My Great Kingdom...

New Year..and a new ME?

2010-01-02T21:30:00.004+08:00

My goodness...I have never left my blog for such a long time..I am busy adjusting my new life in Kuching now. I was busy unpacking, storing and labelling..(tried my very best to follow Ashley's tips)..and then busy preparing for Xmas. There are so many things to do and settle and up until now I still am busy doing this and that...

My Xmas cakes

My very own Beef Stew (xmas special)

I was so tired and had sleepless night and then..there goes my blood pressure!! My body was aching and I had this painful headache and it seems like pounding on my head..on Xmas day,believe it or not, I went to the clinic. and the doctor told me it could be my blood pressure..and yes..it's true. I must admit I dont hv enough sleep since 18th December up until now..and I am so tired as I have to clean the house, do the cooking and washing the dishes, picking up Declan's toys, shouting at him for making the house dirty, folding clothes...ahhhh the list!
I still hv the headache now and then, taking medicine but the best thing is mr Hubby is here to massage me..ahhhh.....
We did not celebrate New Year as mr Hubby is working on that day. I did not feel like a new yr..but maybe this yr will bring happiness and luck for me..going to a new sch, living in own house..hv the chance to manage my own family..hmm..hopefully 2010 will give us a new bundle of joy..a baby perhaps?? Hahahaha....who knows?
What's your resolution for the year? Me? I want to hv a healthy life and will start a serious exercise and dieting..anyone wants to share their tips??
Oh well..bye bye to 2009 and let's welcome 2010...May God bless all of you and your family...Amen!
P/s: Declan did not buy me a Xmas present, he told me he'll keep the money to buy himself a new Ben 10 Omnitrix..cheh..penipu besar!!

Mummy's Xmas Present?

2009-12-16T21:47:00.002+08:00

Declan has been keeping his money for Xmas present. Not for him but for me.How sweet is that??
He asked some money from his grandparents,aunts and uncles since he got no 2 in school. So now, secretly, I checked his wallet and found out that he has RM40. Hmm..so I asked for my xmas present, and he told me: "Can you please be patient? I am still looking lah mummy." How cute is that??
And this afternoon, I heard his conversation with Mr Hubby regarding my xmas present.

Declan: I need to buy xmas present la papa..for mummy
Hubby: And what would u buy?
Declan: She wants a gold necklace. I dont think my money is enough. Can u please buy it for her instead..but then u said it is from me.
Hubby: I thought u have money?
Declan: I want to use the money to buy pizza la..mummy says santa claus is coming so I need to feed santa lah..

Declan is really so cute..and he really wants to see santa since I told him that santa will come to give him present. hahaha..

Oh well, I just cant wait to see my xmas present!

Good news..bad news??

2009-12-12T20:24:00.002+08:00

I called JPN on Friday and the officer told me that I got my transfer. At first, I was so happy when I heard the news then she dropped the bombshell- I will not be going to the school that I wanted but a far away sch around 55km from home.....and I was like...speechless.
I have been driving for the same km since 2004..and now, I have to do it again!! I have to wake up so early in the morning..not be able to prepare breakfast for Declan..and driving alone so early!! I thought of rejecting the offer but I would be blacklisted and it would affect my record.Ok..and then I got another news from my school. I have been offered for DG44 for teaching Form 6 at the same time!! However, the new school I would be going does not offer Form 6. What should I do? Would the JPN tarik balik my transfer because of this or should I just reject the offer?
and I thought my problems are settled...aiyayaaaa...
Mr Hubby is happy of course but I still cannot imagine myself driving alone to the school..the journey which I have to go through....I must admit, I did cry...I cried not only because of the fact that I'll be going to a new school but because I, honestly think that I am actually are not ready to be far away from my family and friends. I hv sleepless nights..toss and turn on my bed..suddenly crying at the middle of night. I've been imagining myself driving alone to school..the road is empty...and sometimes hating hubby for his early transfer to kuching.
I have not finished packing and all my books and files are still at school...gosh..this is hard..
And Christmas is coming..and I still have done anything for the celebration...sighhhhh........
above all, I am tired..tired..tired.........:(

My Darling Story Teller..

2009-12-05T13:45:00.002+08:00

Reading and watching movies are our hobbies. Declan,like me, likes reading (although he basically browsing and looking at pictures, sometimes he tries to spell some of the words) and his favourite books would be anything involves ghosts. Now, he starts a new hobby-story telling. Every morning, after brushing his teeth,he would disturb my morning sleep with his so-called chilling story..and then after lunch and even before he goes to bed.
Yesterday, I decided to spend some time listening to him. In the morning, after we had a nice warm bath, he told me Ben 10 story. Then after lunch, he told me a story on pocong..and you must act like u really scared when u listen to him. I like the way when he told me the story of pocong and his BM is really funny (well, if the story is about pocong, pontianak or toyol-he'll use BM).
So..enjoy his version of pocong.

