Like Chicken Without Head

I am exhausted because it is a friday and I am finally letting myself relax.

Since coming back from KL, I have had to organised 03(!!!) press conference just days within each other.

On Sunday, 15 August, I organised an MoU and Press Conference (PC) between my office and RTM for our radio show. For goodness sake! it's a sunday! Lemme sleep!!!!!

Tuesday, I coordinated a Sponsorship/grant Presentation from the US Embassy to my office. It was so last minute and with the sudden anthrax scare at the Embassy on Monday, 16 Aug, we thought this event won't materialised.

This mornng, I had to oversee a sponsorship cheque presentation from PETRONAS to mu office. It was ok... not many media rep though since they were all heading to the other function room where a BIGGER FISH (the Deputy Chief Minister) were to witness an MoU. However, the food was good so I made sure I had my time and energy worth it.

So now, I am slowly letting go. No, not of my brain but letting go of the fact that I can finally relax and not have to run around like a chicken without head.

Speeches anyone?....

The Ten Commandments for Parents of Handicapped Children

1. Take one day at a time, and take that day positively. You don't have control over the future, but you do have control over today.

2. Never underestimate your child's potential. Allow him, encourage him, expect him to develop to the best of his abilities.

3. Find and allow positive mentors: parents and professionals who can share with you their experience, advice and support.

4. Provide and be involved with the most appropriate educational and learning environments for your child from infancy on.

5. Keep in mind the feelings and needs of your spouse and your other children. Remind them that this child does not get more of your love just because he gets more of your time.

6. Answer only to your conscience: then you'll be able to answer to your child. You need not justify your actions to your friends or the public.

7. Be honest with your feelings. You can't be a super-parent 24 hours a day.Allow yourself jealousy, anger, pity, frustration, and depression in small amounts whenever necessary.

8. Be kind to yourself. Don't focus continually on what needs to be done. Remember to look at what you have accomplished.

9. Stop and smell the roses. Take advantage of the fact that you have gained a special appreciation for the little miracles in life that others take for granted.

10. Keep and use a sense of humor. Cracking up with laughter can keep you from cracking up from stress.

-Author Unknown-

God Chooses a Mom for a Disabled Child by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen ? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew."

"Forrester, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God ? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God.

"Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter ? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience ?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independance. She'll have to teach the child to live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness ? Is that a virtue ?"

God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less then perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it ! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see --- ignorance, cruelty, prejudice --- and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint ?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.

God smiles. " A mirror will suffice."

... I am Back!...

The pilot flew over the city (a first for all my flying days) so these were the first I saw.

I won't tell you about the official stuffs but rather, lemme tell you about the other interesting things.

The evening we arrived...

We reached KL at 5pm Tuesday evening. The ride was waiting for us so we all hopped on in and off we went! Clever driver (his name was Charlie) he took the KL-Nilai Highway and avoided the Puchong/Damansara traffic. It was a smooth ride and I felt very nostalgic when we passed by Bukit Jalil/Palace of the Golden Horses. Oh! how I miseed the traffic ... NOT! Reaching the city, he went into Jalan Tun Razak and diverted into Jalan Bukit Bintang. Man!!! Welcome to KL, so said the traffic jam. Which, mind you, is common in that area, during or after hours. My dinner was chicken rice at the Hailam Chicken Rice shop at the cornershop facing BB Plaza -- from a small, dinggy place, it has now turned into a posh little chicken rice cafe complete with uniformed waiters.

24-hours later....

I rushed back to my room, changed and took all my colleagues' ticket to get them endorsed. MAS office (almost 3 blocks down the road) was closing at 5.30pm so I hopped on the monorail (my first ride in it, yahooo!!!) and got there in time to get them endorsed. Then, I decided to walk back to the hotel. It was a nice walk anyway. The office traffic has not started and it was shady evening. There is the mamak restaurant that was in the news recently after it was vandalised by thugs/ccompetitors. There is the little 7-Eleven store I used to frequent when I was a trainee at Regent Hotel. There is Regent Hotel -- where i met my hubby. :-) There is Lot 10 and BB Plaza, and Sg Wang. That evening, i made my way to Sogo (on the monrail again!) and bought my hubby some work clothes. I also saw some very nice handbags but then...not in my list of things to buy.

Afternoon, 2nd day of trip...

I sat in a PICANTO!!! Coincidentally, NAZA KIA had a road show for its vehicles at The Mall where we had lunch and I saw my dream car!!!

Evening, 2nd day of trip...

I lost my friend in the mall so I made my own way, which was nicer since I get to see and do all the things that I want to. For dinner, I ordered out some croissant, talked to the waiter/server since he was alone and friendly and went back to the room. That night, I cried. Because I was tired. Because I want to go home and sleep in my own bed. Because I missed my family.

