SKYHOVER

Bird without wings

2009-05-03T20:27:00.002+13:00

It has been so long I have not update this blog

I suddenly thought of this picture and an ancient story that tells about this bird keep flying and when she lands it is the time that she meets her end..

Sad but I guess skyhover needs to keep hovering at the sky and find a place to land ...

This chapter is going to closed soon and the new one is birthed !!!

We became tin/aluminium man and women with daffodil today!!!

2009-01-01T12:11:00.003+12:00

We thank God for journeying and sustaining us for 10 years and many more years to go...

Here some suggestions I searched from the net for the celebration:

The tenth year of marriage celebration is the first of the major milestone anniversaries. As you celebrate this special 10th wedding anniversary, think about the durability of your commitment to one another for a full decade.
Here are some 10th wedding anniversary ideas and symbols to help you choose tin, aluminum, or diamond jewelry associated with your 10th marriage anniversary.

10th Anniversary Traditional Gift:

Tin or aluminum. The pliability of tin and aluminum is a symbol of how a successful marriage needs to be flexible and durable and how it can be bent without being broken. - oh, this is just my cup of tea - cheap

10th Anniversary Contemporary/Modern Gift:

Diamond jewelry. A marriage that lasts ten years is as durable and beautiful as a diamond. oh no wonder dear has been bringing me to jewelry shop these few days, now i understand what she is up to

10th Anniversary Gemstone:

Diamond jewelry or blue sapphire. Both are not economical feasible so shall we just forget them :-)

10th Anniversary Color:

Silver or blue.

10th Anniversary Flower:

Daffodil. Trumpet-shaped daffodils represent joy, cheerfulness, and happiness. - sorry dear, can't find this in KL, don't blame me for this, let's see whether I can find the fake one which can be durable too

See our changing phases in dear's precious moment :-)

Dear's Birthday Gift

2008-03-29T21:59:00.003+12:00

Dear's birthday was full of events - Dino2 was ill and then herself. We did not manage to have any celebration at all. So to pay back what she loss - I shall give her a surprise gift bag!!!

Here it is, let her unveil it to you herself :-)

CNY 2008

2008-02-07T21:52:00.000+12:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all out loved one and friends!!!

9th Anniversary and God is still good!!!!

2008-01-01T19:14:00.000+12:00

It has been quite a tradition for my home to welcome the New Year with fresh flowers - usually yellow roses which my dear's favourite.

Another reason for welcoming the new year also means that dear and I have entered another mark of our marriage journey... Yes, this is the 9th year that we are entering, enjoying and celebrating :-)

We thank God's guidance and favour in our lives. Mostly the arrival of our angels that add colours to our family, 2 dinos that learn to grow up form baby to boy-hood and soon to be teen. Dear being excellent wife and fantastic mother and myself learning from being lousy father and husband to 'better' one..

Many openings and paths to walk and we are secure and know God will be walking sides with us.. most of all, we have friends like you to keep us companies :-)

Christmas Special Meals

2007-12-25T14:42:00.000+12:00

Dear has such good mood to prepare us Christmas meal.

She assigned 3 guards to look after the food so that the 'rats' won't pick any food :-)

and ho ho ho, there lay 3 special dishes only God knows where she got the recipe

Not to forget, special delivery from Dad from far far land

Ho Ho Ho

2007-12-25T14:41:00.000+12:00

Thank You all who are so kind and generous!!!

Dinos and angel are spoilt!!!!

Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year

Season Greeting

2007-12-24T19:30:00.000+12:00

Dear just told me the Christmas Wreath represent eternal love as the circle symbolises love that has no end. Remind me the wedding rings and God's eternal love for us.

This christmas season, I urge my family and friends to worship more and embrace the true meaning of Christmas: flesh dwell among us, redeemer, Saviour and our miracle maker.

May you prepare a room in your heart for Christ to come and fill you up with His eternal love.

Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year !!!!

Thank You

2007-12-24T14:23:00.000+12:00

Christmas eve worship was a highlight for me this year...

Still remember saying to SB I was cracking my head planning for this service when we both chatting online. There and then an idea came to me and 'light' just came to shed on the form of this service.

I guess the Lord impressed upon me many events has been happening on this earthly land - injustice, diseases, wars, floods etc This is the result of the fall of mankind and Christmas is just the sole reason and the solution for all these.

God chose to dwell among us and be vulnerable so that He could invade in our lives just like us in flesh and blood - God's daring plan !!!!

I am pleased with the 'modern' manger we put up this year and the candles we lit up. It gave me a sense of peace. When Silent Night was sung, I believe the Holy Spirit had already worked among the people, and seeing them willingly coming forth to put the stripe of cloth to prepare the bed for Jesus, symbolising that we are also prepare a room in us for the Saviour - it is a beautiful worship indeed.

Thanks to all the musicians that bear my 'persistent want this way and that' most of the time, without them this was not possible too.

I have a great time to be part of this sct of worship, it may be a last one I will do, God knows.

Thank you Lord for being an active God and bring miracles to us all.

Care for a cup of tea????

