Hate Hate Winter!
Hate the cold.
Hate the gloominess.
Hate the rain.
Can't wait for the boys' holidays to start... and off we go to somewhere warmer and sunnier!
Can't get cheap flights at all. All flights are freaking expensive. We had to go after holidays have started... just to have slightly cheaper air tickets... BUT still so expensive!
Since it's only a two-week holiday, boys will only be away for 10 days. Need to come back for school ... ponteng one day though.
Later....
Showing posts with label Me.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label Me.... Show all posts
Friday, June 14, 2013
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Why? Why? Why?
Why don't I blog anymore?
I actually totally forgot that I still have a blog in existence!
Serious!
I'm sure you are gonna say "How Can???"
Sad. But true wor........
Life in this land is not exactly smooth sailing.
Why did we uproot the whole family from a comfortable life of maid, driver, leisurely life to one that I have to be the maid, cook, driver, laundress, etc etc.
Someone asked me the reason for moving Down Under...Is Australia really so good meh?
Most Malaysians with kids will be able to answer this question.
I actually totally forgot that I still have a blog in existence!
Serious!
I'm sure you are gonna say "How Can???"
Sad. But true wor........
Life in this land is not exactly smooth sailing.
Why did we uproot the whole family from a comfortable life of maid, driver, leisurely life to one that I have to be the maid, cook, driver, laundress, etc etc.
Someone asked me the reason for moving Down Under...Is Australia really so good meh?
Most Malaysians with kids will be able to answer this question.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Why blogging is important...
So why do you think blogging is important?
Well, for starters, it helps to keep loved ones who are thousands of miles away informed about the going ons in your life.
But more importantly, it is for YOURSELF!
Well, for me. At least.
Especially when I find my memory going ....
I'm still pretty young, mind you!
But then... but then....
Realised that I should really really continue to blog today. And all because of PINEAPPLE TARTS!
Well, you see... we girls were gonna get-together to make pineapple tarts next week. For CNY, of course. And the topic of which recipe to use came up. I remembered using the recipe from Kenwood the last time I made, which yielded quite good results. The thing was... I wasn't sure if I used ALL butter or mix of half butter/half margarine or did I use Crisco?? I absolutely could not remember.
BUT when I googled for pineapple tarts recipe and Kenwood... there it was. My long ago post about Pineapple tarts was in the Search Results.... and what do you know? My post told me that I used ALL Crisco.. and to use half and half the next time!
So.... will try to keep on blogginggggggggggg.
Watch this space!
Well, for starters, it helps to keep loved ones who are thousands of miles away informed about the going ons in your life.
But more importantly, it is for YOURSELF!
Well, for me. At least.
Especially when I find my memory going ....
I'm still pretty young, mind you!
But then... but then....
Realised that I should really really continue to blog today. And all because of PINEAPPLE TARTS!
Well, you see... we girls were gonna get-together to make pineapple tarts next week. For CNY, of course. And the topic of which recipe to use came up. I remembered using the recipe from Kenwood the last time I made, which yielded quite good results. The thing was... I wasn't sure if I used ALL butter or mix of half butter/half margarine or did I use Crisco?? I absolutely could not remember.
BUT when I googled for pineapple tarts recipe and Kenwood... there it was. My long ago post about Pineapple tarts was in the Search Results.... and what do you know? My post told me that I used ALL Crisco.. and to use half and half the next time!
So.... will try to keep on blogginggggggggggg.
Watch this space!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Big Changes Down Under....
What would one expect?
Moving from Asia... to a DEVELOPED COUNTRY. Speaking of DEVELOPED COUNTRY, I should change the write-up about "MYSELF". I am no longer living in a developing country, and no longer an expat wife. I'm sure is still a Nomadic Mom... cause we are still living in a rented home, and we WILL be moving sometime or other!
When are we buying a home here? Donno the answer at this point in time. So don't ask. :-)
So the part where we are living in a rented home (like what we have been doing in all our expat relocations) has NO CHANGE.
So what are the big changes?
For one, I NO LONGER have a driver, and I have since become THE DRIVER. I didn't mind this at all.... until soccer started last week ...IN THE EVENINGS! It's the time that I am usually changed in my ugly, loose and comfy pyjamas and plonked in front of the tv kind of time. So you can imagine the 'inconvenience' of having to pop out to drop and pick-up and hour later. What time? Start times ranging from 6.50 to 7.30 depending on days. 3 days of Soccer (split between the 2 boys) and then there's a day of tennis... and now Saturdays with Archery.
Actually, there's the Sunday for S2's Parkour down at Southbank. But I had to draw a line and ask him to drop it. Tooooooooooooooooooo far a drive, plus the $8 parking is off-putting. And I don't know how to kill 2 hours in the city on my own. Once Twice is okay lah... but every week, cannot tahan. Soccer and Tennis is actually quite close by.... to drive, but not close enough to walk laaaa
What about the other main change? NO MAID? Actually, I didn't have a maid back in Jakarta for awhile... Too much problem. How am I coping? Not too bad lah. Boys help out with the dishes after meals, and they will mop and vaccuum in the weekend. Only once in awhile, I will clean their toilets.... I get them to clean their own toilets weekly. S2 was like "EEWWWWWW" when I showed him their urine stains.. and it was quite funny cause the next day when his friend came, he said "please aim properly cause I have to clean it!". Hahahahha...
Not having a maid in Jakarta was not a problem, cause we could still send out our laundry to the "Laundry Kilo-an" - Laundry done by the kilos. They will wash, iron and fold (ironing not perfect but who cares??). Here... I gotta do the laundry and the ironing. Winter has its perks. Everybody wore their jumpers and NO NEED TO IRON! Now, Spring is here, more of those white shirts are seeing the sunlight... and thus have to iron. Bought myself a terrer super-duper steam iron, which actually made ironing easier. I wouldn't say that ironing is pleasurable, but it sure is easier.
What I find really hard about moving Down Under is COOKING EVERYDAY!!!!!! In Jakarta (or anywhere else in Asia for the matter), going out for a meal is soooooooo easy, convenient and cheap. Australia is blardy expensive. H keeps insisting that the noodles are almost same priced as Jakarta, cause you get double the amount. Yes. Portions are bigger, but still expensive. $$ aside, I find the larger portions also a bit troublesome... cause I would then have to ta-pau the other half, and EAT IT THE NEXT DAY. Yerrrrrr... donwan to eat same thing over and over again wor? But I don't wanna waste it either. SO how? And I find I can't eat what I want. Because of the larger portions, S1 will order what he wants, S2 will order what he wants, and I end up with whatever they cannot finish. Damn sien... It's better if H is around, then he becomes the one that eats everybody's leftovers. Hahahahah
Biggest change? Is not having the other half here with me 50% of the time... cause of the business in Jakarta. Is kinda lonely.... especially after I drop the boys to school, and I come back to an empty house. Really need to get a job of whatever to just get out.... otherwise damn sien and bored. And you know what is worse? EATING WHEN BORED!!! I've put on about 4 kgs since I moved here. How not to? The cheeses, the ice-creams, etc etc....
Speaking of jobs... it's not easy.... They stress for 'local experience' blah blah blah. I thought I'll just volunteer for something, but even that seems a bit ma-fan with the hours and days that they want you to commit. No such thing as just go and help out when you are free kind. Know what I mean?
Anyway, See how lah.....
Other than that, I think boys are settling in quite well, and at least I don't have to worry about them. Just somehow ... NO HOMEWORK ONE WORRRRRRRR...
Still so much to update.... maybe tomorrow lah...
Moving from Asia... to a DEVELOPED COUNTRY. Speaking of DEVELOPED COUNTRY, I should change the write-up about "MYSELF". I am no longer living in a developing country, and no longer an expat wife. I'm sure is still a Nomadic Mom... cause we are still living in a rented home, and we WILL be moving sometime or other!
When are we buying a home here? Donno the answer at this point in time. So don't ask. :-)
So the part where we are living in a rented home (like what we have been doing in all our expat relocations) has NO CHANGE.
So what are the big changes?
For one, I NO LONGER have a driver, and I have since become THE DRIVER. I didn't mind this at all.... until soccer started last week ...IN THE EVENINGS! It's the time that I am usually changed in my ugly, loose and comfy pyjamas and plonked in front of the tv kind of time. So you can imagine the 'inconvenience' of having to pop out to drop and pick-up and hour later. What time? Start times ranging from 6.50 to 7.30 depending on days. 3 days of Soccer (split between the 2 boys) and then there's a day of tennis... and now Saturdays with Archery.
Actually, there's the Sunday for S2's Parkour down at Southbank. But I had to draw a line and ask him to drop it. Tooooooooooooooooooo far a drive, plus the $8 parking is off-putting. And I don't know how to kill 2 hours in the city on my own. Once Twice is okay lah... but every week, cannot tahan. Soccer and Tennis is actually quite close by.... to drive, but not close enough to walk laaaa
What about the other main change? NO MAID? Actually, I didn't have a maid back in Jakarta for awhile... Too much problem. How am I coping? Not too bad lah. Boys help out with the dishes after meals, and they will mop and vaccuum in the weekend. Only once in awhile, I will clean their toilets.... I get them to clean their own toilets weekly. S2 was like "EEWWWWWW" when I showed him their urine stains.. and it was quite funny cause the next day when his friend came, he said "please aim properly cause I have to clean it!". Hahahahha...