Evening, 3rd day of trip

I hated today. I nearly quarrelled with my officer and my CEO left for home the previous evening and everything and everyone suddenly seems to have a mind of their own and no one wants to follow itinerary. Worst, I am left standing at a taxi stand with a whole bunch of people with the same purpose and we are late for Brian's dinner. Simpy becasue my officer thinks it is best to take a cab then anything else. By the time we got to Bangsar Park, Brian was edgy, I was tired and his pasta was cold and there were only 5 of us compared to food for 9 people...

Saturday morning

I changed my flight ticket to saturday night insteasd of sunday night. i want to see the kids now if possible. I also did my shopping - taking my time and knowing that I know where and how much those things are.

Mona picked me up from the hotel room. It was good to see her but after a while, I wanted to go already so she dropped me off at KL Central.

I was so tired I napped in the train on the way to the airport. And I napped further in the airplane. By the time I got to Kuching, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Having my 4year old greet me at the airport arrival hall was a nice respite from all that I have gone through.

I am finally home.

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was held far from earth
'It's time again for another birth'
said the angel to the Lord above
'This special child will need much love'.

Her progress may seem very slow
Accomplishments she may not show
And she'll require extra care
from the folk she meets way down there.

She may not run, or laugh, or play
her thoughts might seem quite far away
In many ways she won't adapt
And she will be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where she's sent
We want her life to be content
Please Lord find the people who
Will be special for you.

They will not realise right away
The leading role they're asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
in caring for this gift from heaven
Their precious charge, so meek, so mild
Is 'Heaven's Very Special Child'.

...I have to go...

The first week of August will be a difficult time for me. For I have to leave my little baby, 4yr old and my hubby.

This will be the second time I am leaving my kids. The first was when my eldest daughter was hardly a year old. I left her and her father to attend a conference at Melbourne, Australia for nearly two weeks. Though I was excited and busy while at Melbourne, there were time when I recollect and remember them. Things I saw, I witnessed, I experienced, I wish I could share with them.

Now, from August 03 to 08, I will be away again. This time, leaving Ashleigh, my hubby Simon and my baby, Emma-Noelle. Though I will just be in Kuala Lumpur; a place that is so far yet so familiar, among familiar people/culture and way of life, but the thought of being away from my little precious makes me sad. As my previous departure from them, I am excited about this trip.

Having moved back to Kuching almost 2 1/2years ago, this will be my first trip back to the metropolitan city. I look forward to meeting my friends, my former colleagues, seeing the places I knew and some new ones etc. But still, there will be some nights when things/events/smell/incidents which will definitely remind me of them and makes me wonder how they are, what they are doing, how they are coping with my absence.

Many reasons make me hope that I do not have to go but this fact really dawned on me when I held the flight ticket in my name, in my hands. Deep inside me, I know I have to go. Not only because it is my professional requirements, but also because I need and deserve to go away, even for a short while.

I just hope some day, Ash and Emma will remember, and understand.

PICANTO! PICANTO! - 2

Today I came across another blogger who had booked her PICANTO and actually seen one!

I asked her a few things about the car but what really amaze me was that she told me that she had been waiting for her car since Janaury! Yeow.....!!!! DOes it really take that long to be delivered? Maybe I should just get a Kenari or ATOS?...?

But really, why so long the waiting period? And Why do car dealers advertised something that takes so long to be delivered? Why can it be more like a fast food joint....U saw, U Ordered, U Get. DONE!

The other morning I THOUGHT I saw a PICANTO on the road. Although I did not see it squarely but it sure looks like it...metalic apple green, same built, same backlights. Hmmm...if I was driving that morning, I would have turned and gone after the car just for the heck of it...heee heee heee.

Wanna know a secret?

Hubby don't know of this yet...

HAHH!!!! Man!

Nasty Thing call Medicine

this reminds me of how unhappy my baby was when it comes to medicine-eating

Last week, my 6months old baby was admitted into the hospital for having stridor (for information on the illness, go here: http://pedclerk.bsd.uchicago.edu/stridor.html). As required, I spent the 2-nights observation period with her in the hospital.

When her pediatric confirmed that she had stridor and that she needed to be admitted for observation, I could feel the tears welling my eyes. My tiny baby has to be hospitalized! In fact, I cried when I called my sister to let her know of the situation. I just couldn't help myself. And why not? She is so tiny and so young and so helpless.

So, we spent 2 nights there.

It was almost funny that the hospital required her to change into the oversized hospital gown. And I had to share the same (hospital) bed with her; we had to pull up the railings on one side so that I can put a pillow against it to avoid her tiny body going through it and falling to the floor. Me. I had a small sleeping space for myself.