2007-12-20T12:03:00.000+12:00

Every trip back to London office, dinos will ask for 3 things: Walker chips, Fizzy worms (a type of candy :-)) and family-must-have milk chocolate digestive biscuits. Luckily they didn't ask for PSP or XBox (which I somehow am drawn to the Game shop and check the prices)

Friends that know me well, will know that besides chocolate digestive biscuits, I have another craving :-)
One thing I will always take effort to buy in UK that is tea bags !!!!!!

I am a typical tea person, and a die-hard white tea with 1 sugar - a request I always made on flight and the air-stewardess already knows after a few requests :-)

Lately, I typically fancy Twinning brand tea which I can actually get in KL, but more expensive here !!! Just got £1 for a box of 50 bags from Tesco there.

MMMmmmm... Care for a cup of tea, friends? :-)

Freak-out!!!! Mr. James Bond

2007-12-18T12:23:00.000+12:00

I was invited to my company dinner cum Christmas party, of course in London. Am surprised my boss was willing to fly me over and arrange meetings in that visit, thanks to her.

However, the formality of the party freaked me out!!!!

It was a black-tie plus masquerade dinner cum party. Kampung boy like me quickly search the net to find out what is 'black tie' about, and ho ho it was 'James Bond' style - as the net puts it - '.. like what you see in James Bond movie when he goes to a casino'

No way!!! I am not going to spend money on that though I already have part of the requirements - a mask bought in my last Venice trip - but too tiny to wear haha

So I decided not to attend.

But my boss did insist me to go but I still was being stiff-necked. In the end, I was there 'unwillingly' with non-conformance dress code :-P

It relieved me a bit when there were some 'odd' people like me - so I happily took my wine and merrying the whole night through :-)

It was a great night, Christmas traditional dinner with turkey and pudding. We had dance floor and casino tables with £100 chip to play, the one who won the most at the end of the night will get a surprise gift. I am literally like a 'James Bond' with ER and GB be my partners haha

What a night !!!!!

I feel good too... :-P

2007-10-27T13:26:00.000+13:00

Mr Cool bought in a very cool thing for himself weeks ago. Well I also just brought in a very sexy thing for myself and dear was so so furious about it - she thinks that her position in my heart is threatened :-P

Solution to previous problem :-P

2007-09-20T15:04:00.000+13:00

This will surely 'calm' her down - her favorite chips and the dinos....

How to hide?

2007-09-19T14:59:00.000+13:00

I am scratching my head how to pack these back and more so, no 'agreement' obtained from beloved dear, wait till she gets to know how much I spent on them...I am expecting 'music' to my ears :-P

By the way, you only see the tip of the ice-berg :-P

Fallen Leaves

2007-09-18T14:37:00.000+13:00

I need to put on coat now as I walk in the streets and lying on the greenly grass in the park. I have been enjoying 'lazy' life here really :-) There were only a few meetings in the office and whenever there is a long gap, i will sneaked out and enjoy my 'rest' in the park.

It is getting cold and the leaves on the trees started turning yellow and falling off.. I think it will be romantic if dear is lying beside me, together enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze...

Just got to know the other part of the work is experiencing spring season, reminds me everything has its own timing and I trust Him to lead us on....

I hate Steve

2007-09-16T05:00:00.000+13:00

Steve did it again!!!!

I just laid my hand on this new iPod series, too bad the iPod touch is not here yet in Sheffield. Will check it out in London :-)

I hate Steve keep changing new models, but I still fell into his trap... sigh~~~~

Well prepared :-)

2007-09-12T23:40:00.000+13:00

The sun here is fierce and shining direct from the sky as there is less cloud here. Fear not, this time I am well prepared as dear and I shopped for UV protection scream and we chose Olay brand.

It works wonder really as I can see my face is not 'badly burnt' by the sun ray... Won't mind to be tanned, but it must be a healthy one :-)

(I know dear is snapping now when she reads this)

Fatter

2007-09-11T10:17:00.000+13:00

I think I get a bit fatter... one week without working out in gym and the full cream milk, ais cream and chocolate I comsume here... oh, my diet plan is gone!!!!!

My ex-student also fed me a lot too....

I start thinking my work out plan when I am back :-P

Back 'Home'

2007-09-08T10:11:00.000+13:00

I came backto my beloved Sheffield....

I was blessed with my ex-students who really took good care of me...

There is not much changes in this city, whether still better than Londom and people are friendlier. I am like coming to my 'second home' because I still can remember what bus number and where about to look for something...:-)

I think I miss Sheffield very much :-)

Turkish Delight, Anyone???

2007-09-08T09:07:00.000+13:00

This time our boss brought us to this Turkish restaurant- Kazan. I was like - oh man, I just tried to get away from rice as my PT advises me to go for protein diet - I tell you more next time :-P

However, it turned out to be really delicious food and I really really enjoy it. I ordered this mix grill, of chicken breast, lamb, and kofte served on sizzler with tomato butter sauce, yoghurt and matchstick potato - a kind of Kebaps but not what we get in KL- no rice of course :-P

What really bring me to heaven is the dessert: Baklava - I don't really know how to describe it, but I like the sweet that they wrap with this thin crispy pastry...oh awesome..

and then Turkish coffeee which has it own taste which i think StarBucks and Coffee Bean can shy away... :-)

Well, the turkish delights come with the bill, as it is free for the diners, well why not, just a few pieces of that already costed my boss £300+ (of course that includes wine )

I look forward to next visit !! Haha

SEX table talk

2007-09-08T08:22:00.000+13:00

Well, there is no business talk whenever we dine together. So, all the married women and me were talking about our children. The other gentlemen, JW is a confident single man who enjoy his singlehood in his 50s and the other one just get serious with his housemate and started the relationship. So my boss AB, my lady colleagues ER and GB and myself were chatting about our children.