Not having a maid in Jakarta was not a problem, cause we could still send out our laundry to the "Laundry Kilo-an" - Laundry done by the kilos. They will wash, iron and fold (ironing not perfect but who cares??). Here... I gotta do the laundry and the ironing. Winter has its perks. Everybody wore their jumpers and NO NEED TO IRON! Now, Spring is here, more of those white shirts are seeing the sunlight... and thus have to iron. Bought myself a terrer super-duper steam iron, which actually made ironing easier. I wouldn't say that ironing is pleasurable, but it sure is easier.
What I find really hard about moving Down Under is COOKING EVERYDAY!!!!!! In Jakarta (or anywhere else in Asia for the matter), going out for a meal is soooooooo easy, convenient and cheap. Australia is blardy expensive. H keeps insisting that the noodles are almost same priced as Jakarta, cause you get double the amount. Yes. Portions are bigger, but still expensive. $$ aside, I find the larger portions also a bit troublesome... cause I would then have to ta-pau the other half, and EAT IT THE NEXT DAY. Yerrrrrr... donwan to eat same thing over and over again wor? But I don't wanna waste it either. SO how? And I find I can't eat what I want. Because of the larger portions, S1 will order what he wants, S2 will order what he wants, and I end up with whatever they cannot finish. Damn sien... It's better if H is around, then he becomes the one that eats everybody's leftovers. Hahahahah
Biggest change? Is not having the other half here with me 50% of the time... cause of the business in Jakarta. Is kinda lonely.... especially after I drop the boys to school, and I come back to an empty house. Really need to get a job of whatever to just get out.... otherwise damn sien and bored. And you know what is worse? EATING WHEN BORED!!! I've put on about 4 kgs since I moved here. How not to? The cheeses, the ice-creams, etc etc....
Speaking of jobs... it's not easy.... They stress for 'local experience' blah blah blah. I thought I'll just volunteer for something, but even that seems a bit ma-fan with the hours and days that they want you to commit. No such thing as just go and help out when you are free kind. Know what I mean?
Anyway, See how lah.....
Other than that, I think boys are settling in quite well, and at least I don't have to worry about them. Just somehow ... NO HOMEWORK ONE WORRRRRRRR...
Still so much to update.... maybe tomorrow lah...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
PARTY! PARTY!
Yup! Yup! Yup! I am flying back home to KUL tomorrow to celebrate my 40th with my sisters. Okay. Okay. Technically, my birthday is not till next week.... but my school is having a REUNION and 40th Birthday Dinner for the Class of '88 on Saturday. I was err-ing and ahh-ing for a while before deciding to go home. Afterall, how often does one turn 40?
My dinner (PARTY??) tomorrow with my sisters .... the colour theme is BLACK and RED. I saw a dress at GUCCI's window display last week.... and it IS a gorgeous dress. Decided to go in today to ask about the price... just to kepoh. Of course I knew I wouldn't buy it.
Guess how much the dress was....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
USD 2,200/-!
And you know what? Because I was gonna do some banking .... I did have THAT amount of money in cash in my handbag. My friend kept joking "Eh! you got money in your handbag what. One for you and one for me!". (Yes. People do carry cash around here cause a lot of cash transactions as opposed to other methods ....)
In case you are wondering... am ditching the three boys here on their own. H kept asking the boys "where shall we go to have OUR party whilst your mom is away? Bali?"
The boys were like choi-huei-ter-sor, then he said "you all want to just stay at home and play games is it??". Well... that's exactly it. They just want to veg-out at home without mommy here to ngam-ngam-chamm-chamm.
My dinner (PARTY??) tomorrow with my sisters .... the colour theme is BLACK and RED. I saw a dress at GUCCI's window display last week.... and it IS a gorgeous dress. Decided to go in today to ask about the price... just to kepoh. Of course I knew I wouldn't buy it.
Guess how much the dress was....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
USD 2,200/-!
And you know what? Because I was gonna do some banking .... I did have THAT amount of money in cash in my handbag. My friend kept joking "Eh! you got money in your handbag what. One for you and one for me!". (Yes. People do carry cash around here cause a lot of cash transactions as opposed to other methods ....)
In case you are wondering... am ditching the three boys here on their own. H kept asking the boys "where shall we go to have OUR party whilst your mom is away? Bali?"
The boys were like choi-huei-ter-sor, then he said "you all want to just stay at home and play games is it??". Well... that's exactly it. They just want to veg-out at home without mommy here to ngam-ngam-chamm-chamm.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Second Wives, Mistresses and Girlfriends
H had a meeting the other day.... and as he parted with his business associate, the associate asked "Settled? Where is your new place now?"
H answered "S.M. It's near...."
Associate ' "Oh. I know. I know."
H - "how do you know?"
Usually, we have to explain to people where it is..... in relation to one of the popular supermarkets.
And you know what he said? "That place ah? All the Second wives, Mistresses or girlfriends all stay there!"
Obviously, when H came back and told me... my immediate thought was "mmmm... is that woman with something wrong with her hands a mistress????"
Now, when I pass any woman in the lobby, I eye them and guess if she is a Second wife, a Mistress or Girlfriend! Hahahha
Ok. Ok. I only do that with the local ladies... Not the many Japanese ladies that also live here...with their little toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Mmmm..... wonder if anyone thinks I am a Yee Lai... Hehehehe
H answered "S.M. It's near...."
Associate ' "Oh. I know. I know."
H - "how do you know?"
Usually, we have to explain to people where it is..... in relation to one of the popular supermarkets.
And you know what he said? "That place ah? All the Second wives, Mistresses or girlfriends all stay there!"
Obviously, when H came back and told me... my immediate thought was "mmmm... is that woman with something wrong with her hands a mistress????"
Now, when I pass any woman in the lobby, I eye them and guess if she is a Second wife, a Mistress or Girlfriend! Hahahha
Ok. Ok. I only do that with the local ladies... Not the many Japanese ladies that also live here...with their little toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Mmmm..... wonder if anyone thinks I am a Yee Lai... Hehehehe
Friday, August 19, 2011
Turned down 5 students ....
Yup. Had to turn down 5 students in the last 3 days. I just couldn't take them on.... With my current schedule of trying to get the Centre on-line, I hardly have time to tutor my own kids.
Okay. I didn't turn down my girlfriend. I was ahhhing...errr-ing.. and then she was quick to reply "better not. I know if you say yes, it is out of obligation. If she really needs it, she'll have to travel to you".
I have to say that it felt good that I am actually wanted! It felt even better to hear that my tutoring did help them in their exams last term. :-) These kids are all from the boys' school. Although I did 'promote' my Centre, I don't think they will be so hadap for my tutoring that they will actually travel to my Centre. It is located in the other side of town. I haven't decided yet, but I probably WILL have my kids travel to the Centre for tutoring....
Why have it on the other side of town? My partner and I felt that that is the ideal location to start, with many International and National-Plus type schools offering the Cambridge, IB and HSC Curricula. We will be the only centre focusing on Maths, Physics and Chemistry in English Language. Read more here, if interested. Errr... why not Biology? Perhaps later. But at the moment, I can only teach these!
This blog will remain to be an 'anonymous' blog about my private life.... :-)
Okay. I didn't turn down my girlfriend. I was ahhhing...errr-ing.. and then she was quick to reply "better not. I know if you say yes, it is out of obligation. If she really needs it, she'll have to travel to you".
I have to say that it felt good that I am actually wanted! It felt even better to hear that my tutoring did help them in their exams last term. :-) These kids are all from the boys' school. Although I did 'promote' my Centre, I don't think they will be so hadap for my tutoring that they will actually travel to my Centre. It is located in the other side of town. I haven't decided yet, but I probably WILL have my kids travel to the Centre for tutoring....
Why have it on the other side of town? My partner and I felt that that is the ideal location to start, with many International and National-Plus type schools offering the Cambridge, IB and HSC Curricula. We will be the only centre focusing on Maths, Physics and Chemistry in English Language. Read more here, if interested. Errr... why not Biology? Perhaps later. But at the moment, I can only teach these!
This blog will remain to be an 'anonymous' blog about my private life.... :-)
Sunday, August 14, 2011
School STARTS Tomorrow!
This year, the school term is starting a week earlier.... Not only that, school day will be 30 minutes longer now. When they first announced it, lots of hoo-hah from the angmoh moms and moms of little kids. I, on the other hand, welcomed it in a way. Okay. Granted. The traffic is the killer. But I think the kids do need the extra time to cover everything in the curriculum.
Starting tomorrow.... I have TWO in the Secondary school. No more visiting the Primary school. S1 will now be in Year 10, i.e. he will be taking his iGCSE examinations in May/June 2013. And my S2 starts Year 7.
I had to run to the bank to pay their school fees last Friday (deadline is Monday. Otherwise they charge interest! Darned school!). I have to say that I have never carried so much cash in my life! At the counter, the guy was like "did you confirm?". I was like "Ah??". And he said that above a certain $$ have to confirm. Confirm what I don't know. Then he went off to ask his superior if he could proceed with the transaction. I had a whole list of errands to run and I certainly was not going to carry the $$$ USDs in my handbag! Thank goodness his superior said okay.
I tell you... only in this country that they are soooooooo particular with the notes. They will only accept the USDs in a certain H series and up. And the notes must be crisp. No folds. No tears. No blah blah blah. The guy actually CARESSED every single bill. No joke.