Before that, the doctor inserted an IV into her right upper-hand. Where the nurse proceed to wrap it with a bandage and taped it up to avoid her pulling at it or even have it move an inch. This IV is used to inject the steroid and Antibiotics into her every 10hours. On top of that, she had to be nebulised every 8-10hours. She can sleep through the injections because they are relatively painless due to the use of the IV but the nebulizer… she lets the whole ward nurses knows that she utterly hate it by crying her lungs out!

Funnily enough, my baby was the cutest patient at the ward during that time. The nurses found her cute because also 'sick' as she was, she was still active and ever insistence on turning to her tummy whenever possible. And she still feeds well.

Her sister was another story.

She simply insists to be with us and was not happy that she had to attend kindy in the mornings during our hospital stay. In fact, my husband told me that she cried most mornings when she had to go to school. My heart goes out to her too and I realized that she is just like me; compassionate and emotionally attached to family members. To remedy this, my husband took leave during that time so he would be available to pick her up in the afternoons and drive her to the hospital to be with us. Also, it was to give me an opportunity to take a break from caring for the baby - at least get a breather by going to the garden or cafeteria.

I was glad when her pediatric announced that she has recovered well enough to be discharged. Although she had 3 medicines she had to take orally, but I was glad to be taking her home. Of course I know now, it would be much more 'painful' to administer the medicines to her (struggling, crying etc etc) but at least… she is home with us.

Some day, I will definitely let her know of our 2 nights 'hospital holiday'.

Those Were the Days… (part 1)

Sultan Abdul Samad Building aka the train station 

Just 2 years ago, I used to live in Puchong, in the Malaysian state of Selangor. It was an hour’s drive from the city of Kuala Lumpur but we liked living there because….
(a) it was a relatively new housing area equipped with facilities such as shopping mall (IOI Shopping Centre), a wet market (Pasar Borong Selangor), schools, parks and about 30-minutes drive to KLIA.
(b) If we lived in KL proper, the traveling time would be about the same due to the traffic we would encounter on the way to work
(c) The journey to city centre is ‘breath-taking’ if not interesting (this would be the topic of my part 2 journal)
(d) KL is just not a place to raise a family!

Both my husband and I work in the city – he at (the infamous for traffic jam Golden Triangle) and I at Sentul (famous for curries, trains and Indians…) Here’s a brief on our daily routine every weekday.

We would leave the house at most 7.10am. Any later than that, we would encounter traffic snarls at the Bukit Jalil/Jalan Puchong intersection. This is also the main shopping area for the district where IOI Mall is.

Taking the Sungai Besi highway, we would definitely encounter the traffic jam near the Sg Besi military airport; here, we would spend about 30 – 45minutes of our journey.

Then it would be smooth riding (we would past the King’s Official Residence which is very pretty and nice) till we reach the Sultan Abdul Samad Building where hubby would divert to go into the city centre (going by Central Market towards Jalan Raja Chulan). More traffic here but this is the journey I like best because I get to see the many faces of KL folks – pretty, ugly etc.)



 

At Jalan Raja Chulan, I would give a sigh of relief because I can see his office building (Bangunan Amanah Capital) where I would drop him off in front of the ING Insurance Tower. There, I would proceed alone along Jalan Sultan Ismail towards Jalan Kuching.

Alone in the car, with the other KL drivers, I tend to be rather daring, weaving myself in and out of traffic. UNLESS� I see Our Friend in White� the Patrolman. Then, I would be nice and law-abiding.  

It is normally smooth driving along Jalan Kuching until I join the traffic along Jalan Parlimen. There, in front of PWTC heading towards Jalan Ipoh/Jalan Pahang, there traffic is worst (and MOST INTERSTING). This is also the spot where many of us can get stressed out. I normally take 15-20minutes to get myself out of this traffic until I divert down in front of Grand Pacific Hotel to Jalan Sentul/Jalan Ipoh.

Needing to go to Jalan Sentul where the office is, I would take Jalan Perhentian, thus avoiding the many traffic lights along the short distance between the Jalan Ipoh/Sentul junction and Jalan Kovil Ulu.

The Malaysian AIDS Council office is situated at a relatively new building project AND on the opposite side of the traffic. Worst, the turning for the junction does not have a traffic box and many a motorist just ignore our need to turn into the junction. Thus, this needs more daring antics from us. Like edging our vehicle slowly to force the motorist to stop and give way. But watch out for the motorcyclist! They are the ones who don�t care a dime about their machines nor their life!

By the time I park at my favourite spot and get myself out of the car, it would be 8.15am!

Now that�s what I call a Journey!
 

Amigos Loucos do Football

It is football time again! 


My colleague is football crazy… or should I just say, crazy.

