Slack

I've been such a slacker at updating my blog recently. Partly because I was really tied up with work and then there's the other reason - blame the kids ;p

Their late sleeping times do no justice as AIR2 always wants to have her say on the laptop too...and once in a while when 'mummy do work' excuse doesn't work, AIR1 will also butt in for his share of 'ABC'.

Today, one of the rare days...both asleep by 10pm with me. I say with me because when they're alone with me, I always get bullied. They sleep late and demand all sorts of things from me, despite me being stern. Maybe they detect that lil' soft spot in me, despite being stern :)

Now, at 15 months, AIR2 finally has started to walk...on her own, non-stop and even tried to play football...but with a much smaller ball. I guess she must've been itching to do that since the day she saw her brother do it.

then ,there's the 'bouncy' sessions on our bed which she always watches AIR1 enjoy himself doing. And finally, she tries to do it herself, i.e. hold and move hands up and down on her side (like jumping the star-jump), but in reality, her bouncing effect is from all the jumping AIR1 is doing on the bed. Ignorance is bliss....she thinks she is jumping, and she's so happy 'jumping'.

It;s been two consecutive days where she had mild fever at night...I hope it's just a sign of more teeth 'sprouting', because at 15 mths, she only has her two lower-jaw-bunny-teeth. But despite just having 2 teeth only, she eats all sorts of stuff.

1 more item on my to-do-list before I call it a night!
see u next week!

Ramadhan 2011

It's round the corner. Time of the year to fast and be thankful of what we have.

But what's different this time is that there are two attention seekers who may make things abit more complicated during breaking of fast. Let's hope they'll be understanding and leave the hungry parents alone and not make them angry! ;p

My plans -
- if I wake up extremely early before sahur, I'll go for a spin. Then have sahur and then some weights.
- if I wake up just in time for sahur, I'll have sahur then spin/weights after
- try to slot in a 20-30min run before going to tapau food for breaking of fast/fetch the kids

And I sure hope this materializes.

But wait...I've got some travelling to do on the 2nd week. Vietnam, I maybe going there again. Part of me excited, part of me feel really bad for leaving hub & the kids. But hub doesn't want to come along...Oh well, 1 week left to decide. Let's hope all goes well...

Work in Penang

Three days of work back in Penang, with mum & dad helping take care of the kids was bliss. Bliss because it took less time to travel from home to site and back, hence more time with the kids and also for me to run!

Bliss also because the kids were somewhat more well-behaved? kind-of...perhaps earlier in the day they already bullied their 'ah kong' and 'ah ma' ;p and

Bliss because housework just seemed so much less!!

hahahahaha

How lazy can I get? Once in a while I suppose is alright, right? ;p

Crazy end-July

I've been travelling quite a bit for work and neglecting this blog.

So much to write, but when I wait till I have time, I'm already drained.

Kids sleep close to 11pm (or sometimes even later) and by then I'm half asleep, especially days when hub comes back late too. Then, the early cycle the next morning starts all over again.

It's amazing how 5 days can change a lot of things. AIR1 greeted me by being extremely chatty on the day I returned from Pattaya. He had a larger vocab and started to summarize the 5 days into 5 mins. Adorable.

AIR2 was still groggy from sleep and took a while to adjust. Then, she got chatty too.

And this week, am back in Penang. AIR1 was the most excited when he saw Ah Ma and Ah Kong from afar. Almost jumping out from his seat in the car. Its been a great but hectic week. I wonder what AIR1 would think when we return to KL tomorrow? I already miss Penang.

Pattaya

the path leading to my sea-fronting room

the 'pavillion' and view of the sea from the entrance to my room

one of the 3 pools, this is with jacuzzi

some random singage, but I wonder what was before that 'papaya' previously

This is where I am since July 17, 2011. And I will only be leaving on the 21st.

Superb hotel, pampered in luxury, but its abit far off from the city and the beach. Yes, this hotel has no beach. Only a short stretch for lounging around and sun bathing and its not even 200m long. From this 'beach' there are rocks and then the sea. No swimming possible from here. (photo in camera but not able to d/load)

Where am I? Sheraton Pattaya!! :)

Long way from the road which is also known as 'Beach Road' which leads to the town, running along the Pattaya Beach. The hotel is nestled between Jomiten and Pattaya beach, which is right at the protrusion into the Gulf of Thailand.

And I was looking forward to a beach run. NOw, I have time to run in the gym only. To run out and back would've been superb, but kinda dangerous in the quiet and semi-bright 530am morning. So off to the gym I go instead. I miss beach runs. Evenings are just in time for dinner with the group hence, no time again, although there are many keen joggers/runners along the way.

oh well....