I had a note that is really 'charnn' and that one they totally did not want it. No need any CARESSING. After CARESSING 204 pieces of the notes, he said that I had TWO bad notes. I was like "so what does that mean?? Those came directly from Citibank". They were surprised that Citibank had BAD notes. Seriously, the notes look okay and crisp. But like I said, he was CARESSING it like nobody's business... and found that the little silver strip on the side is 'broken'. So what it means is that I have to pay USD 3 per BAD note. Damn cut-throat. So... I had to pay an extra USD 6 for them to accept the two pieces of BAD notes. .... ONLY in this country that the USDs must be like newly-minted.
In America, even if the note is damn 'charnn' and had SHIT, also good as gold.
I tell you ah... I damn 'simm thia' man.... especially when I am not exactly satisfied with the academic quality of the school. Pay so much, and still not as expected. *Sigh*
We told S1 that since we are paying school fees now, perhaps he should think of going to a better school in one of the countries that the Ah Ees reside (England? Australia?). But he doesn't want to, of course. His friends are all here... plus he is still a bit young, hor?
Anyway, there are two more terms of fees to pay. And each time I have to do this, I will moan and groan.
Starting tomorrow.... I have TWO in the Secondary school. No more visiting the Primary school. S1 will now be in Year 10, i.e. he will be taking his iGCSE examinations in May/June 2013. And my S2 starts Year 7.
I had to run to the bank to pay their school fees last Friday (deadline is Monday. Otherwise they charge interest! Darned school!). I have to say that I have never carried so much cash in my life! At the counter, the guy was like "did you confirm?". I was like "Ah??". And he said that above a certain $$ have to confirm. Confirm what I don't know. Then he went off to ask his superior if he could proceed with the transaction. I had a whole list of errands to run and I certainly was not going to carry the $$$ USDs in my handbag! Thank goodness his superior said okay.
I tell you... only in this country that they are soooooooo particular with the notes. They will only accept the USDs in a certain H series and up. And the notes must be crisp. No folds. No tears. No blah blah blah. The guy actually CARESSED every single bill. No joke.
I had a note that is really 'charnn' and that one they totally did not want it. No need any CARESSING. After CARESSING 204 pieces of the notes, he said that I had TWO bad notes. I was like "so what does that mean?? Those came directly from Citibank". They were surprised that Citibank had BAD notes. Seriously, the notes look okay and crisp. But like I said, he was CARESSING it like nobody's business... and found that the little silver strip on the side is 'broken'. So what it means is that I have to pay USD 3 per BAD note. Damn cut-throat. So... I had to pay an extra USD 6 for them to accept the two pieces of BAD notes. .... ONLY in this country that the USDs must be like newly-minted.
In America, even if the note is damn 'charnn' and had SHIT, also good as gold.
I tell you ah... I damn 'simm thia' man.... especially when I am not exactly satisfied with the academic quality of the school. Pay so much, and still not as expected. *Sigh*
We told S1 that since we are paying school fees now, perhaps he should think of going to a better school in one of the countries that the Ah Ees reside (England? Australia?). But he doesn't want to, of course. His friends are all here... plus he is still a bit young, hor?
Anyway, there are two more terms of fees to pay. And each time I have to do this, I will moan and groan.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Hello BALI!!!
Yup! In Bali....AGAIN.
Flew here this afternoon... Decided to take the boys for a short vacation before school starts in less than two weeks! The boys have basically been cooped up in the apartment for the whole Summer holidays. Poor guys! Or maybe not... Depending on who you ask. Cause they have been sleeping late, waking up late, watching tv, playing games and eating junk! I supposed it's my fault too. Been so busy. Even this morning, we were supposed to grab a bite before heading out to the airport. But I was working to try to send out an email before I leave and by the time I was done, it was too late. We HAD to then eat at the airport.
Even though I've been to Bali countless times, it is still a nice feeling. The moment we arrived, I could feel the breeze, see the bright blue skies. Oh...how blue the skies were today! This time, we are staying in a hotel in Nusa Dua. Booked a split-level family room. Boys downstairs. Parents upstairs. Because it is a family room, the kids area is equipped with tv, DVD player and Playstation (on request). Don't know if I did the right thing of requesting for it....as I am trying to pry boys off those electronic games and gadgets!!! But when I told S1, he immediately came to give me a hug. Talk about addicted to games!!!
Once school starts, all these games stuff will have to stop!
Anyway, we decided to eat in the hotel as I didn't fancy traveling out to Kuta or Seminyak for a meal. And what do you know...the barbecued pork ribs were sooooooooooo yummy and tender. Really melts in the mouth. H had so much that he said that he doesnt want any pork any more. ....and added "including your porky mommy" to the boys! He said he must have eaten my thigh's worth! Hahaha...
Okay... Better go back into the room. Have been blogging via my iPad out in the balcony, and it us getting kinda chilly.
Later...
Flew here this afternoon... Decided to take the boys for a short vacation before school starts in less than two weeks! The boys have basically been cooped up in the apartment for the whole Summer holidays. Poor guys! Or maybe not... Depending on who you ask. Cause they have been sleeping late, waking up late, watching tv, playing games and eating junk! I supposed it's my fault too. Been so busy. Even this morning, we were supposed to grab a bite before heading out to the airport. But I was working to try to send out an email before I leave and by the time I was done, it was too late. We HAD to then eat at the airport.
Even though I've been to Bali countless times, it is still a nice feeling. The moment we arrived, I could feel the breeze, see the bright blue skies. Oh...how blue the skies were today! This time, we are staying in a hotel in Nusa Dua. Booked a split-level family room. Boys downstairs. Parents upstairs. Because it is a family room, the kids area is equipped with tv, DVD player and Playstation (on request). Don't know if I did the right thing of requesting for it....as I am trying to pry boys off those electronic games and gadgets!!! But when I told S1, he immediately came to give me a hug. Talk about addicted to games!!!
Once school starts, all these games stuff will have to stop!
Anyway, we decided to eat in the hotel as I didn't fancy traveling out to Kuta or Seminyak for a meal. And what do you know...the barbecued pork ribs were sooooooooooo yummy and tender. Really melts in the mouth. H had so much that he said that he doesnt want any pork any more. ....and added "including your porky mommy" to the boys! He said he must have eaten my thigh's worth! Hahaha...
Okay... Better go back into the room. Have been blogging via my iPad out in the balcony, and it us getting kinda chilly.
Later...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Really Really ONE Boring Summer
I think this must be the most boring Summer the boys have ever experienced!
All they have been doing is watch TV and play games.
They sleep like at midnight and wake up at 11 am till almost noon!
AIYO!
H tries to get S2 to play some tennis or table tennis. But my S1 is perpertually glued to the screen. I try to get him to do some Math problems .... which of course is not welcomed. :-P
Both of them are too big for the zoo, or the small aquarium or Kidzania.... So how to entertain them? Plus I have been busy with the new business start-up items.
Hopefully, our trip to Bali next week will be an exciting one for the kids... and I was telling H that we shouldn't bring ANY work with us... We just REST REST REST.
All they have been doing is watch TV and play games.
They sleep like at midnight and wake up at 11 am till almost noon!
AIYO!
H tries to get S2 to play some tennis or table tennis. But my S1 is perpertually glued to the screen. I try to get him to do some Math problems .... which of course is not welcomed. :-P
Both of them are too big for the zoo, or the small aquarium or Kidzania.... So how to entertain them? Plus I have been busy with the new business start-up items.
Hopefully, our trip to Bali next week will be an exciting one for the kids... and I was telling H that we shouldn't bring ANY work with us... We just REST REST REST.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Updates.... 20 July 2011
I know that I have not been updating as often as I should. But really been so busy. Or if not that, then so tired. So obviously blogging would be the last thing on my mind.
Almost 3 Weeks into the SUMMER break now, and boys have been literally stuck at home.... cause H and I have been so busy. Had some friends over (errr... actually only 2 sets of friends as EVERYONE is out there enjoying their Summer Holidays except us) last week. We didn't even go out for any movies... not that there's anything to watch because of the stoooooopid boycott. So other than playing games and watching TV until their eyes pop-out, I made the boys do some Math problems on some days. And just the last two days, S1 has been helping out with the layout drawings for my shoplot. He helped to sketch the 3D-drawings on Google Sketchup. Have to say that he is pretty good at it. :-)
We managed to find a shoplot for our business... hopefully it is the RIGHT choice and RIGHT location. Paid the downpayment on Monday.... and have to pay the rest of the rent when we officially sign the lease in about 2.5 week's time. And just had news from our lawyers that business registration is completed, and we can now open a business account...and to deposit the paid-up capital blah blah blah. And I have the contractor going to have a look at the shoplot to give me a quotation. The sketch that was done by S1 will prove to be invaluable, as it will give the contractor an idea on what we want. Hopefully, the costs can be kept down...
On a different note... I itchy-fart told my girlfriends that I will join them for the 10 KM run in Bangkok in November. So gung-ho. Say can have fun, shop, spa, wann-sann and run. How lah? Can I chicken-out? Or must I perservere on and train for it? I've got about 4 months to train for it. A bit scared lah. This morning, I went to play tennis out in the open, and not too long (errr think about 15 minutes or less :-P), I was damn tired and thirsty liow. How to run 10 KM in 2 hours ah? But I must. I must....
