Old Newspaper!

It's been quite sometime now that I've not bought newspaper on a daily basis. Reasons being:

1. By the time I get home and have time to read, it'll be yesterday's news (or almost). I doubt I'll ever receive 'tomorrow's news today'! (remember this line? *brain-block* I can remember the title of the TV show)

2. I always get my daily news online (while at work, the first thing I do when I get to office)

3. I can browse the hardcopy in the office during my 'breaks' in the pantry or when I feel like it.

4. What you don't know doesn't hurt. (this is especially true when it comes to special sales)

5. I'm trying to do my small part in going green. Less newspaper means less trees? Assuming someone would notice a decreasing trend and hence the printers would not churn out so much.

6. Everyday RM1.20 (or 1.50 on weekends) will end up on my stack of old newspapers and clutter my store room after a while. Only benefit, I get other not so important news which is not available online.

Newspapers on a Thursday and Friday is always fully loaded with special retail offers for the weekend. Today happens to be one of the days when I had time to browse and I saw things which I wouldn't normally see. :)

Yes, cheap clothing. Luckily these were clothes for kids, so instead of the usual grab-the-milk-and-go routine, I browse the other aisles. So AIR1 benefitted from it. hahaha

T'was the day after Christmas

For the first time I actually asked hub to go to a carnival (read: a place packed with people) to let AIR1 to meet Upin & Ipin. Well of course I mis-read the info and I thought it was in SACC Mall, but it turned out to be in SACC Convention Centre. Thank goodness still indoors and cool. I am not outdoor-friendly when I’m not dressed for sports and especially when baby is concerned. Plus I hated crowded places.

I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t as packed as I thought it would be and of course, we killed two birds with one stone, as planned. I was supposed to entertain AIR1 and AIR2 while hub goes for his haircut and instead of what I had in mind, there was an inflatables-play-land which costs RM8 per child and so AIR1 entertained himself. I watched him, fed AIR2 till she almost fell asleep (but awoke no thanks to the emcees) and consoled AIR1 when someone took ‘his car’.

Finally he saw Upin & Ipin and was excited (no chance for photos). He insisted on an Upin inflatable which squeaks and that, he wouldn’t let go until it fell from his grip when he fell asleep.

Eventful day.

From SACC we went to Mid Valley and brought home our new year gift for the house. Hub couldn’t wait for it to be delivered. I guess children are not the only ones excited about their Christmas gifts. : )

Post-Raya

Hmmm...I've not really done a Raya post, so now Post-Raya? haha

Anyway, I wanted to ramble about clothing for kids. Raya is somewhat known for the fact that families tend to dress in similar colours and even same type of material for their clothings. So walk around, especially during the first day of Raya and you'll see mum and their daughters dress alike and the men in the family also dressed alike. For me, we only keep to the colour scheme. Same colour. My outfit can be of a different designed material from my lil girl's. As long as we keep to the colour :)

At this stage, with AIR1 and 2 at only 20 months and 3 months, respectively, I don't believe in wasting money getting tailor-made outfits for them. Hah, even the mummy also buys off-the-rack :) So what did I do? I bought 1 set for AIR1 after Raya last year, it was on sale and only cost me RM10. Yes, believe it. That doesn't even cover tailoring costs nowadays. Then for AIR2, we went on a last minute walkabout along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and found a shop also selling most of its toddler's outfits for RM10. So there you go! (before that, I was contemplating the one in Jusco/Parkson for RM40++ or so)

And last week, when most were still in the kampungs celebrating Raya, we were back in KL. Went 'shopping' and window shopping and found the baju kurung and baju melayu for kids were going at 70% off!! So what were we waiting for?? One each again and this will be for next year! haha Our theme for next year? Must follow the kids' lah.

Call me stingy, but I belief I was being thrifty and spending wisely...hehe in defense of the well-known 'Penang stinge-trademark' :)

Mummy or Maid?

Though I wanted to babywear since last time, I actually do not know the proper way to do it yet. *embarassed*


Anyway, so I went to a mum&baby shop where I could test and try it out and decide what I want. But then I actually prefered designs of the slings from other online sources, so I contemplated. Ended up going to the shop so I could physically test it out and at least get some proper guide, and had to settle for some ready available designs. Hmmmm wat to do...