SHopping's not superb either. Same reason as above - hotel kinda out of the way, so no time either. Save the moolah, I guess :)

2 days to go. Time flies.

Wanted badly to bring the family here, but hub's time wasn't convenient. Another time, perhaps. I hope :)

Hong Kong it was!

Winds during 'Strong Wind Signal No. 3' was in place

View of the mixed development (including hills) from Gold Coast Hotel

The other side of the 'development' - Golden Beach & across the lagoon


Last weekend (23-26June), this was where I was - Mainland Hong Kong. Gold Coast Hotel, along Golden Beach, which connects to Kadorie Beach and subsequently Peak Beach.

Very quaint area and this was supposed to be a newly developed area, I guess it meant the hotel and entertainment spots, but I noticed the houses here are not exceptionally new.

What I liked about this place was - it felt safe and at 6am, it felt like on the East Malaysia - yes bright skies awaits! And everyone else who's local seems to be awake too. ANd they head to the beach. :)

OK right now you must be thinking of the hot bodies in skimpy suit or speedos which I would have oogled while out for a run, but nooooo.... hahaha you'd be surprised! I am talking about senior citizens who throng the beach and the sea for a morning swim. Yes, no taichi, waitankung whatsoever, but they go for a dip in the sea! I was surprised too. And they are regulars. They have their groups. And at each of those beaches I mentioned, there's adequate shower 'cube' (its half open and male & female share it, and separate changing rooms (not shared ;p) and these are not charged and well maintained!

I didn't bump into any runners in the morning but saw 1-2 at night. Only if I stayed longer and had a chance to explore more by foot. The strong wind signal was actually good, every morning it was cool and breezy and it made running feel easy! kekeke

The Asia Young Leadership Conference was good (yes, still young what! ;p) but it didn't leave us with much time to walk/shop/explore. I guess that means another reason to go back to HK? hehehe

But then again, with that short span of time I had, I went crazy shopping too. Bought stuff for the kids and some sports-related attire. Cheap. Cheaper than home. Oh well, if more time, then it would've been more ;p In a way, thank God I didn't have much time. and I don't bring alot of cash along. Cards? These, I have better control off. The thought of the month-end surprises are enough to scare me along the way! :)

Perhaps when the kids are slightly older, Disneyland HK can be planned. With the exchange rates (compared to Singapore), I think its perhaps wiser to just go to HK. At least you get 4 seasons there ;p erm, what kind of logic is that?

We'll see which is more economical when the time is right.

Ramblings of Saigon

The first time I met my colleague from the Vietnam office, I thought he resembled my ex-GM. Almost the same height and size and even style.

At site, when I met the supervisor of my sub contractor, he had an uncanny resemblance to someone I knew, but at that point of time, I just couldn't pinpoint. 2 days later, I recalled....he's an exact replica of my ex-bf. ;p Only thing, he's a wee bit shorter than I am (my ex was slightly taller than I am), and is Vietnamese ;p even the way he talks kinda resembles him.

Speaking of short, Vietnamese men are kinda short. Well, not all, but from the 15 people I have worked with during my stay here, only 3 are taller than I am and the rest, are either about my height or shorter. Oh well....

And since my site in within a manufacturing company, there are female and male production workers, most of them perhaps in the below 30 age group. either that, or they have young-looking genes. And ALL, with exception of the cleaners and slightly older women, wear their pants really really really low waist-style. Most are slim :) But I expected more...hehehe maybe modenization played its part in fattening them up ;p Genetics!!

They are nice people, though most of them can't really speak English. Even some of the hotel bellboys. Hope to snap some decent pics of the city tomorrow during my morning tour-on-foot :) most are night shots so far and not very nice.

Can't wait!

Miss Saigon

Finally landed in Saigon. Before I came, colleagues, hubby and Dad told me -

1. It's impossible to drive there
2. Traffic really terrible
3. It's very French-like cos it was previously a French colony;

respectively....

and my thoughts?

1. Doesn't look very impossible to drive, but I think its easier said then done. I kinda like how 'co-ordinated' they are, i.e. the motobikes are on the right side of the road, hogging almost 2 lanes leaving the cars/other vehicles to one. (Cars here are left-hand drive)
2. Yes, quite terrible, especially if you try crossing the road. I think only people from Penang or KL city can survive. If you hessitate, you'll never get across.
3. Yes, this place, minus the traffic (and the excessive motorbikes parked along the roads) and if only there were more ang-mohs, would definitely be Paris. Only if it was cool like in Paris too.

*sorry photos in camera and I didn't bring the cable/card reader. will try to take from phone tomorrow.

I was walking and walking ever since I arrived. Certain things are cheap, branded ones I mean compared to Malaysia. But I've held back, since I've not gone to the famous Ben Thanh Market yet. Staying in the heart of the city makes things easy. All within walking distance and the busy streets don't worry me, safety wise.