Almost 3 Weeks into the SUMMER break now, and boys have been literally stuck at home.... cause H and I have been so busy. Had some friends over (errr... actually only 2 sets of friends as EVERYONE is out there enjoying their Summer Holidays except us) last week. We didn't even go out for any movies... not that there's anything to watch because of the stoooooopid boycott. So other than playing games and watching TV until their eyes pop-out, I made the boys do some Math problems on some days. And just the last two days, S1 has been helping out with the layout drawings for my shoplot. He helped to sketch the 3D-drawings on Google Sketchup. Have to say that he is pretty good at it. :-)
We managed to find a shoplot for our business... hopefully it is the RIGHT choice and RIGHT location. Paid the downpayment on Monday.... and have to pay the rest of the rent when we officially sign the lease in about 2.5 week's time. And just had news from our lawyers that business registration is completed, and we can now open a business account...and to deposit the paid-up capital blah blah blah. And I have the contractor going to have a look at the shoplot to give me a quotation. The sketch that was done by S1 will prove to be invaluable, as it will give the contractor an idea on what we want. Hopefully, the costs can be kept down...
On a different note... I itchy-fart told my girlfriends that I will join them for the 10 KM run in Bangkok in November. So gung-ho. Say can have fun, shop, spa, wann-sann and run. How lah? Can I chicken-out? Or must I perservere on and train for it? I've got about 4 months to train for it. A bit scared lah. This morning, I went to play tennis out in the open, and not too long (errr think about 15 minutes or less :-P), I was damn tired and thirsty liow. How to run 10 KM in 2 hours ah? But I must. I must....
Thursday, July 14, 2011
A Boring Summer?
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Boys have been complaining that this Summer is sooooooooo boring. No travels to ANYWHERE.
Are they spoilt or Are they spoilt?
School holidays must go somewhere one meh?
We've been so busy in the last couple of months. So many things to do.. the start-up, moving house, my TESOL course etc. How to plan to go away for a Summer Getaway like usual? Not possible lah. At first, I thought I will send the boys back to PJ with my mom... but then H said that the house (I should say apartment now) would be toooooooooooo quiet without the boys, and he says we would need the constant need of 'scolding them' to break the monotonous mood despite of our busy schedules. Hahhaha.. So boys had to stay put. They were not to happy I have to say.
Parents being parents... we tend to spoil them ... I know I said "School holidays must go somewhere one meh?", and yet I went to book a short 4 night getaway to Bali for early August. YES. Bali again... because we can't getaway for too long, and easy to book. Plus boys look forward to it all the same. H initially thought about Perth. But with Perth, we'll need more days.. plus the flying time... (or rather the connecting at Changi etc). Bali at this time is pretty expensive compared to other months... SUMMER holidays and all. But what to do.... we spoil our kids, right?
NEW HOME
Move and unpacking all done. Did I tell you that they (the movers) had to chop off 3 cm off my dining table legs? They tried and tried to bring it through the door, but they just couldn't. The carpenter was then called upon and off the legs went! But it's okay lah. My dining table was slightly higher than the norm to start with. So it sits pretty well now. Re-upholstered my 6 OLD dining chairs....FINALLY. After donno how many years of saying that I was going to. Thought they were quite reasonable.. Less than 100 ringgit each. Then I asked them to make 2 new chairs (so I have 8 chairs...) ...then my throat almost got cut. But I guessed still okay lah. 350 ringgit per chair. Okay, right?
Everybody is setting in our new home. And with the internet fixed... all is good!
Am happy that things (my furniture, junk etc etc) can fit in quite nicely. Well, I did sell quite a lot of stuff (maid's bed, maid's stove, 2 teak loungers, teak chairs and table, Ikea dining table, a sofa...). I do still need a cupboard though. YIKES! More buying? As if we don't have enough stuff?
When I signed the 'Completed Job' sheet.. saw that we have over 225 boxes (big and small, including sofas and beds). Took the removal company four whole days to pack and move the stuff over. How did we end up with so much stuff, I don't know.
I tell you... really scared of moving!
TESOL COURSE
As for my TESOL course, am working vvvvvverrrrrryyyy slowly. Completing only about a unit per week. To date, already completed 12 units. 8 more to go. Not bad lah hor? More than halfway through! My next unit is the tough one.. ALIEN symbols!
Okay. Not exactly Alien symbols .... but those funny (phonology? Or whatever they call it) symbols that you use for pronunciation. We never learn it, and neither does my children at the British school... So how come we only use it to teach Speakers of Other Languages? Why native speakers do not require them? Mmmmm....
START-UP
We are still looking for a location for our start-up. We have found one that we all liked but the owner might be a problem... telling our assistant that the price is not negotiable, then giving a higher price than what we were told, then the lot is let out already etc etc. We then contacted the agent, and then received an official proposal. So donno lah.. Off to see more shoplots tomorrow...
Boys have been complaining that this Summer is sooooooooo boring. No travels to ANYWHERE.
Are they spoilt or Are they spoilt?
School holidays must go somewhere one meh?
We've been so busy in the last couple of months. So many things to do.. the start-up, moving house, my TESOL course etc. How to plan to go away for a Summer Getaway like usual? Not possible lah. At first, I thought I will send the boys back to PJ with my mom... but then H said that the house (I should say apartment now) would be toooooooooooo quiet without the boys, and he says we would need the constant need of 'scolding them' to break the monotonous mood despite of our busy schedules. Hahhaha.. So boys had to stay put. They were not to happy I have to say.
Parents being parents... we tend to spoil them ... I know I said "School holidays must go somewhere one meh?", and yet I went to book a short 4 night getaway to Bali for early August. YES. Bali again... because we can't getaway for too long, and easy to book. Plus boys look forward to it all the same. H initially thought about Perth. But with Perth, we'll need more days.. plus the flying time... (or rather the connecting at Changi etc). Bali at this time is pretty expensive compared to other months... SUMMER holidays and all. But what to do.... we spoil our kids, right?
NEW HOME
Move and unpacking all done. Did I tell you that they (the movers) had to chop off 3 cm off my dining table legs? They tried and tried to bring it through the door, but they just couldn't. The carpenter was then called upon and off the legs went! But it's okay lah. My dining table was slightly higher than the norm to start with. So it sits pretty well now. Re-upholstered my 6 OLD dining chairs....FINALLY. After donno how many years of saying that I was going to. Thought they were quite reasonable.. Less than 100 ringgit each. Then I asked them to make 2 new chairs (so I have 8 chairs...) ...then my throat almost got cut. But I guessed still okay lah. 350 ringgit per chair. Okay, right?
Everybody is setting in our new home. And with the internet fixed... all is good!
Am happy that things (my furniture, junk etc etc) can fit in quite nicely. Well, I did sell quite a lot of stuff (maid's bed, maid's stove, 2 teak loungers, teak chairs and table, Ikea dining table, a sofa...). I do still need a cupboard though. YIKES! More buying? As if we don't have enough stuff?
When I signed the 'Completed Job' sheet.. saw that we have over 225 boxes (big and small, including sofas and beds). Took the removal company four whole days to pack and move the stuff over. How did we end up with so much stuff, I don't know.
I tell you... really scared of moving!
TESOL COURSE
As for my TESOL course, am working vvvvvverrrrrryyyy slowly. Completing only about a unit per week. To date, already completed 12 units. 8 more to go. Not bad lah hor? More than halfway through! My next unit is the tough one.. ALIEN symbols!
Okay. Not exactly Alien symbols .... but those funny (phonology? Or whatever they call it) symbols that you use for pronunciation. We never learn it, and neither does my children at the British school... So how come we only use it to teach Speakers of Other Languages? Why native speakers do not require them? Mmmmm....
START-UP
We are still looking for a location for our start-up. We have found one that we all liked but the owner might be a problem... telling our assistant that the price is not negotiable, then giving a higher price than what we were told, then the lot is let out already etc etc. We then contacted the agent, and then received an official proposal. So donno lah.. Off to see more shoplots tomorrow...
And once we finalise on the lease, we need to send the renovators in... Lots more to do!
Website is coming on nicely. Still need to purchase photographs, add and edit content, and some bits and pieces here and there.... Met with the website designer yesterday and I could see that he was a bit unhappy when I complained about the drop-down menu. I mean I DO want the drop-down menu, but when I click once on say "Our Services", I expect to see the main page of "Our Services", and I don't want to need to click TWICE. He kept saying drop-down menus are like that. I said if it's really either/or, I will rather have my main "Our Services" page shown than the drop-down menu. He was like "you want this menu, now you don't want this. Drop down menus are complicated to make blah blah blah ". I got a bit cheesed-off and then said "that's why I am engaging your services right? If I don't need all these fancy things like drop-down menus, I could design my own website like what you saw before" and proceeded to show the simple yet workable website that I made with Joomla. Lucky the 'manager' was more sik-chou and he said "yeah yeah".
Still so much to do... instead of one step at a time, think need to accelerate a bit liow....
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
How did I learn the English Language?
Seriously, I don't know. I cannot remember how we actually learn the language.
I tell you... I have to say that now that I am studying for the TESOL (Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages) course, I wonder if it was that difficult when I was younger?!?!?
The contractions, infinitives, verbs, adverbs blah blah blah were fine. The present and past tenses were okay too. But today, I did a unit on Future Tenses and I am shy to say that I was caught in a bind in a few of the questions in my Worksheet. Eh.. Mind you. I had an A for my 1119 Cambridge paper, and my recent IELTS score was a perfect 9. So why do I find today's unit so difficult leh??
Really soooooo old meh??
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
I forgot I have a Blog!!
Yeah. Yeah. Been so busy the last week that I totally forgot I actually have a personal blog!
Busy doing what? Busy building the basic website for my business using Joomla! CMS. Took me about 3 days to understand how Joomla! Works. I guessed I could have totally outsource this to a professional web designer but everyone seems to want to cut your throat.... Cheapest was USD 600 for a basic 5 page website. Thus, I felt that if I understand the basics, they will at least be more reasonable in their quotes. So far, I've built a website with about 10 pages and links to our word press blog and e-learning portal. Both also set up as well.
