CHAMPIONS!

I got this SMS on my phone at noon today from #2!

"DJ is officially the national WIRA champions 2008! And the only school in Malaysia to have won the WIRA competition THREE times!!!!!!!!! Praise God!


Well done team! God is an awesome God!!


-Edit-

A mother's journey recapped:

I think it was around October 17th when #2 got a call from one of her friends on the debate team that their school was in the running (being Selangor runner's up) for the National Wira debate since the original Selangor champions had decided to drop out from the race for reasons that they were a form 5 team and SPM being round the corner.

My heart goes out to them because if my kid was in the same situation, it would be a predicament to decide and even if one wanted to go for it, it would not be enough because the WHOLE TEAM had to agree to go for it TOGETHER!

I took this off an ex-DJian's blog:

"The greatest of debaters are not only the most eloquent -- they are the most bruised, the most resilient, the strongest of heart".

And...so true it is! I know for a fact that this team worked very, very hard to get to where they are today. It wasn't only about writing speeches, discussing motions and running debating mocks. They've had their moments of joy, tears, unhappiness, friction, frustrations and a roller coaster of emotions.

Working in a team is a most wonderful experience once the rough edges have been polished but getting there with a team of intelligent, independent, loud (sorry ah!), opinionated, eloquent and individual characters is quite another story. (Their team made up of six from Form 4 and one from Form 3, eventually three debated while four others worked hard together on the motions)

#2's previous school, BU4 had helped mould her but after her PMR results she requested to be transfered to a school with sub-science streams because she already set her heart on doing music as a career and she wasn't ready to slog through the pure sciences.

It was not by chance that we chose DJ and I can proudly declare that transferring #2 to this school has been a great blessing!

For #2, it was a dream come true to be part of DJ's prestigious debate team because she had just got into this school January 2008. I still remember when she came back one day after school and told me that she was asked to take part in an inter-class debate activity in the early part of this year.

She came home and started preparing her fist attempt, vigorously 'attacking' dictionaries and cyberspace for information! That moment forth brought the beginning of an amazing journey of friendship, commitment, triumph and defeat.

She was then invited to join the school's debate society which eventually led her being part of the winning team of this year's WIRA national debate. I have seen her and her team slog long, long hours working towards every single competition.

My heart cringed as she continued the long hours into the wee night at the computer doing more research and writing more speeches. All I could offer was words of encouragement, more food and hugs for this child of mine who never ever sleeps later that 10.00p.m. and all because of a commitment to her team and their goal. She's still at it even after I leave my computer at past 1.00a.m.! *sigh*

At 5.00a.m. in the morning the hair dryer buzzes incessantly while she tries to catch up on her music practice on the piano. Then the vicious cycle begins again - rush to school and into the 'debate room' for more discussions, strategies, plans, practices, editing and every brain draining activity one can think of. This goes on up to 4.30p.m., oblivious to whatever that is happening in or around the school mind you.

When the debate team failed to clinch the state title, I think everyone was bruised - quote: "The greatest of debaters are not only the most eloquent -- they are the most bruised, the most resilient, the strongest of heart".
But they remained strong and best of friends.

When my husband heard of the defeat, his first words were: "Praise the Lord! Now you can go back to your life"! And so true...#2 had 'no life' literally, other than giving that 110% to the debate team and it's goals. I'm sure the six others in the team experienced the same.

It was back to hitting the books again! Home work to catch up on, projects to finish and disappointments with piles of unattended school related work assignments. (Walks around the house like a zombie reciting moral nilai).

All that said and relieved that things were back to routine again, suddenly there's news that the debate team has to decide if they want to take a shot at the Wira debate 2008, national trophy! The final exams were round the corner and when #2 asked me what she should do, I advised her to pray about it and decide herself. She came back with a positive and that I had to be ready for her to fore go the exams. Personally, I'm fine with her results, not outstanding but she's been consistently working - that's enough by my standards.

The vicious cycle began again, only worse than ever. Sleeps later than ever because discussions take place via MSN late into the nights and tight dateline submissions of speeches. Early mornings were dedicated to more editing and printing of speeches and transfers of soft copy into thumb drives. By now, my heart has a 'cold hollow feeling' one that is honed by insecurity of my child's well being and insane adrenaline drive of long late nights, deprived sleep and too early morning beginnings!

