worktrip begins..

"Siapa anak mummy?"
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"Saya!"

Chilling with my cheeky boy @ 7 months old.

Am off for my work getaway to the 2 islands, Singapore & Penang, 14 days in total. Mateen was sent to my parent's house. Surprisingly no tears from me nor him (just yet!), and he actually slept the entire time on my chest before handing over to my parents. I think he knows that mummy will be away, so he wants to manja2 with me..

After sending him off, I spent almost the whole day packing. Since the 2 trips are back to back, so I have to pack everything today.There's a total of 5 bags for both trips, I really hope I didn't leave anything behind..

This will be my first time away from my baby.. for a very long period of time. It has not sunk in yet, but I bet I will be missing Mateen like crazy..and yes, Mr Bert too..

See you boys this Saturday...

5 simple steps

Do you know the Cartoon "Special Agent Oso" on Disney Playhouse channel? Well, I know it thru watching it with my son. Agent Oso, the yellow panda bear, has a palm pilot who "helps" him by singing '3 special steps'..which happens to be one of Mateen's favourite songs.

Well, Agent Oso needs the palm pilot to help him solve cases. But for my case, Mr Bert needs 'your's truly' to help him as well.

Mr Bert came home yesterday, and was telling me for the training that he is attending, and that he is require to present "5 steps" to do anything... For example: how to wash clothes, or how to wear a tie.. It can be anything, but it must have 5 steps..

So..guess what we settled for..."5 steps on how to change a Cloth Diaper (CD)".

Step1-Adjust the buttons of the CD according to the baby's waist size.

Step2-put in the inserts into the CD.

Step3-fold the lining & put on top of the CD

Step 4-put the CD on the baby's bum (like how we usually change diaper)

Step 5-strap the buttons of the CD & adjust accordingly..

Well, I helped him with the 5 steps.. he didn't kn0w about Step 1-3 initially.. And I helped to prepare a loose CD, the insert, the lining and also Bluey the teddybear as the model for the day..hehe..

And guess what, he got the BEST PRESENTATION amongst the guys...YEAY!!!

When he told me about it, he was chuckling away, and I can tell he has a beaming face as well..aww, am so proud of my man! It must have been so cute seeing him changing a CD with a teddy bear at WORK! tee hee hee..

Great job dia!! Glad to be part of this... (^_^)

lake weekends + passport

I've started this routine with my boy on weekends.We have breakfast at the lake near our house. Reasons being :-

1) for a change of environment. He needs to see more green scenery.Being out from home is good for him (and mummy too).

2) I've always love "lepaking" @ the lake, since my Adelaide days. I feel calm & serene when admiring the lake.

3) as part of my 'exercise' regime (konon). Mateen & I will walk around the lake (quarter round only :P), and find a spot near the playground while facing the lake.

As soon as we find a spot, I will prepare his breakfast, either farley biscuits or cerelac. I will also bring my tea & bread for breakfast. Mateen enjoys it, watching ppl running passed by, seeing the MPAJ guy with the leave blower machine, and just enjoying the early morning freshness.

So my dear boy, this will be our weekly routine okay? Just you & me... :)

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Managed to do Mateen's passport today. It was done within an hour.. very efficient indeed! It's only RM 150 for the next 5 years (applicable for those under 2 years of age).Lucky thing I've done Mateen's passport photo a few weeks back. He was exactly 6 months in the photo.

Now Mateen has license to travel around the world. I'm sure you'll love travelling sayang (just like mummy! :D)

First destination..Singapore! Next..maybe D.C? (hint hint papa..)

Hectic May ahead..

Just got these today..

Adorable right? My friend does it.. really reasonable pricing too! If anybody is interested, lemmie know. I can help to order. ;)

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Yes, it has been a while. It has been almost a month since I started my new job. Work has been hectic, but good.. I am happy with my job. The environment is refreshing & positive, the ppl are cooperative& nice (and quite 'gila2' too). But it is still too early to give judgement. Oh well, for now, I am glad to be part of the team..

Btw, the month of May will be a super hectic month for me. First of all, this is confirmed..

Will be in Singapore for 11 days for practicuum training. The management has chosen me to lead the group of infant teachers. Although I am in the toddler group, but they want me to have the experience as well. I am honoured that they have chosen me.But of course, there's a downside..I will be away from my boys...

It has not "struck" me yet, but I am sure I will be 'homesick' during my stay there.. boohoo~ However, I have planned that weekend in Singapore for them to come & visit me! Air tix all booked..planning to meet relatives & friends, of course a bit of shopping & sight seeing is a must! Thus, this will be our 2nd family holiday, and our first overseas trip together! It's only for 2 days, so I better make the best of it! Can't wait...

