more bulges that I need to trim down. Maybe 2kg more would be ideal. *wink* To achieve my goal, I may need to watch my diet. Have a hearty breakfast, try to skip lunch (but if cannot, then take something light) and take light dinner (cutting down on rice and starch intake). Hmm, wonder if I can do it or not?? I have been taking vinegar for almost a month now. People said that vinegar help in get rid of those extra fat and burn them. Let see the result in another month time.

Second mission is to help my dad to lease his shop. He bought one shop in a new shopping mall. Talking about shopping mall, there has been some new shopping malls coming up. Everyone is going into shopping mall construction. I wonder with such population, can those malls survive?? Kuching population is still not that large and with shopping malls mushrooming around the neighbourhood area, it would prove tough to attract shoppers to the mall. I am now back into retail leasing, and after 2 weeks working, I am surprised to discover how much rental rate some malls offer. Sky-rocket rental irregardless of the size and location. On other hand, some even offers cheaper rate or discount for certain period.

Third. My resolution for new year. Yes, New Year is just few weeks ago. Have you start thinking of your new year resolution? I have think of mine. The most important resolution is to secure my shop and do a small business. Hubby and I have been thinking of doing business, and hopefully we would be able to achieve it next year. So, what is yours?

Home's security

Funny thing is that even the houses are in gated and security enhanced neighbourhood, we heard that there was break-in in one of the houses there. How could such things happen? Aren’t the main purpose we bought the house is because of the security? We suspected that it was an insider job. How could we expect to stay safe anymore? Some more every month we are to pay for the service charges for security and maintenance of the housing area.

Even though our house is not ready, hubby has seriously considered installing alarm and security system. It would be a better alternative since we would not be at home during the day.

Do Open ’Til Christmas!

One of my favorite memories of Christmas past is of an advent calendar we had showing a winter scene with a cozy home tucked inside the snow drifts. Each window of that house had tiny shutters to open and peek inside to a Christmas toy or candy or little elf. For the twenty-five days leading up to Christmas morning we would start our days with that tiny visual gift.

Now, there are all types of advent calendars styled in everything from tiny metal buckets all numbered and hanging in a row, to miniature knitted stockings with much the same idea.

I have found my favorite advent calendar for this year. Well, actually it found me. I was delighted to receive a message a few weeks back from Alice with a fun photo of the advent calendar she made. Alice is one of the gracious people who frequents my blog and gave me the privilege of creating a darling advent calendar using the panel art from the Have a Sheri Berry Holiday fabric collection. Alice created it for a friend so she could begin the traditions of this season each year with her children. I imagine today they are peeking inside that first pouch to discover a tiny Christmas treasure.

I am particularly drawn to Alice’s style she used for creating the wall hanging. I love the embroidered wording, numbers and starbursts she stitched by hand. That adds an element of handcrafting that I find so endearing. My daughter and I think it has a very “Anthro” appeal.

Soon it will be Christmas Day. Enjoy each day leading up to December 25 and if you don’t have a cute advent calendar from Alice, just remember to start each day as though you are peeking into a pocket full of treasures and remind yourself that those treasures do surround you each day of the year.

Thank you Alice, for sharing your lovely art with all of us.

Shop and exercise

Yes! Got my pay today. Don’t you know how happy am I to see my bank accounts growing again? It may not be a lot since I just worked for a week, but the feeling of receiving the pay is great. *laugh*

Yesterday I bought few pants and blouses in The Spring. I had some Parkson vouchers so do not want to let them go wasted, I spent them all on my wardrobe. Just on my wardrobe I spent nearly RM400. Phew! Luckily I got my ATM with me. Who else, darling hubby…….He did not complained much on the pricing since it has been many
months I went shopping. Lol! Check out our shopping outing with Baby Jay here.

As I was commenting to Didi, I should start going back to aerobic classes. I miss those workouts and sweats. Hopefully I could find some times after work to do some exercises. I remember I only started to go to aerobic class after 1 year I had my little gal. So this time, I must not delay and start earlier.