Anyway, will engage an IT guy to help in polishing the website and advise on security/ archiving.
Later... Gotta go.
Busy doing what? Busy building the basic website for my business using Joomla! CMS. Took me about 3 days to understand how Joomla! Works. I guessed I could have totally outsource this to a professional web designer but everyone seems to want to cut your throat.... Cheapest was USD 600 for a basic 5 page website. Thus, I felt that if I understand the basics, they will at least be more reasonable in their quotes. So far, I've built a website with about 10 pages and links to our word press blog and e-learning portal. Both also set up as well.
Anyway, will engage an IT guy to help in polishing the website and advise on security/ archiving.
Later... Gotta go.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Really. Should I go for a House or an Apartment?
Actually.... Apartments are generally MORE expensive than houses here.
And if they are in sought-after buildings/areas, the rental price of a two-bedroom apartment can be Much Much MORE than my 4 Bedroom + Study + 2 Maid's Room House with Swimming Pool. You would then say that the logical thing to do is to get a house then. Right?
But the problem with living in houses is the security. Not that it is unsafe but having security gives one a peace of mind. My house is a single house and we engage our own security guards.... Not that these guards can FIGHT or anything, but they act as a deterrent. Well, this peace of mind cost a whopping USD 700 per month. So in order to cut our overall expenditure, we need to either move to a cheaper house and have these security guards, OR move to a house within a complex which has it's own 24-hour security.
Normally, we wouldn't consider moving to an apartment (higher rents than houses. Remember?) but my business partner has offered to rent their apartment to us at a very reasonable rate and payment terms. One CRAZY thing about this country is that landlords demand the lease to be at least one to two years duration, and with that, the RENTAL amount for the WHOLE duration. Which means, if your property's rent is USD 2000 per month and you are renting for a year, you need to fork out USD 24,000 UPFRONT!
Anyway, my business partner told us that we can pay on a monthly basis....which is a great help.
Why the sudden change?
Because we WANT to stay back in Jakarta, we have to localise, i.e. our benefits are cut back. We still get housing allowance and schooling. Previously, the company pays direct to the landlords, school, car leasing company etc. But with the change, these will be paid to us in a lump sum basis. So obviously, we want to minimise as much as we can.
Back to the apartment.... Usually, apartments are really small. But this unit is over 3000 sq ft. Boys will still be able to have their own rooms, there is a separate family room, wet and dry kitchens and a maid's room. We can save on security and gym memberships. It's convenient (big supermarket next door, a nice mall about 10 minutes walk away).
So what's the problem
If you know me... you know that I am a sucker for drying out my clothes in the sun. How to do this if we live in an apartment? Use tumble dryer all the time? I can't lah
Also, I am a little apprehensive to rent from friends.... cause if something is not right, I don't feel too right to complain or demand for things to be done. Plus, we are business partners, and our sons are currently the best of pals. What is something turns sour? Will we be shoo-ed off? Or am I being paranoid
The other reason is that the apartment is slightly further from the school. I am told the journey in the morning might be an extra 15 minutes. I supposed this is okay
I don't know lah. Summore the houses that I have seen around my area aren't that appealing.
The ones I like, H doesn't like. For example, a really nice huge single storey bangalow with 3 very large bedrooms and a nice big garden and swimming pool within a 4-house complex. It was within our budget, but H thinks it is too old. :-P
The ones he like, I don't like. And there was this small house - 3 bedrooms + 1 study. New minimalist style with a small swimming pool in the backyard. It looks nice BUT I didn't like the idea that there is no access to the pool other than RIGHT through the house. I don't like the pool maintenance guy to come through my house lah! H couldn't understand what was the big deal!!! Bleah
So how
Dilemma. Dilemma.
And if they are in sought-after buildings/areas, the rental price of a two-bedroom apartment can be Much Much MORE than my 4 Bedroom + Study + 2 Maid's Room House with Swimming Pool. You would then say that the logical thing to do is to get a house then. Right?
But the problem with living in houses is the security. Not that it is unsafe but having security gives one a peace of mind. My house is a single house and we engage our own security guards.... Not that these guards can FIGHT or anything, but they act as a deterrent. Well, this peace of mind cost a whopping USD 700 per month. So in order to cut our overall expenditure, we need to either move to a cheaper house and have these security guards, OR move to a house within a complex which has it's own 24-hour security.
Normally, we wouldn't consider moving to an apartment (higher rents than houses. Remember?) but my business partner has offered to rent their apartment to us at a very reasonable rate and payment terms. One CRAZY thing about this country is that landlords demand the lease to be at least one to two years duration, and with that, the RENTAL amount for the WHOLE duration. Which means, if your property's rent is USD 2000 per month and you are renting for a year, you need to fork out USD 24,000 UPFRONT!
Anyway, my business partner told us that we can pay on a monthly basis....which is a great help.
Why the sudden change?
Because we WANT to stay back in Jakarta, we have to localise, i.e. our benefits are cut back. We still get housing allowance and schooling. Previously, the company pays direct to the landlords, school, car leasing company etc. But with the change, these will be paid to us in a lump sum basis. So obviously, we want to minimise as much as we can.
Back to the apartment.... Usually, apartments are really small. But this unit is over 3000 sq ft. Boys will still be able to have their own rooms, there is a separate family room, wet and dry kitchens and a maid's room. We can save on security and gym memberships. It's convenient (big supermarket next door, a nice mall about 10 minutes walk away).
So what's the problem
If you know me... you know that I am a sucker for drying out my clothes in the sun. How to do this if we live in an apartment? Use tumble dryer all the time? I can't lah
Also, I am a little apprehensive to rent from friends.... cause if something is not right, I don't feel too right to complain or demand for things to be done. Plus, we are business partners, and our sons are currently the best of pals. What is something turns sour? Will we be shoo-ed off? Or am I being paranoid
The other reason is that the apartment is slightly further from the school. I am told the journey in the morning might be an extra 15 minutes. I supposed this is okay
I don't know lah. Summore the houses that I have seen around my area aren't that appealing.
The ones I like, H doesn't like. For example, a really nice huge single storey bangalow with 3 very large bedrooms and a nice big garden and swimming pool within a 4-house complex. It was within our budget, but H thinks it is too old. :-P
The ones he like, I don't like. And there was this small house - 3 bedrooms + 1 study. New minimalist style with a small swimming pool in the backyard. It looks nice BUT I didn't like the idea that there is no access to the pool other than RIGHT through the house. I don't like the pool maintenance guy to come through my house lah! H couldn't understand what was the big deal!!! Bleah
So how
Dilemma. Dilemma.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
I am absolutely Knackered!
You won't believe how much so....
Was rudely awakened up at 2.15 am by my own heart palpipations.
Yeah. GILA right?
I supposed was just a little worried about my S1.
Found out yesterday that his supposedly close friends have been calling him 'Chicken', and as a consequence he has been ignoring them and blocking it all out.
My initial question was of course ...whether if he had provoked them or whether if they had asked him to do something that he had refused hence the name-calling?
He said that he hasn't and doesn't know why.
He doesn't want me to get involved and says he will handle it himself. Of course, the mommy in me really wants to pounce out and protect my cubs!
Didn't managed to sleep till about 4.30 am.. and then woke up at 6.10 am as usual. Made Lor Pak Kou in the morning, then had a meeting with my "business partner"', and then met with a rep from one of the institutions.. came home. Was almost zonked out. But here I am still awake... trying to supervise the boys on their Mathematics revision/homework (and blogging at the same time).
Can't wait for my head to hit the pillow!
Was rudely awakened up at 2.15 am by my own heart palpipations.
Yeah. GILA right?
I supposed was just a little worried about my S1.
Found out yesterday that his supposedly close friends have been calling him 'Chicken', and as a consequence he has been ignoring them and blocking it all out.
My initial question was of course ...whether if he had provoked them or whether if they had asked him to do something that he had refused hence the name-calling?
He said that he hasn't and doesn't know why.
He doesn't want me to get involved and says he will handle it himself. Of course, the mommy in me really wants to pounce out and protect my cubs!
Didn't managed to sleep till about 4.30 am.. and then woke up at 6.10 am as usual. Made Lor Pak Kou in the morning, then had a meeting with my "business partner"', and then met with a rep from one of the institutions.. came home. Was almost zonked out. But here I am still awake... trying to supervise the boys on their Mathematics revision/homework (and blogging at the same time).
Can't wait for my head to hit the pillow!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
General Updates - 30 April 2011
Yeah. What a boring title for this post. But what to do?
Cannot think... plus this post will have a myriad of topics...
PJ Visit
Took boys back to PJ during the 2-week Easter Break. Arrived in KUL on MAS on Saturday afternoon (9th April). Normally, don't really take MAS but as we booked quite last minute, the price on MAS worked out better compared to both AirAsia and KLM.
As you know, I left the boys with my parents and flew-off to the States with H on Monday (11th April), only arriving back in KUL on Friday (22 April). Basically, did some last minute shopping, visited the dentist, checked my eyes at Vista and then flew off the next day with the boys. So no time to do anything else. Didn't meet up with anyone..... Perhaps next trip.
US Trip
This trip was basically a vacation for H. He was so busy working prior to the trip. Weeks in Europe and then conference calls till 9 - 10 pm. Many times, I had to bring his dinner into his 'conference room' (which is actually our downstairs TV room). And now, he has gone to Europe again. My mom always says that my husband takes the plane as if it is a bus.... He arrived home on Friday (US to Asia), and then left on Sunday for his work trip (Asia to Europe) - basically circumventing the globe.