A bottle of 390ml (have no idea why the odd number...French related, perhaps?) Coke is less than RM1, to be exact, RM0.75 only! *jumps for joy*

Bong Sen Hotel, where I am staying, is right in front of the street, which houses many halal restaurants and a mosque. This includes 'D'Nyonya', a Malaysian restaurant. 'D'Angsana' in a foodcourt in the Parkson Shopping centre is also Malaysian. Don't ask me why the obsession with 'D'. I've already set my sight on a very unique Halal eatery for tomorrow's dinner. Other Halal outlets here are mainly the Indian shops. Yup, northern Indian food or Pakistani food.

But then, tomorrow my day starts at 7am. Yes, I have to report to my Vietnam branch office at 7am!! Gosh! It's actually within walking distance, less than 1km away, but with one cooler box and 2 other bulky boxes of equipment, I'm forced to take the taxi.

Can't wait for an early start tomorrow and hope to clock in some running milleage after work! (Gym is as good as the one in Sibu ;p )

Sibu, 5 years on

*photos from here

I only arrived here at almost 10pm (by the time I got to the hotel) and here I am, reminiscing memories 5 years ago when I first came here as part of the Explorace event which I took part in.

It was Explorace 3 (yea the 3rd season). So far, what I've seen from the ride from the airport to the hotel, most have not changed, only additional commercial development. Airport is also under renovation and the hotel (Tanahmas) has also been renovated. Rooms are much better, but crappy TV channels. All sports and news channel from all over the place...no movies!! Arrrgh!

I can't wait to explore it tomorrow morning...

Retro Night!

specs abit too big for the face... :)

That was the theme of my co's annual dinner...

28 Jan 2011, that was the night we all turned up dressed in our best 60s & 70s outfits. Mum doesn't have anymore of hers so I had to rent....

Had fun and wil try to post some more photos...very busy week it has been...

Selected for 'Best Dressed Award' but we had to do a dance, and of course I failed miserably...hahaha I can't dance for peanuts!! so consolation lah!

Traditional Massage

Finally....my long awaited massage - only this time, it's in LAhad Datu.

I couldn't wait any longer. Wanted foot reflexology, but the reflexologist wasn't around and dunno when will be back, so my colleague and I settled for a traditional massage.

Price? RM75 for 1 hr. OK lah, considering the massuer came to the hotel.

My verdict - value for money lah. Enjoyed the back massage and wished it could've been longer. Included abit of foot reflex too but this lady wasn't too good with the feet.Didn't seem to hit the spots :)

Although hub & I have signed up for something back in KL, I just had to have this massage. And somehow the time was right too - I was having some neck/shoulder discomforts these 2 days. It's been months since my last pampering.

Work became sort-of-holiday :)

Rain, please stay away tomorrow morning...if possible, stay away the whole day and come by only at night!

Day 1 LDU

After much contemplation, I will be in Lahad Datu without AIR2.

Thanks Fong for the effort in helping find the nursery. Managed to go view it and though there were people there, I didn't stop to talk/chat/check with them. It's a proper nursery, I'd consider it when I'm back here again in a couple of weeks' time. But quite pricey too...

Without AIR2 I will have more flexibility in terms of time management and movement. Weather will not be a major concern. Oh yes, if it rains, traffic and time to go fetch her will have to be considered. Who said a small town like LDU does not have traffic jams?

I will also have less things to bring along.

But I will surely miss her laughs and baby talk every morning and night. And her brother's antics band daddy's too.

So far, its been relaxing. Let's see what happens tomorrow.

Now let me wake up at 530am for a run tomorrow!

Annoying news!

Hello!! You sit and rot and never attend meetings and then complain we don't do the work?

You expect us to volunteer ourselves all the time and help out, but you never participated until last month. Everytime everyone is busy doing something, you'll be on the phone like a big shot and then the people who work their a## off are the ones being called 'not participating'?

Come on lah!

We give all the ideas and you can only comment its not good enough? Then give us your brilliant ideas lah!

Thank goodness I don't have to see you face in any meetings anymore!

When women rise to the top

I thought this was a really interesting piece.

Check out this article from The Star, here.

Lahad Datu, here I come....

This is going to be my first ever outstation trip after having 2 kids, without them tagging along!

Planned for 3 days, but looks like it's gonna be 4 days. Work, work and work!

Keeping fingers crossed that AIR2 will be well by then (she sleeps through the night if she's well), and AIR1 will not be extra manja. But then again, AIR1 knows when to and not to be manja. He's extremely clingy to me these 2 weeks..