Since I stopped exercising, I noticed that I get sick easily. For the past 1 year, I lost counts of how many times I catch flu, cough and sore throat. My immune system deteriorates after I stop exercising. I felt tired easily too. So I hope I can do some workout soon.

What I need

You know, once I have my pay, the first thing I want to buy is office pants. I still could not fit into most of my office pants, so I guess while waiting for me to get back to my previous figure, I could get new pants to wear now. Some more, it is Christmas Sales everywhere. I should be able to find good bargain around. It has been many months since I do my shopping, so it is time to get my wardrobe a changeover. And give my hubby and little girl presents each. *wink*

I guess I don’t have enough to treat myself to a facial. I can feel my pores are bigger and clogged. I don’t have time to do mask since I have Baby Jay. Then, I was busy with children and now busy with work. So maybe one of the Sundays I go and get my face a thorough facial and cleansing. *smile*

Exhausted yet survive

I am exhausted and sick. My family members are sick too!

It has been 3 days since I started my new work. Orientation in the office for first 2 days and I have been contacting and meeting people to rent my shoplots. Some of my old customers even surprised to hear from me again after I went "MIA" for a year. It is great to catch up with some of them.

It is the season again. Not Christmas season, holiday season but the sickness season. Hubby has been complaining of fatigue and sick. So am I. I have not fully recovered from my sore throat. This morning I was shocked to wake up with my voice deserted me, but luckily I regained my voice by mid-day. I guess I will take my mum's advice to see Chinese sinseh for prescription since my family doctor's medication did not cure my sore throat. Or probably I have been taking too much heaty food lately. The cafe below my office serves nice Malay food. But you know Malay food. Oily and fried. Hahaha! Sinful but I am lazy to drive to go other place to eat.

However if I am not lazy, I can actually order take-away and go home, since it is less than 10 minutes drive from my office. Near right? I guess I have enough time to eat, shower and catch my breath in front of tv before punching in for work again. Lol! I actually did that yesterday. Bought Chinese economy rice from nearby coffee shop, ate at home, brought in my laundry, watch CSI:NY and went back to office; all within 1 hour!

I would be working the whole 6 days this week since the company did not observe some of the public holidays. My daughter was suddenly down with high fever last night, and still not yet recover from her fever this morning. Poor girl. She is going back to Kapit this Friday with her grandfather. Hope she recovered by then. I thought I could send her off this Friday morning, but it is a working day for me. Or probably I check with my manager, see I can come in later after sending my girl at the airport. Hubby is not feeling well too. You can say the whole family is down with sickness. The sickness bugs are circulating. Sigh!

Hubby cooked dinner over the weekend. Long time I did not try his cooking so I am not complaining. Lol! You know, he cleaned the whole fridge. What ever he can find in it, he will use and turn them into colourful and tasty dishes. Very home-cooked. I like it.



Mixed vegetables - guess what vegetables in this plate? A bit oily, but taste great.



A bowl of warm soup

Back to the field

I got my internet back late Friday night. So, it was not a bad weekend after all! *wink*

Other than been busy with the kids, I cooked dinner on Saturday for the family. Since hubby was not feeling well(I told him he must be having hangover and having too much alcohol to fall sick lately), I cooked porridge last night. The porridge ala little gal's style. I added potatoes, carrots and mince meat into it, fried an omelet and we opened a can of black bean dace. Simple but nice dinner. I used to hate eating porridge when I was a kid, but now I am starting to enjoy this simple dish. Nothing other than porridge to warm your body on a lazy and rainy day.

Tomorrow is my first day at work. I start to work at 8am. Hubby would be sending both kids to baby sitter since it is not in my way. It is actually a few minutes away from my house but I stay in a very busy area with heavy traffics especially during the morning and after work, so I would not like to risk to being late on first day. And what hubby's reaction? He got no choice but to send the kids from tomorrow onward. It is his turn.