Then, another trip came up. My company's 25th anniversary..in Penang! The very next day after my arrival from Singapore, I will be off to Penang pulak for 3 days 2 nights.. As much it will be a fun & relaxing event by the beach, but I am sure my mind will sure think of home.. If only my boys can join me too.. Oh well, this is what working moms need to face kan? Sacrifices need to be made.. Be strong meen!

The week after that , I have the Curriculum Training with my Toddler teachers for 2 weeks, in KL.. so it's a busy busy month for me! fyuuhh~ Bring it on baybeh!

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This is one of Mateen's fav thing to do right now... the "free-fall" or "swimming" gesture...

Here's one of my favourite photo of mateen. Him in Yellow Cloth Diaper with yellow ducklings.

Budak tomel-tomel.. Alah, how to leave him in May? Ooohhh Tiiiidddaaakkkkkkkkk..........

1st day @ work

How was my first day at work?
Well, here's my work desk..

And here's the view from the window..

Not bad huh?

Btw, the office I am in now is the HQ, so it's temporary. My future office will be in the childcare centre, which is still under construction. I have yet to visit the site, but the proposal layout was really impressive. Insyallah, by September the childcare will operate.

So far so good..My ex-boss (now my new boss) is there, so it was great to hear a 'familiar' voice around. He explained to me the mechanics of the centre, and I have started work by going through the list of materials of each class & also doing the teachers list. I have 24 under me, mostly malay teachers, and I have 6 male teachers as well! This should be interesting.. I was quite occupied through out the day..

One good thing about joining this company, they provide lunch, and sometimes breakfast & tea too. I had curry ayam with vegs + rice.. I was super full after lunch. Tmrw I will opt for bread instead of the rice!

I would say, my first day went well. I went there feeling happy, came back home feeling the same. The only person who was not happy was my little hero. Cik Nor mentioned that he has been really cranky the whole day, cries a lot and slept less. Sighh, why lah baby? Tengah beralih bulan ye? Hope he won't be as cranky tonight..

Menyiarap @ 5m3w

Mateen @ 5months 2 weeks, at that time he still can't sit on his tummy (menyiarap). He always does this 3/4 turn, and flip back to his original position. Unless we "assist" in turning him over.

I was often worried, why isn't mateen able to roll over? Was it because he doesn't sleep on his tummy anymore (he did that for the first 2 months, then he chose not to). I often wonder when will menyiarap on his own.

And alhmadulillah, at 5 months 3 weeks, he did it! He created his own milestone of able to sit on his tummy!

I first saw it when I was picking him up from his taska. He was happily turning around his court, on his tummy! I was SO happy to see that. According to Cik Nor, he has been doing it the whole day...Yeay, dah boleh tiarap!

Now, he is happily rolling over whenever he gets the chance. Even during changing diapers & clothes! Oh gosh, it can be tricky! And I loathe it when he does it after his feeding, and he would vomit some milk/food out! Adduhh.. So now, after feeding, he will remain in his rocker for about 30 minutes before I "release" him to the floor for his roll over exercises.

At this stage, he starts to "talk" and make conversations, experimenting with his high pitch voice.. he likes to give a "muach", as though he is giving a kiss, and he loves to spit, even when he's eating! (imagine the mess). And yes, he loves to show his tongue now.. =p

My boy's growing well, despite being a pre-term baby.. Praises to Allah.. Next week he'll be 6 months old! I plan to take passport photo of him, just for the fun of it. Who knows, we might need to do him a passport soon. tee hee..

Mateen sayang, don't grow up too fast. Mummy's enjoying you every second of the day..

Mateen @ Mr Bert's office. Future legal advisor perhaps? ;)

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I am at the midst of experimenting something.. I am trying to give mateen my EBM again. It has been 2 months since he has weaned off, but now I feel like I wanna give him again if Allah permits Insyallah. When I pumped this morning, of course nothing came out, but there was still a little bit of milk. So, am taking some supplements & I try to pump as often as I can, even it is 10 mins. I am trying. Lets see how this experiment works out.

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Today was not a productive day for me. I slept 2 hours in the afternoon, beside mateen. I think it is to recover my sleep debt for this week. hmm..

Mandi pun pukul 3pm! eerkk!

ButI enjoyed my Nasi dagang for brunch & Chicken glass noodles for tea-dinner. Yummers!

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Tmrw I start my brand new job..not sure what to pack actually! Planner diaries, notebook, some stationary.. hope I didn't miss out anything.