I have to say that we did nothing except eat, sleep, shop. No rushing to places. No visiting of touristy sights etc. Only touristy thing we did was watch The Jersey Boys.
The whole trip, my DSLR did not see the light of day. No photos to scrapbook with
So what's the use of me buying more scrapbooking stuff??
H thinks it is so that I can compete with my girlfriend KL, on who has more stuff!!!
hahahha... eh. But she wins hands-down lah.
Go check out her stuff.....
Start of Term 3
Term 3 of school started on the 25th April, 2011. So basically, boys only had Sunday to chill out before going back to school.
This term, both S1 and I are going to work hard for the Year 9 Assessments. He needs to show that he can do well to get into the top set. I have droned on-and-on about the stupidity of his school in my older post. They have decided that they will not extend the Additional Mathematics class to the 2nd Set (which is where S2 is currently at). As my friend kept saying " The School is 'DUMBING DOWN'".
I can accept all the nonsense if this is a FREE Public School... but it is NOT.
So you can imagine how frustrating it is.
Starting a Business
Yes. I am going to do it. This time for REAL.
Have been talking about doing something for years, and it was all NATO.
No Action Talk Only ....
Lawyers have been engaged (and paid) to draw up papers.....
Will let you know more details later when things are firm-up.
Tutoring
Okay. This one still NATO.
Only action that I actually did was to purchase the relevant books, and studying... Maths, Physics and Chemistry. I have the leaflet (to advertise my tutoring services) prepared but yet to be printed out. Still need to amend some text.
I probably only want to have one or two students per week. Need some time for all my other pursuits (be it fun, work or mommy obligations).
Online Course
I have recently signed up on a TESOL online course, i.e. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Errr... not that I really want to teach, I just want to get the Certificate. Why? Not sure why yet. Hahahhaha
Just did my first Unit yesterday, and have yet to receive feedback from my tutor.
There will be some kind of test (not sure how it is going to be done. Perhaps I have to go to a Center in town) at the end of the Course, in order to be certified.
By the way, did I mention that I actually went to take the IELTS test?
My score?
9.0 of course... Ahbahden??? hahahah
Okay lah... S2 is up. Need to ketuk him to complete some Math worksheets.
(What to do? All these ang-moh schools don't do enough.....don't give homework... don't challenge kids. Need to send them a copy of Amy Chua's book!!! )\
Cannot think... plus this post will have a myriad of topics...
PJ Visit
Took boys back to PJ during the 2-week Easter Break. Arrived in KUL on MAS on Saturday afternoon (9th April). Normally, don't really take MAS but as we booked quite last minute, the price on MAS worked out better compared to both AirAsia and KLM.
As you know, I left the boys with my parents and flew-off to the States with H on Monday (11th April), only arriving back in KUL on Friday (22 April). Basically, did some last minute shopping, visited the dentist, checked my eyes at Vista and then flew off the next day with the boys. So no time to do anything else. Didn't meet up with anyone..... Perhaps next trip.
US Trip
This trip was basically a vacation for H. He was so busy working prior to the trip. Weeks in Europe and then conference calls till 9 - 10 pm. Many times, I had to bring his dinner into his 'conference room' (which is actually our downstairs TV room). And now, he has gone to Europe again. My mom always says that my husband takes the plane as if it is a bus.... He arrived home on Friday (US to Asia), and then left on Sunday for his work trip (Asia to Europe) - basically circumventing the globe.
I have to say that we did nothing except eat, sleep, shop. No rushing to places. No visiting of touristy sights etc. Only touristy thing we did was watch The Jersey Boys.
The whole trip, my DSLR did not see the light of day. No photos to scrapbook with
So what's the use of me buying more scrapbooking stuff??
H thinks it is so that I can compete with my girlfriend KL, on who has more stuff!!!
hahahha... eh. But she wins hands-down lah.
Go check out her stuff.....
Start of Term 3
Term 3 of school started on the 25th April, 2011. So basically, boys only had Sunday to chill out before going back to school.
This term, both S1 and I are going to work hard for the Year 9 Assessments. He needs to show that he can do well to get into the top set. I have droned on-and-on about the stupidity of his school in my older post. They have decided that they will not extend the Additional Mathematics class to the 2nd Set (which is where S2 is currently at). As my friend kept saying " The School is 'DUMBING DOWN'".
I can accept all the nonsense if this is a FREE Public School... but it is NOT.
So you can imagine how frustrating it is.
Starting a Business
Yes. I am going to do it. This time for REAL.
Have been talking about doing something for years, and it was all NATO.
No Action Talk Only ....
Lawyers have been engaged (and paid) to draw up papers.....
Will let you know more details later when things are firm-up.
Tutoring
Okay. This one still NATO.
Only action that I actually did was to purchase the relevant books, and studying... Maths, Physics and Chemistry. I have the leaflet (to advertise my tutoring services) prepared but yet to be printed out. Still need to amend some text.
I probably only want to have one or two students per week. Need some time for all my other pursuits (be it fun, work or mommy obligations).
Online Course
I have recently signed up on a TESOL online course, i.e. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Errr... not that I really want to teach, I just want to get the Certificate. Why? Not sure why yet. Hahahhaha
Just did my first Unit yesterday, and have yet to receive feedback from my tutor.
There will be some kind of test (not sure how it is going to be done. Perhaps I have to go to a Center in town) at the end of the Course, in order to be certified.
By the way, did I mention that I actually went to take the IELTS test?
My score?
9.0 of course... Ahbahden??? hahahah
Okay lah... S2 is up. Need to ketuk him to complete some Math worksheets.
(What to do? All these ang-moh schools don't do enough.....don't give homework... don't challenge kids. Need to send them a copy of Amy Chua's book!!! )\
Saturday, April 09, 2011
My Mind is Rev-ing Up...
Yes. Indeed. My mind has been rev-ing up in the last week..... after being dormant for the last five years. And I kid you not, it is not an easy task of re-starting an idle mind. At the end of the day, I am dead tired. Though I can doze off quite quickly, I find that I wake up before the alarm clock which is a NO-NO in my books! Even woke up at 4 am the other morning and couldnt' go back to bed. What do I do to try to compensate? Snooze in the car if the opportunity arises. Hope my driver didn't see my dripping saliva!! Hahhahaa
So what have I been up to?
Studying!
Hahahhaha....
But it is true. I have been brushing up on my Maths, Add Maths, Physics and Chemistry.... well at least to the iGCSE Levels for the time being.
Why?
Two Reasons:
1) My brain will go kaput if I don't do something.... So have decided to offer private tutoring to students in the boys' school once Term 3 starts. This will force me to 'work' the brain. '
2) S1 needs to work hard to get into the Additional Maths group, and also ...he takes in iGCSE in 2013. Seems distant but need to start condition him. (Hey! I will even make him complete a couple of Maths problems in the plane later...and he agreed!)
Actually, already decided before I went to Bali with my girlfriends a couple of weeks ago. There are also a few things that is in the pipeline.... partnering with a Malaysian and some local partners. Will update when it is MORE official.
Okay. Better go to see if there is any last-minute packing...
Boys' two week Easter Break starts today, and we are flying off to KUL this morning.
ADIOS!
So what have I been up to?
Studying!
Hahahhaha....
But it is true. I have been brushing up on my Maths, Add Maths, Physics and Chemistry.... well at least to the iGCSE Levels for the time being.
Why?
Two Reasons:
1) My brain will go kaput if I don't do something.... So have decided to offer private tutoring to students in the boys' school once Term 3 starts. This will force me to 'work' the brain. '
2) S1 needs to work hard to get into the Additional Maths group, and also ...he takes in iGCSE in 2013. Seems distant but need to start condition him. (Hey! I will even make him complete a couple of Maths problems in the plane later...and he agreed!)
Actually, already decided before I went to Bali with my girlfriends a couple of weeks ago. There are also a few things that is in the pipeline.... partnering with a Malaysian and some local partners. Will update when it is MORE official.
Okay. Better go to see if there is any last-minute packing...
Boys' two week Easter Break starts today, and we are flying off to KUL this morning.
ADIOS!
Friday, April 01, 2011
Our Malaysian Education System is not that bad...
First thing first. When I said that, I am basically referring to MY time in school. Waaaaa... that is over 20 years ago. Or perhaps I should say 25 years ago???
I do not know how it is TODAY so can't comment.
What compelled me to use that as my blog title?
Well, as you know.... I have been reading up on iGCSE Mathematics while lounging by the beach in Bali. The more I read, the more questions I have regarding the system at my boys' school, the more upset I got.
The school segregates the kids into 5 different Maths groups. Currently S1 is in the 2nd Group. All this while, S1 tells me that 1st Group will take their iGCSE in Year 10 instead of Year 11. Being the relaxed mom that I am, I certainly didn't feel the need to push him to be in the 1st Group - thinking they are all learning the same stuff, just difference in speed. I mean why wanna do the Exams a year earlier?
Anyway, I found out recently that the 1st Group will write the Cambridge Board and the rest all Edexcel. And not only that, they will get to take iGCSE Additional Maths in Year 11. My thoughts are why the difference in Examination Boards?? Why only the 1st Group take Additional Maths? Why is the school depriving the kids from learning MORE? And why split Mathematics and Additional Mathematics to be taken in two separate years? I remember taking BOTH papers the SAME year, and that wasn't a problem AT ALL.