Over the table talk, I started to know my team better. ER has his son at the age of 29 and her first husband was zealous about this son even he was unborn - Strange to me but ER said there is a medical term for this jealousy - so she left him to raise him and later with her current partner. My boss AB who can't conceive naturally and get her 'tube-baby' fairly unexpectedly quick. So both of them treasure their children dearly. GB who has 2 boys and she is pretty freak control over them. I always laugh at her the way she get so nervous when she found out her son wanted to do something she wouldn't approve.

Then, having teenage sons and grown up children, they start talking about how they talk about sex with their children.. that is fine with me... and because they were arguing when should be the OK age for their children to have sex, they relate to their experience when they have their first sex experience, not in detail but fairly open.... I was like ... uh ... I guess I might turned red but it may be the wine thing.. haha

Luckily, they didn't turn to me and ask: And how about you? When did you have your first sex experience? I really thank God THIS did not happen over the table talk. :-)

FANTASTIC MATE!!!

2007-09-07T09:47:00.000+13:00

I finally finished my part of the workshop.. to our horror, we found the delegates were CFO, CEO, FD and big big guns of global and international companies. Of course there are some middle exec etc.

I got one MD and one FD came over and thanked me for my session, and of course i had 2 feedbacks that my Asian ascent was hard to catch (What do you expect, come on..)

Overall, I am proud of myself and I am well pleased. I really thank God for that :-)

OH I am so envy

2007-09-06T08:45:00.000+13:00

Dear ER who is such a good mother, wanted to buy this Abercrombie & Fitch hoody for her 22 years old son, because he lost his during his rugby game (I suspect someone has stolen it, rather he lost it). So she wanted to buy one to surprise him.

Of course, since I just visit the shop last Sun, so we went over even though all the tube lines were closed due to the 'usual and common' strike.

It was dark and dim inside the shop as I mentioned, and ER is like an odd figure there because I guess she was the oldest customer there, haha. She literally ask the muscular sales 'boy' to bring out 3 pieces of the hoody outside the shop so that she could have a nice look at them and picked the right colour.

So bought the one that you see and I was like so so so envy with her son.

I wanted something similar like below:

I spared it because I know once dear found out the price she will KILL me!!!!

On Strike Again!!!!

2007-09-06T07:57:00.000+13:00

The weather is so good this week as the londoners say they are all 2 digit temperature throughout the week. In fact I felt warm in the office with my tie on and sleep topless in the hotel.

BUT the @?>$z tube lines were all on strike and I rather stay in than go out. Luckily I stayed near Westminster, I still can enjoy the river view and big ben and London eye :-)

Jet Lag

2007-09-04T19:07:00.001+13:00

I always have jet lag and it is really killing...
I woke up at 3 mid night which is 10am at home country, then I hardly get back to sleep..
By the time reaches 3pm here, I will really really need my bed because it is 10pm at home, my sleeping time.

Last night my team mates arrived and we have our 'reunion' dinner.. In such a good mood, wine is necessary :-) and I just have one glass of white wine. We chatted till mid night and I was already half dead. Tired and headache..

I had a hang over this morning, took in panadol pills and drink lots of water, I must refresh myself and maintain my 'professional image' :-P

Meetings back to back, I wonder how would I survive today!!!!

I am bored

2007-09-03T23:52:00.000+13:00

Yes, it is just 2nd day in London and I am really really bored. Called dear and said I want to come back, can't imagine how I am going to survive for 3 weeks in UK.

The first day, I was annoyed with the IT helpdesk of the hotel I stay, they tried and failed to fix up my internet connection with my ibook. It really up set me because I really need it this trip. (Luckily they fixed it first thing next morning)

So, I went to sleep a while and go out for a walk. It was nice weather and they said the summer finally comes to London. It was raining in the past few weeks, the Londoners just flooded out of their home to parks and shopping areas.

If I told you I have not done any shopping, I obviously lied :-)

I just want to visit Abercromie and Fitch in Piccadilly. I quite of like the idea that the outlet designs it like shopping in the disco, i wonder how you shop in such a dim light. You can also feast our eyes with muscular sales men there, ladies- that's their trademark if you know the brand. Tempted to buy a hoody but dear has warned me, because I have so many in the closet - I think this is my obbession lately haha

Oh, to prove that I am rally bored I attended 2 services on Sunday, both at the hillsong church. I actually wanted to visit another church near Piccadilly as well but missed the timing. Why, I was sun-bathing (not really that) at St James park, and met this 30 old student and have a good chat. I enjoy just lazying in the park if the weather allows. :-)

At night, had dinner outdoor, I like the cold breeze :-) and then headed to rrom and rest.... I can know for sure this is going to be this way for the rest of the week. I look forward to have my team mates joining me tonight. I already asked ER to walk the parks with me when she arrives this evening.

Not much of exciting event for boring people like me, was thinking if I like to drink beer then pubs will be the night life for me, the fact is that I am not pub-hover.

