End of 2008..

Another 2 days before we begin New Year 2009. For Muslim we already in the new year yesterday Hijrah 1430. Time flies very fast. This year was a very busy year for me and my family. Work, financing, family matters, life and death. I had one new project on my own, with that I started the MEE program and DH with his postgrad studies. I had trouble with the servers upgrade that tarnished my performance because of the vendor’s failure. We lost few hundreds to scam boy at the office and nearly lost few thousands to Hai-O couple. Lucky that we bounced back, and the business is blooming again. I lost my most supportive MD in March for heart attack, and senior years older than me for brain tumor. I found Facebook and reconnected to many of my long-lost friends (coz’ I’m fond of writing than talking). But at the same time, I lost 3 months working time for being FB addict and the company banned FB. Damn. We survived the financing ordeal and things are getting better at home – new furniture, new spaces. I fought for my rights at Nabilah’s school but nevertheless it was too late, as the caretakers are not that educated to listen to what I was saying. I had great time presenting at a conference in JB. That was when we spent a whole day at Singapore Zoo and the kids were having so much fun at the bath tub and swimming pool. Thanks to Garmin nuvi navigator, I can opt not to be co-pilot again! This is the year I will remember that family bond better after a major catastrophe especially when it involved your dearly beloved parents. It makes you think twice of saying or acting like a fool.

 

Though 2008 has come to its end, it is a beginning to a new prosperous 2009 year. I missed arwah Dr. Salim’s New Year Address and I do not know whether I will stay for this year Address. New resolutions? I want to be a better and enjoyable person to be with, spend more time with my kids and more time to do things that I enjoy. Very general, huh. I thought so.

Bye Bye 2008. I had so much fun and sadness during this year. Au revoir.

 

Weekend's outing..

This week, I should say, a dusty but happy week, at least for me. DH started the store project work on Monday, and the house are all covered with dust!  We close the doors most of the evening (after work, I mean) but the kids were extremely happy as they got to play with neighbours's daughters freely. They took turn eating cookies and watched TV together. Well, the work started with breaking up the separation wall because the plan is to share the roof and build additional storage place. It has been a week since they started and hopefully by Monday or Tuesday everything will be finished and I got my store! Yeay!

So today, in conjunction with the new store, we decided to stop by at IKEA store to pick up the kids' table, after Adilin's wedding at Seri Kembangan. I love IKEA's furniture but too pricey. Early this year, we bought similar design and quality for a fraction of IKEA's price at a local furniture shop. I wish that tauke got more that kind of furniture for kids, but not for the time being. We ended up with SLAVA table and chairs for RM139, several plastic storage boxes and a puppy plush toy for Nabilah. Najihah was agitated by the time we got to the Mines because she could not get the first ice-cream her eyes landed on at Ikea Coffee Shop. Beratur panjang giler! So, DH started to giving her time-out but knowing Najihah, she kept on complaining and wailing until dinner time, waiting time and driving back time. I knew DH loves the kids so much, but today's ordeals were too much to handle actually.

This is what actually happened at Mines today. My Maybank Visa Debit card was declined because it has a limit of RM500 transaction amount per day that I did not know of (it shouldn't be like that, it is my money, why set a limit? idiots!), and he had to run back and forth to settle the payment for his Windows and Karpersky's licenses, plus another hour waiting for tauke Apple to install the software in his little MacBook. The kids were tired esp Najihah (who is still very much upset because of the first Ikea's ice cream, even though she had Mc'Donald's ice cream later on) and started doing silly things like asking for toys and such. Najihah fell off on the ground as she wailed for ice cream, DH was mad and gave her another time-out but later ended up, with both of them crying! That was the first time I saw DH cried after few years we came back from US. I was touched and honestly, I could not believe my eyes as Najihah was known to be protected by me (did I? I don't think so..) and she always the big-headed 3-yr old toddler in the house.

At 9 pm, everyone was damn tired and DH drove back as fast as he could to catch 10 pm bed time. At half past ten, with one Ikea's storage box filled with colored pencis, my angels slept soundly in their room. It was a tiring 10-hours outing today, but every moments are priceless. At least for me.

it is time..

.. to realize some of our long outstanding plans. We bought the sofa last Saturday, and this evening DH called a contractor to build the store we have planned for ages. Unfortunately, they started working right after Maghrib till midnight! I could not sleep, and I don't expect my young ones will sleep too. Lucky escaped for me as Najihah kept complaining her feet 'gatal', DH asked me to leave the room. I have to work on the project. Those simulation are giving me headaches, and I had to forgo 'good moments' for tonight. Maybe, or maybe not today. The work will continue for few nights are the Indonesian workers can only work at night for our house. Duhh!

I am still not good from the telephone bill conversation yesterday evening, but seeing DH effort today to realize the 'store' plan so that we can study in the 'computer room' made me think twice of bringing up to him about the 'numbers' again. Well, as long as he loves me, 'numbers' do not matter much. I think, we already had 'good moments' today ;o)

A little bit at a time..

After years looking for the new sofa, today marked the first day that we agreed that 'that' sofa will be ours. It was at Giant Nilai, in front of the post office where the sofa was exhibited for public. It is a simple dark brown colored full leather sofa priced at 50% lower that the usual market price - a whooping lots of cash discount plus trade in of the 'old-and-broken' fabric sofa with additional RM500. The kids, as usual, kind of like the idea of a new furniture at home. The broken ones shall be traded in for the new ones, and empty spaces will be filled in with another furniture for the kids. Life goes on, we are moving eventually after being stagnant will old furnitures for nearly half decade. I just hope that the new sofa will last for another decade before we begin another round of furniture-searching-adventure.

World news..

This evening, I actually have time to read the whole newspaper. I have been quite a some time detached from news. But, I knew that Obama will be the new US President, Michael Jackson has converted to Islam and the oil prices will go down again in 2 weeks. I just hope that I can be acquainted with the news more often.

December is coming..

It has been a while since my last post. I've finished with the website project NabilaHouse.com but too busy to promote it. So, it is stalled there. Maybe I should ask Maisura to start putting in free articles in one of the pages and promote it. Office work has doubled since Nurul went on maternity leave. I am tied with all report and just last week, I worked through weekend finishing long-standing report on the lightning performance. DH and I finally agreed on IIUM Montessori at Bdr Seri Putra for Nabilah next year. The fees trippled from what we pay for the present kindy but I hope she can get the best out of it. We still have to send Najihah to the old kindy for the time being until my salary tripple, or I can sell at least 50 bottles of perfume essence every month. DH got one of his exam result out yesterday, and the rest of the evening was like hell. He even forgot to lock the side door when we went out to Pasar Malam. I hope he got an A tomorrow. Lucky that my MEE is by research, and I just had wrote half of my progress report yesterday while the kids were sleeping (Najihah kena denda one-hour-outside-bedroom-naptime sbb she just could not agree with 2 o'clock-naptime and DH naik angin). I have no mood to write today and FBing was so much interesting than graphs!

Tomorrow is another working week before we will set off to JB and hopefully get to go to Singapore. I do hope that this we will have a good working vacation, as we did not go anywhere further than Muar and Kemaman since the last Perlis trip (Azma's wedding) in 2007.

Sometimes you can just hope for the best..

My life is haywire...

