Guardian Angels are a Child's Best Friend

Emma is hospitalised again. Please pray with us for her speedy recovery.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Ashleigh

Ash loves to be photographed...


One of her many poses...


She writes...!.. at least when she feels like it.


She adores her baby sister...

Emma - Noelle Caitlin

Emma's Favorite Toy is Little Bert of Sesame Street


Big sisters are meant to be bullied....


Rather than suck at her thumb, she sucks her right lower arm...


My Baby loves to blow bubbles with her saliva...


Every Child Should Have a Picture Taken Like This...

With Kids Comes Responsibilities...

Chicken Pox

My children are ill... the eldest have the chickenpox and the baby have the flu.

About chickenpox and my child... for other kids, they would be lying around, sickly and groaning in pain with blisters all over. but for Ash, she has the blisters all right, but fever? Nooooo......! In fact, she is actually jumping around and showing off her spots to everyone who cares to have a look. She does not have the fever and her spots are small blisters. However, today is the fourth day she is having it and they are still appearing. Hopefully, they will subside by next Monday.

Emma have the fever. We do not know if this is her reaction towards the 'pox or because it has been a while since she was last ill. But her fever is bad...I spent most nights awake trying to comfort her and helping her loosen her mucus. Yesterday, a colleague commented that I look tired.... hmmmm... well, with kids comes responsibilities. And it is even more obvious when you are the mother. Ask any woman who is a mother and she will tell you that not only is she a worker, she is also the mother, the wife and the caregiver.

I can feel an illness coming from lack of sleep and fatigue. In terms of work, it has been hectic the last few days 'cos was finalising the retreat for my officers. Now, at least I can take a deep breath. The office is finally quiet and I can slow down.

My shoulder aches....

There are dark circles under my eyes...

My eyes hurts from lack of sleep....

Help! I need a retreat myself....!

My Little Sleepyhead

Did I mentioned that Ashleigh attends a kindy near my office? This is her in her school uniform. She is such a sleepyhead that she only opens her eyes to take her bath and puts on her uniform. Then she is off to dream land until it is time for us to leave the house.

Next year she is 5 - another year of kindy-land then we have to decide where to send her for her first grade classes.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

A Rare Moment

Emma hardly smiles or laugh so it was a rare moment when she actually laughed at the camera. Even then it was from much teasing from her sister.

Methinks this child of mine is the serious, thoughtful kind.

A Creative Eye....

Do You See The Lion's Head?

My colleague took this picture on the first night we were at Uma Lahanan. It was amazing!

At first glance, it is just a bunch of clouds. Under close scrutiny, can you see the lion's head?

I Survived Sg Asap

Sg Asap, Uma Lahanan and the whole Lahanan community was something to experience.

In short, the trip was successful, I am tired, the food was good and plentiful, the activities was hectic and the people friendly.

What more can I say?

I Have To Go...Again

I am going travelling again. This time, not to a metropolitan setting such as KL but rather, to the interiors of Sarawak. I am going to Uma Lahanan in the sub-District of Sg Asap, Belaga.

I wish I didn't have to go because I hate the idea of leaving the kids. But I have to. Why? Because I want to make this the one time so that I can get it done and over with; so that my Boss will not pick me to go for the other trips till maybe... in 6 months time. Because I have just too many stuff to do in the office!!!

I will be flying into Bintulu on 22 Sept. From there, we will take a four-wheel drive to Uma Lahanan, which by the way, is nearly 2-hours drive away. We could take the boat, which takes about an hour but with this rainy season, we do not want to be part of Sarawak's river mishap statistics.

To top it all off, Uma Lahanan does not have a Hilton. Rather, we will be spending the 4 nights there in Uma Lahanan itself, which is the name of the longhouse.

That area, mind you, is the Orang Ulu area so thank goodness. Why? Because if it was an Iban area...hmmmm....

So wish me luck and an enjoyable stay. No electricity, no proper cooking place, no piping....(horrorsss...) at least that is what I was told.

Scare tactics?

Thank Your Lucky Stars...

If it was this guy, Hubby would be RM300 poorer...

On the way to work today, Simon (the Hubby) was stopped by a police sgt. bcos he was talking on his mobile phone while driving. I was so PISSED! (with Simon) bcos a million times i have told him to use the ear-piece (that little piece of gadget is hanging from the rear-view mirror in the car!) He got a good lecture from the guy - and nearly caused a traffic jam along the road where we were, since he had to stop at the road side and it was a narrow road. Thank his lucky stars, the Sgt let him off with a stern warning. The only thing I said to him when we drove away was "There is a reason why this thing is here," as I pointed to the ear-piece.

