Audrey First Xmas! :)

It's Christmas eve....

It's Christmas time... am in such a holiday mood now! :p Where to go tomorrow with little Audrey? It's her first Christmas! yeahhh!!! Will dress her up and parade her in front of everyone. Kekekekekek! Get ready Audrey... :p muaxxxx

Sacrifice: Which way is best

When they asked Abbot Antonio if the path of sacrifice led to heaven, he answered:

- There are two paths of sacrifice. The first is taken by the man who mortifies the flesh and pays penance because he believes that we are condemned. The man who follows this path feels guilty and judges himself unworthy of living happily.

- The second path is taken by the man who, even though he knows that the world is not as perfect as we would like, prays, does penance and offers up his time and toil to improve the world around him. So he understands that the word sacrifice comes from sacro ofício, holy work. In this case the Divine Presence helps him all the time and he obtains results in heaven."

From Warrior of the Light

Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at Aniboom

Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at Aniboom

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; 
Enjoying one moment at a time; 
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it; 
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life 
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Remembering May 13

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academician Professor Kamaruddin M. Said remembers May 13 well: "That day was just like any other day for me. I was a Form Four student then, studying in Alam Shah High School in Cheras.

"I was there when the now infamous election celebration parade passed me by.

"Not knowing much about politics then, I thought the parade was lively and added much excitement to an otherwise normal day.

"It wasn't until years later that I found out about the bloody result of that parade.

"The next day in school, all the older boys, including myself, were asked to go donate blood at the General Hospital. We were just told a great tragedy had happened, so we gave our blood.

"Thinking back now, my blood probably ended up saving a life that day.

"Chinese or Malay, it didn't matter because we all bleed the same."

Source: We all bleed the same by David Yeow (NST)

Which party started it don't matter. Who is to blame don't matter. What were the motives don't matter. Details don't matter when lives are lost. What matters most is that we are the same. We love our country and the friends we grew up with, no matter the colour. We should protect that love.

Audrey's Beating Heart

Went for my weekly checkup today. This time got 

permission from doctor to take a video of baby Audrey. :) 

Her heart is beating strong and chest is moving. 

Practising how to breathe, says Doctor, and it's a good 

sign. Due anytime soon now, so Doctor says to be

prepared. There's 3 signs to look out for:- 

1) If the water breaks, go immediately to Hospital 

2) If there is bloody discharge 

3) Consistent pain, intervals of 10 mins apart

Baby Audrey's First Scan

This is Audrey's first ultrasound scan picture. It was taken on 14th October 2008. when she was about 6 weeks. You cannot see anything resembling a baby yet. Just a sac measuring about 9.7mm.

Doctors usually measure from the date of the last menstruation period as the beginning of the pregnancy, so baby will be born on Week 40. That's like 10 months. It sounds like a long time but how time flies. I am already hitting Week 37 now. Just another 3 more weeks or so. Depending on baby's schedule. :) Hard to say.

Doctor explained that baby could be due anytime between 2 weeks before or latest 5 days after due date. I am very conscious of any movements or pain in my belly now, just trying to figure out if it really is time yet. I am worried that I won't know if it's time yet but that seems like a stupid thing to worry about. I guess I'll know when I know.

My Best Valentine's Day Gift Ever

This is the sweetest and best gift from my ex-bf. Heheheheh! It was sent to the office on Valentine's Day of 2007. I was so surprised when I received the parcel. He was outstation in Kuantan and was not around during V-day. Sometimes he surprises me with such sweet and thoughtful gestures. It's the simple things that touches me. No need expensive gifts or elaborate night out. Just a simple handmade card and sincere wishes would do. Certainly helps if you are creative to boot. :p It certainly made my gal colleagues green with envy. Hahahaah!

It's a pop-up card with a cake and also the Sweetest Paper Art work. Muax! Thank you Ele!

Love you lots.

The measure of love by Paulo Coelho

“I have always wanted to know if I was able to love like you do,” said the disciple of a Hindu master.

“There is nothing beyond love,” answered the master. “It’s love that keeps the world going round and the stars hanging in the sky.”

“I know all that. But how can I know if my love is great enough?”

“Try to find out if you abandon yourself to love or if you flee from your emotions. But don’t ask questions like that because love is neither great nor small. You can’t measure a feeling like you measure a road: if you act like that you will see only your reflection, like the moon in a lake, but you won’t be following your path.”

Preparing for the Arrival

Hello! I am busy getting ready for the big DELIVERY date. I am still clearing up space for the new baby. Cleaning and clearing the room. :p It's a bit late for spring cleaning though.

As for buy buying baby stuffs, my dad says to get it after i have delivered safely. He says it's old superstition but just follow anyway. Err... while i don't totally agree but still, best not to go against your elders. Shhh! I still did went and buy some necessities for baby but have to hide it. :p I cannot totally rely on my 2 lovely men to do the shopping all by themselves. Heheheh! Hubby and I did do a lot of window shopping for the stuffs that baby needs, so he basically knows what is needed. Have to do a checklist for him, coz i will be confined for 1 whole month. Cannot go out. o.0 Don't know how i will survive that AND the big D day.

If any of my lovely friends are thinking of buying gifts for baby, here's a list:

· Crib Sheet for a 26X38 Playpen Mattress (For Ref, click me!)

· lightweight blankets

· baby pillow & bolster

. Baby swaddle blanket (For Ref, click me!)