My life is haywire now… after series of unusual sickness, I am damn tired to work. Chicken pox, viral blood infection, joint inflammation and suspected arthritis do not help at all. My body aches all over. I slept at least an hour a day between break to recharge. Not that I am lazy but I was too tired. Fortunately I can do housework quite well now that I am over the joint inflammation stage. Adding some family problem to this, it really does not help me at all. My parents are old, but they act like teenagers. They have separated and my mom asked for divorce last Saturday. My dad started it. Nampak macam kena buatan orang but DH said tepuk sebelah tangan takkan bunyik lah.. He got a point on that. 38 years of marriage gone just like that with dad’s 2 ½ years affair with his ex-gilfren (obviously she is not a good woman to be with.. janda kena cerai jugak, I believe so). So, next week I’m going back home to meet them with my brother and sister to settle about my parent’s land. The house is obviously my mom’s (it is on her land) but others are under dad’s name. Along was furious and he believed that that woman will coax dad to give everything to her instead of us, so, we better act fast even though nampak macam tamak harta je kami ni.. I love my mom and dad, but now, I got to adjust that dad is no longer with us. I just hope that if he dies, or is dying, I got to see him and give him the last respect before masuk kubur. DH said he will be gone soon, and I tuned to his remark. Maybe. Orang kata dah buang tebiat. I can only hope the best for my parents and will care for them, as long as Allah’s willing me too. Ya Allah, please give us strength to face your challenges and give us hope to survive this life and afterlife. Amiin.

 

Abroad and Home...

I never felt so happy when the plane touched down on my native country's ground. It is good to be home again. After a crazy few weeks before flying out to Montreal with chicken pox scars, jetlagged and cold weather, I am back at home. DH was hospitalised because of virus infection. I can never understand why I had to face all the bad news while I was abroad. My phone was broken and I can only wished the flights were on schedule. I was worried sick of the images of DH being hospitalised when my mom told me the bad news. The kids were estatic when they see me but DH was not. At least that was what I can see when I visited him at the hospital an hour after I landed home. He still scold me of little mistakes that I make esp when the kids were concerned. I was just trying to be accommodating to my youngest daughter's need but it was a mistake. She was cranky and DH continued to tell me I should not do this and that. Well, I was tired and I just shut my brain off, packed up and ferried the kids home. All I need is a thank you or at least something like "I'm glad to see you back". But no, all I got is the usual "Your should not do that, you should do this, you should do that". I left frustrated and I bet the whole week has already ruined. A 'good' start for Hari Raya celebration, that I don't feel celebrating at all.

It really hurts when someone do not know or seems to know how to prioritise esp when it comes to showing appreciation in whatever other people are doing for them.

So people, all I can say is Montreal sucks, but I'm not coming back to home sweet home, either. It was just the plain old home I left before.

Bad Dreams..

I really feel that I need to write something about my nightmares. Last night, I was so tired that I slept in front of TV. Instead of watching CSI:NY, the TV watched me. DH woke me up to sleep in our bedroom. Without doing my usual routines, I slept. I did not realize when DH went into bed. I was in some old village and the atmosphere was happening, it was a preparation for a wedding. I was at a wedding place. I saw DH wearing his smart looking baju melayu and there is a lady near him, in beautiful laced baju kurung – both in matching pastel light blue, I think. But I did not see my children anywhere, not a single glimpse of Nabilah or Najihah nearby DH. Very strange feeling though. Suddenly, I was in a commotion – people sitting down looking anxiously at a couple, but I could not see the man's face. The man is holding hands with an elderly man. That lady was beside him, I recognized her face but I don't know her in person. The man looks like DH, but could he be one? Not sure. Then everything ended, people are smiling but not me. I saw DH sitting in front of that elderly man. But still, no sign of my children anywhere. Looking puzzled, I was led to a room and there, I was sitting near a queen size bed, beautifully decorated for newly married couple. Marriage? I began to realize what is happening. There were three pillows laid in a straight line near the bed headboard. Strange, is the third pillow for me? Tears trickling down my cheek and I started crying. An elderly woman appeared before me and whispered to me.. everything will be fine, it was meant to be like this.. I becoming more puzzled, what is meant to be? Who is this old woman? DH with another woman, where am I now.. where are my princesses. Am I dead? That was my last thought, when DH came into the room and said to me "I gave her to my nephew". Who? Then I woke up, I was an inch away from Najihah, who woke up for her early morning feeding at our room (but she is sleeping). I touched DH hands; he was there beside me, sleeping. I told him I had a nightmare. Another nightmare. I don't know what does it means, but it seems that someone is sending me signal that I may not have much time to stay here with my family.

 

For the past few years, I have been thinking what if something happen to both of us, who will then take care of our children. I have been contemplating to discuss with DH but we don't have 'our' time anymore. Everyday is filled with children, work and house chores. We were stressed while in US, I stressed even more as once, DH done something that I could not accept at that time. When we came back, I began to think if something happen to me while my children are still very young, will DH remarry and will the new person takes care and love them as much as I do? Is it fair if I ask DH not to remarry and takes care of the children until they are old enough to take care of themselves i.e. work and start their own family?. These thought burdened me up to this moment. DH always said I think too much and I should not do that.

 

I still hope it is just a night mare, not something meant to be a reality.

A note

A note of thanks to DH who endlessly won our daughters hearts whenever they are in ‘big’ fight. What I mean by big is when Najihah started to yell, scream out of her lung, bite her sister and smack upon me. That was tough to handle especially when I’m rushing to work and all I can do is focus on the road to make time to punch in before 8 a.m. Just like this morning. All started with Made in China Doctor’s Kit. DH bought for her as her Mama Cat already broken last night. She was happy, in the beginning, but things started to go wrong when the stethoscope fall apart and I have to assemble them while driving. Suprisingly I was not stress and mad, maybe because I am fasting today. We arrived just before clock turned 8 a.m., punched in and tried to calm her down. Called DH and they talked, both of them. In 5 minutes everything was okay but they need breakfast, Najihah need to eat her breakfast before going to school. Half past eight and everything was settled. Everyone went to school and I was able to, finally, start writing.

 

Hoping for good Wednesday today.

 

 

Al-Fatihah to Mak Itam...

Mak Itam passed away peacefully yesterday morning 19^th August 2008 about 4 a.m at Sultanah Tunku Aminah Hospital, JB. I was told by my cousin Zura but unfortunately my mom said no need to come home as the jenazah already prepared by Hospital immediately for burying before Zohor. She was a cancer survivor but Allah took her away after 35 days in coma (high blood pressure and probably stroke – brain dead). She left us lots of bitter sweet memories as one of tough-talker in our family. We were not so close though, but the fond memories of her will remain in our heart. Al-Fatihah.

 

 

Holiday Weekend

Today is the start of Malaysian’s school holiday. The road was clear this morning, despite the fact that I was a bit late, I managed to punched in 10 minutes earlier than usual. Last night, the girls had a late night in. We went for a movie Wall-E at Alamanda Putrajaya GSC, it was their first time watching big screen TV and the first time for me after five years. Haha. I did not go for any movie for the past five years. The last that I saw was Lord of the Rings 3. I was pregnant with Nabilah that time, lucky that she did not have ugly face like that greenish creature, I forgot his name. Unfortunately, Najihah was bored throughout the movie. She kept asking ‘Had the movie finished?’. They ate popcorn, drank mineral water and lay down on the aisle while watching the movie as if they are at home. We both just sat down with my husband half enjoying the screen since his princesses kept coming in and out for the popcorn, drink and one-toilet trip in the middle of the movie. Hehe. Later on, we had one trip to Famos Amos for no-nut chocolate chip cookies and two small baby cats, and we went home tired.

 

Anyway, it was fun bringing them to the big screen but somehow, today I have to find that Mama Cat they wanted so badly!

 

FB banned!