But I see her grow in determination, comradeship, understanding, emotional stability, time management and lots of positives! I am pacified and soothed. Thank you Lord!

I think lunch time is the only relaxing break for the seven of them, running around looking for decent eateries for a supply of 'nutritious' food to feed the brains. To keep the energy, they turn to sweets to keep awake. Then it's back to 'work' up to 4.30p.m.

My heart cringes again everyday when I fetch her from school. She looks exhausted and I'm sure her team is too. But her heart is on fire and the adrenaline is on the high and once back home it's straight to the computer again.

Music classes (her favorite) has to be adjusted and postponed, music practices has declined tremendously, music competition preparations also set aside, Violin classes postponed indefinitely, family dinners declined (please pack food for me), shopping sprees declined (no time), sleep deprived but Church activities carry on (but must finish on time).

To cut the story short, the seven of them with their dedicated teachers worked, worked and worked like there was no tomorrow.
Quoting my eldest daughter:
"What other schools did in months, they did in twelve days".

I believe one common contributory factor that brought them to victory was the power of prayer. All seven believers or non believers among them spent time together and alone praying to God. Many friends, families, former school mates from all over the world cheered them on while silently praying for this great victory.

When we declare we are praying, it does not make us Saints. We are not better than others or in a clique of elites. It is because we have failings and are weak that we pray so that we can draw strength and grace to live in the light and walk the right path.

Just to recap an old post:

"When I say "I am Catholic" I'm not shouting "I've been saved! "I'm whispering "I get lost - that's why I chose this way. "When I say "I am Catholic" I don't speak with human pride, I'm confessing that I stumble - needing God to be my Guide. When I say "I am Catholic" I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on."


"When I say "I am Catholic" I'm not bragging of success, I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt (The debt of Christ's death on the Cross). When I say "I am Catholic" I don't think I know it all, I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught. When I say "I am Catholic" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I'm worth it."


"When I say "I am Catholic" I still feel the sting of pain, I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His Name. When I say "I am Catholic" I do not wish to judge, I have no authority - I only know I am loved. "


Quotes from: World Youth Day, Sydney 2008

Temporary Hiatus

Sorry for the lack of Bento posts. I'm busy with the arrangements for my mother's 80th birthday celebrations this weekend. We're having a big bash for her although this is not her "big birthday"! We celebrated that when she was 75 years old so this is just the 'ordinary' birthday bash! If you don't understand it's okay, it a Chinese cultural thingy and I'm also quite confused with it's traditions. Just follow what the 'aunty consultants' advice.

I haven't packed a bento for almost 2 weeks reason being #2 has been very busy preparing for the national debate competition with her school team. It's been a chaotic 2 week (stressful too!) since the school debate team were informed that the original Selangor state winners for the Wira debate pulled out of the run at the last minute leaving #2's school team (Selangor runner's up) to decide whether to go for it or not with 12 days to prepare for the nationals. Their preparations covers 4 motions, Government and opposition for 3 speakers which amount up to about 32 speeches in 12 days.

Being naturally competitive as they are, they obviously decided to sideline their final exams and set to compete for the national debate competition held in Kota Baru in Kelantan. #2 left for Kelantan last Saturday with her debate team and two teachers. There are sixteen competing schools in the national debate. Last I heard from her this morning, her school is in the semi-finals. The finals is taking place tomorrow morning if they win another round in the afternoon.

#2 returns home on Tuesday night and her team has to sit for 'belated exams' on Wednesday onwards. They will stay back at school up to the afternoon so that they can finish 4 papers a day. It's a stressful life to live but I am inspired by a quote that #2 put in her blog:

And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count,

rather the life in those years.

- Abraham Lincoln

I will be back to packing bento's when things stabilize. Meanwhile happy bento-ing to all out there!

Latest update on debate results: #2's school debate team is in the finals scheduled for tomorrow morning!

Busy, Busy!

#2 had a an English presentation to complete at school this morning. The topic is on 'Homeless people". Feedback from the teacher was very encouraging. It was a group effort and each had separate responsibilities to make it a successful presentation. Kudos!

I had to fetch her from school during break time to settle some personal matters and then we went for Japanese lunch at Sushi Zanmai, in One Utama.

There was a Shojikiya outlet there and we browsed around and picked up some stock. For those of you who don't know about Shojikiya, it's like a Japanese sundry shop selling all Japanese imported food stuff.