Pretty excited actually..hope everything will work out great. :)

a bitter sweet goodbye

Today was my last day in Beaconhouse.
Frankly speaking, I never thought this day could come so soon. I've always imagined that I would stay on for a couple more years, being the HOS with my kid(s) in school. That vision had always been in my mind. But, that has change now.

3 1/2 years in this company, and I have learned a lot.
I was pretty lucky to get the offer as a HOS, although I have applied as a teacher post. The first few months were crazy for me. It wasn't easy as being the HOS requires a lot of Management & Administrative skills, aside from my ECE knowledge. A HOS needs to be a multi-task person, and it was rather overwhelming for me.

When I started out, being the youngest in my school and needing to lead the school was rather challenging. I had some difficult teachers, demanding parents, and I have no clue of managing things. Over the years, I began to gain confidence, and I am able to understand the dynamics of the system, the management, the teachers, the other HOS, the parents, the children.

Downfalls, there were several. I think there were some entries that I wrote, especially when I feel doubtful of myself after getting complaints from parents & the management. There were several times when I cried in the office, once I was comforted by a child, the other by my teacher. Once I cried at the supermarket after getting a call from the management. The hospital incident.. Sigh..Those were the ugly times.

But despite the downs, there are the ups. My achievements include organizing the school concert (2 sessions for 6 preschools, just before my wedding!) & the school carnival (when I was pregnant), having to reach the highest student target of 135 in July 2008 (before the management decided to raise the fees), having satisfaction comments from parents about my teachers, managed to attend several ECE conferences, constant increment every year.. Alhamdulillah, all were meaningful experiences for me.

And today, the journey has come to an end. I have 2 farewell luncheons, one with the HOS, and the other with my teachers & staff. My farewell wasn't too emotional, but it was a quiet and meaningful departure for me.

When I was biding farewell to everyone, one of my kitchen ladies started to cry. She said,

"Selama cikgu kat sini, cikgu tak pernah marah saya.."

Oh my gosh, I was super touched!

Another kitchen lady, approached me and actually salam & kiss my hand to apologize for any of her wrong doings. And mind you, she is 56 this year. Terharunye..

Some of the statements that was told to me..

"We're gonna miss having you around..."
"We'll definitely miss your cherry voice"
"Please don't forget us, and keep in touch"

Insyallah, I will remember the experiences and the memories that I've gained. I look forward for the new adventures in my new job, which starts on monday.Wish me luck..

Me with the Head Of Schools (HOS)

Me & the Bangsar crew..

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Love this picture of Mr Bert..the scenery is the same like my current blog page right? *winks*

Reminiscing the past..we'll get there soon dia...love you today, tmrw & forever my dia..

post TKC

It's 1.12am..and I am wide awake. Can't sleep. Thinking to much..So, I decided to update my blog & my photos on fb. Hopefully I can sleep in tmrw on Sunday morning.

Finally, after much 'determination', I managed to watch "Terima Kasih Cinta " with good ol' buddy Mai. We managed to get a good view, although to the side of the stage. It was Mai's first time to Istana Budaya, and me being a "veteran" there showed around the place.

We arrived 20 minutes before the show starts, went to see the merchandise. I was suprise to see the souvernier booklet was only RM3 worth! And the chocs, 3 sets (of 2 chocs) for RM10. So why not, we grab it of course!

Another interesting thing happening at the booth was the "Love Quotes" boards. Anybody can just pin up their quote or their expression about LOVE in these colourful post-it notes. There were like 3 big boards, almost filled with numerous quotes about love. And I didn't miss the opportunity.. I wrote as well..

"Love hurts, but it's worth it. when love & hate collides.."

Yeah, I know..I doesn't made sense.. wasn't at the right state of mind to think that time.

Then come the show...the whole theater was an adaption of the movie 'Cinta', my all time favourite malay movie. The story line was the same, and they added some familiar ballad songs into the entire musical. In a way, it was like a Malaysian "Glee", theater style..;)

I find the 2 outstanding performances were Deja Moss & Anding (surprise surprise!). Very good vocal control.. Was hoping to hear more of Vince & Norish Karman's singing debut. Love the simple props, and the colour coding of each 'related' character (orange, blue, green, pink). Overall, it was a good show! I sang along to several songs :-Seribu Impian, Sejati, Perpisahan, Itu Kamu, Cinta, etc.. and I was satisfied with the show. Well done peps! It was worth.. glad I made it! :)


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Here are some pics, courtesy from Mai's camera..:)