Huh.. I have been trying to access FB since Monday but to no avail. It seems that they have banned all FB IPs and I knew who did that. Very very unfair. Now, I cannot FBing even during lunch. Geram.. geram.. I’m blogging using Outlook which I truly know somehow someone is detecting what I am doing. Working in this office is not fun anymore!

 

 

Check up

I took half day morning to see my gynae. It has been three years since I last saw her in August 2005 before we went to USA. She remembered me quite well. The IUCD I'm having now is due for removal and we have decided to have another 3 years of long break before the next one. I did pap smear only, because the IUCD case need to wait until the next 'Red Day'. But the thing is, when I did pap smear in the States, I did not feel a thing. This time, it was not that painful though but I had a little bleeding after the test. Maybe the kit that they are using in States is different, and I got the result almost instantaneously as I remember we did not come for the result again (it is expensive to see a doctor in the States). Got to prepare few hundreds more for the next trip as I do not want to risk having bad IUCD in my body. Hehe.

 

Gotta run for the Skin Food moisturizer and sun block. My skin are becoming very very wrinkly and my complexion is dull.

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

It's Monday again..

Another working week. I am looking again at several wedding pictures of a fren. The dress, the car, the wedding bouquet and etc etc. Another lavish wedding. Got connected to several long lost friends in FB. Monday blues, that is all I can say. I am in a mood of telling everyone of warehouse sales that I got into last weekend. It was at rock bottom price. On Saturday, I went at about 10 am to Sleep Focus Sdn Bhd, just around the corner of my house where they are having home and living warehouse sales, with my two kids on tow. I thought it was only the local made brand such as Novelled, Diana but surprisingly they are having Ann Taylor, Jean Perry, Polo Racquet Club on sale too! I got to but 2 sets of cream-colored sliding door curtains for RM110, 2-panel window French pleat curtain for RM30 and 3-panel window curtain for RM40 (all from Novelle Luxury line). I grabbed two Ann Taylor’s towels and bathmats one set of Novelle Silk with Chiffon comforter set at RM150 (normal price was RM600++) but could not decide on Jean Perry queen quilt cover, maybe next time. It was cheap at RM190 for pastel embroidery line but I don’t have anymore space for comforter set unless I threw out my existing Jean Perry’s wedding set. Hehe. Very selfish. The morning session was quite ok, but people started to pack up the car park area around 11 am and my kids were screaming like mad because it was damn hot. They were enjoying themselves with pillows and all early in the morning though. I had to bring them out to pizza at Nilai because they just don’t want to go home at 11:30 in the morning as we usually spent hours outside homes on weekends. We went again to the sales in the evening around 5pm, to buy some more. I spent a total of RM250 for the sales, which was a good bargain indeed! I wish they will have another warehouse sales next year so that I can change our quilts covers, bedsheets etc as often as we can. Hehe.

 

Btw, DH seems to like the new comforter set, very luxurious looking quilt. The kids love it too! At RM150, it is worth hurting my arms holding those pieces while bargain hunting. Hehehe.

 

http://rafdina.blogspot.com

Perfume For All at NabilaHouse.com

FW: It's Monday again..

 

 

Thanks and best regards,

-------------------------------------------------------

Noradlina Abdullah

Researcher (Power System Group)

TNB Research Sdn Bhd

hp: 019 265 5712

--------------------------------------------------------

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground."

 

---

From: Noradlina Abdullah
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 9:42 AM
To: 'adlina29.rafdinaspace@blogger.com'
Subject: It's Monday again..

 

Another working week. I am looking again at several wedding pictures of a fren. The dress, the car, the wedding bouquet and etc etc. Another lavish wedding. Got connected to several long lost friends in FB. Monday blues, that is all I can say. I am in a mood of telling everyone of warehouse sales that I got into last weekend. It was at rock bottom price. On Saturday, I went at about 10 am to Sleep Focus Sdn Bhd, just around the corner of my house where they are having home and living warehouse sales, with my two kids on tow. I thought it was only the local made brand such as Novelled, Diana but surprisingly they are having Ann Taylor, Jean Perry, Polo Racquet Club on sale too! I got to but 2 sets of cream-colored sliding door curtains for RM110, 2-panel window French pleat curtain for RM30 and 3-panel window curtain for RM40 (all from Novelle Luxury line). I grabbed two Ann Taylor’s towels and bathmats one set of Novelle Silk with Chiffon comforter set at RM150 (normal price was RM600++) but could not decide on Jean Perry queen quilt cover, maybe next time. It was cheap at RM190 for pastel embroidery line but I don’t have anymore space for comforter set unless I threw out my existing Jean Perry’s wedding set. Hehe. Very selfish. The morning session was quite ok, but people started to pack up the car park area around 11 am and my kids were screaming like mad because it was damn hot. They were enjoying themselves with pillows and all early in the morning though. I had to bring them out to pizza at Nilai because they just don’t want to go home at 11:30 in the morning as we usually spent hours outside homes on weekends. We went again to the sales in the evening around 5pm, to buy some more. I spent a total of RM250 for the sales, which was a good bargain indeed! I wish they will have another warehouse sales next year so that I can change our quilts covers, bedsheets etc as often as we can. Hehe.

 

Btw, DH seems to like the new comforter set, very luxurious looking quilt. The kids love it too! At RM150, it is worth hurting my arms holding those pieces while bargain hunting. Hehehe.

 

http://rafdina.blogspot.com

Perfume For All at NabilaHouse.com

I was searching high and low for tickets to Montreal this coming September. Although I have not got any approval yet, but still need to plan before sending the final paper to management. Why lah the training is so far. It was such a pity that I may have to leave the children behind. The cheapest so far is RM10K total - for the whole family excluding me as my ticket is under company expenses. It will cost about RM6500 for adult and RM8K for children. We can fly to many destinations with RM10K and be happy about it. I just send in the paper and wait and see for the result. Somewhere deep in my heart, it does not matter if they decide to disapprove the paper, it is too far anyway and Ramadhan some more! Tiring and very inconvenience as I have to rush back just before Eid the next Monday.

 

I just received a declined email from one travel agent saying that she did not want to help further in my travelling request as the company only handle corporate accounts. Very arrogant, never want to deal with Diethelm Travel ever again. Gonna wait for Fadhilah's company and Sri Sutra Travel responses.

 

Relieved

I was told yesterday that the management disapproved my replacement for a conference in Macau. It was a huge relief for me. Not that I do not want to go but it was a tight year end schedule for me. I was scheduled for training in Montreal two weeks before Hari Raya and if I were to go to Macau, it will be a two weeks after Hari Raya. My IM is going, but he will not be able to present the paper. So, it was decided that I don’t have to go and I hope NA will send the paper to a journal instead of a conference. That side of the world was not in my book of travel. I forgo Sweden last June because I have less time to send approval paper and it was only a Poster presentation. I really hope one day I will get an oral presentation. I wanted to be known for my work but lately, I have less idea on what to write on.

 

Today is my relief day for the thesis. I was supposed to write on my research paper to be submitted to the School by end of the week. The deadline was already passed, but what the heck. I just pass it on. I am not doing my PhD, and I was given too much work lately that made me stress even more. I ended up chasing people two days back just to get those insurance and LC going. The shipment will be ready soon but I have not seen anyone doing the LC, so, I have to take over. Life is not a bed of roses lately. I have seen less of my husband, as he is also studying at the nearby university (but he has classes 3 times a week). I was too tired these few days but no one seems to understand that I need to rest. I’m thinking of having half day off today. Feel like to shop and go away from office. I am not sure what to do, but the work must be finished soon. I need to have this paper out by Friday at the latest. DrM will be mad, as well and DrA. Don’t care now.