I must think of something to kill my time here especially after the working hours. Any suggestions?????

6 months

2007-07-01T22:41:00.000+13:00

I can't believe how time flies and I have been with my new work for 6 months. I just had a quick 'informal' appraisal with my boss via tele-conference as she was in Spain - holidaying :-)

6 months seems so quick to me and I have been working with my team mates so well and so close. We are a unique mix but God has created such bonding among us. Perhaps none of us see one another so frequent, as the result we really treasure our time together.

Yes, my boss is pleased with me and my shoulder has been loaded with major tasks which strangely I need to deal with UK market. Well, I think it will good to me anyway, but the time they realise how much they spend on me with the air ticket and accommodation, it will make sense to 'transport' me over :-)

Put on Weigh

2007-06-30T22:54:00.000+13:00

That day, dear's friends came over to see our little angel...

Friend A: Hey, you seem to have put on weight
Me: What !!! Are you sure??
Friend B: No-lah he has actually built up a bit

Hey, it is not putting on weight-lah, it is just building up mass or muscle :-) I need to work harder, Yes, Yes

Busy at home soon

2007-05-26T13:16:00.000+13:00

Next week I will be on paternity leave, the HQ is kind to give me 1 week which is very unusual for Malaysia practice. Back in HQ, they have 2 weeks, so I am happy with what I got :-)

After that I supposed to work at home, but frankly speaking I am real jerk that can't concentrate to work at home - the power of music, TV, coffee, refrigerator have so much impact at home :-P not to mention the 2 dinos will be with me.

Dear will be discharged this morning and then she will be staying with my mum, undergoing the 'hell' of confinement period. She has negotiated with my mum to have it maximum 2 weeks, not too sure will that be successful.

What I plan to do is to keep 2 dinos with me at home, I am going to rush off my last 2 chapters for my study - hopefully. Then I have tonnes of paper to write for work and visits are scheduled. HQ, S'pore, Shanghai and HK. Very much dying to go Sydney to meet Godson but this will be later stage - perhaps it is good so that dear can join me at that later time.

Work at home for 1 month, neh I doubt it. I will be going back to office in between just to get some of my work done. My boss is kind to allow me to work flexi time, so I guess it is blessing.

My team mates said I am spoilt, I said, well that show how our boss is so supportive in looking after our benefits, we value one another :-)

Lovely surprise

2007-05-25T02:35:00.000+13:00

It was a lovely surprise to me - a call from florist I received when I fetched dear home. Wonder who will be so kind to send us flower so I quickly went back home after sending dear at mum's place.

It was from my loving team- mates from London. They really gave me a good surprise and warmed my heart so much.

I can't express much in words to thank their love, kindness and thoughtfulness. They have been asking about the dear and baby when I shared with them some ups and downs during the pregnancy - they shared this journey with us really and I am thankful for their friendship and love from a far :-)

My Angel Has Arrived!!!! :-)

2007-05-24T21:59:00.000+13:00

I have 2 dinos that already drive us nuts for these few days, deperately need someone to sooth us for good!!

God heard our prayer and He send this angel to us :-)

Oh My! I can't do this!!!

2007-05-23T22:09:00.000+13:00

Lately, I "tried" to work at home due to the coming little angel in the family. I tried one day totally working at home, to have a foretaste of home-worker's feel and experience.

Wow.... what can I say..

Wake up in the morning,
clean up with boxer on, no working shirt and definitely no tie on...
turn on the PC..
make coffee and kaya bread
check emails, reply them
back to coffee table.. look for creamy biscuit or cakes
surf the net, check info....
dino2 hop up my lap, wanting to play with the keyboard
chase him out, dear is up
get dress, go for nasi lemak just near my place
come back... on the TV to see what is on..
back to work...
the room get stuffy, walk out to get some air
mingle with dino2, too lazy to go back...
pull my heavy legs back to work desk...
give up.. shut it down, the downloading speed is killing me...

Uhhhhh... that's is!!!
Not too impressive, not too productive I must say
Not too sure I am used to this.. it is not working for me for this first time..
Not too sure whether I will be useful when little angel arrives and staying at home for a month - this needs to be reconsidered :-P

I will 'train' myself up for a better long term plan, not now :-P

I can't stand it anymore!!!

2007-05-23T21:42:00.000+13:00

Doctor said I have a little bit of high blood pressure. Wonder whether this is due to the accumulated stress of waiting for my little angel, plus dear been waking me up by light-on-light-off activity lately :-P

Trust

2007-04-23T22:22:00.000+13:00

This morning was a bit shaken, but at the end, with the help of many friends, we will trust in the Lord...

Fantastic 4

2007-04-07T21:02:00.000+13:00

We are Fantastic 4 we joke about it. It was a good team meeting which we all turned up this round in London office.

The team made of 2 colleagues from Scotland, 1 from Manchester and myself from KL.

JW and BG, are nice funny bits and talk real fast like bullet train. Luckily, they won't mind me asking them to repeat when I don't get what they said :-P

JW just turned 50, a funny single man who will talk all way in his way, you can't easily interrupt. I remembered there is one conversation on the tele-conference with him, I only managed to say " Hi J, How are you?" and "Good to talk (huh??) to you". He has sweet tooth as I am, he can't go away without desert every meal, he sure introduced me a lot of good stuff every meal.