And now, every night before we went to bed, it would be my turn to tell him a story. I hv no more stories to tell, maybe u can give me some suggestions??

It's coming to the end of the year!

2009-12-01T20:28:00.004+08:00

Geez..time really flies.It's December now and Xmas is coming and so the year 2010. I am still here in Miri and still waiting for my transfer result. If I really got it,then it is easy for me to get ready all my stuff. Oh well, just hope for the best this time.
Christmas is coming and I really love Christmas time. Declan had been bugging me to buy a new christmas tree in which I hv bought and now it is well-decorated. It's never been too early to hv the xmas tree,I guess. Carolling will start too. I love xmas carols. I used to be very active with carolling when I was young but now I just cant find the time and I guess I am not interested anymore. I just love to see and listen to them instead of joining the group..sigh..

Xmas mood is everywhere!

This sch holiday, Declan and I hv been enjoying ourselves. My darling hubby is still in Kuching..working and hopefully he will hv his leave sooner. Just like Betty, I always bring Declan to shopping complex where he would enjoy rides, games and so on. Sometimes I feel sorry for him..he grows without daddy at his side. Hubby was not there when he started to read a few syllables, he was not there for his prize-giving ceremony...sigh...

Enjoying himself..

Anyway, I am going back to Kuching this 15th. Just want to be by my hunky hubby. Need that shoulder to cry on,now.
Let's enjoy the holiday,shall we?

The Chef is here!

2009-11-26T14:05:00.003+08:00

It's holiday and I was supposed to be thrilled because I should be packing my things as I am going to a new school - NOT! I dont want to talk about it..I guess some of u already know my situation. To make myself happy, I have started the habit in me-cooking! I love cooking and it bring relaxation to me. So, for lunch today, I created my very own recipe. It's simple and everyone can cook it. Here it is:

Steamed Mashed Bean Curd and Fish Paste

Ingredients:
2 blocks white bean curd, mashed
150g fish paste
1 egg

Seasoning:
1 tsp salt
1 tsp light soya sauce
1 tbsp corn flour
dash of sesame oil and pepper
2 tsp of maggi's anchovies granules

Method:
Combine all ingredients, seasoning and spread onto a steaming tray about 1cm thick. Steam bean curd mixture for 8-10 minutes or until cooked. Serve hot.

It's so easy and u can replace the fish paste with mince meat, grated carrot and water chestnut and add extra eggs. Dont forget the sesame oil,it will bring the wonderful aroma.

Go ahead, give it a try!

Ho..Ho..Ho..li..dayy!!!

2009-11-20T19:26:00.003+08:00

Actually our school session ended last week.So this week, I am busy packing and do some cleaning. What left now is my books at schools.I am still waiting for my transfer letter and I wonder why I havent receive it yet. I've been calling JPN but nobody seems to bother entertain me.Fine.
Forget about that!
Last Wednesday, I went to Declan's prize giving ceremony. I was one of the guests of honor. I am so proud of Declan. He did very well in school. I really like the school so much for Declan has started learning reading quite well. And now, he has to move to a new school and hopefully the new school would be better than this one..let's hope.

Anyway,holiday mood is around the corner. People are busy shopping, or driving home. As for me, I am going to Kuching on the 15th December and will celebrate xmas in Kch too. It would be my first time celebrating xmas at our very own home. So excited and my Kuching friends hv promised to visit me and hv BBQ together! I'll promise them to cook my very own laksa sarawak, roasted chicken, pork and mushroom quiche, brownies cheesecake and of course..Kek Lapis Swak!!

Doria's Special Sarawak Laksa

I know I'll be busy preparing for my new school but that can come later. I really want to enjoy the holiday especially with my SMK Luar Bdr's colleagues. I know I'll be missing the school so bad and I'll be crying at nite and thinking how to fit to a new environment. I guess I have no choice but to start again.
Oh well,life goes on,right?
And friends, you are invited to come to my house this Xmas..if u are in Kuching,OK!
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!!

Teaching Declan to save money..