 

 

 

Facebook..

Last weekend, I read about lawyers who catched people using his or her Facebook profile. I am now wondering how far should I reveal my activities in FB as no where is safe now. I am, however, catching up with my work. Already finished quarter of it, more to come after lunch.

Scholl & Nursery Ordeal...

I had a series of unexpected turns this week. After 3 days outstations to Kedah and Kelantan, I'm back at home. Thank God, it was never easy being away from my family and kids. Missed them like crazy! but at the same time, being away is good for me as I have more time to review, refocus and rejuvenate (but I seldom finish my work on the road!). I hate to say, but relaxing atmosphere in most hotel I stay made me lazy to work. This week I ended up with unfinished simulation work, and two important letters to prepare. I managed, however, to keep up with the analysis for the site work. After my mom went home, I went to shop for the Scholl slip on that I have been hunting for past few weeks. I took a wrong turn after Puduraya and ended up at Jalan Bukit Bintang (with ache heels walking for a solid one hour non-stop!). I decided to take an LRT at Dang Wangi to Masjid Jamek and eventually reached at Jalan TAR. After two shoes shop, I came to my senses that the black Luxury Scholl line with one-inch heel was not fated to be mine. My last resort, SOGO which coincidencely having Mega Sale this time of year. I took more than an hour to choose other design that I like. I tried on the cream version of that Luxury Scholl slip on but later decided I better off with black slip on with simple criss-cross design that was on SALE! Well, I had a good bargain for RM82 per pair. I nearly bought another formal shoes (not sure brown or black, but I knew that I like that shoes since my Form Five year in SSP - my lovely Math teacher who's married to a MAS pilot wore them back then!). I am sure that I'm gonna have that shoes before I go to Macau in October. I already have a walking shoes for Montreal trip (it'll be cold if I'm gonna use the slip on). My hunting ended about noon, and rushed back to office for series of meetings until I was exhausted that afternoon.

During lunch, about 4 pm that day, my fren called and asked me to pick up my kid. Oh no! She was sick, I thought. My friend told me that all caregivers at the nursery already went home at about 3 something and left the kids on their own. My goodnes! What the hell! The kids alone, with only the nursery's supervisor to take care of them at that time. Some of us already up there to help her and she asked parents to take the children back as soon as they can. I went to the nursery about half past four, and the kids were running here and there. I did not see the babies but I am sure the babies are crying and looking puzzled. I picked up my kid and went to my office with her. As usual, Najihah will do her 'chop-chop' thing with my rubber stamps and messed up my tables. How to do work? I went out early before 5:30 to pick up Nabilah at another nursery and came back to office to check on Najihah's troublesome nursery. I heard many stories but have not had a chance to listen for the caregivers version as I still believe what they did was wrong. Even if they are not happy with RN management, they should not leave all 40 kids (and babies) just like that after their evening snacks. That was totally wrong! DH was furious and he thought to report the case to the Ministry (well, I don't know if he is really serious of doing). I have not had a single chance to do work on that Thursday afternoon.

Friday morning, we woke up late and DH offerred to send the kids. I rushed to work and arrived two minutes before the clock turn red. DH came in about 9 a.m. and I had to send Najihah to school as she was crying when I wanted to move away. Only two caregivers to take care 20 kids and 4 babies. Ridiculous! I send Najihah anyway as we did not plan for any leave (the supervisor told us the nursery will be opened anyway). I had breakfast with the boss and a discussion meeting with USM (I almost forgot about the meeting!) until noon. Then came the announcement, 'To those who have children at Taska, please pick up your child between 12 noon to 3 pm as the nursery will be closed at 3:30 pm". My goodness, not another one! I have to be at the office in the afternoon for colloquium and will be having two appointments at nearby offices during lunch for perfume testing. Luckily DH is willing to take care of the children (both of them) after solat Jumaat. I went for my appointment with the clients, and make appointment with Dr. Kamsiah's clinic on the way home. DH picked up the kids at 3pm and at last, I can sit down listened for 15 minutes presentation and got off to my office for some work. It was a terrible two-days nursery ordeal!

I never thought this can happen after PTA meeting last Friday 11th July. I guess talking (and commenting) to not-so-educated people was not easy and straight forward. We meant something else, they thought something else. But, above all, the caregivers should not leave the children unattended for any cause, at any time. What if it happens tp their children? Tak naik angin ke? I wished they can think straight and be more sensible at their actions. Not sure what will happen on Monday. Just have to wait and see..

--
Best Regards,
NabilaHouse
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

More about turtle conservation...

I could not help but to post my senior's email on her turtle conservation work under WWF. Pls read, as I cannot deliberate how much important their work and our behavior towards those poor turtle coming to our beaches.

------------------------------
Thanks all for your comments. What you all say are true. We in WWF believe strongly that conservation doesnt just mean working hands-on with the species on the beach. It also involves working closely with the people, because many of the threats faced by the environment & makhluk di dalamnya, are all mainly anthropogenic (caused by humans). For example, makan telur penyu, guna pukat (penyu tersangkut & mati lemas), building of chalets & tomyam stalls on nesting beaches, etc. A good example is in Melaka. A hawksbill once crossed the road to nest under someone's house because the beach was too degraded, too bright & too noisy.

For me here in Kerteh, my team & I work closely with the local community, the villagers, fishermen, school kids, teachers, etc. It is very challenging, drove us up the wall many times, but it is also very rewarding when you see behavioural changes among the local community.

Someone recently donated us some money, so we are going to use that money to buy turtle eggs from the egg collectors so the eggs can hatch. Someone asked why didnt I guy the turtle eggs from the makcik pasar malam? Tak guna beli masa tu because after 2 hours of oviposition (bertelur), the embryo would have formed. Any rough handling/movements/rotation of the eggs would have caused the embryo to die. Telur yang makcik tu jual entah dah berapa hari, kalau beli pun tak guna. So kalau nak beli for incubation, kena beli masa masih fresh lagi.

Now we are on to the 2nd phase of our work - providing alternative source of income to the local community. InsyaAllah, with new funding, we will be introducing turtle based eco-tourism here which we hope will benefit the local community so they in turn will actively protect the "goose that lays the golden eggs". But we have to be careful that this eco-tourism project wont turn into another disaster like Rantau Abang 30 years ago.

We are also going to deploy satellite transmitters on 4 turtles this year insyaAllah to track their migratory paths and their feeding habitats. You all know yes, that turtles migrate hundreds if not thousands of kilometres between the nesting beach & their foraging habitat? Therefore we need to protect not just the nesting beach, but also the foraging habitat and their migratory routes. How do we know where they are? By studying the signals they transmit each time they surface to breathe.

So kawan kawan, jangan lah kita makan telur penyu. The eggs are toxic. A study has shown it contains heavy metal, E.coli, salmonella, can cause cancer, ceret beret & kidney problems. I tak tau hukum makan telur penyu per se. Tapi  kalau sengaja makan apa apa yang membahayakan kesihatan - bukan haram hukumnya?

And then there is the conservation aspect of it. In a healthy population you need to incubate 70% of all eggs laid. But is the population healthy? Far from it. Out of 4 turtle species we have in Malaysia, 2 species are critically endangered, the other 2 endangered. To sustain an already endangered population, you need to conserve 100% of the eggs. Remember the survival ratio at best is 1 egg in every 1000. We must therefore ensure as many eggs are possible are incubated, and not sold in markets.