GB 40, is a nice lady, like shopping a lot. She is the one that lured me to Covent Garden and I find a new high street to shop, a nice piazza to sit outside a cafe and have a nice cup of coffee. I told dear I must bring her to Covent Garden high street when she is with me. It is like those time we were in Italy, great discovery :-)

ER, 52 who is from Manchester, a real close friend to me, more like a good sister who take good care of a brother. She is the oldest among us, I click with her because we joined the team the same day, we went through induction together and work on may projects also. She likes to walk and enjoys sunshine, which she brought me to walk around Victoria, Westminster and bridges around our office.

Myself, though I am not the youngest, but receive equal respect from them. They seek my advice and opinion on their work or project and I don't feel I am any lower than them. Just that social wise, they will treat me like little brother :-) I thank God that I always have someone senior than me to work with which I reckon I mix pretty well with seniors - I tend to be a bit dominating with equal peers :-P

Another shocking news I got as we get to know one another better - Our boss A, who is the YOUNGEST, 34. Yes !!! That shocks me when I see the way she manages people and projects, insights that she has which we can't think of - I started to appreciate the culture that people value ability and knowledge you have, rather looking at the seniority.

We are fantastic 4, why? we are totally moving into something that 4 of us (excluding our boss) would not reckon and expect - and that is really FANTASTIC for us and we all keep telling one another - we will get on eventually :-)

Silly Me :-P

2007-04-07T20:44:00.000+13:00

I had wine every dinner this trip... I was nearly drunk every night :-P

Close friends who know me will know I seldom drink. My colleagues can't go away without wine especially the two from Scotland, JW and GB. ER took good care of me, she always orders the mildest white wine for me :-)

One particular dinner, I felt my heartbeat was drumming very fast after a few sips, and I literally fell asleep. I wondered whether I had talked any nonsense in front of them, what I remembered was I walked back to my room, took off everything on me as I felt so hot in the room, and straight into bed and slept... Luckily I could made it the next morning..

The only thing I regretted is that I signed on the bill that night, and it costed about £170+ ouch!!! I wonder my boss will question me after that :-P

My colleagues must have conned me into this, haha :-P I guess I must train myself up with wine, be better equipped rather being a fool of myself. Very much regretted also I always say no to wine in Godson's place, I would have been better this round if I get used to it that time, righttttt ???

Welcome Home

2007-04-07T17:11:00.000+13:00

I always make sure I have Sunday in London, to break away from the normal norm church experience at home.

This trip I attended 2 services, one that was very word centric and good fellowship which I need very much as a lone traveller. The other one at Hillsong London, which was very 'heavy' worship and the word time was equally inspiring :-)

One that was capturing me was the welcome screen at the service : Welcome Home

Home is such a word that triggers my heart especially when you were away from home. I see around and started to understand what it means.

The minute I stepped into the theatre (their worship location), the ushers would come to you, offer you a cup of tea or coffee, and have a friendly chat with you. I guess they genuinely like to connect with you though they don't know you. When you get yourself seated, people next to you, who may be foreigners as well, would greet you and chat with you, as if you are part of them. This time I had 2 Korean sat next to me, a bunch of kids with their pastor visiting the church sitting a level up. I started to understand "Home' in a broader sense. We are united in Christ alone and as his followers, we are equal and called as brothers and sisters in Christ.

People were participating in worship and word time. Eagerly taking notes and pray with you when prompted. You know God's presence is there, every time I visited.

I am very much a 'reasoning' , rather than a 'feel' person - I started to think who has part in making such home feeling?? God, His people, worship, word?? I guess all has a part to play. Dread to feel a bit alien at home church, perhaps this is the spirit that I long for ....

Cut or not cut????

2007-03-28T01:34:00.000+13:00

We went for dear's check up this morning.

Since we are sort of nearing the delivery time, dear and I would like to find out more about family planning options.

Funny enough Dr (male) has listed out 3 options, 2 will be performance on dear and one last option will be on me.Yes, V word for Vasectomy. Ouch!!!!

I had the feeling that the Dr prefers me to do it rather than dear, he stressed that it is painless, quick recovery, easy and less expensive. I can see his eyes sparked when he mentioned this option.

Funny enough when we seek second opinion from our GP (female), she suggested the same thing and 'urged' me to do it... why ya..

Quickly look into some info in the net I know it will not affect my masculinity, sex desire and most of all it won't cause erectile dysfunction. :-P

When we discussed this with my mum, she strongly against me doing it, why ya???

I think I need to pluck the petals of flower to see whether I shall make this decision :-P
Should I? Should I not?? Should I? Should I not?

I

Flexi time to shop ????

2007-03-25T20:26:00.000+13:00

My colleagues ask me to shop in London this coming April visit - oh dear, they trigger my itchy part in my heart:-P

Apparently they took their flexi time to get morning off before our management meeting at 2pm.

What is this flexi time???

According to my colleagues, as they are home based worker, they would have some flexi time to accumulate. For example, if they work 5 hours more than a week required, they can keep that 5 hours and accumulate them to certain number of hours, and then claim them as time off or holidays.

My first reaction: How is my boss going to monitor this since they are all based outside of London office???