2009-11-15T14:16:00.004+08:00

I started to teach Declan to save money since he is four years old. I bought him a yellow KFC coin box to introduce him to saving. He starts collecting coins around the house and even asking coins from anyone who comes visiting us!
I told him to save money so he can buy his own favourite toys and books this Xmas. He is so excited. Last year, we opened an account for him with his own saving. He is so proud and decided to save again so he can buy his Ben 10 and Masked Rider.
Yesterday, he told me to count his money which I did and told him the money is still not enough..(I simply said that so he would fill his KFC Chicky Coin Box). To convince him, I told him his money is enough when the 'chicken' lays an egg. He looked at me in awe,and off he went,asking coins from grandma and grandpa, searching for coins in my purse and even looking under grandma's big sofa hoping there would be coins somewhere underneath it.
By the end of the day, he had collected many coins and the 'chicken' was finally full. And then-he waited for the chicken to lay an egg.Now,thanks to me, he believes that his chicken will lay an egg by night.
As a creative (and feeling guilty too) mommy, I waited for him to go to bed and slowly put an egg next to his chicky. Next morning, I heard someone shouted," Oh woooowwww!!!Mooommmmy!"
and I knew he found his egg.Hahahaha!
He told his cousins about this and then his cousins started to save their money too. The best thing is when he told me he would buy a xmas present, I just hv to tell him.So I told him I want a gold necklace for Xmas and his reply? "Oh..I dont think my money is enough,I'll buy something else for you,Mummy" Hahahaha!! My darling Declan!

Yipeee!!

We are looking forward for Christmas and I just can't wait for the Xmas present!

Have a wonderful holiday,friends!

Teary Friday..

2009-11-13T14:36:00.002+08:00

Today is my last day in school. Everyone is busy cleaning their tables and also meeting the Form 5 and Upper 6 students..and me..of course..consoling my Lower Sixth students who are crying and pleading me to stay. As for me, I am sad to leave my very first school especially my close friends.
I cannot stop the tears when I realize that I will finally leave my friends-something that is so hard for me to let go.
Letting go is so difficult. I cried a lot today..still cannot believe that I am going. My friends are around me-hugging and crying. I guess I am quite popular in the school :) Anyway, those are the one who really close to me, like Pauline, Nancy (carpool buddies),Walter, Jerow, Bibiana, Mujan, Faley and Goecylyn (geng kopitiam)-I am going to MISS them A LOT!
I really dont know what to write here, I am so sad..I've been crying a lot today.
I'll write again..gosh..I am so sad..feel like crying now...
Goodbye SMK Luar Bandar Miri......

Time to go..

2009-11-09T09:18:00.002+08:00

I received the news last week. I finally got my transfer. My reaction? I just dont know..when I heard the news..I was not shocked, not happy, not glad..I just thought "Oh Ok..I'll go". My friends thought I was a little bit loco. Well, of course, some teachers would jump or spread the news with this funny grin on their faces, maybe cry (emotional bah!), or tell the whole world about it to everyone in the school.Unfortunately, I did not do that. I just work as usual, compiling files and managing the department, rushing here and there to get everyone ready for the school inspectorates..the usual thing I do.
I hate it when they started to ask me about my transfer.which school?you really got it ah?we'll miss you..blah blah blah..I guess I am not ready to leave Miri yet. But, for my family's sake, I have to. Mr Hubby is alone at Kuching and the house really needs me. I've been living in Miri for 29 years and I have never been so far away from Mommy and Daddy (yeah-call me a spoilt brat!)..I mean for a long time and maybe forever! I grew up in Miri and this town is like heaven to me. Argh, I guess it's so hard to leave something that you really love,right? I know I'll be crying my eyeballs out the moment I leave the house. I always love being around my Mom because both of us share a great passion-shopping!! Waaaaa..Mommmmyyy! (I sound like Besra and Nia now..)
The issue now-how am I going to pack all these books and paperworks and files? I have been in the school for 8 yrs now. Imagine the amount of books I have!! My table is still in the mess, I just dont know where to begin. Even the things at Mommy's place. I dont know..I dont know..
Sometimes I think I really dont want to go or not ready to go?
What is wrong with me? Shouldnt I be happy right now??Oh Lord!!

Friends,pls share how do you deal with transfer or when you have to move to a new place?I guess I dont know how to deal with it. HELP!!!

I just dont like it,OK?!

2009-11-06T14:33:00.002+08:00

Every time the fruits season comes every year, I started to hate the smell of the market in town. Why?All because of the King of the Fruits- DURIAN!!
I dont eat durian and I dont like the smell. I have tried once before and ended up me vomiting and sick the whole day. I cannot even stand the smell of it. My family and friends always ask me to try or tell me how nice the smell of the durians. Not all Malaysians eat durians,ok. I do believe so.
My hubby's family love durians,well, it is well known that Bidayuhs love eating durians. I still remember when I accidentally ate chicken soup with 'tempoyak' or chicken cooked in bamboo plus the 'tempoyak' too. I didnt mean to be rude but hey-I really cannot help it and started vomiting like nobody's business and getting sick for two days! Now, my in-laws know that every time the "Orang Putih" comes to visit them, there'll be no 'tempoyak' or durians at home.Hehehehe!
I always being called "orang putih" just because I dont like to eat and smell the durians. Oh well..but mind you, some orang putih do eat durians tau..(Audrey and Fely-ur man makan durian kah?)
Declan eats durians and shockingly-tempoyak too! He would hide somewhere if he is eating it because he knows I hate durians. I would still buy durians for them but with one condition-dont eat them in front of me or inside the house!
So please, dont ask me why I dont eat durians-I just dont like it,OK!