OVer the wekend, we went to Pavillion with the whole family including mum and dad. And so I carried AIR2 in the sling while AIR1 was in the stroller. Mum went into a shoe shop and I decided not to follow, so we waited outside. Not too long after, a maid with a stroller and a child and some shopping stood outside the shop too. And it struck me - if not for Dad waiting with me (hub went off with AIR1 first), I'd look just like her - a maid, slinging a baby (that's what alot of Indonesians do with a sarong, anyway), waiting for the Madam shopping in the store. Unlike shopping complexes like One Utama, Mutiara Damansara area and Mid Valley, the babywearing community in Pavillion I guess is limited to the maids ;p

And I wasn't really into shopping so I more or less 'accompanied' mum walking into and through all the shops, and mum being Chinese, is very fair, and people wouldn't ever think we're related. So I guess I was bibik for the day....slinging baby and walking behind mum most of the time! :)

What to do after 30 days?

Another 15 days to go (more or less lah) and I'll be free to eat and drink what I like.

So, what have I planned for this time? Yup, of course already planned...

Breakfast - coffee (at home) then dimsum with mum
Lunch - cos it's friday, if I've not had my share of briyani before this, then it shall be briyani, otherwise skip lah, dimsum would last till dinner-time (it usually does cos we eat alot) ;p, worst case, IKEA foodcourt nyumyum
Dinner - if its not briyani for lunch, then perhaps the Lamb Kabsah (in Cyberjaya), otherwise maybe dinner at someplace serving western food, or even some foodcourt so I could sample everything

Terrible, right? hahahaha I'm just so bored eating the same old soup daily, twice a day. Well, of course the other dishes change slightly, but DAILY same soup!! Adoi!

And then of course, some shopping after that! :)

Crocs oh Crocs

There was a warehouse sale and this time it was in Ikano. Since it’s just opposite my office, I decided to pop by during lunch on Friday. It wasn’t at its outlet, but there was another space, huge but also full!

When I went in, I noticed the checkout was as horrendous and the people trying to looks at the display while shouting out sizes to check its availability. Price – have to ‘shout’ to check with the person behind the counter too. I thought to myself that it shouldn’t be too expensive la…the one last year was held at their warehouse but didn’t have that many shoes, esp for women.

So grabbed 2 Mary Janes in 2 diff sizes (padahal I was wearing one myself and could’ve just checked its size) and another 2 newer designs for kids. There was baby wear as well, and got some good deals there too (thank God, otherwise my waiting time at the checkout would’ve been not worth it at all). Men's shoes were all in 'gigantic' sizes. Those beach-sandal type (the croc signature design) which I don't mind having another cos its really lasting, were all out. hmmmm

Queuing in front of me was a lady with a stroller and she told me of her experience the day before (yeah, started a day ago and I didn't know). She mentioned that those 2 kids’ shoes I took were roughly RM60 and RM80 each…I’m like WHAT? Ok, I dropped them while queueing…so end up 1 pair of MJs at RM40 (which is good deal, but too bad the other colours were out of my size) and some baby stuff as gifts and for myself.

And now I've got a RM20 voucher valid only at the Ikano retail outlet which expires today....mmm looks like I'm goin back there to scout around to see if anything tickles my fancy.

Dinner, Diaper, Shopping...

The day we went out unprepared, was the day baby decided to test us.

Hubby was so confident. We were going for dinner and grocery shopping last night with my mum and I asked if everything for baby was packed. Since I was the last one home, hubby usually would’ve prepared the bag. He told me it wasn’t necessary as he’s just eaten. However, I packed his milk and bottle and pacifier in case he wanted to sleep. Usually his next diaper change would be almost 10-11 pm. So I just packed that bottle, taking hubby’s words that everything else is a-OK.

Upon reaching the makan place, I noticed his diaper was quite full. Another hour, should be ok, I thought. Unfortunately, after dinner, when hubby took him to wash his hands, he realized his nappy has leaked. Boy oh boy! And part of his romper already wet.