So kalau nak sangat makan telur penyu, beli bola ping pong and letak hingus dalam tu, add a bit of sand. Sorry I have to be gross. But I hope that description will deter anyone from wanting turtle eggs.
-------------------------------
Side note: Thanks kak ayu for sharing!

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Turtle eggs and our life...

I read with sympathy to one of my seniors emails who are working with WWF on turtle conservations in Kemaman (DH’s hometown). She wrote about makcik at pasar malam selling turtle eggs and how she tried persuaded her to stop selling the eggs to people and trying even harder to stop people for buying those eggs. I doubt I can do like her, even though I never eat turtle eggs (tak sampai hati lah!) but I am not courageous enough to sit in front of the seller and persuade people not to buy the eggs. Imagine in 1000 eggs, only 1 hatchling survive to be adult turtle. So sad! What if turtle extinct, what will happen to the ocean ecosystem? Can never imagine another naive animal like turtle will extinct and my children can only see them in a picture book. We are part of the ecosystem, part of other’s life in this planet. Everyone plays a role in making this planet a living green planet. Then, I remember, I always hate when it is time for me to go to the system controllers department. Just because they are so arrogant and ‘berlagak pandai’. Some of them even counter back what I said, although it is true! But if the system that I control dies off, with no one to care and maintain, it will definitely have an effect on them too. Just because some people disagree with me, it does not mean I can forgo the responsibilities that I have to take care of the system (even if it is too painful to bear with). I am doing my part in the circle of life.

 

Despite the hectic schedule I have this week, I ended up finishing most of the important jobs – fault current data, LC details, marine insurance, schedule for commissioning and organizing (and making sure of) my men bring all the equipment to site work next week. Tomorrow is Friday; I need to tie up loose ends quickly. I am sure that both Docs are waiting for the letters, flight tickets to book early morning and those letters need to be faxed to Region by noon.

 

I love my work and my life. My work is not my life. My hobby is my work. My life is my family. Sometimes I hate my work but I never hate my life. Time to go home! Cheerios!

 

Side note: I still envy IM for his 3 proposals in 4 months time. Tak de keje lain ke dia tu?

 

 

Farewell is Never Easy

Today is the last day that the trainees work for us. It was a wonderful and challenging 12 weeks for me to supervise and mentor them to be excellence in their work. Sometimes, I admit I was a bit tough on them esp who is under my supervision. Being a supervisor is never easy. It is never easy if you have the responsibility to look over their work, plan their work and guide them. It was never easy to make sure that people work up to your standard, because they are not me. They are their own self. They have their own strength and weaknesses. But time flies. I hope they learn as much as I learn to supervise someone very young in the field. To them they are my colleague as they are doing what I have planned for them. We had farewell lunch at the lab. I was the MC, and being clumsy MC, I have asked everyone to give out their words of encouragement to them. Suprisingly, in the absent of my immediate manager, I said ‘on behalf of’ and the lab (my dear lab). Oh man! I was so attached to this group and the place that made me wonder whether I opt of from this place. Hehe. We had Secret Recipe Chocolate cake with Walnut for desert. Yummy! And I took some for the kids. They must be ecstatic! But the boss, being ever so skinny, did not eat that yummy cake. Rugi! Rugi!

 

Special note: To dear NAZ, thanks for the gift. I never ask for one as your co-operation, willingness to learn, dedication and motivation to work are gifts for me. I hope that you have learnt something from the program. You have contributed so much for the group, and I thank you for that. If you decide to come here, our doors are always open. Do learn as much as you can and keep in touch with us. See you around, and have fun learning!

 

Trip to MRCB

Lately I had little time to chat with anyone. I spoke with team mates, project leaders and my trainee, and casually with girl friends. I talked most during short trips like this afternoon, I had an opportunity to meet engineers at region with my immediate manager, who seldom talk to me unless very urgent and important. And I only talk to him on the phone most of the time. Hehe. An enlightening conversation on daily life, resignation domino effects and why you are here kind of things. I could not imagine that he actually worked in Sony (TV!) after graduation for the first one and a half year before he came to this office. I worked at the same place after my graduation for three months before I was called to join this company. He talked about resignation but I could not catch on why he is here, not other place. Maybe some other time, I can ask that bonus question again. I had a serious, workaholic, smart and dedicated immediate boss when I first join the company. He moved on because I was there to shadow him, and found another dedicated, smart but funny immediate manager that I can relate to. No wonder sometimes I do find that we both have the same traits in our work. We seldom complaints and we tried the impossible because we knew things are possible to do, although some people say we are wasting our time. And, we are a good planner. Hehe. Masuk bakul angkat sendiri. Hahaha. I am lucky to have him as my immediate manager. I always look up on him and seeing his work with three project simultaneously, made me wonder what more can I contribute to earn higher rank in my field. I should think hard but smart as my life is not only my work. My world is different from other people who may have tons of money and queues of servants. I am an ordinary woman with extraordinary ambitions living her life to the fullest.  

 

"I think therefore I am" - Descartes

 

Defense..

I did it once, and I did it again. But this time, I felt I was more prepared with the answers because I knew my stuff. It really helps when your audience does not know much about what you are doing. Hehe. This morning I had my thesis proposal defense for the research project I am doing. I always use ‘we’ in my presentation but somehow, one of the panels asked me ‘why you keep saying ‘we’, not I? I was stunned. In my office, we have been always reminded to speak for the team not ourselves, because we work in a team. I am not doing the work on my own. I have a team. It was just a coincidence that I am the main researcher, but I have assistance from people in Environment, my technicians and my collaborators. But I am part of the team and I did the work together. I checked the results, the equipment etc. It was just too awkward to use first person in the presentation. I ended up using ‘we’ throughout the session. Anyway, despite of setbacks here and there as the panels are not well verse in technical terms involved in the study, the session was fine. My supervisor said it was ok, I did not need to resit again for re-defense. Alhamdulillah.

 

I can rest tonight, and perhaps tomorrow I can ask them to postpone the meeting as I need more time to finish up the second report. Many things pending and I am having a bad headache. The room is too cold! Macam peti sejuk lah..

 

Trial Course & Proposal

I was totally tired today. Today was our first trial run for the course. I was given after tea break slot, better for me. So sleepy after watching a series of drama last nite ended up with Grey’s Anatomy at 12:45. The course went fine, those execs were damn attentive during my class. The practical was not that good, I had bad time explaining why they did not get the measurement. And it was so hot! I forgot my sunblock, I was sunburned! Huhuhu. My time was well spent on the course prep but I was not prepared for the practical (the unit probably need new batteries!). Lesson well learnt. Hope my GM will be happy now that we have kicked off the first course with them. The JV, our late MD dreams, and we shall uphold his belief that we are researchers and researchers will never say ‘we can’t because….’.

 

I was busy looking at another batch of Gala Dinner’s photos at the Renaissance KL last Saturday. This batch commented that the food was bad (that BAD??). I wished I can be there. Must make a point to join the 50^th Gold Anniversary Dinner (another 10 years to wait, I will be emm.. 40?). The proposal summary was not summed up yet. Malasnye nk buat. Blog lagi best. Need to sleep early today, as tomorrow’s session will start at 9 a.m. Berbuih lagi lah nk defense the thing. Déjà vu betul.. last year it was about this time, I was prepped by GM to present for the board. This will be another round, after one year.

 

I can, I will pass and I am in the process of succeeding the presentation tomorrow. Amiinn..

 

 

Another short note

I wished I did not know that sites. And I wished nobody tell me of its existence! I never read couple blogs that were so mushy mushy with all those loves, misses etc that makes me puke!! Yikes!! Kids nowadays. I hope my daughters and sons will not be like them when they grow older.