Two weeks to go!

2009-11-01T20:40:00.002+08:00

It's coming to the end..my heart is pounding..from what my PK1 told me, the Bahagian Sekolah is having meeting for approving transfers. And maybe starting next yr, all transfer regardless district, state and so on..will only start on 1st December. No more mid year transfers. OK fine.
If I got mine, I dont know how I might react but one thing for sure, my lower sixth formers will be crying and begging me not to leave. Poor them..poor me too.
I have been in this school for eight years now. I guess I can say that I really love this school. Although the school is nearly 55km from Miri, the students here are great. They are not super genious but they are great at heart. They still respect you as their teacher. They might not be a great student that all teachers wish for but I love the way the students treat you as a teacher.
I would miss my form sixth students..I have been teaching MUET for five years now-yes-only MUET. I like dealing with adult students and teaching them to be independent is very hard. They used to be spoon-fed since form 1 and once they enter Form 6, they find it difficult to work independently. So I always advice them, as a Form Sixth ss, they are not the same with the other students.
Our school will start the new time table for Form 6 next year. They will have more tutorials, lectures and kolokium, having their Gerko in the afternoon and they will have folios too. The teachers who get their DG44 for teaching Fm6 will be given a priority to teach Fm6 and also to be involved 100% with all their activities. The teachers will have four different folios and they will manage all the students' needs. They will have their own big boss coming (DG52-a principal) and also PK Koko (Co-curricular)-DG48. Their session will start at 730am and ends at 3.30pm everyday. So personally, I am glad that I did not get my DG44 for form 6. I'll just wait for my time-based. I dont need to add the work load as I am the Head of the Language Department myself. When the teachers (who got their DG44 for Fm6) learnt the new time-table and the responsibilities, they were shocked..of course...want to complain?too late...
Oh well, as teachers, you have the responsibilities which you have to carry everyday. I hope that if I got my transfer, I will still have the opportunity to teach at least one MUET class and maybe teaching Form 4 or at least EST. Hahaha..if only..
Our school session will end on the 14th November.We have to end earlier than the other schools as we dont have school hall for SPM exam. I need to attend Declan's prize giving ceremony on the 18th and hopefully he will get something this year. He was frustrated because he did not have the chance to perform a song on that day just because the tailor forgot to make his costume (as a parrot). Poor thing!
Hopefully I will get my transfer and finally feeling good living in my own home. :=)

Another victim...

2009-10-29T20:44:00.003+08:00

Today, we received a news that my aunty has lost her battle to breast cancer. She has been fighting the cancer for five years. She was a strong woman. She fought it really well..but then..she finally lost the battle. Breast cancer is the no 1 killer for Malaysian women right now.
Here are some facts on breast cancer:

1. An estimated 182,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2000. Approximately 42,200 deaths will occur in women from breast cancer in 2000.
2. One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
3. Every minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.
4. Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50. Approximately 1400 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2000 and 400 of those men will die.
5. More than 1.7 million women who have had breast cancer are still alive in the United States.
6. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54 and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.
7. The first sign of breast cancer usually shows up on a woman's mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present.
8. Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, delaying pregnancy until after age 30 or never becoming pregnant, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.
9. Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival. Ninety-six percent of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years.
10.Over eighty percent of breast lumps are not cancerous, but benign such as fibrocystic breast disease.
11. Oral contraceptives may cause a slight increase in breast cancer risk; however 10 years after discontinuing use of oral contraceptives the risk is the same as for women who never used the pill.
12. Estrogen replacement therapy for over 5 years slightly increases breast cancer risk; however the increased risk appears to disappear 5-10 years after discontinuing the use of estrogen replacement therapy.
13. You are never too young to develop breast cancer! Breast Self-Exam should begin by the age of twenty.

Six years of LOVE..

2009-10-27T20:11:00.004+08:00

Like Betty, I did not celebrate my sixth wedding anniversary this year..because my beloved hubby is in Kuching and he is working. It is my first time not celebrating with him. We used to go out for a romantic dinner or I just simply cooked his favourite food. Then we would send Declan to my mother's place so we can have our time together. We would enjoy our dinner and then we would watch a romantic movie together. Ahhh..really miss that. Last year, we celebrated it at home: we watched 'While You Were Sleeping' and had chocolate cake and red wine. Declan was not around, he spent a nite with his grandma so we took the chance to be together and get oh so romantic. I must admit, I am not a romantic person. Hubby-yes! He is a romantic guy, still love to hold ur hands when we go out for shopping (but Declan dislikes it-he said old ppl like us are not suppose to hold hands). Sometimes I just dont like his 'romantic moves'..hehehe.
I really miss him. We do fight like the other married couples but I always started it because, well, I love nagging. He never shouted at me, or even raised his voice. He is the most patient person I've ever see, and he really taking good care of me. I am the one who always being so moody, stubborn, hard-headed and bad-tempered. And yet,he still loves me-head over heels!
My friends always tell me how lucky I am to have a good and sooooo patient hubby. He is a good father too, although he was not there when I gave birth to Declan. I know that he wants another child,but we are working on it. Sometimes, I just blame myself for not being able to give him many children. But he always tells me to be patient and he believes that one day we will have another child-maybe a daughter:)
Soooo..yessss.. I really miss my darling husband and I wish that one day we will have the chance to celebrate our wedding anniversary again..and again..and again...
Boney, I love you!