You can find Miso, dried soba, candies, divine chocolates, frozen food stuff, seaweeds, the whole works! They also have outlets in Hartamas Shopping Centre, Sunway Pyramid, The Gardens and of course One Utama. Some items may cost a little more than that sold in Jusco but they do have promotion on one item per month (not very exciting).

Anyway, theirs is an exclusively Japanese import store and I was quite trilled to find these cute furikake bottles.


Aren't they cute? The one on the left is my favorite, the egg furikake. The one on the right is made of beef. I have never tried that and when I do, I'll blog about it.

I've seen this in some of the Japanese Bento sites and I thought that it was an oshibori container. Now I know it's not! LOL!

We then moved on to Watson's to buy some stuff that #2 needs for Korea. We normally shop at Guardian Pharmacy but we were pressed for time so we opted for Watson's.

Most of the items were on sale which was good for us and when we went to pay at the cash counter the cashier just keyed in the price without knocking off the discount. I asked her (let's call her "A") and she said that the item was not on discount. I replied that the whole range was on discount and she took the item and walked towards the aisle which stocked the item. It WAS on discount. She went back to the cash counter and keyed in the discount.

For all the other items (almost RM200 worth) she did the same thing, walk to and fro the aisle to check if the items were on sale. I asked what was wrong and she replied that the system had a problem and couldn't detect the discount. Okay, fine! I'm cool about that even though I was rushing, I stayed very patient, after all what can you do if the machine decides to act up, right?

All the while there was another cashier ("B") next to her ("A") who was also keying something into her calculator. When the cashier finished walking up and down checking and keying in the items the bill came up to RM196/=. She looks at the other cashier next to her who said RM6/= and she knocked off RM6/= from the total which made it RM190/=. I asked if the discount was only RM6/= and I was told that all the other items were already discounted and the RM6 was not taken into the cash machine.

Okay, so I paid the RM190/=, walked to the next cash counter which was closed and checked through my bill. It actually looked fine until #2 exclaimed that the lip balm that she picked up was RM9+ and not RM12+ as stated in the bill.

I'm quite proud of her because she finally has shown to me what I have been always instilling to them, i.e. not to buy things without looking at the price tag!

Anyway, I went back to tell "B" (because "A" was attending to another customer) that there was a discrepancy in the bill and without responding or looking at me, pulled a long face and roughly took the bill and item from my hand and passed it to "A".

I responded by asking her why she had to be so rude and she just walked away. Wow! The cheek of an employee!

I was quite annoyed and went to look for the Manager. When I related the incident to the Manager, he immediately said that he would reprimand "B". I told him that he should find fault with the management and not with "B" because "B" was probably not provided any training to be behaving the way she did and if the management had provided proper training and being manager he couldn't identify a problematic employee then he should be responsible!

He looked shocked that I should find him and the management responsible. Isn't it their responsibility to employ 'qualified' staff and provide training if they are not properly qualified for the job?

Personally, I think in any incident like this, the management of the company should not point fingers at their staff to shift blame but do the responsible thing, respond, act on the problem and improve.

Well, I've done my part to voice out my grouse and the rest I leave to the manager to deal with. I don't wish to know what they do because if their attitude is to sweep problems under the carpet and pretend it didn't happen, in the long term their financial profits will be affected, especially in this economy slowdown.

As for me, I will probably not return to Watson's because I still have to pay where ever I go and I might as well go some where I don't have to deal with some cash machine with an issue with the system which in turn cause delay and irritate the people who have to punch in the figures and manually work out discounts and have to walk about to check if items are on discount!!! *slaps head in despair!*

Okay! With that irritating issue out of my way, I rushed off to fetch #2 from school and rushed her to her favorite cafe for lunch. While there, I organized her birthday party with the owner. I like this cafe because they have lots of board games, IQ and EQ games. It'll be an interesting change, I hope.

When I got home, I saw two paper bags of clothes packed to be sent to the dry cleaners. Hence, off to the dry cleaners I went. Half of the clothes were the used winter clothes from Hubs trip to Australia (yeah, I've been putting it off) and the other half were #2's clothes for Korea.

It's been a terribly busy day. This post is already too wordy and long. Check out my new bento box in my next post!

So busy today!