 

Kengkadang geram jugak baca.. dok berjiwang-jiwang then keje tak buat.. geram.. geram.. ni nak cari satu lagi blog minah jiwang kat ofis nih.. yg gatal sangat dok kejar laki orang tuh.. member kata blog dah hilang entah ke mana.. emmm.. mesti ada connection dgn 2 blog yg kat I dok nyampah giler-giler nih..

 

 

Friday shopping

I hate shopping on Friday lunch time esp on the last week of the month (like just now!). Alamanda was crowded with people shopping because they just got their salaries in. I saw several of my friends but could not stop and join them. I was rushing hoping to go and get those Paul Penders lipstick at Pure Life Organic in Kajang, but still could not make it today.

 

May be next week, or next month?

 

 

Short Note

Just a short note today: When I am gonna leave this place for good, I am not gonna read a beautiful poem to express on how I feel towards the workplace. I will not do that. Because the workplace did not build my character in life. I will thank everyone who has been working with and for me throughout the years. Without them, I will not be where I am today.

 

Side note: She was just so annoying. Had a very bad experience working with her last July 2007. I just wished she can find true experience at other places.

 

 

Father's Day

I received my monthly Reader’s Digest today. The Editor wrote about father’s role in kids’ life – “Us dads are here to challenge our kids, show them different ways of tackling problems, and give them another outlook on life.” It is very very true. I have two young toddlers of my own. I knew what it is all about. DH has a different ways of handling the kids. While I was away from home, they went to the furthest playground park from our house, eat ice cream at night, and slept in late. DH gave them bath pool in the bathroom, let them climb on the highest monkey bar and play snow during a freezing night. They do adventurous things with their fathers, things that I was afraid to take on because I always feel it was not safe for them. They need to learn real thing in life. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years away from my father. I was sent to a boarding school far from my hometown. Although, I spent less time with my dad, one thing that I remember vividly was that, he will do whatever it takes to make sure I am safe and sound coming home and going back to school. He thought me to be independent, but still the safety is first on his list.

 

On Father’s Day eve, I called my dad and thanked him for those sacrifices and hard work he had gone through bringing up us, to make us someone we are today. I hope my daughters will do the same for their father when the time comes. Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers in this world!

My CS!!

I had a terrible Monday morning to start with. I have been browsing the net for uncertain things – mainly because I need to reply to the web header design which sites that I like most for my style, and I ended up with recreational surfing! But the good thing is I found Dirty Dozen Ingredients from National Geographic website that I will use for my next purchase of lipstick. I am a natural product freak! Though I buy the most cost effective natural products, it is hard to find one in my home country. I was blessed with all natural products while in the States, but it is damn too expensive here. I need to color my lips sometimes for special occasion, like during Award Day for Best Researchers in 2009! (I am in a process of being one.. hehehehe).. And that Alumni Dinner that I missed every year because I do not want to leave my children at home while partying with my friends. Anyway, surfing ended just about an hour ago, and then I received email from my long lost College Sister (or CS for short) that took care of my during my 1^st year in boarding school. I was so excited that I replied her email almost instantaneously. She was a very good CS to me, my family adores her and I always hope for the best in her life.

 

I am glad that I wrote that congratulations email via Alumni to SSP band winning the first prize in the final competition at PCC yesterday. If not, I won’t be able to tell my CS, I am in the Alumni. Keep in touch, sis!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday!

Today is DH birthday! We celebrated a day earlier, on Sunday evening to be exact. Despite of low cash money, we went to Pizza Hut Nilai and the kids enjoyed their meal very well. Took pictures of them sitting down with DH. Each of them ate their breadsticks, mushroom soup, a slice of chicken supreme pizza and ice-cream! They slept very well last nite. Deep down I told myself, sometimes there are better things to look forward to when things did not go as you planned. I silently thanked the Almighty for the patience and strength to endure difficult times and unexpected turned in our journey together. Had I succumed to the test, I may not be able to sit with my kids and DH to have an enjoyable Pizza-Hut dinner on the eve of DH birthday.

 

I was supposed to fly to Sweden last Friday, had I send the overseas trip letter last four weeks, and missed the whole excitement of birthday celebration with my family. I never regretted I had made decision not to go.

 

Sometimes, being near home is the best thing that all of us can do to ourselves.

 

Happy birthday DH! May the Almighty bless you always.

 

Best regards,

Nana

http://rafdina.blogspot.com

 

Bad Outstation!

I was away last week, the whole week.. far from the office but still can reach my email (darn!) at night. I had a terrible toothache night before I left my house, wished I had them remove before going for site work. My mom came on Sunday evening to help out care for the children. The kids were esctatic to see their grandma again. I left on early morning flight to Kota Bharu, still yawning and trying to comphrehend things for the work. It was a difficult site, sandy and very very dry. The contractor did some funny things - they used hand auger for 10m depth holes! It took them ages to finish the  work while my team and I watched. Finished the work near dusk - that was almost 14 hours of work. I was deeply disturbed with the progress when the vendor said they can only continue on Thursday as planned. Damn! Two days to wait. I decided to pay a visit to USM and see their laboratories. Anyway, we had a nice dinner at D'Kantan (Garden Restaurant as featured in Utusan Malaysia some times ago).. the siakap was so-so.. better than nothing. We stopped at Juwita Inn for late night check in. The next morning, I spent hundreds on tudung bawak no. 1 (that I planned to sell after my website is up). Those tudungs are cheaper at Pasar Siti Khadijah and the fact that we came early morning (about 9 am) the seller gave us huge discounts (I knew that I was not cheated!). I asked to go to Wakaf Che Yeh, unfortunately the shops will be only opened after 5.30 pm (Pasar Siti Khadijah closes at about 6 pm). Maybe next time. We went to Beris for some site photo taking and decided that Rantau Panjang will be next stop. I love Rantau Panjang for the cheap T-shirts and blouses. Not much to bargain though, as it is already cheap (made in Thailand!). I bought Princess gown, Dora gown and Mickey Mourse suits for the kids for only RM53 (that will cause a total of about RM90 at KL!) and two more tudung bawal no. 1! Hehe. We stopped at the highest rest house on Jeli-Gerik highway for tea. I got myself a hot Milo, it was so cool up there and very scenic. We were at the highest peak and just looking down at the forest made me dizzy. Another three hours and we arrived at Bukit Mertajam about dusk. We stayed at Summit Hotel where the shopping centre is just below our rooms. Cool! I did not shopping much as my stomach started feeling terrible. It must be the Milo. I ate nasi kandar during dinner and my problems started. I woke up with stomach ache. During my visit to USM, we had kari ikan sembilang lunch, that I barely ate. I threw up few times after we went back to hotel in the evening, and the rest of my nights are horrible. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring 'minyak cap badak' the original home made ointment for pain reliever and there was no 'kedai minyak ubat' at the shopping mall. Watson and Guardian only sell those small 'balm urut' that does nothing to my pain. The next morning, working at Guthrie site took hours even though they use boring machine to drill the hole. Work finished about half past five in the evening. I was sitting there in agony watching the contractors with the machine. Felt like laying on the field. Pil Chi Kit Teck Aun saved my few hours during the work and I managed to properly watched them working in the middle of hot field. Urggh! Never will I eat nasi kandar or kari ikan sembilang ever again. My team sent me to airport, my tummy still aches and my back was in pain too! Add that up with mounting emails in my inbox to read after I get back. I met the kids (and DH) about ten o'clock at night. They called me out loud at the arrival hall holding their newly bought toy phonies, and everybody was watching us. Missed them soo much!