I am commenting to hubby just the other night that I would prefer to work than been a full time homemaker. Maybe I am not fit to be one; but after being one for many months now, it is pretty tiring. The chores are never ending. I never felt tired when I worked. So if I have a choice I would go out and work.

Some day I would like to be my own boss and having a shop. I am aiming to do it. It is never wrong to dream to succeed right?

Frustration

Alright, there is definitely something wrong with my modem (I believe) as I have not been able to assess to my internet for the past 2 days. So if you did not see me that often online, you know that I have been cut off from the blogging world. I must get someone to check on my modem. I know I pay my streamyx every month as it is charged directly to my credit card. Hmm, maybe make a complaint to TMnet and see what they can do with my problem???

Currently I am "tumpang" at hubby's office, following him meeting customers almos the whole day today. Phew!! Pretty tiring, and have been caught in rain twice. After today, I would not be stepping into his office that often as I start working next Monday. Oh dear. Come to think of it, it makes me anxious and excited. Anxious? Because I have not been working for almost 9 months and wonder how I am going to fit well into the environment. Excited? Because I can work, meet people and earn money again! Lol! I am happy that I got this job.

Alright, it is time to pick my two children. After running here and there the whole day, I am missing them that much. See you guys around and have a wonderful weekend!!!

Is she a hoax?

I just came back from sending my children away. It is a wet and cold morning; drizzle when I send my girl to pre-school and baby to babysitter's house. As I was approaching the junction turning to babysitter's house, I saw a lady was trying to stop the car in front of me. However that car did not stop.

My first instinct would be that the lady was having trouble with her car, as it was parked the opposite side of the road. She stopped my car too but since Baby Jay is wailing (almost his feeding time), I signalled to the lady I would not stop and in a hurry.

As I suspected, she was still there when I was out from the road junction. This time, I stopped as I was curious with her situation. My first instinct is to lend her my handphone. Maybe she needs to call tow truck or mechanic. She looked helpless and in despair. However, once I unwinded my car window, she was begging me. Instead of a car breakdown, she told me that her son has passed away and husband left her. She did not know what to do and ask for some donation. It is very unfortunate as that time I did not bring my wallet. So, I had to apologize to her. I usually bring my handphone and driving license out in the morning; unless I need to go to the market or buy breakfast then I would bring some money out. So it was a pity for the lady that I did not bring any money out this morning. From the rear window, I saw her stopping other cars while I was leaving the area.

Now that I am thinking about the whole thing, I am wondering whether she is genuine or just a hoax, solicit money from others. Even if she is a genuine, there must be other way for her to get money. Not begging on the road, causing jam on a raining day.

Tulsa Time

You can take Macy’s out of the country, but you can’t take the Berry out of Macy’s! Well, it just had to be done. I had to find a Macy’s displaying the Swell Noel collection, and I had to find it now! Living smack-dab in the middle of this country gives you lots of options (just not the option to head to your local Macy’s store to see your art on display). You can go north, south, east or even out to the west and find stores galore. Even though I’d love to visit the flagship store on 34th Street in Manhattan, I thought I’d stick with the midwest. So, we packed up the family and headed south to the Macy’s in Tulsa, and what a time we had! 

Since most men (and sons) don’t seem to have the unlimited endurance for looking at ornaments and ornaments and ornaments, :) Tom, Logan and Grandpa headed over to the furniture department to try out the sofas. Shelby and Grandma stayed with me viewing every detail and admiring the attention Macy’s takes in displaying their Holiday Lane collections.

We also enjoyed visiting with the sales staff who were more than helpful in researching other locations where Swell Noel can be found. If you are interested in finding the collection in your area let me know and I can try to help. I have gathered a very extensive list of stores throughout the country where you can visit your local Macy’s to see the display, unless of course, you live in Kansas City. ;)

Whether you’re living in Tulsa time, or any other time, it is the time to have a Swell Noel!