So off we went to buy diaper and new baju la. We were at the hypermart so baju choices were not great. The ones we wanted – no size. So ended up with one big diaper pack and one baju, paid and changed immediately, tang tu jugak. Then grocery shopping continued.

The best part of it all – as we checked out, the already opened diaper pack (we took the free sample to use but the main package still intact), was not even queried by the cashier. Not observant at all. Didn’t even ask to check the receipt or ask how come we didn’t put it on the checkout counter. If I really didn’t pay for it, I could’ve walked away with that diaper pack.And then, as we walked off from the cashier, I realized we paid RM25.20 for a pack of Ngan Yin groundnuts. My goodness. Checked with the cashier and was told to go to customer service to get the refund. Apparently when scanned, it was RM25.20….so a complete refund was made. Now, if I haven’t checked the receipt….

Window shopping...NOT!

OMG!

I was on half day leave this morning. I had something to do. Then, since it is friday, it is also our (hubby & I) nasi briyani day. Well, there's this stall in the mosque which sells superb and cheap briyani. So, while waiting for hubby to finish meeting, I went to One Utama. And my goodness - my intention to just waste time and walk about, ended up with me being some RMxxx poorer...hehehe

Got AIR some clothes (erm, for chinese new year, mind you. Since for raya already bought ma, so I bought larger sizes to keep till next yr) - really cheap, and some stuff for myself. Too bad I couldn't find anything for hubby. haha terrible....It was only less than 2 hours and gosh!! I'm shocked!

so this weekend, I shall refrain from shopping or going to shopping complexes...but how? There's the Pureen Warehouse sale in PJ which I want to go check out....

Eat & eat & eat

Alot of makan2 over the weekend.

First it was a Chinese Halal restaurant in Taipan. It's been there for donkey's years but I've not tried it. Not appealing from the outlook of the restaurant. But when I tasted the food - yummy!! Or is it because it's been ages since I've had that type of food? NOt sure, both I suppose. hahaha

Then the next day I manage to grab some donuts at Krispy Kreme. A tad too sweet for my tastebuds, but I liked its dough. Yes, my first KK donut in M'sia. Yummy...Mum thought it was too sweet too, though she too liked its dough. hmmm perhaps another trip soon for some KK donuts.

KK's Hershey's Dark Choc

The next day I decided to take mum out for an early MOther's Day and Birthday treat. Hi-tea at Crowne PLaza Hotel. Yup, Hi-tea for us started at 12 noon (when the opened) and it was just us for almost an hour. The whole PLanter's Inn to ourselves. Selection of food - not bad. THere was Chinese - chicken & duck rice, some dimsum - steamed and fried, though the fried only had 1 type, changes when it goes out of stock; Japanese - sushi selection pretty pathetic but the tempura was not bad, tepanyaki quite good Local - laksa johor, tomyam or was it curry noodles (I didn't take either that's why couldn't remember), yong tau foo - quite a wide array but I didn't have any; Salad selection was unique; the usual mains - fried rice, pasta (not bad), potato wedges, mixed vege, satay - lamb (yummy yummy), chicken and beef, grilled beef and chicken (not too yummy), porridge (chicken), soup, carved meat - beef and chicken kebab (it had some glamourous name I can't rmember). Fruits - usual selection, but the sweets were yummy - choc mousse, pudding, cakes brownie, waffle, ice cream, ice kacang, bread & butter pudding and our local hot dessert - think it was bubur kacang hijau and a variety of malay kuihs. Mum mistakenly (cos they didn't put tags/lables on the desserts) took the pulut with tempoyak (fermented durian) and even I couldn't help her with it.

(photos to be uploaded later...erm only 1 photo actually) -done

My almost empty plate

from top - tepanyaki seafood, tandoori chichken, jumbo sausage, lamb satay, smoked salmon wrapped in crepe

AFter filling up to the max, for the first time, I had to 'return some'....yup...my first experience. I guess my tummy is not use to food bingeing anymore...

THEN, we went to the NIKE warehouse sale. It was a dissapointment. Either is because it was already on its 2nd last day, or it was meant to be like that. Prices weren't extremely 'warehouse-like'....plus there were things I could've gotten at cheaper price at some of its outlets. Funny eh? But I ended up buying 1 pair of shoes for mum and a pair of pants for myself.

