Afterall, I'm still lucky....

The picture was taken after I've cleaned up the desk about 2 hours later.

Today's the last day of September but things does not turn out well this morning. While I was making milk + oats for hubby (for his teatime at 10am), I accidentally knocked on his cup and spilled his milk. I mixed with boiling hot water and you can see from the picture above how bad it 'injured' the surface of my working desk.

Positive thinking :
1) Luckily the hot milk did not scald my hand
2) Luckily the hot milk did not spilled onto my notebook or the office's desktop
3) Luckily the hot milk did not spilled onto the office's carpet. Else, more work to do.
4) Luckily the hot milk did not spilled on my clothings. Else, I will have to drive all the way home to change as I don't have any spare cloths in the office
5) Luckily the hot milk did not spilled on the office's printer which was on my desk
6) Luckily I still have enough milk powder and oats so I could make another cup for hubby. Else, he will have nothing to drink in the morning. (The milk powder and oats are going to finish soon as I've planned to buy them during this coming Sunday)

Afterall, I'm still lucky despite I need to clean up my yucky desk. That bad mark left on my desk will served as a reminder to me TO BE CAREFUL in the future.

ONE

Wholemeal buns

I had this wholemeal buns at one of the coffee shop in S2 area. I can't remember how much per piece but they are not cheap. I remember Papparich are also selling them. Coincidentally, we saw the same brand at the Jusco supermarket. It was at the frozen area.

Frozen buns. Hard like rock !

I'm not sure why it has to be frozen. A pack of 5 buns cost us around RM3.50 - RM4.50 (sorry, can't remember the exact price). I only remember they are quite costly and not worth eating them too often. LOL !

 The buns are not really big in piece and for only 5 pieces, it is not even enough for my family of 4. My son who loves bread can walloped half pack of it in one go. I gave him a nickname ~ The Roti King. After every meals (either lunch or dinner), he MUST eat one or two slices of bread.

Steamed hot

The inconvenience part was we will have to steam them hot before consumption................

Cut them into half

............... and need to cut the bun into half in order to spread our favourite kaya or peanut butter. We can actually skip the cutting part, but the bun will be too thick and not economical. haha 

Apply with some butter and peanut butter

The texture was really soft (like cotton), very fragrance and you can feel the wholemeal in every bite. It was indeed delicious. However, it is a tad too expensive for everyday consumptions. I've heard of Massimo bread but have not get the chance to try it over here.

Maths - the correct way

During the 1st term (Jan - Jun), the homework which YX brought back from school are not that much whereby he can finished them before we came back from work.

However, as he entered the 2nd term (July - Dec), his homework multiplies and gets tougher for him to solve. He started to 'keep' his homework aside despite warning from MIL and always waited for us to be back from work before he is willing to do. When I checked with him, he said he don't understand how to do them. One of the homework he dreaded to do is MATHS !

Previously, the sum are in smaller numbers. eg : 10 - 2 = ? ; 6 + 2 = ?  whereby he can use his little fingers to count.

Now, the sum are getting bigger and he was unable to count them by using his little fingers anymore ! 

Yesterday, he brought back 2 pages of Maths workbook to solve. All the number given were big numbers.

Example No.1 )
46 - 13 = ?

In his school, the teacher taught the kids to count by drawing circles on the smaller number. Referring to the above sum, the kids are supposed to draw 13 circles. Then, countdown (descending) from no. 46 while cancel the circle one by one until all the 13 circles are being cancelled. The answer will be 33.

The problem here is, YX does not know how to count using the descending order. He only managed to mesmerized the ascending order. So, I helped him to draft out a table where he wrote the numbers from 10 - 50. By referring to the table, he don't have to think so hard on what number comes before what number and so forth.

He can only do this method at home, but what if during exam time ? He got nothing to refer. So, we tried another method. We taught him to break the number into two.

  46

- 13

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

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

We taught him to count the number separately (6 - 3) first, then only count (4 - 1). The numbers are small and he can use his fingers. He did very well. But, when it comes to number like.....

Example No.2 )
36 - 19

YX was unable to do the sum.

    36 

- 19

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

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

YX don't understand how to count 6 - 9 as he don't understand how to 'borrow' 10 from the front number which makes 6 = 16. 

