Reading Habit

It's funny how I used to read a lot of books, mostly romantic novels but still, I read. I could finish a novel in 2 days! Over the recent 10 years, I have not really read a book, any book, except for books/training manuals for those dreaded tests after some external professional training courses. Recently I started on a book and I haven't finished it, yet. It's been siting idle for a few weeks now in the book rack. I have to finish it quickly since I borrowed it from someone. Plus, it's a very very good book that increases my religious knowledge. I have this guilty feeling inside of me for holding on to the book that doesn't belong to me. I think I need to set a target and finish it up, it's only about a quarter of the pages left. 

This is what happens when you have a working life and 4 kids to top it. The precious time you have left at home is spent entertaining the kids' needs and resting. It's not that I totally do not have time to spare for some reading but just my other priorities and preferences comes into the picture. For example, I can still find time to finish up 16 episodes of a Korean drama in 4 days or I can surf online for hours.

Evan spending time in the National Library

But still reading is a habit that should be maintained and to be instilled in the kids. A few weeks ago, we brought the kids to the National Library's kids' library. I was not so pleased that they got bored after less than a hour. Maybe, there were just too many books and they could not hold on to one to finish it. Instead, they would take many and browse through them rapidly and then go take more! I guess it's not a good idea to have too many choices. Maybe when they are a bit older, we could go there again.

My eldest likes to read the National Geographic magazines that we subscribe to. In addition, I will always buy books as presents for them instead toys. But they do not seem to take good care of the books I bought them, which gets my blood boiling sometimes. However, I won't let that stop me. We, as parents, really need to lead by example and set a side some reading time together. I think I had better get the ball rolling again.Time for trips to the bookstore again! Plus we can claim tax exemption for the money spent.

King of Fruits

Durian is back in season, we can see durian stalls everywhere, especially along Jalan Broga. We had durian for tea break this Monday. Best of all, didn't have to pay for them since a colleague decided to treat us. I think the ones we had were of the 101 breed and boy were they tasty! So yellow and creamy. I was not particularly a durian fan but lately, I kind of start liking them a lot, a little too much.

Yellow potent stuff!

I think I will be having another few rounds of durian fests again soon, even buy some home for the family. My kids do not like durian except for the eldest who is crazy about it. Tonight, we will have some durian from my bro-in-law, yeah!

I am back...

It's been awhile since I updated my blog here. I have been really tied up with matters at home. Now that things have settled down and I am back at work, I can start my weekly rants again.

My new freezer looks like this.

This week, I bought a new Mistral upright freezer. The purpose? To store my expressed breast milk (EBM). My existing freezer is filled up already :(. When I moved them from the freezer in my existing fridge to the newly bought freezer, they already occupied tray 2 and tray 3. Darn, should have bought the bigger one. But anyhow, I need to make this new freezer work for me since I already spent RM900 on it :(. I have been storing my EBM in disposable plastic containers but they fill up the freezer very quickly. Today I bought those 'Aiskrim Malaysia' plastic bags and going to use them instead. After all my research online, I think this will be the best and most economical option. Saves space and money. I still have one more month before baby can start feeding on my EBM after her operation, so the stock will be piling up.

Since this was taken, it got even more packed in 

my existing fridge.

At work, I am back to the normal routine. And, as always, the best part of the day is my lunchtime with my colleagues. We spend this time enjoying nice food and joke with one another. We are also planing a durian feast next Monday at Broga. Haven't had any for a long while and since they are back in season, what are we waiting for?!

This weekend, we have loads to do. Need to clear out the small room downstairs to make room for live-in (foreign) domestic helper, expected to arrive in August. I also want to shop for beds for my daughters and decorate their little room upstairs. Plus my mum is coming by bus on Sunday to stay for a week with us to help us care for my little baby. Mum and MIL are (alternately) helping us with the baby until the helper arrives, still a few more months to go, so sorry to trouble them both but have no choice :(.

Lots of things happening and changing for us but we will make everything work.

BERSIH 3.0 in Spirit

I have been absent from this blog for awhile. Meanwhile I have started a new blog for my special baby girl who was born on 23rd March 2012. The new blog will jot down our journey together in this new episode of our lives with our new addition to the family. I will keep that separate from this blog.