One annoying thing about my husband is that he is the 'curing' person, not the 'preventing' person - from the saying ' prevention is better than cure'. sometimes he would drive like shit and when i remark about it, he would say ' he knock us, he pay lah'. And i never failt o tell him, "I have no time and energy to spend on stopping the car, arguing with the next driver, reaching a settlement and getting the car fix." I even told him that if that should happen, I would just grab the kids and myself and be on our way, leaving him to settle the problem. I will not waste my time and energy on solving things that can be prevented.

Do You Remember When...

The Tower then

Today is September 13. Two days ago was the third anniversary of 9/11. Do you remember what you were doing when you first heard the news?

I do.

It was in the morning (of course). I had just dropped my husband off at his office and was making my way towards Jalan Sultan Ismail from Jalan Raja Chulan. The whole way from home, I had remarked to my husband that The Monring Crew (who then comprised of Lil' Kev and Fly Guy) of Hitz.Fm were not very funky today -- their selection of songs were not too 'happy' and neither one of them were very 'chatty' (for reasons that was still unknown to me).

As I stopped at the traffic light in front of the Wisma Genting, the voice of Lil' kev came on air and he announced the attacks on the Twin Towers.

At that moment, my heart stopped. I could see from the corner of my eyes that somehow, everything seems to go on slow-mo.

The cars were movving more slowly, the lady crossing in front of my car wa walking more slowly, more lethargically. Even I felt tired suddenly.

And all the way to my (former) office in Sentul, I thought and prayed to all involved -- rescuers, 'doers', families and loved ones.

I have a postcard of NY City with similar view of the towers as the picture above. How ironic. Maybe someday, this postcard will be worth a million bucks?

Changes to Come...

My office is going through a corporate change. We have hired some consultants to help us identify our weaknesses and strength as well as what needs to be done. We are all gung-ho for it.

However...

My Big Boss does not seem to want that change. At least, not the ones that the consultants are expecting to recommend. My GM is but not the Bog Boss.

Hmmm... so how do we expect to change when we can't change?

What Is In A Name...

My Daughters, Elizabeth Ashleigh and Emma-Noelle Caitlin

And what their names means….

ELIZABETH: ELIZABETH (f) "oath of God" (Hebrew). In the Old Testament this was the name of the wife of Aaron. In the New Testament this was the mother of John the Baptist. ELISABETH (f) Variant of ELIZABETH. ELISE (f) Short form of ELIZABETH. ELISSA (f) Russian short form of ELIZABETH. BETH Short form of Elizabeth. LIZZY-Nickname for Elizabeth.
ASHLEIGH: (f) “ash tree cleaning” (Old English). A Surname which was originally derived from a place which means ‘ash tree cleaning’.

Elizabeth Ashleigh; My First Born

We call her Ashleigh though at times, I would call her 'Achee' or 'Ashalee' depending on whether I want to make it sound Chinese and Indian. My sister thinks the name sounds too independant and overbearing so she tends to call her Elizabeth. However, Ash does not remember herself being named Elizabeth so at times, she will not reply when called that name.

EMMA: Old German name meaning "entire; universal." Variant, Emmeline, exists. Diminutives include Em, Emmie, and Emmy
NOEL / NOELLE: French name meaning "Christmas." Variants include Noël, Noele, Noële, Noelle, and Noëlle.
CAITLIN: (f) Irish form of Cateline, the old French form of Katherine. Means “pure’, a derivation made by the Romans, changing their spelling from Katerina to Katharina.

Emma-Noelle Caitlin; My Christmas Gift

Emma, I consider her as my Christmas gift because she was born on Christmas morning. Unlike her loud and domineering sister, Emma is gentle and quiet. Although she is just 8-months old at this time, but I can see that she is calm, collected and rather thoughtful.

Candle of Hope

Lighted candles symbolises hope, faith and strength.

We held a prayer session for Emma last saturday. Since she was born, she has been falling sick on and off, she finds it difficult to clear her nose of mucus and she was losing weight.

Hubby and I decided to have the session to seek the Creator's intervention in terms of her health.

I Am Getting Another Assistant...HAR HAR HAR!!!

I got news today that I will be getting an assistant to help me with the administrative duties that I have been doing.

So that means...

someone who can do the faxing for me...

someone who can answer my calls when I am away...

someone who can do the filing for me...

and most importantly...

someone I can share my grievances with when I feel over-loaded with stuffs.

Yahooo...!!!

p/s
I said 'another' assistant because I now have an assistant who specifically do the layout and design of this unit's publication. :-)

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'.