Four gruelling days of outstation, with bad toothache and horrible stomach ache. I ended up taking one day leave on Friday and another off day on Monday!

Lesson learnt: Never leave for outstation work without my 'minyak cap badak'!

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

USB incident..

I had a terrible morning, quarrelling with DH on the USB port that I forgotten to bring back yesterday. We exchanged remarks while leaving for work. I did not wake up last nite - felt terrible to see the laundry basket are full with clean clothes and the other filled with dirty clothes. I never missed washing everyday since my eldest got her uniform last March. So, I was pretty upset that she may have to wear ordinary clothe to school tomorrow. We did, however, kissed and let go when we separated (he goes to work by motorcycle). Usually, I was the one who had to go over and kiss but it was different this time. DH came and opened the car door. It was a relieved. I was sorry that I did not bring the USB but I think he must have been very frustrating with the new work place (no room whatever, he has to work in a computer room). Very bad place, I guess. But I can feel that DH is doing what he likes most, teaching! I believer things will turn better for him in a month or two.

I practised Law of Attaction now and I am in a process of being patience, and work smart everyday. My daughters did not fuss so much compared to last time but the youngest one keep asking to see their baby videos. We spent an hour everyday to accompany her watching those videos and it was fun only for the first 15 minutes!

I wish that I can get enough money to quit my work and do what I like everyday - shopping.. hehehe..

Anyway, I better signed off. The notes are waiting!

Regards,
Nana
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Good theraphy..

Weeks ago, I tried to learn on Anger Management to calm down and to understand my children anger towards me. Then I found Law of Attaction. I bought the book using MPH voucher that I won in English competition (RM40 only). I summarised it as "Positive improvement, be it little or big, proves that Law of Attraction works". After a month now, practising what I read and sharing them with my DH, I found marked improvement in myself. I no longer feel burdened and annoyed by my kids tantrum, I succesfully calmed down DH from going into hard battle with kids on the 'spring-cleaning' thing after dinner, and most of all, I got to understand my kids better. I really believe now that Law of Attaction is really working on my life.

Today, I want to share the beauty of being positive and always be positive. I had a tiring week, trying to prepare for the exam and such. On the examination day, I told my self, I am in the process of passing the exam with flying colors. Never in my mind, the word fail come accross, neither the words 'what if I fail'. There is no doubt that I will pass. I went through it and pass. Yay! This morning, the car broke down but DH is on leave. I was late for work and the children started to quarrel on their doctor's glove. I said to myself '' I am in a process of learning their self resilient and I will be ontime for work". They stopped quarelling, and I arrived at the office 5 minutes before the punch card turned red. The best part was, I knew that Najihah has high self resilient and very independent for a 3-year old. While her sister, Nabilah will need a little bit of motivation and pampering for her to be her own self - smart, independent and loving. At the end, Najihah gave one side of the doctor's golves to her sister and keep hers in my handbag. Nabilah asked me to bring her glove to work and wear it. What an unexpected conclusions!

I understood now that my children understood that I need to work long hours every day. But they also understood that mommy is going to spend her time with them after work and they are only being themselves all the time.

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Finally..

.. it was over. Felt like a huge burden lifted off my shoulder. I finished quite early, skipped a few slides and answered more questions that I should. The instructor even commented that I deal more with question outside of the contents. Oh well, let it be. It was over, and I felt relieved. Everyone else must be feeling the same. Lucky that I got the same instructor like yesterday, I did my best and the result will come out in a week. Pass, pass and pass. Must think positive, as the Law of Attraction will vibrate everything that we think and say. I hope for pass, so, I will say it loud. Think positive.

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

I wish, I will, I am.

I wished for more sleep but I could not sleep when I have the chance.
Because the chance never came! It was a tiring day. I had to sit again
in class for exam tomorrow. GM said we will be shamed if we fail again
the second time. I will pass with flying colors this time. I have been
spending the last couple of weeks on research work, and less on lab
service. I felt good, I should be doing that more often, rather than
answering people calls asking for free maps. Nothing is free in this
world. They just don't get it. I just hope that guy from Kerteh will
call me another weeks, he was so annoying.. grrrr.. havent got time to
sit and study his request. Work and work, I somehow wish that I can
put a stop on work, and enjoying my hobby. I never really go to work
when I did the research stuffs but somehow I hate doing services. I do
like people, but annoying, arrogant and needy people are those I hate
most. I wish I can be 'the' scientist and someone else is 'the'
manager. I am not the manager, someone picked me to act like one. They
never pay me extra allowance. I do the work because I enjoy doing it.
Sooner or later, I'm gonna tell them that I hate to be front liners. I
rather be working back stage and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Tomorrow is the test. I am gonna pass this time. I will, I will, I will.

Thursday notes...

I decided to write something this morning. I was very much stressed with work and the kids got on my nerve this morning. Free lecture, that I ended up regret to have it delivered to my eldest Nabilah. I believe she must be having bad school day yesterday when everything seems to be on the wrong side this morning. I hugged her and just hope that I can finish everything early today and go back earlier. DH is taking a day off (ponteng lagi!) because he got the offer. Pretty jealous with him, wish I can do the same. I read Tun Dr. Mahathir blog (because Shukri is one of his fan, so as Ruby). Tun really write the blog on his own. Wow! I never thought an ex-Prime Minister (whom I got to get a close-up photo of him when I was in Form 3 at PWTC) will have his blog and write. I hope to see more blogs from the ministers (written by them, not their PR or PA) for the ordinary citizen like me to understand their views on important matters.

It was such a relieved to being able to pen down my thoughts in just a few lines. Shall work smart and efficient today. Happy working people!

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

A Celebration!

We had another wonderful weekend with the kids. Three days in a row with early morning outings, shopping and seeing relatives. On Saturday, we went shopping at Giant and the kids were very excited as they rode the newly 'moving' phonies at the children area. They got to ride their all-time favorite animal - only it was a mechanical one! Nevertheless, the phonies made their day. KFC for lunch, quite unbearable but somehow I could only smile when Najihah dropped her full cup of Pepsi on my lap (I was soaked with Pepsi during lunch!). Lucky that she did not get wet. On Sunday, we went to Along's house to fix DH computer after the children's nap. Still not running after the power supply was strucked by induced lightning voltage (well, I knew that but I kept it to myself, hehehe). The kids behaved very well, ate their food diligently and we had a wonderful (but costly) dinner at nearby TomYam restaurant after DH finished with the repair. They slept pretty well that night but still woke up at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday morning! We celebrated Najihah's birthday on Sunday, 19th May (with chocolate special cake from Madam King's Giant) at Kak Ngah's house. It was her 3rd birthday on 19th May 2008, she sang very loudly as she was so excited to have a birthday cake, a birthday hat and birthday pom poms. I was so happy to see them having fun all weekends. The kids were exicted to see their cousins and played with them all afternoon. Kak Ngah, my SIL is called Mama among her nieces and nephews. We went to her newly renovated house and chit chat a bit on the renovation work. Better not to hire Indonesian workers next time for whole renovation work. They were quite lucky they had the house built fine while other things like lamps, fans and even the mirror were wrongly supplied.

Above all, it was a wonderful weekend for all of us. Should have more weekends like this. We are stressed too much on weekdays.

Side note: DH got the offer from one of the university colleges as a lLecturer nearby our home. His prayer was answered. Bye bye SSM. He got an offer to further his studies in UM two weeks ago. All is well and good, for now. Law of Attraction is working :o)

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Commodity serial number: 2597 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

now:2350 EUR  member:1850 EUR

Donation...