I amused myself to imagine if I were to ask a Malaysian boss

Me: Hi boss, can I have tomorrow 2 hour off to shop since I have worked more than required?
Boss: Oh of course, you can have all the day off from now on and never come back (that means bye bye!!)

Me: --- same question ---
Boss: Oh, of course, you can take over my place (bye bye again)

Me: --- same question ---
Boss: Can, have you done this!! finished that !!!! (better but with condition)

Me: --- same question ---
Boss: Wonderful, that will deduct $$$ from your pay, ok..

Me: --- same question ---
Boss: (just stare at you) :-(

I think if you clock out at exact time, they'll give you one kind of look!!!Haha, prove me wrong if you have a typical Malaysian especially Chinese family business boss

How can my colleagues get that?? I guess it is just the 'trust' and 'ethichal level' issues. Basically, my boss trust them that they are ethical enough not to cheat any hours from work EVENTHOUGH they are not working in the same office premise.

That's quite common thing in my new company or rather the UK culture. It is just like the time dear and I were shocked in Sheffield to see a mini market just leave a can out with the fruits and trust the customers are honest enough to pay the money themselves.

What about me who based in Malaysia? Equally good :-) I just gave hints to my boss I want to work at home before and during dear's confinement. I got positive response, huray!!!

I really thank God for my boss who place family value equal place with work. I really do :-)

By the way, how come my colleagues knew my soft spot that I like to shop whenever I come !!!!! Is that so obvious???? :-P

Stary Night

2007-02-19T22:32:00.000+12:00

Dinos wanted to stayed with my mum.. Dear and I have a night by ourselves :-)

We decided to watched "The Holidays" which is a romantic movie - we went back to our dating time, though now with another one between us, little baby girl kept kicking in the womb :-P

Stary Stary night - a teh tarik later on keep us awake.

Dear and I enjoy the whole day....

It's been so long we had not watch a late night movie....

2007-02-18T21:10:00.000+12:00

It is always good to have many new years in Malaysia. One of my colleagues said if I still haven't decided on my NY resolutions, I still can wait for the Raya NY or Depavali NY. :-P

I remembered asking a group of folks what they wish for in the NY. 4 guys including myself said we want to be fit and healthy. Some said this is the "approaching 40 years old" crisis. There may be some truth in it.

Why bother so much?? I just met some of my former course mates and secondary schoolmates recently. One thing in common is that they all have put on weigh, way more than slight weigh, but A LOT A LOT of weigh. Being straight forward I would just commented: Oh You have grown in size !!!
Luckily no one has ever commented the same to me, I guess they just being kind...:-)

New Year Festival = Food + Sleep I think no one can deny this.

I just did something unusual the very first day of my CNY holidays - I ride on my station bike and did my cardio exercise - YES, I am very much conscious about the "tyre" on my waist.

This New Year 2007, I have constantly gone to gym near my office to tone up my body. It was a good move, because after sending dino1 to school and head on to office, I usually will arrive at my office about 7am something. Since I have about 2 hours before the office hour, I head down to the gym and do exercise. 5 days a week, just spend one hour there.

Guess what, I see the result and my muscles are toned up and firm which I bug my dear to verify that everyday :-P

So, diet control and exercise more - fit and healthy!!!

6 packs, remember???

Chinese New Year

2007-02-18T21:05:00.000+12:00

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Work is not easy!!!

2007-02-08T21:46:00.000+12:00

My work is not easy!!!

Many has raised their eye brown when they heard me working for a UK organisation. They have in their mind that I will get good pay and good benefits.

Well, yes, I admitted I have both of them, but it does not come free as it is. MY WORK IS NOT EASY!!

I started to feel stress out as I work till now. It is the organisation's practice that all staff will have their quarterly objectives set and appraisal.

The objectives target timeline is always at the OUTLOOK programme of my laptop, reminding me how far short of my work to date. I am getting nervous especially gathering information across departments in London. Worse still, I am not there at all.

All the supporting staff is in London and I need their help most of the time. Due to the timing different, where I am soundly in my bed while they are working hard, and vv, I started to go back late just to catch up with them on the line, calling one by one, try to get work done. However, it is always the KL traffic that keeps me back home late!! Nothing new !!!

Thank God my team members are understanding and they won't mind me calling them as early as 8am.

So, don't ever think that my job is so easy!!!

Names Wanted!!!

2007-01-23T12:13:00.000+12:00

Dear and I are cracking our heads, arguing hotly over this matter.

Anyone kindly help us out? We want something starts with A and E :-)

TGIG Thanks God It Is Girl :-)

2007-01-13T16:39:00.001+12:00

We were eager to know the baby sex this round. We were saying to leave it until the baby is born, anyhow we should receive him or her with grateful heart!!! But, still being a human, dear was saying she doesn't want to suffer baby blue after the delivery :-P, it is better to get to know and prepare herself months to get her to accept any fact. As for me, I dread to show "oh, it is boy again" expression the first day I put my arms on the baby - What a tough job for parents and we admit our weakness as human being.

So, early the morning we drove to do the detail scan for this check up, doc has asked us to bring along a dvd to record the scan. As dear lied on the bed and doctor started the scanning, he asked this question out of sudden : What do you have for your children now? Boys? Our heart was beating fast and I being very direct and asked: Boy or Girl, doc?