Too fat to be a teacher?

2009-10-25T20:30:00.002+08:00

Recently, there is a 'hot' issue regarding a teacher-to-be who was asked to register again next year just because she is too fat to be a teacher. Well?
She is obese, weighing around 110kg..but the way the Teachers College's officer handling it was too cruel and rude. She was registering that day and suddenly she was asked to meet one of the officer there and to her shock, the officer asked her to quit because she is too fat and asked her to return if she has slim down. She was stunned and decided to leave the course. She has to write a letter saying that she quits and asked for her registration money to be returned.
Sad huh? I have never heard of such a thing and I do believe there is no limitation of one's size regarding teaching profession. Does that mean a fat teacher cannot be a good teacher?
I just keep wondering..why there is still discrimination to fat people? I, myself, is not a model size person, of course..and I have been fighting with my weight..but does that mean I am not even a good teacher?
Everyone likes to laugh at a fat person. I have been a joke for a long time..once, I still remember..we were on our way to my grandpa's house and we have to use sampan and this one aunty suddenly told me .."hope u will not sink our boat! Hahahaha" She laughed and really enjoyed that..not for me. I just smiled but deep down in my heart, I felt like slapping her.
Not only that, I once experienced the humiliation when I went to a shop and just looking at the dresses and shirts and then the salesgirl told me.."there is no size for you here." Hmm...
So I do believe that people are still look down at the people who are 'super cute' like us. Maybe they think fat people love to be fat, love to be laughed at, love to be jeered at..etc.
I love my body and it is better than starving urself just to get to zero size!
Please dont forget..ohh fat people is human too!

Going to be very busy!

2009-10-22T21:13:00.002+08:00

Hey friends..I'll try to update my blog everyday but I guess this week, I am going to be very busy. School session is coming to the end, holiday mood is coming but I have so many things to do. This week is going to be having headaches as we are rearranging teachers and their classes for next year. This is always be a challenge to us- the 'time-table' team. Some of the teachers will start to come to you,begging this that, dont want to teach kelas bodoh-bodoh lah, only want to teach good classes lah, cannot teach this subject, and so on..We try to make everyone happy,ok.
Sometimes I just dont understand some of the teachers..you are a teacher, you are trained to be a teacher and you should not be so choosy of ur students. and why should you 'label' your students as the stupid ones, the naughty ones, the good ones ..I just dont get it. How would the parents feel if the teachers label their children as the stupid ones? and what would you do and feel if it happens to be ur own children next time?
So this week and the week after that, we will be very busy to generate the time table.
I'll try to update my blog as soon as possible!

Power Rangers vs Ultraman vs Ben 10

2009-10-20T20:34:00.007+08:00

He jumps and kicks everytime the Blue Ranger jumps and kicks. He does the karate side kicks and actions whenever the Blue Ranger does the same thing.
"Power Rangers, power up!" Then he spins and pretending that he is becoming the Blue Ranger.
I really hate it everytime Declan starts to jump, kick and spin..and lately he has become very aggressive. He jumps from a sofa, from a window, from a table and to my horror-from his grandfather's motorcycle (luckily not when the motorcycle moves)..
When I get angry, he acts as I am the monster and he 'turns' himself into Ultraman. Oh dear!!
I have stop buying for him Power Rangers or Ultraman's DVDs but nowadays u can see that those programmes can be seen from the TV. He knows when the show will start and what days they are showing the programmes.
And then..Ben 10..Ben 10 Alien Force..urgh..another addiction.He will buy figurines and all the devices that Ben has.Erghhh...
All these so-called heroes sometimes really bring bad influence to children lately. I remember watching Ultraman when I was in Standard 3 and really loved the show but I did not pretend to be like Ultraman,maybe because I am a girl?
But for sure, Declan and his cousins really become very naughty and gosh..the house!! Not mentioning the toys scattering on the floor..then since u are a 'monster' you have the tendency to step on the toys and accidentally broke them. Or maybe u'll get hurt,as you fell after stepping on their small cars or soldier tanks ..my goodness!

the mess!