I was pulling my hair while explaining to him. I just don't have the patience to teach him while he just do not understand ! At the end, hubby help him with the maths while I accompany XJ to sleep. It was way passed his normal bedtime and he was still struggling with his maths homework. Even MIL sat next to him to help out a bit here and there. 

In the bedroom, I suddenly thought of this post by All About Your Child. I'm glad I did not say that hurting word to him but I admit I did raised my voice. That post makes me think, maybe our methods are wrong ! Maybe we should think of other way to teach him to help him improve!

When I saw him sleeping soundly that night, I pitied him. I don't know why, but I just felt that way by looking at his innocent look. Whatever method we used to teach him, the most importance is Patience ! Patience ! Patience !

'Couple song'

After this post, on my parents' wedding anniversary, I suddenly thought of our 'couple song'. That time, hubby and I was still in a courting stage. He came down to Johor during CNY for a visit and we went to the cinema for the first time ! (That one and only cinema in my hometown had since been closed down after our visit ! ). Since my hometown is a small and boring town, cinema is the only place we can spent our time together rather than sitting at home. We watched a film by Jackie Chan and Shu Qi and the theme song was sung by William Soo and Kit Chan. Eventually, this song became our 'couple song' but not the movie though. haha....so far, 'couple movie' was not found yet.




Both of us like this song because of the soothing melody and beautiful voice presented by the 2 singers. Over the years, we somehow did not mentioned about this song anymore. The other day, I heard this song over the radio and was glad that I'm able to find it over YouTube.

Do you have any 'couple song' or 'couple movie' with your other half ? Or perhaps any 'couple' stuff to share ?

Our Best Moments

This morning, I happened to stumble upon this photo contest and thought it will be fun to submit my kids' photo. I have a few loving ones but only picture less than 2 MB are accepted. Hence, I started to search my picture folder and finally settled with this one below.

Brother & sister bonding time. YX was sharing the 'pop pop' with XJ

I like to see them share while playing. I like to see YX, being the elder brother showed his love towards his younger sister. And I like to see how both of them communicate among themselves like a loving couples.

Please help to click 'LIKE' to this photo (click for the link over here) and my family & I might be a step closer for a 2D/1N holiday ! Hahaha......

Appreciate your vote and thank you in advance for your help.

For those who have lovely family or kids photo to share, you may enter this contest. Hurry ! Contest ends on the 31st October 2011. Good luck !

Specially for the grandparents

Both my parents never celebrate their birthdays (both shared the same birth date) or any anniversaries in a special way because they believe if we are healthy and happy to be together everyday, then we are celebrating literally.

However, this year was different. I received a surprised call from dad a week ago asking me if we can spare some time to travel back to Johor (since brother are going back too) as dad decided to celebrate his wedding anniversary with my mum ! Dad was never a romantic person and it was not his style to do a celebrations.

Of course we agreed to travel back since we are not working on the 16th Sept (PH). I get YX to do a card for the grandparents and since it was a last minute arrangement, we had to hide in our bedroom back in Johor to finish up the card and surprised the grandparents the next day !

The front part

Wrote and coloured by YX..........

The back part

Initially, I planned to use their thumbprint to sign off but only realised I do not have any water color in my parent's house. At the end, I suggested for YX to draw a boy which represent him and a girl with ribbon which represent XJ.

A heart shaped holder

I tied a pipe cleaner and bend it into a heart shaped for easy hanging.

2 kungfu kids posing with the self-made card

Taa daa.......mission accomplished ! We hung the card in the kitchen after everyone went to bed and mum was the first person who saw the card the next morning.

In the afternoon, dad brought us to a restaurant for lunch before we travel back to Seremban again (working on Sat). In the mist of excited cum hungry, I totally forgotten to snap any of the food photos. Sorry.... nothing for you all to drool......but I managed to take a picture of XJ at home before leaving for the restaurant.

Malaysian made Vietnamese girl !

Note : Please click 'LIKE' to my kid's photo. More info over here. Thank you 

Random Notes #1

I think I've never posted any Random Notes before in this blog and thought it will be fun to do so as I have some little things to share.

Note # 1
Yesterday, I met 2 difference races of people but both could speak very fluent Mandarin. One was an Indian lady worked in a local Pharmacy and another was a Malay lady worked in a bank.What a coincidence.