Going back to the field

In 1 week time, I would be working in the new company. 6 days a week, 8-5. And it means I have to wear office wear to work. I wonder whether I can still fit into some of my office wear. Probably not much problem with the shirt, but I have yet to trim much on my waist, so I wonder I can fit into those trousers or not. Lol! If not, the worse thing would be shopping for new wardrobe. *wink*

This week would be the last week of schooling. My little gal has been telling me this morning that they are having movie day, watching cartoons the whole morning. She keeps telling me that there would be movie tomorrow, need to close the curtains and switch off the lights. No more class, but activities and movie watching for the remaining week. There will be a sports day this Thursday. Hmm, I wonder my little gal will participate in any games or not. Maybe I will drop by and catch a glimpse of her Sports Day.

Next week she would be following her grandfather to Kapit for a month holiday. And it means I would not be seeing her for about a month. I am going to miss her. The last time I am away from her is last year in September when I was in KL for a 3 weeks training. And I would not be the only one that missing her. When I told her baby sitter that she will be away for a month, her baby sitter said she is going to miss her. Her baby sitter really loves her, treating her like her own child.

I am going to miss her, and will only see her around Christmas time. However I guess with my new work in hand, I probably will be pre-occupied more with the new working environment, people and culture. On other hand, I am concern that I may not be getting used with the job after been lay off for many months. It has been almost 9 months since I stop working. It may takes some times to get used to it again. I know I would eventually get used to it.

Great week

I just came back from breakfast with hubby. As usual, kolo mee breakfast at Green Heights. After that, hubby suggested we went to have a look at one house that he is in charged with. So we went to inspect the semi-D house in Star Hill. It has been there for 2 years, but luckily the condition of the house is still good although the grass grows as same height as me. *laugh* I wish I could own such house, but sorry. The price is way beyond my budget. Sigh!

Weekend is here! Again!! Lol! It has been a busy week for me, running here and there, meeting up with friends, gone to interview, and doing direct selling. Yes, you read it right. I am into direct selling. So I have been looking for people to join my network. Lol!

I received call from the company yesterday, they confirm to take me in. Offer-wise, it does sound attractive but it is more commission-based. So the basic pay is not of what I desired, but I guess with the current economy (although everything starts to recover slowly) I guess it would do for the time being. Maybe I will start working next week. However I am waiting for the employment letter; I will only decide once I look through the letter. I do not want to rush everything at the moment. I may be desperate to find work, but I am not rushing and simply "pick from the tree". *wink*

The interview and the kids

Thanks for the concern, my allergy has subdued. It only last for a night but boy!! What a night, but I survive.

I will be going for a job interview tomorrow. See what they are offering me. It is actually the 2nd interview; and tomorrow I would be meeting with the senior manager. I am supposed to go to the Registrar Office to collect my daughter's Mykid card but because of the interview I have to postpone to the day after. Same time, re-do Baby Jay's IC as there is a typo error there. We have corrected it once, but due to early input into the system (the wrong spelling), I have to manually get it changed again. So, it will have to be a few more trips down to the Registrar office.

As for this evening, since both kids are fast asleep, I have some times sorting out old photographs. Baby Jay has many photographs taken since he was born, and now I am free to group them into labelled folders. There is one particular photo I like the most. Baby Jay taken together with his big sister. It was taken about 2 weeks ago. Baby Jay was looking straight into the camera. Do you see the look-alike of sister and brother there? Do you like it? My princess and prince, posing for the camera! *say cheese*

I see red, body is itchy and hot!

Oh dear! It started this morning, but I thought nothing of it till now!

It was a gloomy day today, with Mr Sun seldom came out to shine on us. Laundry is not totally dry again. Sigh! But that is another story. My Sunday is pretty usual, with exception that we went out for breakfast. For 2nd time, we brought Baby Jay out for breakfast. We went to Mitsu Tea House in RH for its Dim Sum. We ordered Cha Sio Pau, Har Kau, fried radish cake , and fried noodles. Baby Jay has been a very good baby. He did not wail or made noise, although he did cried for a while, but that was because he was sleepy. He dozed off by himself in his stroller while we enjoyed our breakfast. Supposed to go for grocery shopping, but we decided not too, since Baby Jay was asleep and hubby still concern on the H1N1 and bringing him to public places.