Then they will start fighting, shouting and everyone 'changes' to the Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Pink Rangers! Everytime u start watching the News, they will start to shout as if they really need exorcism. Then the grandma will shout and I'll be chasing them with my long cane..and they will laugh..ohhh...the scene!! Imagine..Home Alone.. not mentioning the mess they make everytime they go to the kitchen to have some drinks or hungrily eating biscuits as if they have not eaten for decades..the crumbles on the table, the cups scatter here and there..goodness.
As I am typing this, the four little devils are running around the house, jumping, giggling and laughing. I'll finish typing first before I go and grab the magic cane!!
Here comes Mother Ultraman!!

Senamrobikton and Nasi Lelapan!

2009-10-19T15:39:00.004+08:00

Wow..what a weekend!Last Saturday, our school held a senamrobikton..whatever..I did not go to the field..not feeling well (malas sebenarnya)..so I just stayed in the staffroom until the it was over. Me and my friends decided to go to have some lunch at Surabaya,an Indonesian restaurant. It was really nice. We were having nasi lelapan, a rice with cucumber, tofu, spinach, tempe, tapioca leaves, long beans, sambal belacan (yummy) and fried catfish!!
Goshhh..sedap banget! Then, we had sup tulang and bakso..what a feast!

Nasi Lelapan!

It's really great to have lunch with friends..should do this activity often.Hehehe..
Miss Mathew would love this dish esp the fried catfish. I did not eat the tempe (soy cakes)..dont like the taste,but my friends said tempe is delicious.The sambal belacan is so delicious and spicy too. If you eat this dish,you have to use hands.Yummy!
I bet Fely would love this dish too!
Feel like going to the restaurant again!

Example of Msian Bad Drivers!

2009-10-14T09:57:00.003+08:00

I was driving home as usual yesterday and being a good driver (ahem) I stopped at the red light. Came a red kembara next to me. An old man around 50s rolled down his window and...PTUIIII! Spitting!! I cannot believe my eyes. I was perfectly sure his spit hit my car! I felt my blood rushed to my head.Ahem..being a good driver...I..Doria Anak Kawen...shouted at the old man!
"Hoi..ludah lah dalam kereta sendiri!" His response?
"Bukan aku ludah kat kau!Apa susah!Basuh lah!"
I was boiling...grrrr..... "Bukan nak bagi contoh kat orang..memalukan!! H1N1 tau!"
The old man rolled his eyes and his window. I felt like hitting him or simply just rammed his car.
Then, the light turned green. He sped to a different way..Lucky you..if not.. (geez..I sound like a road bully)..
You see, it really disgust me to see people spitting from the car.and also throwing rubbish and driving recklessly.
There are times these selfish bad drivers ignore the safety of other road users. They brake without giving any signal until the very last momet before they decide to turn left or right. Oh..not to mention those who cut your queue..and those who use their handphones and then they drive so slow you feel like ramming the car.
What else?Oh, those who love double parking, do not give give way to traffic coming from the right,speed on seeing amber light, violate no entry sign, do not stop at junctions and worst of all those who have poor driving attitude!
Guess what,I once came across a man bottle-feeding his small baby on his laps while driving! Or sometimes a baby behind the steering wheel!
I just dont get Msian drivers.No wonder the number of fatalities due to road accidents is increasing very year. I do not believe 100% that poor road conditions do contribute to road accidents. There have been many accidents and fatalities on the highway where the road condition is so smooth. It is just because of us..nobody else.
Urghh..back to my story. When I reached home, I checked my car and yucky yuck..erhhh..I cursed the old man. I still remember his plat number..siap kau kalau aku jumpa kat pasar!
So, I washed my car with the help of my man,Declan.

Hopefully I will never meet the old man cause..I may forgive but NEVER FORGET!

Missing Daddy

2009-10-13T12:11:00.002+08:00

I heard somebody sobbed when I entered the bedroom last night. To my shock,it was Declan. I was panicked (wonder why a Mum always has panic attack?)..maybe he fell or his ear is in pain again?
When I asked him why,his answer?
"Mummy, I miss Daddy."
I blinked. Dead silence.
I sat on the bed,my chest felt heavy. Took his hands, asked him to sit on my lap and caressed him softly..I saw his deep eyes..watery..poor little Declan..I sighed.
Then he asked me again,when will he see his daddy again? I know that one week was not enough for him.I realized that he really need his daddy to be around. he continued sobbing. I told him the school holiday is coming and we will be back to Kuching sooner.
"But I want my daddy now." So we video call daddy and he kept crying everytime Daddy talked to him. Sigh!
I just hugged him and tenderly kissed his cheeks. I just can feel his emotion,wanting to be hug and love by his daddy. After hours of comforting (he refused to eat or even watched his favourite show on TV) he went to sleep,still with tears.
I really hope that I will get the transfer so we can be reunited as a family. I dont want Declan to miss his Daddy everyday because it really hurts to see him crying and looking for his Daddy's love...Oh my darling Declan....