It seemed like in a century long, and the doc suspended it a bit, put on a cunning smile - So what is it????

"Congrat! It is a girl"

" Are you sure?" my first reaction :-)

"100%, see this part, no flesh at all. If it is a boy, just claim back from me whatever you have bought for baby girl!!!"

YES YES WE ARE HAVING A DAUGHTER!!!

In the journey back, dear and I asked each other how was the feeling we had when we heard the news. Funny, both of us were not really thrilled when we heard the good news, we were sort of prepared for it, and had the six sense that it is going to be girl. Though we are not 100% sure, both of us have a bit feeling this time it is a girl and I remembered I have to go by faith to buy some baby girl clothes in London.

For dear, she experienced totally different experience for this compared to dino1 & 2. Being conservative, she buys in only 90%.

We thank God for this precious gift. We don’t understand why this baby was conceived so easily (for those who knew the story) at the first place, now we know God’s favour and purpose and blessing.

Well, I know what I am going to shop this round as Sales is out there in London, anyhow, if it turns out to be otherwise, I am going to claim them from the doctor, ummm… must make sure I keep all the receipts. Haha :-P

iPhone

2007-01-12T01:49:00.000+12:00

Amazing!! State of Art !!! Can't wait to put my finger on it !!!

3M Workplace

2007-01-11T14:55:00.000+12:00

1. Patio - I think we can have mrning exercise here
2. Resource centre
3. Pantry

New Nest New Energy?

2007-01-11T14:40:00.000+12:00

Left to Right:
1. Wireless cafe area 2. Reception Area
3. Wireless cafe area2 4. Council chamber - meeting room

Father of the Bride

2007-01-09T01:04:00.000+12:00

I had seen my uncle cried so soberly when his daughter got married... I never understand that kind of emotion and feeling..

I always envy the father of the bride who has caught the attention of the guests (at least mine) that he could walk so steadily down the aisle.. passing her hands to another gentleman that will take my role...

I always picture one day the bride then will start the first dance with me in the wedding...

I thank God He gave me this chance !!!!!

Eye on Malaysia

2007-01-07T20:40:00.000+12:00

We went for the launching of Visit Malaysia Year 2007 last night, not so much attracted by the event, more interested to see our "eye" compared to London eye.

The first impression I have was the "copycat" feeling, what is this "Everything boleh-land" want to show.

The second come to my mind again is for tax payers, including myself - This is again another hardware that is built without any long term planning. In the press, it was said it might be disposed after a year depending the situation.

Cost of building (source from the press) - RM30m
Assumption: Operating hours - 10am -10pm :12 hours
Minutes per ride - 20 min
Max rides - 36 rides
Each eye takes in max 8 people, there are 42 eyes
Cost per ride - RM15

So, we will then get RM66m (36x8x42x15x365days) in a year, yes cost recovered BUT only everything is for the best assumption.

The next question is that will tourists rush to Malaysia just for the eyes??? We must pick some to interview and find out. Perhaps let's start with the S'porean and Thailand.

BBC gave a very "good" slap on us - again, it is not the hardware that is all about.

As an accountant in nature, my heart dropped as I see the $$$ all drained down in the Titiwangsa Lake :-/

Bronze Anniversary

2007-01-01T13:43:00.000+12:00

Well, every new year will be our anniversary - and we venture into the 8th year. Dear and I are grateful to God who has kept us together so far. With 2 dinos added in, one coming soon, that definitely add some spices in our lives. Yes, we see colours in our journey together, not just black and white, but many colours we have not seen and yet to explore :-)

Dear said I have not bought her any flower lately - I vividly remember how she supported me with the idea that giving flowers is such a waste of money - and NOW see how quick she has changed her mind!!! - I am thinking bronze flower may be good idea as it can last longer, not a year but many years :-P

Merry Christmas

2006-12-25T21:22:00.000+12:00

It was unusual this year.. We are going to see our dear friends flying off soon in this season, yet I just got in touch with an old pal from Sheffield 2 days ago. More amazingly, he got married with his Malaysian girl friend here and have just been blessed with a baby daughter.

God is full of surprises!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone, the reason for this day is still HIS and HIS alone. We just need to share it.

Christmas Present

2006-12-24T19:29:00.000+12:00

Yes, I was so excited to receive this parcel when the delivery van stopped in front of my house and called my name. I wonder who will send me a parcel and in this Christmas season, you surely would immediate associate it with gift, YES ! CHRISTMAS GIFT !

After finding out it was from the London Head Office , I thought it might be a custom for them to send CHRISTMAS GIFT to their staff.

So... I happily unwrapped the parcel, and guess what...

It was pile of reports and files for my "pleasure" reading and preparation before reporting in my new role... I told dear, I don't even report myself yet to the office !!! :-P

so I chucked away the parcel and perhaps in my good mood I may open it again on boxing day :-)

NEW LOOK ???

2006-12-09T22:47:00.000+12:00

I am broke!!!

I used to very informal in my workplace - usually polo shirt, t-shirt and jeans

The new position now "wanted" me to dress up VERY FORMAL which I am not happy - to them, it is a corporate image that I need to maintain for them.

So before reporting to work, it has made me to spend a good deal of money in clothing, shoes, ties etc..