Yesterday, my friend approached me with Amal Ekspress donation scheme. Being a good friend, I listened and eventually agreed to help. Well, only RM55 to help friend in need. Sedekah jariah. I have not followed MLM or other scheme after I joined eCosway (which eventually I became the user, instead of Business Owner) and Suang Hor Distributorship (I love their products!) simply because I have too much on my plate. The PFA business is doing well, but I tend to spend more than I gain. Hehehe.. Lucky I got that promotion, and will strive to work smarter and get better results (more money, I hope!). Anyway, Amal Ekspress is simply a pyramid scheme, which some pious leaders have given 'haram' status because it involves giving money to other people, without any product whatsoever. I noticed mostly people who joined my friend's network are from low-income group, which I fully understood that they need to find ways and means to increase their fund. As for me, after series of flyers in my post box, perhaps it is time to test the scheme. If I loose the RM55, it is just a small amount compared to what my money means to those needy people. I sent out the free flyer (provided by the company, Mesta Niaga Sdn Bhd) to my business clients and hope that they will think like I did and join for the sake of helping those people who need the money, for whatever reason. A giving hand is ten times better than a receiving hand.

Side note: I slept like a log last night. Working too hard during the day. DH came home late from work. I hope he will get a better job soon.. I slept on the sofa, while he was having dinner (I missed another episode of House!). Went into the bedroom and zzzzz.. until the alarm rang at 6 a.m!

Mother's Day weekend..

I had a good Mothering Sunday weekend with the family. On Saturday, we had to go to the hospital for Najihah's routine check on her rash. It was a tough visit. DH could not be out of the kids' sight or else, they screamed like crazy and went around like nuts. That's my girls. Amazingly, I could not barely raise my voice or even get angry on them. I was a bit down with flu, not feeling that well but the thought of being determined to practice what I read on Law of Attraction made me think more before I speak. Whenever I felt like screaming to the kids, I asked myself instead "So, what do I want them to do now?". It turned out differently, everytime I speak they listened (except for DH MIA for 10 minutes, and Najihah could not wait for her candy) everything else was fine. Amazingly. We had a quite trying time at Along's stall for lunch (Najihah slept for an hour on Ayuni's 'buaian') and at Alon'g house, when they tried to figure out was went wrong with the CPU. I dropped the regulator, but DH did not shout (or make faces) at me. The CPU was ok, the RAM need to be replaces (for more bytes, and more money to come out). We had quite a peaceful dinner at Awan Besar R&R (except that my kids were totally tired, Nabilah did not have her nap so she slept on and off in the car). DH was furious on this, but he did say it was all because he wanted Nabilah to nap while at Along's house, not more than that. Finally we had a civilized conversations (in the car, while the children are sleeping) after months of trying to figure out what went wrong with us, silently. We finally slept soundly at 1 a.m.

On Sunday, the usual routine without much fuss. DH finished up his markings at noon, and we had a good time 'relaxing' while the kids' were napping. McD visit in the evening (Najihah had a go before she made it to the toilet) and without hesitant, we went to the curtain shop (with Najihah in her diaper only!) to window shop. I called my mom before we went out but not my MIL because DH said later (then we forgot to call MIL at night, too busy for me to remind him!). We had dinner, the usual night routine and I managed to finish up the papers about 12. We called it a night only after two o'clock in the morning :o), and after another real conversations on our job, the kids and the plans. It was a good Mothering Sunday. And the kids did kiss me on the cheek while shouting Happy Mother's Day, Mak!

Happy Mother's Day to All Moms in the world!

Nostalgic epidemic...

.. or rather endemic? (I'm not too sure). I guess the Alumni emails now are filled with nostalgic writings from everyone (super seniors, seniors and juniors). All started with Kak Kim lah.. with her effort to spruce up the Alumni yahooogroups.. I'm not that interested to chip in my thots of the teachers, the seniors, the 'ghost' stories and what not.. I'm the one who read them all and trying to make sense of what is happening with the them in school some 20-30 years ago. Honestly, I do not have may fond memories staying there except for the band (which more of bad memories, rathen than fun), the dorm (which many or my good seniors are there) and the classes (where I got flying colors results every exam). I was the one with no 'pet-sister' and a loner. I tried so many times, but always, I was overshadowed by others who were more beautiful, smarter, more exciting than me. Talk about Farah Ilyana, Bibah, Fatimah, Suria among few friends that I envied most during high school. They got everything that I did not have that time - pet sisters, champions in sports, debates and music. One thing that I knew for sure, the schools had taught me to be who I am today. Resilient, tough, fair and honest.

Few days back, my husband suddenly, without notice, was mad because I was reluctant to send the Avanza for service (which will take a whole day). He asked me to ask my friend to drive along to the service center in the morning and then bring me back again to the centre in the afternoon, on a working day! I thought, no, I don't want to do that, I won't use any of my friend's few hours during working day to help me with the service. I would rather take a day leave and send the car on my own. Do I have friend at work? Yes, I do but because after last car service, he was complaining that I did not supervise thoroughly on the car service (I was sitting there the whole time looking at the mechanic! The tyres were bad, though), I won't ask them to spend their hours for me. Another day off for next week. Yesterday, I noticed that I had only took a half day leave for the past four months of work. I took another half day leave yesterday because the flu is coming and I could not tolerate anymore headaches. I headed back home and slept for few hours. It was a good decision. I slept a full six hours last night, and this morning had a good 'back-scrub' to start the day ;o). Life is just getting better for me. Alhamdulillah...

When senior resurface..

When seniors resurface, we just only read.. I don't know about other, but I only read, read and read.. I don't know what to add or comments because what they are writing is too personal.. only they know what they area talking about. Which means, I should turn off the emails.. but to think again about this, it may be useful for the future if I can get to know the senior better to help in my life. Who knows one day I need a geologist to help me? No one knows.. so I keep those emails intact, more rooms when you are using GMail.. hehehe..

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Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Anniversary weekend..

I though I would have a chaotic weekend based on the events several days before the Anniversary. I could not write this down earlier because I was too busy helping DH finishing up his exam papers markings. I did not do the marking, I just calculated the marks and put them on the front page. It took us until 3 a.m. on Sunday night to get everything done. I am very very sleepy right now, in the office.

Anyway, the Anniversary Weekend.. it was truly a weekend for us, and the kids. DH went back early on Friday because my SIL from Kemaman came down for holidays and they stopped by our house that night. The kids had a late bedtime. No problem for us. Past midnight, I got the long waited wishes from DH. He did remember :o) our Anniversary. After 5 years, I think I was the one who always think that he can't remember important dates. Hehe. The next morning, we brought the kids to breakfast and went for a train (ERL) ride from Putrajaya to KL Sentral and to MidValley via Komuter. We had pizza lunch at MV and the kids behaved quite differently from last time we had a meal at PH. They were considerably well mannered and ate their portion appropriately. We had ours in time, finished up the meal in an hour. DH bought them another sippy cup (Pooh's for adik, and Fairy's for kakak) at World of Cartoons. Another two cups for collection. The train ride definitely made their day, and made our day too. It was a neat Anniversary Day celebration for us.

I gave a box of Bounty chocolate before the end of the night, put them on his table. DH and the kids slept away.. tak sedar diri since they were too tired from the rides and amusement in between the journey. Quitely, I wished for a many many years of wonderful life ahead of us together. He will always be my Prince Charming, no matter what happens.. till death do us part.