The New Member - Betsy the Puppy

2009-10-07T11:36:00.002+08:00

Declan is so excited about this new member. My colleague decided to give him a puppy since she has six puppies to look after for. We promised to pick up the puppy after Hari Raya.
As promised, Declan finally got his long awaited puppy, a cute female puppy. I am so happy to see Declan's reaction. He really loves the puppy and he gave the name Betsy.
Arrived at home, he told me to get a towel and shampoo for Betsy. He gave Betsy a nice warm bath. I've never seen Declan so committed and being responsible like that before. He takes care of Betsy, plays with her, take her for a walk, talk and feed her..wow..what a big change!
I guess I made a good decision by giving him a permission to have his own dog..and he is excited to bring Betsy back to Kuching.Awww....
And this morning, I was surprised to see Betsy was sleeping between both of us..Declan must have been 'smuggling' Betsy to sleep with him as last night it was heavy raining and was very cold.
Betsy really brings smile to my sweet Declan. God bless!

P.S. not to mention his other pets - his cats Blacky & Girl and his hamsters too!

I wonder..what's next?

Spare the rod,spoil the child?

2009-10-05T09:22:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, I must admit, I was very angry.
The story begins like this:
After we had eaten lots of rambutans at my parent's farm, we went home feeling so happy. At home, after a while, Declan, as usual started to play with his toys. After some time, the toys were scattered all over the places and being a Mom, I told him to keep his toys in the box. Surprisingly, the young lad of mine, started to shout back at me at the top of his lungs: I want to play!Cant you see!!Go away!!
Red alert!! Red alert!! Mommy is turning to be Incredible Hulk!! I cannot believe he has the guts to shout at me like that..and..well..I SPANKED him. He started to cry and still..which made me turned into a HULK HOGAN now..he threw his toys to me..I noticed the tantrums. I took a deep breath, and tried to tell him softly,Mommy spanked u because u dont listen and I just want you to keep ur toys and that's it. BUT..he started to shout again and screaming! That was it! I spanked him again and to my greatest shock he did not cry this time but he kept mumbling words of complaining and it seemed to be mimicking me! Arghh.. I turned away from him and went into our room and closed the door. I did not want to lose my temper. I need to calm down.
Later, I heard he knocked the door. I told him to go away and I refused to let him in because "you have made mummy angry".
I knew I need to be calm. I read somewhere in a magazine, that spanking is not an appropriate way of disciplining ur children.But sometimes it just happens. I mean, when we were kids, my parents used to spank us and sometimes more terrible than that because we did sth very very wrong. The spanking really made us afraid to do any wrongdoings.
Sometimes to punish Declan, I always use the method called "time-out", where I asked him to sit in a corner on a 'special chair' and have to sit there for,maybe, 5 minutes. Because I often use this method, he understands the rules of sitting on the 'special chair'. After 5 mins, I'll go to him and ask for his mistakes and I'll give him advice and reasons why mummy is punishing him. I'll find the method is good.
But then, if he did sth good, I'll support his good behaviour by hugging and praising him. I try not to be too harsh on him,but sometimes I just spank him for his misbehaviour. My mother in law always says that I am too strict,he is ur only one..blah..blah..
For me, it's still OK if u just give a slap on his buttocks but not like everyday,right.

There are many debates over the spanking of children.

How about you friends? What do you think? Do you have any other ways how to discipline your children? Please share.

The Pillars of the Earth

2009-09-29T08:28:00.015+08:00

As usual, I was doing my weekend visit to my favourite bookshop when I saw this thick black book and when I looked at the title, I remembered watching Oprah's Book Club show.Yes..Ken Follet, The Pillars of the Earth.It is thick and the font is small,and Declan kept telling me,what a big book is that,you will never ever finish reading it Mummy..blah blah..u know that cheeky Declan.
So I decided to follow Oprah's choice and well, the next thing is..I am glued to the book.
The story is so beautiful and interesting. The characters are well described and the plot is so good. In 2007, Follet released the sequel, "World without End".

Later, I found out that there will be a TV series based on the book. I really cannot wait to watch it,but I guess I have to wait for the DVD version of it.

I am really into this book as I really can imagine all things happened in the book. I bought the sequel and it is thicker than The Pillars and the font is getting smaller..well, a challenge for me,guess hv to wear my glasses then.

I love reading since I learnt reading words. My Dad loves to buy me Sesame Street books and encouraged us to watch the programme too. I love reading English story books. When I was in Form 2, I started to read Mills & Boon. Ahh..love stories..I visited Miri's library every week, just to borrow Mills & Boons. Then I started reading romance books,u know,the one with the sexy illustrations on the cover(ahh..Fabio!)..sth where a rich and a snobbish lady fell in love with the Indians,and they will make love near the waterfall and so on.. Hahha..In twenties, I started reading Danielle Steele's books and I bought plenty of the story books. I started buying her books when I was in UK in 2000. I purchased them online and gosh,the books there are cheaper.Not like in Msia.No wonder Msians dont read a lot,the books here are so expensive but for me,for the love of reading, I dont mind abt spending the money for them.