Note # 2
This morning, there was a water recession in the office. I felt so uncomfortable as when I wanted to wash my hand, there is not water running down from the tap. Everything just seems so not right. So inconvenience. 

Note # 3

Taiwan version. Image source : Facebook

張棟樑 (Nicholas Teo) new album has been launched and are officially in the market in Taiwan. Malaysia will only market the Taiwan Version on 21st Sep (Today) and as for the Malaysia Version, it will only be release on the 28th Sep. I just can't wait to get myself a copy of it.

Note # 4
My parents are planning for a holiday overseas early next year and I wanted to join them. However, I'm in a dilemma. Should I bring both kids with me or leave both kids at home while I went solo? Am not going to choose either one to bring so it will be either both or none. Without the kids, it will be less hassle, but with them around, my trip might be more memorable !

Note # 5

Angry Birds craze. Drew in June 2011

I felt so bad for not updating YX's drawing blog for so long. He had drew a lot of drawings over the past few months but the lazy me yet to take the photos of his drawing. His love for drawing are so deep that he need to draw 1 or 2 pieces EVERYDAY.

Note # 6

XJ enjoying her sushis

Last weekend we had sushi for lunch. Hubby and YX does not like sushi but I'm happy to know that my girl love sushi !! She seems to enjoy what I like to eat and she will definitely be my best 'kaki'.


Note # 7
I just received my credit card statement and was shocked to find out that I've over spent this month ! I must start to control myself in spending.

Note # 8
As of 18th Sep 2011, I'm proud to declare that both of my kids are no longer afraid of CLOWN ! Usually, when we see any clown at the shopping mall, we will be very excited and encourage the kids to queue up for balloon. But both always refused and pulled us away. However, last weekends both kids somehow agreed to join in the queue and even 'high 5' with the CLOWN !

Mooncakes Festival 2011

Birthday girl in her birthday dress. By the way, she is not allowed to climb like this at home.

On the 12 September, we had a mini party at home to celebrate the Mooncake Festival. FIL suggested to have dinner outside and I took this opportunity to dress up my little princess in her Birthday dress.

lanterns

 After dinner, we set up the tables and lit up the lanterns. It was drizzling that night, thus no moonlight.

nuts and yams

 MIL steamed some peanuts, 'sai kok' and some mini yam for us to munch.

Pamelo and jelly mooncakes

 We also had pamelo and jelly mooncakes. Some of the jelly are given by relatives and some are homemade by MIL.

MIL's homemade jelly mooncakes with red bean fillings

soya bean milk and tau fu fa

 Earlier, SIL went to the pasar malam and bought some soya bean and 'tau fu fa'.

pre-packed tang yuan

Hubby did his part too..... he cooked 'tang yuan' where we bought the frozen packed type from the hypermarket. Taste quite good. We had the red bean and black sesame fillings.

ginger soup

 Hubby also boiled some ginger soup for the tang yuan..........yummy!

yummy delicious tang yuan

tang yuan in soya bean.

Since we have the soya bean milk, we added into the tang yuan. It was delicious to eat this way too.

As for me, I'm in charged in clearing up the mess after the mini party, and ...........

Kids with Angry Bird lanerns

 ......... accompanied the kids to play with the lanterns. Did yo noticed YX was in his pyjamas ?

I'm sick but still active !

Well, because he was having a slight fever that night. But he is all well now. Must be the bad weather these days making his body too heaty...

Famous among the kids at all age !

SIL bought this Angry Bird lanterns for the kids. We had a very simple yet enjoyable Mooncake Festivals that night. Both kids slept at around 11 pm which is consider very late for them. Hope you have a memorable Mooncake Festival too !

Childhood memories in the 80's

PS 2

A few years back, we shared with SILs to buy this PS2. It was fun and once you started, you will get hooked to it.

Fight ! Fight ! Fight !

During the recent school holidays, we installed it for both YX and XJ to play. Most of the game are too difficult for them to control except for Ultraman. No matter what button you pushed, you still managed to fight with your opponent.

On their birthday week, FIL gave them a big surprised. Hubby and I were surprised too !

PVP

With the help from SIL, the grandfather bought 2 set of hand held consoles for his precious grandchildren as their birthday presents ! The PVP has 25,000 built in games and it comes with a cartridge of 99,999 games where many of the games were repeated on each screen. That does not matter to us because a few of the games can already kept the kids quiet for a long time. What's special of this console was it brought back lots of childhood memories for both hubby and I as 99% of the games are what we used to play during our childhood time. Even SIL couldn't helped it and bought 1 console for herself ! LOL.