So 4 days away may mean I may get to slot in some workouts ;p but then Lahad Datu gets dark early. I'm not about to wake up too early when I have the chance to sleep in a bit longer ;p

And, after coming back, I'll be going for a race with none other than Fong! YAhoo!! It's going to be our first race together ever since erm...(ok, I shall leave the years out) we knew each other. Technically, we never partnered or teamed up with each other. Yalah, mix team always has us separated and we were always short of members to make a full women's team. Excited excited! (as though it's my first race ever!)

Lets hope dear hubby will not be driven up the wall by AIR1. And he will be in good health throughout that week!

Yay!

Erm, yay because of what? because I can finally leave my sitting infront of the computer and go to site. Yeah!

1st it was a day trip to JB. Yes day trip...not exactly very tiring la, but I'm not a fan of night driving. Thank God it wasn't raining.

And now, I'm in Kota Bahru. Yes, and no, I didn't drive but flew here.

My 1st trip to KB was probably 20 yrs ago. Yes, that long ago and I barely remembered how it was like. And gosh, so many things are different here than the other states on the west coast of even Pahang. Terengganu is somewhat similar, but still not the same.

I'm quite surprised that people here are quite friendly and nice.

In fact, after completing my tasks, I had some time to drive around (part of my task, but I just went further) and well, seems like life here is pretty simple. I've yet to see the 'urban' housing estates yet. Hmmmm....

Anyway, lets see what else I'll be exploring tomorrow :)

Lighting

Yellow light (from bulbs) is supposed to be better than those white light (from flourscent lights), esp for the eyes.

My office uses 'yellow lights' and its really nice. I like the atmosphere it creates. HOwever, sometime last year, our office expanded and the new area uses flourescent lights. NOt a problem to adjust to it. BUt it feels like any other place la. Feel like an office. NOrmal office.

Then, 2 days ago, my boss told the few of us at the new area to move back to our previous seats. So we did. And now I get to enjoy the yellow lights again. Unfortunately I'm having a tough time adjusting to it. Yesterday was ok as I wasn't all the time at my seat. Today, trying to read and do some calculations on white coloured paper, proved difficult. I've got to take short breaks in between. hmmmm

Tired eyes...

Hmmmm....me no likey...from PC to book, I suddenly get this glare starring back at me. arrrrgh

I need a break! :)

Road trip again

Looks like the weekend will hold another road trip for us....Last weekend, we headed to Simpang Pulai. This time it'll be to Teluk Intan. I'm thinking, can I extend it further up north? haha

Perhaps not. Since Mum & Dad will be here the following weekend and well, as much as I'd like to go home and meet up with friends who are back from overseas for the Christmas and New Year holidays, I think it's best I stay put around here.

We had Thursday off as it was Sultan Selangor's birthday. It was sleep-in and movie day. Bolt was quite good. Somehow it had small twists to it and made it interesting, more than just another animated movie.

The best part is now I realised (yeah, like a few moments ago) that my boss wants me to pop by the site tomorrow night during the shutdown. Hello?? Well, lemme see....if I pop by at 10pm, should be ok la, but if I'm expected to pop by at midnight, I think it's a big 'no thank you!'...Though it's just a pop-by and I'm not expected to do anything, I think it's wiser for me to not go...we'll see how things goes. Hubby will have to be dragged along.

It's really weird. I was technically on medical leave on Wednesday cos I went for my routine check up. And the best part (again) is that my boss can ask me to attend a meeting which he already agreed to attend the day before. Goodness! Well, I told myself that I'll go only if it didn't rain and luckily the office wasn't too far away from my house. It's getting ridiculous la!

Haha, I can smell the weekend already! :D

On another note, it's only now that I'm begining to feel preggy! hehehe yes, my ankles get swollen more often and this annoys me cos I like to walk alot. And I do get unexpected dizzy spells, even while sitting down. And I do feel the weight on me when I lie down now. At 34 wks, baby's 2.3kg makes its pressence felt. :D

Can't wait for the road trip, Mum & Dad and some long break to come!! :D

What a Sunday!

I just couldn't belive what I saw on my phone - I got a text message from my boss on a Sunday morning asking me to be at the office about noon, and the time was already 11am. Goodness....Hello, it IS a SUNDAY....

And when I thought he mentioned that we maybe asked to come back over the weekend to help finish some documents, I had in mind Saturday. And since my Saturday wasn't disturbed, I thought that we were not needed at all...haha, fat chance, I suppose.

I had already planned to stay in the whole afternoon with the telly until it was time to go to the airport to fetch hubby. And so my lazy-sunday was busted. Still rather groggy, I had to get myself ready and then go for my lunch la. Hmmm on my way out of the house then only I replied the message saying that I would be late.

And so here I am in the office, already done with what I could do, waiting for both the bosses to be back. I shall make my getaway soon! :P