Today is Bersih 3.0 and I am sad to note I am not there with my comrades getting wet and gassed. I have been pretty tied up recently with new baby and all. Anyways, reading from the updates, riot police are at it again like the last time, firing tear gas into the crowd unprovoked. Waiting to see more pictures and updates soon to see the size of the turnout! By any standards, it is already a big success for the cause!

Sadly, not everyone shares the same ideals and believe there is real cause to fight for. I guess some people just cannot be bothered anymore with all the nonsense politics going on in this country anyway. But I still believe there is hope, and I am not the only one. Far from it, judging from the people who have turned up today in KL. We have HOPE, like Datuk Ambiga said so in her speech. For us who still love Malaysia, dare to hope and demand for our rights to this beloved country of ours. It needs to start with fair and clean elections!

To my friends who are out there for this cause, my spirit is with you. Come back and tell me your stories of this historic day!

"But take heart! I have overcome the world"

This morning, the title of my blog 'Trying to Live Life' rings so true. I am trying to live life at this trying times.

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

God, please help me keep my faith intact and help us through this difficult times. Amen.

Countdown - 6 weeks to go?

We are half way through Lent and sad to note that my Lent sacrifice of not getting worked up with the kids (and their dad) isn't working out at all. After a few days, I couldn't help myself.I am back to my old self, doing the discipline the harsh way, the only way I know and only way that works, unfortunately. Feel bad but my soft approach did not work, so mission abandoned.

My MIL came to 'harvest' the rice wine which was brewing in my kitchen. Seems like it turned out good. It has been filtered and boiled. We waited for it to cool down enough to bottle them up in time for my confinement which will be in about a month's time. After waiting overnight, she managed to get about 10 bottles of clear wine and 2 bottles of more with sediments.

Wine produced in the fermentation must be filtered out.

10 bottles of such, which will be made into yummy dishes for my confinement, hooray!

As the delivery date for my baby is drawing near, I am starting to source for some necessities. I have bought some new clothes, baby wipes and diapers and feeding bottles. I am looking to purchase a breast pump now. I have always had latching problems with my babies, so it's quite likely that I will need a breast pump right after birth to maintain the milk production. Hoping to breast feed for at least 6 months to 1 year. To some women, that's a breeze but to me, because of the latching problems, it's a challenge. I really hope it's different this time around.

As I am getting bigger and more swollen, simple things are getting hard to do. Cannot bend, cannot squat and using chopsticks or spoon is not easy anymore. Sleeping time is the worst for me. My hands are always painful especially at night, waking me up middle of the night! I need to hold on for just 6 weeks more, I am sure I can do that. Please pray together with me and my family for my unborn baby (source):

"Father, in Jesus' name, I thank You for my unborn child. I treasure this child as a gift from You. My child was created in Your image, perfectly healthy and complete. You have known my child since conception and know the path he/she will take with her life. I ask Your blessing upon her and stand and believe in her salvation through Jesus Christ.

When You created man and woman, You called them blessed and crowned them with glory and honor. It is in You, Father, that my child will live and move, and have her being. She is Your offspring and will come to worship and praise You.

Heavenly Father, I thank and praise You for the great things You have done and are continuing to do. I am in awe at the miracle of life You have placed inside of me. Thank You! Amen.

HeeJun,the funniest guy on Idol

I am watching American Idol season 11 on 8TV. Of course I already know the results since the show is not live. I am glad that the very cute and funny HeeJun Han is in the top 13. Maybe because he is Korean and I am partial to cute Korean guys, ;P. But at the same time, I am pretty sure he won't win the competition. I am still hoping he gets further into the competition so that I can get to see his cuteness on the show. Don't get me wrong, he sings very well but so do the rest. I am posting some of his funny moments on the show at the end of this entry.

There were a few surprised cuts. Eben, the good looking boy-man is out and a girl with very impressive vocals, Jen Hirsh is out too. Too bad. But there is another contestant in the top 13 that is very impressive, he is Joshua Ledet. Man, this guy can really sing. Philip Philips is also different and good looking. Other than these few, I am not too interested in the rest of the top 13. They are all great singers but they don't really catch my attention.

I probably won't be following this season's idol once these few guys get kicked out. But I already have my favourite idol of all times, ADAM LAMBERT! Let me end this short blog entry with HeeJun's interview videos who oozes with cuteness and genuine, lovable funniness.