. Baby bath tub

. Baby clothes, socks, mittens are welcomed too! :)

. Baby Carrier

Temple Tree at BonTon, Langkawi

I came across an article in Times magazine about this place. I was surprised that it's located in Langkawi. Very nice... I like. Would love to spend a night in this place just for the experience. :)

This place is run by an Australian in Langkawi and to help her finance an animal shelter (Langkawi Animal Shelter and Sanctuary Foundation) , she started this resort. :p So there's sure to be some cats or dogs to be found around the resort. There's 6 different types of colonial and old kampung houses that was disasembled, moved to Langkawi and reassembled there. Amazing...

Check out the photos below.

The Straits House

Penang House (wooden bathtubs!! :p)

Estate house

Colonial House

Colonial House with outdoor bathtub ;)

Black & White House

Chinese House (a bit creepy :p reminds me of chinese ghost story house)

The Pool

The Temple Tree, Langkawi

KLDW 2009: A Good Effort but still not good enough

I attended the KLDW 2009 last week. I was pretty excited about this event. Finally a design event, with forums, seminars & masterclass in KL. We don't have to visit our neighbours anymore to attend a decent Design Forum. Good place to meet up with fellow designers in Malaysia as well. However, the event organiser kind of let me down in a few areas.

First of all, I only found out about the KLDW 2009 from a friend. There was no prominent publicity on it at all. I got the web address and surfed there. It all looked really good and after checking out the price & package for the event, I've decided to register to attend but need to check with my compnay if they would sponsor me. :) A few days later when i check the website again, i was surprised to see that the website has changed. A total change of website design and the change confused me. Why change an existing website 1 week before the event? The way the information for the price of the event was presented was also confusing.

So, i finally managed to attend the Masterclass 1. When i arrived, i was expecting to register and collect some writeups about the speakers, what are the intinerary for the class would be like or even a small doorgift. All i got was a lanyard and a piece of triangular cardboard with the words Masterclass 1. Imagine my shock, I paid real money to attend this event, and all i got was a lanyard? Not even some writeups about the speaker at all? Pen or even a piece of Paper?

Ok fine! Hopefully the content of the Masterclass would be worth it but the organisers did not plan this whole thing out properly. The Masterclass started late. Speakers had to set up their own laptop. No one introduced the speakers or even guide the speakers on what to do. The speakers were great, they did their best to present their work. However, I left the Masterclass really disappointed with the organisers. I am grateful that they managed to get such great designers/speakers to Malaysia but it's a shame that the participants were totally left out of the equation of creating a successful Design Forum/Masterclass. 

 

Audrey is on the way!

Went for my first medical checkup today at SMC. I am getting nervous because the checkups are going to get more frequent now. Once every 2 weeks. Met the doctor that is going to deliver our baby. :) We did an ultrasound and the doctor confirmed that it's going to be a baby girl.

Looks like all the old folk's are right. Heheh... Pretty pregnant mummies usually are carrying baby girls. :p Hahahaah! So we are going to welcome baby Audrey into our lives soon.

Pray that she will be a strong and healthy baby.

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Yesterday we had a small birthday celebration for Jeff at my place. It was a small gathering, with food provided by my top chef Jean Pierre. :) There was sarawak laksa & whipped potato on toast. I contributed the Bubur chacha but chef Jean Pierre experimented with it, added a tapioca starch balls which made my bubur chacha all starchy at the bottom but still edible. :( Now, he is not allowed to experiment with my desserts. Hmm, have to quality check his experiments first before allowing him to add it into the food. Hehehe!

That aside, I enjoyed the quiet evening with great company. I am glad I could catch up with friends over the weekend. I am happy that you guys are doing well and enjoying life. Take care my friends and happy birthday Jeff. Hope you had a great birthday! Too bad Bawang cannot make it. Get well soon, dearie!

Heaven & Hell by Paulo Coelho

A man, his horse and his dog were traveling down a road. When they were passing by a gigantic tree, a bolt of lightning struck and they all fell dead on the spot.

But the man did not realize that he had already left this world, so he went on walking with his two animals; sometimes the dead take time to understand their new condition...

The journey was very long, uphill, the sun was strong and they were covered in sweat and very thirsty. They were desperately in need of water. At a bend in the road they spotted a magnificent gateway, all in marble, which led to a square paved with blocks of gold and with a fountain in the center that spouted forth crystalline water.

The traveler went up to the man guarding the gate.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning,” answered the man.

“What is this beautiful place?”

“This is heaven.”

“How good to have reached heaven, we’re ever so thirsty.”

“You can come in and drink all you want.”

And the guard pointed to the fountain.

“My horse and my dog are thirsty too.”

“So sorry, but animals aren’t allowed in here.”

The man was very disappointed because his thirst was great, but he could not drink alone; he thanked the man and went on his way. After traveling a lot, they arrived exhausted at a farm whose entrance was marked with an old doorway that opened onto a tree-lined dirt road.

A man was lying down in the shadow of one of the trees, his head covered with a hat, perhaps asleep.

“Good morning,” said the traveler.

The man nodded his head.

“We are very thirsty - me, my horse and my dog.”

“There is a spring over in those stones,” said the man, pointing to the spot. “Drink as much as you like.”

The man, the horse and the dog went to the spring and quenched their thirst. Then the traveler went back to thank the man.

“By the way, what’s this place called?”

“Heaven.”

“Heaven? But the guard at the marble gate back there said that was heaven!”

“That’s not heaven, that’s hell.”

The traveler was puzzled.

“You’ve got to stop this! All this false information must cause enormous confusion!”

The man smiled:

“Not at all. As a matter of fact they do us a great favor. Because over there stay all those who are even capable of abandoning their best friends...”