What irks me is that in general, the examination boards, the school is lowering the bar and NOT pushing kids to do their best. I tell you... I have never seen my S1 do Maths homework. Only homework I see regularly is his Japanese Language... which even then takes only 20 or so minutes to complete. Mind you. My S1 is at the 'PMR level' this year (Year 9), and taking his iGCSE in 2 years time. When there are 'challenge questions', it is always an OPTION. So surely kids OPT NOT TO DO. How can? They (other kids) say the 1st Group is waaaaaaaaaay ahead than the 2nd Group. Well, from what I hear, almost ALL kids in the 1st Group does outside tuition. Compare this with my S1 who has no tuition, does no homework, and lazes in front of the TV every single day. Everytime I ask him about homework, he says he has completed them. (Once he answered me "Mom. Please trust me when I tell you that I've done my homework. There ought to be some trust between mother and son." I tell you. I was really flabbergasted. What could I say? When he is so right?), and his report is always on target. So I am a bit weary about their so-called reports. And don't you think if my son just does a weeeeee bit more... he would be as good as the 1st Group students? So he can do it. So why why not challenge him? And why close the doors at this early stage when higher level Mathematics will open some doors??
So what is mommy going to do??
I'm spoken to the Class Rep (her son is also in the 2nd Group and keen to do Additional Maths. She and hubby are Actuaries) and she has spoken to the Principal, and is arranging to meet with the Head of the Maths department etc to GET Additional Mathematics subject for the 2nd Group. (Everyone can't cram into the 1st Group. There is always a maximum, thus not enough slots.) We have had a new principal and he is determined to bring the academic standards UP, which is great news.
Meanwhile, I am going to write to S1's Math teacher to voice my concern etc etc... Will try to bug him to PUSH my S1 to the 1st Group. *sigh* I don't want to be the kiasu mom, but I don't want him to NOT do Additional Maths. I really don't mind him staying in 2nd or whatever group as long as the kids are accorded the same learning opportunities. Clearly this is NOT the case. Further discussion with more moms made me even more disappointed. I suppose I was ignorant about the schooling for a while. Thinking we were leaving the school last July, and need not bother. And now we are staying in Jakarta I have to plan to see what is best for my children's education.
Apparently, the school is discouraging kids from taking Higher Level Mathematics at IB telling them that it is hard. WTF? As a school or parent, we should not discourage our kids to NOT do something because it is hard. What are we teaching them? Take the easy way out ALL the time? My friends tell me that the school wants to have lots of As and if students take harder subjects, it might result in less As and more Bs or Cs. Aiyo. How can? My S1 says he wants to be a doctor (maybe too much HOUSE, perhaps?) and that would require HL Maths, HL Chemistry, HL Biology in a lot of universities. So I can't let him miss out on Additional Maths at this level. Otherwise, the jump from iGCSE Maths to IB HL Maths would be very great.
I was also disappointed to find out (though it does not concern me) that the 5th Group in the school is doing Foundation Level Mathematics instead of the Extended Level. This means that the maximum grade attainable is a C .... no matter how hard the kids slog. I feel that being a fee-paying school, they shouldn't even have this Level. I am sure a lot of the parents do NOT know this. Otherwise they would be doing all they can to move their child up the learning curve, be it by extra tutoring or whatever. It's like before they even try to study hard, you put a limit to a maximum of C. And from last year, expansion of brackets will be removed from the syllabus for this Foundation Level. This instantly brought to mind an email that circulated around...
If you recall-
The question was: Expand (x+2)(x+3)
The student did this: ( x.....+.......2 )( x .....+.......3 )
This will be what the 5th Group students be doing if given this question!!
And I went to my first trial tutoring session yesterday. Didn't really teach as she was waaaay ahead in her class already. She is in the 3rd Group, but she had some old books from 2 years back from her previous British school in Europe. And the work she has done in Year 7 then is not even touched-upon in her current Year 9 class. So you say lah. The standard of Mathematics in this school must be waaaaaaaay below normal. So what was the only outcome of the session?
Mom was pleased that she is now agreeable to move to a higher level group, i.e. 2nd Group; whereby she previously strongly opposed (so much so that she would shutdown and not do any work). Kids!
So will I get another session? I told her mom "No need". What's the point when she is already waaaaay ahead in her group. Perhaps only when she moves up to the next group, and has to play catch-up.
So back to my blog title.... Everybody in the Science stream does both Mathematics and Additional Mathematics. All sama-sama same same. No need to fight. Better kids get better grade. The not so good kids get lower grades. I still think a C in Additional Mathematics is better than NO grade in Additional Mathematics.
We cover more topics in more depth (eventhough my class then was like 40-over people)... maybe because we were FORCED to do practice sheets as homework???
And when I look at some PMR workbooks, the topic depth coverage is more than what my S1 is currently doing. *sigh* The sad thing is my school fees then were in the tens of Ringgit, and here... the school fees can make my nose bleed.... As the Cantonese saying goes "LAU PEI HUIT" especially when we have to pay our own school fees in August...
PENGSANZZZZZ
I do not know how it is TODAY so can't comment.
What compelled me to use that as my blog title?
Well, as you know.... I have been reading up on iGCSE Mathematics while lounging by the beach in Bali. The more I read, the more questions I have regarding the system at my boys' school, the more upset I got.
The school segregates the kids into 5 different Maths groups. Currently S1 is in the 2nd Group. All this while, S1 tells me that 1st Group will take their iGCSE in Year 10 instead of Year 11. Being the relaxed mom that I am, I certainly didn't feel the need to push him to be in the 1st Group - thinking they are all learning the same stuff, just difference in speed. I mean why wanna do the Exams a year earlier?
Anyway, I found out recently that the 1st Group will write the Cambridge Board and the rest all Edexcel. And not only that, they will get to take iGCSE Additional Maths in Year 11. My thoughts are why the difference in Examination Boards?? Why only the 1st Group take Additional Maths? Why is the school depriving the kids from learning MORE? And why split Mathematics and Additional Mathematics to be taken in two separate years? I remember taking BOTH papers the SAME year, and that wasn't a problem AT ALL.
What irks me is that in general, the examination boards, the school is lowering the bar and NOT pushing kids to do their best. I tell you... I have never seen my S1 do Maths homework. Only homework I see regularly is his Japanese Language... which even then takes only 20 or so minutes to complete. Mind you. My S1 is at the 'PMR level' this year (Year 9), and taking his iGCSE in 2 years time. When there are 'challenge questions', it is always an OPTION. So surely kids OPT NOT TO DO. How can? They (other kids) say the 1st Group is waaaaaaaaaay ahead than the 2nd Group. Well, from what I hear, almost ALL kids in the 1st Group does outside tuition. Compare this with my S1 who has no tuition, does no homework, and lazes in front of the TV every single day. Everytime I ask him about homework, he says he has completed them. (Once he answered me "Mom. Please trust me when I tell you that I've done my homework. There ought to be some trust between mother and son." I tell you. I was really flabbergasted. What could I say? When he is so right?), and his report is always on target. So I am a bit weary about their so-called reports. And don't you think if my son just does a weeeeee bit more... he would be as good as the 1st Group students? So he can do it. So why why not challenge him? And why close the doors at this early stage when higher level Mathematics will open some doors??
So what is mommy going to do??
I'm spoken to the Class Rep (her son is also in the 2nd Group and keen to do Additional Maths. She and hubby are Actuaries) and she has spoken to the Principal, and is arranging to meet with the Head of the Maths department etc to GET Additional Mathematics subject for the 2nd Group. (Everyone can't cram into the 1st Group. There is always a maximum, thus not enough slots.) We have had a new principal and he is determined to bring the academic standards UP, which is great news.
Meanwhile, I am going to write to S1's Math teacher to voice my concern etc etc... Will try to bug him to PUSH my S1 to the 1st Group. *sigh* I don't want to be the kiasu mom, but I don't want him to NOT do Additional Maths. I really don't mind him staying in 2nd or whatever group as long as the kids are accorded the same learning opportunities. Clearly this is NOT the case. Further discussion with more moms made me even more disappointed. I suppose I was ignorant about the schooling for a while. Thinking we were leaving the school last July, and need not bother. And now we are staying in Jakarta I have to plan to see what is best for my children's education.
Apparently, the school is discouraging kids from taking Higher Level Mathematics at IB telling them that it is hard. WTF? As a school or parent, we should not discourage our kids to NOT do something because it is hard. What are we teaching them? Take the easy way out ALL the time? My friends tell me that the school wants to have lots of As and if students take harder subjects, it might result in less As and more Bs or Cs. Aiyo. How can? My S1 says he wants to be a doctor (maybe too much HOUSE, perhaps?) and that would require HL Maths, HL Chemistry, HL Biology in a lot of universities. So I can't let him miss out on Additional Maths at this level. Otherwise, the jump from iGCSE Maths to IB HL Maths would be very great.
I was also disappointed to find out (though it does not concern me) that the 5th Group in the school is doing Foundation Level Mathematics instead of the Extended Level. This means that the maximum grade attainable is a C .... no matter how hard the kids slog. I feel that being a fee-paying school, they shouldn't even have this Level. I am sure a lot of the parents do NOT know this. Otherwise they would be doing all they can to move their child up the learning curve, be it by extra tutoring or whatever. It's like before they even try to study hard, you put a limit to a maximum of C. And from last year, expansion of brackets will be removed from the syllabus for this Foundation Level. This instantly brought to mind an email that circulated around...
If you recall-
The question was: Expand (x+2)(x+3)
The student did this: ( x.....+.......2 )( x .....+.......3 )
This will be what the 5th Group students be doing if given this question!!