Hubs and #1 are expected to touchdown Monday morning from Sydney transit Singapore and then arrive Kuala Lumpur. As you have noticed, I've been hogging the computer and posting multiple posts/day for the last two weeks.

Not only have I been posting multiple posts, I have a Bento competition running which ends 29th July 2008 which also marks my blog's One Year Anniversary. I've also re-packed my Bento gear and currently enjoying a fluid access to all the items.

Today, in between a long and leisurely breakfast, grocery shopping, music class, and blogging, I was busy cooking and preparing for dinner and stock for next week's Bento frenzy.

#2 is going to KLPac to watch the The All American Boys Chorus tonight. #2 loves singing and since this was a Charity concert she roped in a few friends to go with her.

I decided to make an easy dinner of her favorite sushi! I simmered the mushrooms and fried the Tamagoyaki. Cut up some avocado and kyuri, topped the sushi rice with surimi crabsticks, Kewpie mayo and viola .....Futomaki!


Our dinner, tonight. Yummilicious!!


I prepared my Bento stock for next week. The picture below show you the ingredients for Hijiki and aburaage ni. #2 and I love this seaweed dish.


The picture below shows the Hijiki in slow simmer mode. Delicious. When ready, half of it will go into the fridge and the other half will be packed in small containers into the freezer.



I simmered a batch of mushrooms for tonight's futomaki and for future use.


As usual, half way through I will add all the kombu from making dashi into the simmered mushrooms. After that I will cut the kombu into strips and add to the futomaki. It is very delicious. A good way not to waste the kombu.


This is how I pack the cut mushrooms and slivered kombu. The balance of mushrooms, I will leave whole and pack in another box. The whole mushrooms can be used as a side dish in future Bento.


All packed and ready for the freezer.



A busy and eventful day. Looking forward to seeing Hubs and #1 on Monday! Yipeeee!!

Looking for space for my Bento boxes

No Bento today. #2 is the official photographer for the state level Choir competition held in Sri KDU today. We arrived at her school before 7.00a.m. this morning. I am told that she and some of her co-photographers will be going to Sri KDU with the Choir teacher and Choir mistress up to 4.00p.m. I insisted on packing her some chocolate chip cookies and some marshmallows to snack on.

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I need more shelves and space! After rummaging and re-packing my Bento boxes, these poor things were left with no space to keep them. I need to buy some more of those plastic drawer type shelves to shove these fellas in.

Don't you just love my Oshibori boxes?? I used to let #3 bring them to school everyday, now #2 has agreed to use the Oshibori packed in the box instead of 'wet ones'. I'm glad I have a couple more for spare.

The box of onigiri and sushi molds below are all packed in a lock & lock box. I tried using them before but it was too troublesome, I prefer to use my hands. The onigiri molds are too large - so says #2. She likes her onigiri the way mum makes them - small and cute! Lol!!



I bought these huge ramen bowls from the 100 Yen shop in Puchong today. I love the colourful soup bowls and the bags too. The 100 Yen shop is having a 20% discount on all items up to 22nd June or something. I have a membership card that entitles me to collect points but I'm not sure if you get the 20% if you're a member or not???


I've watched a couple of those Korean shows and they always have their 'lovestruck couple' slurping over a hot bowl of Korean Kimchi Ramen. Recently I bought some to try and #1, #2 and I have been addicted to the wonderful Kimchi Ramen flavour! Absolutely tasty and satisfactory. I made some for dinner tonight because I was out shopping the whole day and didn't have time to cook! " Shhhh.....not so loud!"

Another busy day

In the midst of shuttling the children to and fro school, I completed my grocery shopping and my Bento purchases. Jusco stocks up most Japanese ingredients. Today I made Oden again. I love Oden and because lately it's been raining more the reason to eat Oden. Soupy hot and delicious. A friend of mine who's married to a Japanese visited my blog and told me that my Oden looked a little too dark and recommended that I use light soy sauce instead. I'll do that the next time I cook Oden - soon I hope. Thanks Alice!!

When I got to my favourite 100 Yen shop in Puchong this afternoon I was delightfully surprised because they brought in loads of new stock. Picked up lots of useful Bento related stuff. Wiped the shelves off the Bento belts, the wiener (cocktail sausage) molds and furoshiki (cloth to tie the Bento). It was an exciting and satisfying trip despite the jam. Have to re-pack my cupboard again to find space for the newly acquired stuff.