If your childhood time are during the 80's, I'm sure you have played these games before. Do you remember them ? 

Super Mario.

Super Mario is one of our favourite ! We even know where to find the hidden green mushroom which gave an extra life and we know which bricks contain extra golds when you kept on knocking on it.

Mappy

Another of my favourite is Mappy. I've always thought this is an elephant not until recently, I finally realised it is a MOUSE !

Contra

My brother and I used to pair up and fight until the last level. We had endless fun of shooting. We even managed to break the secret code to add extra lives and do not have to only rely on the pathetic 3 lives given at the start of the game. However, now I can't remember what's the code is.

Ice Climber

This is classic! Do you remember how to play this ? The Eskimo will have to break the ice and make all the way up to the top. Along the way, the Eskimo will have to avoid the seals and bird. Interesting !

Door Door

This is another classic game! I love this a lot. The cute white color creature will have to open the door for the monsters to enter before closing the door again. Once all monsters are trapped behind the door, you will proceed to the next level.

Road Fighter

When comes to racing, I personally prefer this one. It is not so complicated like the other racing game. At least I managed to clear the stage with satisfaction ! haha..... And do you remember seeing a superman flying on the left side? That superman will appear and give you bonus point.

Adventure Island

How about this ? Do you remember playing this ? The boy will have to collect fruits hanging in the air for points and in order to collect extra power, he will need to crack an egg for a skateboard which will make him go faster, or a fairy flying beside him to protect him.

Arabian

I hate those crows !

Balloon Fight

Wooo.....another of my favourite ! Fly and fly and poke the opponents balloons. I still remember having a sore thumb for playing this because it is quite difficult to control by the console.

Bubble Bobble

Do you like this too ?

Circus Charlie

Ahh....my brother and I love this a lot! We can play to quite a high level. It requires a lot of patience and tactics in order to clear the level.

Jewelry

Not forgetting the block games like Tetris, we love this colorful jewelry. The game comes with great music !

Star Force

Disappointed is, the PVP do not have THIS GAME ! Another of my favourite which I will never failed to choose to play. At the end of each level, we will have to fight against the master which are named as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc...... An interesting air force game !

There are still a lot of games like load runner, ninjas, pacman, Donkey Kong, etc...... it will be a long post if I list them all here ^_^ 

We only allowed the kids to play with the PVP during weekends as do not want them to be addicted to it. Long hour of playing is also not good for their eyesight. On weekdays, no need to guess you already know who will be playing with it ! Ahhh..........childhood memories !

Cikumuffin-ed

a parcel for me !

Last week when I read about this news from 'ling in de house', I quickly did as what was instructed. In the next 10 minutes or so, I got a reply from the owner informing me that I was one of the lucky one! On the 6th September, my parcel arrived.

Well sealed with bubble wraps

Can you see what's inside ?

beautifully tied with ribbons

2 boxes of cookies

Yay ! It was some delicious homemade cookies by Cikumuffin. The thoughtful owner actually took the hassle to tie up the boxes with ribbon and protect with bubble wrap since she was sending the cookies to me via courier post.

a note for me

I've read from other lucky winner's blog where they received lemon cupcakes as their freebies and I was so eager to try that. However, I do understand it will be very difficult to sent those cupcakes to me via courier service. By the time the parcel reached me, I think the cupcakes will be out of shaped with the cream all splatted everywhere over the box ! haha ...

yummy delicious cookies.......

Nevertheless, these 2 boxes of cookies are heavenly too ! The double chocolates cookies was loaded with sinful chocolate chips which melt in your mouth with every bite ! The oatmeal & raisins was delicious too. It was very chewy and best of all, both cookies are not too sweet. Once pop-ed one into your mouth, you just can't resist to have another one.

Thank you Cikumuffin for the delicious freebies and thank you for the trouble for sending the cookies to me via courier service. Those cookies are still in good shapes when I received them  ^_^

Wish to know more about Cikumuffin and want to taste some wonderful goodies from them? Hop over to her baking journal in FB over here and it will be nice if you can click 'LIKE' to be one of her fans !