And I went to my first trial tutoring session yesterday. Didn't really teach as she was waaaay ahead in her class already. She is in the 3rd Group, but she had some old books from 2 years back from her previous British school in Europe. And the work she has done in Year 7 then is not even touched-upon in her current Year 9 class. So you say lah. The standard of Mathematics in this school must be waaaaaaaay below normal. So what was the only outcome of the session?
Mom was pleased that she is now agreeable to move to a higher level group, i.e. 2nd Group; whereby she previously strongly opposed (so much so that she would shutdown and not do any work). Kids!
So will I get another session? I told her mom "No need". What's the point when she is already waaaaay ahead in her group. Perhaps only when she moves up to the next group, and has to play catch-up.
So back to my blog title.... Everybody in the Science stream does both Mathematics and Additional Mathematics. All sama-sama same same. No need to fight. Better kids get better grade. The not so good kids get lower grades. I still think a C in Additional Mathematics is better than NO grade in Additional Mathematics.
We cover more topics in more depth (eventhough my class then was like 40-over people)... maybe because we were FORCED to do practice sheets as homework???
And when I look at some PMR workbooks, the topic depth coverage is more than what my S1 is currently doing. *sigh* The sad thing is my school fees then were in the tens of Ringgit, and here... the school fees can make my nose bleed.... As the Cantonese saying goes "LAU PEI HUIT" especially when we have to pay our own school fees in August...
PENGSANZZZZZ
Thursday, March 31, 2011
More about our Bali Trip, March 2011
This is a continuation from here. With any girly holidays, naturally a spa visit is a MUST. So after a satisfying martini-laden lunch on Friday, we staggered off in search of a spa. Okay. Okay. It was not that bad. We were not drunk. We actually sat and chatted over cups of latte and tea for a couple of hours.... :-P
Took a cab to coast along Jalan Seminyak Raya in search of a spa. When CC saw a sign for 'Jari Menari ' (translation: Dancing Fingers), she directed the taxi driver to go there. We were wondering why he was SNIGGERING away and seems too amused with his repeat of the shop's name. When we got into the shop, we found out that ALL the masseuse are MEN. No wonder the stupid taxi driver was sniggering away lah... he must be wondering this FOUR ladies gonna have some 'fun' in this place. Immediately thoughts of whether this place provides a bona-fide massage or otherwise crept up in our minds.
CC and JC read the brochure and I remember the words "professionally-trained" were mentioned. But WN and I were not comfortable to have male masseuses. I would be too conscious to relax and enjoy the massage. I will probably be mumbling "don't go there. don't go there" in my mind!
CC and JC were quite keen to try it, especially the FOUR hands massage but again... they weren't sure if the masseuses are really "professional". What if they are TOO sexy for the masseuse? And he cannot tahan. How?
We decided to give it a miss...
Later on, I had to google 'Jari Menari' and what do you know? It's rated No.1 Attraction in Seminyak on TripAdvisor. Some of the reviews... damn funny. Expressions like "Floated out of the Room"... CC was really keen to also "float out of the room"!
Basically, it is a bona-fide place. Not one with hanky-panky. It even provides massages for kids.
We went to Espace (No.2 on TripAdvisor) the following day. I have to say that it slightly less than satisfactory in my opinion. The premises are so-so. Showers are small and located away from the massage rooms. There are no proper hangers nor tables in the rooms to hang our clothes/store our items. The masseuse seems to be rushing to meet the 90-minute duration. There are many spas in Jakarta that have better facilities and do a better job. Most of the spas that I go to here have showers in every room; proper hangers and little boxes etc to store jewellery etc. So much more convenient. Can you imagine if you have had a scrub, and you need to dart out to the common shower room but it is occupied? Adoi!
That was my only spa visit in Bali. The other two ladies, JC and WN were on a spa-mode and visited the spa across from our hotel twice. Yup. 3 Spa visits in 4 days...
CC and I were more into lounging by the beach ... she with her Chit Lit and me with my....... iGCSE Maths!!! Hahhahah Nope. Not kidding. I was reading up on the syllabus and doing some revision (going to start tutoring.. my first class is today!), and that brought upon some questions regarding S1's Maths class at school. That started a whole chain reaction which resulted in more worries & stress for me, and a meeting with the Class Rep for Year 9 that will take place this morning at 10 AM. That will be in a separate post... don't wanna spoil this post. It is a HOLIDAY post after all.......
Basically, we didn't do any real sightseeing. Just hopping around to different places having tea, coffee and makan-makan. This allowed us to visit EXPENSIVE resorts that we would never have stayed-in, like the Como Shambala and the Ubud Hanging Gardens. With prices from USD 500 and 300/ nite respectively, it is definitely OUT of our price range. But these resorts are very very nice lor.
As WN have not been to Bali, and is planning to come with her family in June; I was more-or-less telling her the things-to-do in Bali with kids. And as Sobek (White-Water Rafting Company) is just next door to the Como Shambala, she was interested to have a look at the facilities .... thinking she could do this with her son and hubs in June. The Sobek supervisor was kind enough to walk us to the starting point (okay... not the whole way but up to where the path descends down to the Ayung). Haven't even reach, WN was grabbing my arm so hard cause she was afraid of heights. As we approached the edge, she just stopped and squatted at the side.... TERRIFIED. The three of us couldn't help laughing (okay. very very bad friends to be laughing at her vertigo but it was indeed very funny) and took our time taking photographs of the beautiful views. The Sobek supervisor wanted to guide her towards the edge but she just refused and wouldn't budge from her position! We had to go and squat with her to get a picture together (no view lah, of course). Needless to say, White-Water Rafting will NOT be in her itinerary.
Okay... gotta go. Continue later...
Took a cab to coast along Jalan Seminyak Raya in search of a spa. When CC saw a sign for 'Jari Menari ' (translation: Dancing Fingers), she directed the taxi driver to go there. We were wondering why he was SNIGGERING away and seems too amused with his repeat of the shop's name. When we got into the shop, we found out that ALL the masseuse are MEN. No wonder the stupid taxi driver was sniggering away lah... he must be wondering this FOUR ladies gonna have some 'fun' in this place. Immediately thoughts of whether this place provides a bona-fide massage or otherwise crept up in our minds.
CC and JC read the brochure and I remember the words "professionally-trained" were mentioned. But WN and I were not comfortable to have male masseuses. I would be too conscious to relax and enjoy the massage. I will probably be mumbling "don't go there. don't go there" in my mind!
CC and JC were quite keen to try it, especially the FOUR hands massage but again... they weren't sure if the masseuses are really "professional". What if they are TOO sexy for the masseuse? And he cannot tahan. How?
We decided to give it a miss...
Later on, I had to google 'Jari Menari' and what do you know? It's rated No.1 Attraction in Seminyak on TripAdvisor. Some of the reviews... damn funny. Expressions like "Floated out of the Room"... CC was really keen to also "float out of the room"!
Basically, it is a bona-fide place. Not one with hanky-panky. It even provides massages for kids.
We went to Espace (No.2 on TripAdvisor) the following day. I have to say that it slightly less than satisfactory in my opinion. The premises are so-so. Showers are small and located away from the massage rooms. There are no proper hangers nor tables in the rooms to hang our clothes/store our items. The masseuse seems to be rushing to meet the 90-minute duration. There are many spas in Jakarta that have better facilities and do a better job. Most of the spas that I go to here have showers in every room; proper hangers and little boxes etc to store jewellery etc. So much more convenient. Can you imagine if you have had a scrub, and you need to dart out to the common shower room but it is occupied? Adoi!
That was my only spa visit in Bali. The other two ladies, JC and WN were on a spa-mode and visited the spa across from our hotel twice. Yup. 3 Spa visits in 4 days...
CC and I were more into lounging by the beach ... she with her Chit Lit and me with my....... iGCSE Maths!!! Hahhahah Nope. Not kidding. I was reading up on the syllabus and doing some revision (going to start tutoring.. my first class is today!), and that brought upon some questions regarding S1's Maths class at school. That started a whole chain reaction which resulted in more worries & stress for me, and a meeting with the Class Rep for Year 9 that will take place this morning at 10 AM. That will be in a separate post... don't wanna spoil this post. It is a HOLIDAY post after all.......
Basically, we didn't do any real sightseeing. Just hopping around to different places having tea, coffee and makan-makan. This allowed us to visit EXPENSIVE resorts that we would never have stayed-in, like the Como Shambala and the Ubud Hanging Gardens. With prices from USD 500 and 300/ nite respectively, it is definitely OUT of our price range. But these resorts are very very nice lor.
As WN have not been to Bali, and is planning to come with her family in June; I was more-or-less telling her the things-to-do in Bali with kids. And as Sobek (White-Water Rafting Company) is just next door to the Como Shambala, she was interested to have a look at the facilities .... thinking she could do this with her son and hubs in June. The Sobek supervisor was kind enough to walk us to the starting point (okay... not the whole way but up to where the path descends down to the Ayung). Haven't even reach, WN was grabbing my arm so hard cause she was afraid of heights. As we approached the edge, she just stopped and squatted at the side.... TERRIFIED. The three of us couldn't help laughing (okay. very very bad friends to be laughing at her vertigo but it was indeed very funny) and took our time taking photographs of the beautiful views. The Sobek supervisor wanted to guide her towards the edge but she just refused and wouldn't budge from her position! We had to go and squat with her to get a picture together (no view lah, of course). Needless to say, White-Water Rafting will NOT be in her itinerary.
Okay... gotta go. Continue later...
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