IT was a HOT-experience...yeah, hot place on a hot day with only those industrial fans available..poor AIR was sooo sticky at the end of it. Thank God he didn't make noise...except when it was time for nenen...:)

Queen's Park - heard of, never been there till that NIKE warehouse sale day. WEnt to the Esprit Outlet and loved the stuff there...but since it was sooo hot and AIR wasn't in the mood anymore, I decided against buying anything...kekeke...good way to save some moolah! Next time I want new work attire, I'll go there. Previously the other Outlet I knew of was in Maju Junction.

Yippee, it's A Long Weekend!

The long weekend is almost here! Yes, Mon will be a holiday, cos it's Raya Haji. On top of that on Thurs, we get another holiday - Sultan Selangor's birthday! yipeee!! more short holdiays! But cos it's in the middle of the week, guess we'll be just around town or at home....

Nothing planned, we'll just have to wait n see...

Another round of 'spring cleaning' yesterday and I managed to unearth lots of books. Hehe so I guess I'll have lot of reading for next year! On top of that I added another 3 just now. Yeah, online shopping is addictive, especially when you've got nothing much to do!

And last night I felt that baby's getting heavier. Yes, I do feel more of the weight especially when I bend forward or when trying to get a 'perfect' sleeping postition. I can't wait to take another peek at him again sometime next week. Yeah, I think this time Dr will 'peek' to check on the fluid level, size and weight...

Had another round of soup ekor yesterday and it was splendid. Yes, it's gonna be a weekly thing, I'm presuming. We used to do that a couple of months back, until recently where we keep missing the weekend pasar malam, hence no supply of fresh oxtail. So we're back in business again, I guess! :D

Online shopping anyone?

I made an online purchase yesterday with online banking too. (this would be my first time using that combination la - aiyo, so jakun) haha anyway, I was told that delivery would take 2-3 days. Fine by me, I'm in no rush to receive the package.

But suddenly, this morning, not even 10am, and it was sitting on my table waiting for me already. Boy was I surprised. Never did I expect such efficiency. And it all came via Poslaju and not any other courier services.

There it was waiting for me....

I didn't unwrap it instantly la..cos I already knew what was inside...hehehe

It's Friday already!! Yipee!! I can't wait for tomorrow's event. It's gonna be my 2nd time, and I'll make sure I will not miss out on any camera-worthy shots. Yala, what to do, I'm cam-shy ma...

I'm entering Week 33 already and this morning I woke up actually feeling that I'm carrying something. Yeah, so now it is getting heavy. haha before this I didn't even notice the 'weight' except for it's expanding size. :D

But the funny thing is I was reading this article saying that by this time, I'll probably be getting disturbed sleep at night due to frequent urinating spells and also difficulty in finding a 'perfect' position to lie in bed. The first one - no, I don't seem to be experiencing that, unless I'm awake. Funny. But number two - yeah, sometimes, but usually I'm quite bonked when I get to bed at night I so far, thank God I'll sleep through till the next morning, just few minuted before my alarm goes off!

I'm excited....

We Walked, Walked and walked

Yesterday was a whole lot of walking for me. After my checkup, it was walk & shop time...

After my hearty lunch at Dome, yes I finally had my serving of Dome's Chicken & Mushroom pie while hubby had catch of the day. Yummy, both were...I loved the herb rice which came with the Catch of the Day, and the fish was nicely done. The Pie was as usual. But the Twister wasn't as good as it was before. It was a let-down.

Then, we set off for almost 4 hours or roaming around, shopping for some necessities before deciding it was time to go. LUckily we left when we left.

And after a short 1.5 hours of streched-out-legs resting, I set off for another adventure. This time close to home, but it was not short of another 2 hours of walking. Gosh. My legs weren't really THAT tired, but my problematic right ankle did shown some signs of relief when I finally sat down again. I love browsing around, in search of what I want...and perhaps on the lookout of a good bargain.

This morning, I woke up to some weird muscle ache in the hamstring. hahaha yeah, its weird, and some slight pain in my right ankle. But all's well now.

I'm planning what to wear for the event of saturday night. Yes, I'm going to KL Film Festival in PWTC. hmmmmm