And now, I love reading classics,u know, the era where ppl still use carts, horses, heavy gowns and dresses and such..my favourite.and that is why I am so in love with The Pillars. I still remember when I read 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Gone with the Wind', 'Scarlet O'hara' and Jane Austen's books. Ohh..not to mention one of my favourite of all-Wuthering Heights!

I still read Danielle Steele's and so far I like Sophie Kinsella's and Cecilia Ahern's books.

So, to those who love reading,please try reading these two books by Ken Follet,you wont regret it.

Btw, friends,do u hv any suggestions of good and interesting books for me to read?

Doria's Kitchen?

2009-09-25T20:48:00.006+08:00

Most of my friends know that I LOVE cooking! I just dont know where do I get the 'magic touch' (well..puji diri sendiri lah) but I am good in cooking and baking. I always find recipes from the Net or buy many recipe books and my favourite is chinese recipes.I have bought many bilingual chinese cooking books. I always think and believe that chinese food is the best food ever! And..of course,dim sum! My favourite of all time.
I still remember when I made steam buns for the first time..I was frustrated when my buns did not taste or look like the ones we can get from the market. Then I tried to make yam basket, and it did not look like a basket! Hahahaha! However, I have succeed in cooking chicken claws, steamed chicken, BBQ Belly Pork, Pork Crackling, Crispy Duck, deep-fried stuffed taufu pok,stewed pig's trotter and so on..the simple one lah.
So, I am determined to learnt all these recipes and when I later found out that there are bilingual chinese recipe books, I happily become one of the books biggest fan.
My nephew and nieces once suggested "You will open a restaurant one day,right aunty?".It makes me think.Ya..why not?maybe one day, I'll have my very own restaurant and it will offer local and western dishes. And I can get western food recipes from the very master chef, Fely, who cooks really good. Right Fely?
Oh, I found a book on dim sum yesterday..and YES!! I found the answer to make the perfect steam buns like Hong Kong Char Siew Pau, baked chinese buns, Siew Mai,Hong Kong steamed rice roll,Radish cake (my favourite!),prawn dumpling,yam dumpling..etc.hooray!!

My 'bible' of chinese dim sums!

Radish Cake..yummy!

I cannot wait to try the recipes in the books. I just hope I do have the time to do the cooking and baking as exam week is coming and so on. I guess I'll try the recipes in November, when the year-end holiday starts. Yahoo!

Hmm, I guess Miss Mathew is drooling now..imagine all the dim sums!!

Yipeee!

2009-09-22T21:32:00.006+08:00

So glad that finally I met hubby again. My holiday started Ok..but I dont like the flight's route. I went to Kuching on Sunday and had to transit at..MULU! Imagine that.Luckily we were using the latest aerospatial plane of MasWings..so it is comfortable.From Mulu..1hr 35mins later,we finally arrived in Kuching. Declan is so happy (and so do I)..to see his daddy.Ahhhhh....
Though hubby has to go to work, at least we are together.
As usual,one of our favourite things to do: eating out..on Sunday itself, we went straight to tHe Spring from airport and had dinner (I arrived in Kch around 530pm from a 250pm flight!) at Declan's favourite spot:The Chicken Rice Shop. I do not take rice for dinner so I opted noodles..curry laksa..hmm..Declan and hubby chose to eat rice. The food there is, for me, not bad and worth for ur every ringgit.So,that was our first dinner after six months...sigh...

Curry laksa...yummy!

Little Chick set..Declan loves the rice!

And today, we spent our time enjoying swimming and playing in the icy cold water of Sg. Sirin Padawan(my hubby's hometown) early in the morning and later went to Jong's Crocodile Farm.

Dec and cousin Chelsea..enjoying early morning bath!

At first, I was reluctant to go because I hate and fear of crocs.Gosh..but seeing Declan and his cousin really wanted to go..just give it a go! And the farm esp the crocs..I really hate them. There is this white huge croc..the name:Pak Indon (because they caught him in Kalimantan)..his tail is so large..cannot imagine how that creature uses his tail to kill his prey or even humans.Yikes! And of course,the legendary Bujang Senang..the biggest croc that haunted Sg Lingga for many years (maybe hundred yrs,as ppl believe that he is a sacred croc)..the skeleton is so huge..and he was the only croc that had white stripe on his back. There are pictures of crocs' victims and they are gruesome!!Ahhhh..the pics are still on my mind..bad crocs!

Bujang Senang-The King Croc

Not sure about tomorrow's plan. Let's see...

Anyway..enjoy ur holiday,friends!