He stays up nearly every night watching the game and he comes to work looking like a zombie. By right, I could send him a nasty memo about his lack of ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘spirit’ at work (just for the heck of it!) but then again, I am such a nice (and understanding) supervisor. So, as long as he gets his job done, I am fine with his state of zombie-ness.

But really!

Aren’t men funny creatures? Who, in the first place, created this funny game where you run after a small circular thingy and then kick if even further once you get hold of it? And why do we need 11 men to do these silly actics?

OK, ok… you (men) have your reasons but why stay up all night just to watch this actions?

Take it from us women…. Just watch the sports section of the evening news and you know the result.

Easy!

PICANTO! PICANTO!

This is my dream car! 

My present car is old; almost 10years old and it is making so much noise at times I wonder if I will ever make it home

On top of it all, the color has run and the engine's making weird sound while the wheels... well, they are still there the last time I checked.

So I am looking around and my eyes have caught sight of the KIA PICANTO.

(sigh!)...methinks PICANTO is real cute. And real convenient.

wanna know about my dream car? try this website...http://www.kia-picanto.com/... its so cold...and fun eventhough there are quite a bit of wait-time to download all those fancy flash.

need i tell more???

I AM BI-DAYUH [trans: bi - people; dayuh - land]

I am a BIDAYUH! 

About Us Bidayuhs....

Once a coastal people that originated from West Kalimantan, the Bidayuh are now most numerous in the hill country of Bau and Serian, within an hour's drive from Kuching.

Known as a peace-loving and easy going people, it was their gentleness that so enchanted the first White Rajah. They are also famous for their hospitality. The Bidayuh are reputed to be the best makers of tuak, or rice wine.

But it was because of their mild disposition that the Bidayuh were dislodged by the influx of new tribes. The Bidayuh retreated from the lowlands to seek refuge in the mountainous areas which were easier to defend. They built fortified longhouses which led Europeans to call them "Land Dayaks" to distinguish them from the Iban - the "Sea Dayaks.

The Bidayuhs' meekness belies their headhunting past. In their baruk, a roundhouse that rises about 1.5 metres off the ground, the Bidayuh store their skulls. The baruk also served as a gathering place for when the tribe were under attack.

Although all are of the same ethnic group, the Bidayuh speak a number of different but related dialects that to some extent are mutually intelligible. Some of the Bidayuh still practice traditional religions, but Christian missionaries have made converts among them. (extracted from SarawakTourism.com)

Kuching means 'cat' in Malay...

The name of the town in which I live in gets its name from these feline... Kuching. 

But the actual story is that the town was named after a tree call 'mata kuching'.

According to history books, the founder of the town noticed a lot of these trees at the riverbank and asked his deputy what they were. The reply, "Mata Kuching." Thus the name.

However, as time goes by and development happens, the trees are felled so the story of it being associated with the cats emerged. So it sticks till today.

Personally, I like the story about the tree better. It adds a sense of mystery to the whole thing.

Where Is Your Boss!??!

My supervisor did not appear at work today... again!

I have no idea what her problem is but this is what I think it is:

firstly, she holds a part-time job as a radio editor. This requires her to be awake at un-Godly hours every other day. Forcing her to deprive herself of precious sleep. That she should be getting (!!!) in order for her to perform effectively for/at her full-time job (as my supervisor!!!)

secondly, she has INSOMNIA because.... you guess it. She is depriving herself of proper rest and sleep.

third, for some reasons still unknown to me, she is the hardest working person in the whole organization. And I mean 'hard', not 'smart'... get my drift.

we will see what happens tomorrow....

This is what I do for a living....

Communications. Public Relations. Publications. Event Organisations. You name it, I have done it.

When I was small (read younger), I was certain I wanted to go into customer service or the hospitality industry.

But eventually, I found out that I am more interested in working with people and alongside people and communicating with and for them. Thus, my present line of work.

I had worked in the hospitality industry before. I used to like it. When one is young an dhappy-go-lucky, it is the best job in the world. But the hours was taking a toll on me so I shifted to a 9-5 job.

Then I joined a telecommunications company and got myself transfered to another state. I hated that job. I was home sick, hated my boss and worst of all, I moved there because of this stupid guy I thought I loved. (Mind you, don't ever relocate for someone else's sake...not ever!). So I quit and got myself a job with a high commission.

It was a good job, flexible hours, the high commission has a pool where staff can use, friendly people and quite a 'high-profile' place to work at. But it didn;t last because my colleagues were older. As in in their 40s and 50s and I was just 26! Besides, I was on a yearly contract so I quit! (Much to the surprise of my then-boyfriend).

I hung around for a while and decided to take up an external course on Public Relations. This was when I found my niche in life (so to speak). The 6months course presented me with a certificate and I successfully secured a job as an Assistant Communications Officer with the Malaysian AIDS Council.

Thus, I got myself into communications.