I noticed I developed red patches on my arms especially the elbows after the breakfast. I did not feel itchy so I did not bother much about it. Then as the day went by, I started to feel itchy on certain parts of my body. I still did not bother as I have developed few rashes few days back. I could not think of what I ate wrongly and I stop applying my usual body lotion on both arms and hands, hoping the rashes will eventually go away soon. But that did not happen and it is getting worse this evening! It is just like what happened to me during this year Chinese New Year in Kapit, when I suddenly developed rashes as I reached Kapit......

As I was typing this post, I am waiting for hubby to buy some antibiotic and cream for me. I am left at home with both children. Baby Jay has dozed off and little gal was lying on the bed after a long day. Oh dear! I am trying hard not to scratch those itchy parts. I still could not think what I ate that cause those irritation!!! Yes, I could hear hubby's car going into the car pouch now. I could not wait to apply those cream on my body. Hope those red rashes and itchiness go away!

Into the machine

It is year end weather. So as expected, there would be shower and heavy rain almost every day. And it also means that the laundry would not be smelling nice and dry.

I do my laundry every morning and if the sun is co-operative, then I will usually hang my laundry at the back of the house. Otherwise I will place them under the shed in case there is black cloud or when I am not at home.

Now with the purchase of a 10kg washing machine, I could even wash my curtains. No longer would I need to bring them to the laundry service. I save on the laundry cost, but boy! Curtains are sure heavy when they are washed; it takes my energy away just to bring them out to dry under the sun. It is indeed convenient to own a big load, but you also have some trouble taking your washed laundry from the machine. Why? Because you need to dig deeper since your machine is bigger! I wonder if my arm would grow few inches or not from the stretching? Lol!

This morning as usual I did my laundry and I discovered treasure in my washing machine again after the wash. Why? Because hubby left coins in his pocket.For umpth time, I keep reminding him to empty his pocket before throwing into the laundry basket. Probably I should do the final checking before throw into the machine, but I tend to rely on him to do it himself. Sometimes I also discover paper, tissues and even pen after wash. Oh dear!!! How forgetful is he?!! Why doesn't he leave some money for me instead? Lol!

Stuffing Santa’s Sleigh with Swell Noel

Swell Noel is traveling the globe with a handful of products this year. It all began with papers and stickers and albums and more! The collection was distributed through K&Company, a scrapbooking company and has been spotted on QVC Britian, and here in the states. Some of the items can still be seen on the K&Company website and may be found in some of your local independent shops. However this collection got a head start last year, so the search may be challenging.

The fabric industry got a jump on Swell Noel too. Northcott Fabrics produced the collection under the name Have a Sheri Berry Holiday and many quilt shops from Canada to Australia have been carrying this collection early on to help the quilters get their gifts made for the holiday season. I’ve learned that those who quilt are a little ahead of the rest of us. :)

There is also a set of Christmas cards in Walmart. I don’t know for a fact, but I bet these little holiday scenes will be going global to stay in keeping with Walmart stores. There are four each of four designs complete with foil, rhinestones and dimensional tip-ons. Check your local Walmart any day now and search for the little round sticker in the middle of the plastic box that reads “16 fun cards” surrounded by four Swell Noel designs!

Last, but not least are the Swell Noel ornaments and table top items produced exclusively for Macy’s Holiday Lane brand. Santa’s helpers, well, my dear family and friends have been searching their regions to locate the Macy’s displays and have been sending reports on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. Rumor has it that Hawaii, Puerto Rico and even Guam are catching the wave! So, if your holiday plans send you to tropical places, you know where to spend the time. :) I would go to the beach, though!

As I learn more about which regions of the states are carrying Swell Noel for Macy’s I will try to provide that information in better detail. Until then, have a swell holiday season!

Go to the posting below to see the complete collection of ornaments and decorative items for Macy’s. To learn more about the fabric collection scroll down to the posting dated Friday, June, 26, “Christmas in July.”

Your handy first aid

It is always good to have first aids box at home. You never know when you would need it!

I have yellow lotion, children thermometer, bandages, cotton, eye drops, plaster and other ointments. They can come handy when you least expect accidents at home. Just the other day, my little gal has a minor cut on her sole. My bedroom floor is all wooden. You know, the long wooden floor of old house. As time passed, it tends to brittle and chirp on the edges and sometimes some wooden pieces will come out when I sweep or mop the floor. So my gal got a tiny bit of wood stuck into her sole one morning. Luckily it did not penetrated deep into her skin.

Thanks to our first aid box, we use a clipper to pull the wood out from her skin. It is just a minor accident, but knowing my 3 years plus daughter, she will make a scene out of it.

So it is great to have one first aid box at home. Even you have it, make sure you check the contents periodically. Just to make sure the items are not nearing their expiring date or have expired.

R.I.P

Back in 2008, I blogged on a cousin who has cancer and underwent operation. Since then, she has not worked and spent time recuperating at home. We saw her few times then and she was gaining more strength and recovering well although she has grew thinner. Few months back before I went to deliver my Baby Jay, we met her and family were having dinner at my BIL's cafe. She was very energetic and chatty then.

So it came as a shock when we received the news that she has passed away this morning. It was a sudden. It was sad as her children are young. I wonder how they are going through the hard time. My heart goes to them. May my cousin rest in peace and God bless her family.

Problem is solved!

The virus has left me, although not fully, but they are almost gone. I am not that fatigue unlike the past few days. All I could think and do was to lie down and sleep. But family duty comes first. Who to take care of my kids if not me? So sick or well, rain or sun, I have to perform my motherly (and wifey) duty!!

To make me feel even better; thank to my SIL, I got a new Compaq laptop. She has few laptops herself and since I do not have any, she gave me her Compaq laptop. Now I am free to go online using the new laptop. It is much faster too since it runs on Vista. So no more competition over the pc during the weekend. *wink*

Hubby is free to play his games using the pc while I browsing internet and play my Facebook using the laptop. As for my little gal, she is my helper, keeps reminding me to check my farm and cafe. Yeap, my latest addiction is Cafe World. Every morning when she wakes up, the first thing she says is "Mummy, you want to check your cafe?". Not a good morning anymore, but to check my Cafe World! Lol! Even her daddy also shakes his head.

Miracle on 34th Street

Kris Kringle himself would be thrilled to work at Macy’s Department Store this holiday season. While he would happily enjoy listening to the lists of toys all the children sitting on his lap are requesting for Christmas this year, there is something even more exciting for Kris and everyone else to enjoy at the department store on 34th Street as well as many, many other Macy’s stores throughout the country. That, my friends, is the Swell Noel collection by Sheri Berry Designs done exclusively for Holiday Lane at Macy’s this year.

The collection consists of a number of traditional styled glass blown ornaments, as well as other ornaments done in ceramic, metal, felt, chipboard and glitter, glitter, glitter! Below are the traditional ornaments.

There are three ornaments that resemble snow globes and also three cute little actual snow globes to hang on the tree.


The next few photos are of the other types of ornaments Macy’s produced. My personal favorites are the ceramic “Swell Noel” and “Merry Christmas” along with the ornaments in pink and green shown below.

I love, love, love these little metal snow scenes and the chipboard and glitter houses in the photos below.



There are a number of table top decorative items which have also been produced as well as three music box snow globes, one stocking, and a Chritsmas tree skirt.

I am certain that this collection will be in many parts of the country, but I also know that there are some states which will not see the Swell Noel collection. They are also not available on the Macy’s website store, as far as I know, so hopefully you live in Swell Noel land, and can get a chance to see the collection in its entirety. Unfortunately, I think I chose a state to live in where Noel won’t be so Swell this year! So, as many of you as possible, get out there and take a picture of all the fun you had in Macy’s at the Swell Noel tree and enjoy it for me too!

Here are two of my favorite pictures from this collection. They sum it up!