I just counted I have bought more than 10 ties, more than 10 new long sleeves shirts, 1 pair of shoes and 1 suite so far, and this is not end of the story yet. I still need a office bag, a winter coat and more... These are not necessary at all in my previous employment.

Dear has been shopping with me these few weeks, and she started to see the real me - she started to know I will "prefer" certain labels, certain pattern and fashion- basically she will realise how vain I am.

Now you know why I am bloke and won't mind doing part time for my previous boss. :-)

Bye, My 9 years with you

2006-12-09T22:19:00.000+12:00

Today is my last day in my workplace, a place I have been going in and out for 9 years!!!

The whole college is giving me a fareware party!!!I was jus kidding, it was just coincidence that our Staff Day 2006 fell on the same day I am leaving. I was seated with my boss and we had a good chat. I am glad we still can be friend even though I chose to leave. I always am lucky to have good bosses in my employment career, who are supportive and understanding.

I am now packing and can't understand why I have stored up so many stuff, now those stuff has slowly filled up my study room. Dear is not happy as it is messed up again :-)

Still have to go back for finalising some exam papers and lectures - well, it is paid so I won't mind doing it :-) I need it for some other thing as I will tell you later.

I am free and venture into another uncertainty. My new boss started to address me "my name without ward" I told my wife I do not know how to response. Too close a gap to me hahaha :-P

A mix feeling I have now. I am sad to leave a place I have dwelled so long, but excited to dip into new wave of seas.

More thing to come, more thing to do.. I shall look forward to seeing what God has prepared for me. Have faith!!!!

What!! Is this what I will get????

2006-11-21T12:09:00.000+12:00

After seeing what Mrs Green Apple spoiling herself with her new toy, I told Mr X-box that I am crossing my finger to get my free new notebook from my new office, and I asked my new boss whether it can be of my choice.

So... I just got the reply this morning, where she told me the issue of networking, security, special coding for the intranet etc..... I can now imaging what will be on my office desk :-(

I guess I have to invest myself one, dear is quite "relaxing" about this idea, mainly because my mac mini jsut "passed away" after the thunder storm event.. I am now asking the Mac Evangelist to save the souls in my hard disk - however, I guess it is going to be slim chance :-(

Well, if the old is not gone, you never have a new one hahaha (just try to comfort myself:-( )

Luggage

2006-11-05T11:34:00.000+12:00

The first think I need to buy right now is a travel luggage that can store stuff for about 1 week. The last trip to London, Mrs Green Apple (who should turn red soon with her new toy:-))loaned me a "professional look" luggage - I thank God it is not rainbow colour or pink or red when I heard the word sexy. With it I then packed with all stuff that I bought in London, end up I was considering to buy a hand luggage there. However, at the end I just tucked all my laundry in a big nice looking shopping bag and carried them home. That tells me the one Mrs Green Apple lent me was not big enough, I need a bigger one!! (no wonder she showed a doubting face when I chose the small one)

Well, been waiting for the sale and right one to buy, am thinking to invest a good one since it will be subject to heavy usage. So... I am eyeing on TUMI.

Dear immediately making bla bla bla saying that I am too much to eye on that, a simple one will do, she is happy that it is not seen in the town at all, but I know where I can get :-P

Anyone know whereabout I can get this TUMI in town??? Please secretly tell me the shop address :-)

Interview

2006-10-26T12:10:00.000+13:00

Well, as I mentioned in earlier posts that God has surprised me when Scottish Golfer had come to me and asked me to keep an eye on the vacancy he is going to post about in June this year. And sure enough he has alerted me in September and ask me to apply.

It was not an easy decision to do, many will tell me just go ahead and grab the opportunity but I told myself that means I am leaving my comfort zone.

I thank God for Green Apple family for their support and encouragement and their bold faith in me of capable to the job. :-) I guess the reason I took the chance was not so much of the good package they offer, more for the children's future that they will be exposed to better education system and yes, getting a nice and godly wife there - which is a must requirement - in future hahaha :-P

Yes, I traveled all the way to London and just had a 2 hours interview session with Scottish Golfer and the immediate head of the position. At first, I was thinking why they need 2 hours so long to interview me after they already had about 3 to 4 times telephone interview with me beforehand.

Thank God for Mr Green Apple and my dear have prompted me to search the net for some interview questions, so I printed them all last minute in the hotel I stay (thank God for free internet and printing there - they treat me well :-))I studied and prepared for a night before then.

There I went for the interview, I am very much at ease with Scottish Golfer because I know him personally. He took half hour to do the introductory meeting - it was an honored for me because dear and I felt he shouldn't be doing so for the position he holds in the company. Then the other one and a half hour was then with the HR personnel and the head of the position.

Yes, they really took that 2 hours to interview me. I am surprised that I handled well and I gave myself 85 marks for it. I am very relax (very unusual) and handled the questions very well. I must thanks again for dear and Mr. Green Apple that the print out from the net really helpful, I started to think they actually also copied the questions from there. Nothing surprised me with their questions as I have fully prepared for them the night before. Even they asked this question: What is the last piece of Financial News you have read recently? which appears in the printing out I have also. So I smiled and mentioned about Enron case as this was broadcasted in UK for two days.

I thank God for being with me throughout the session, I was surprised about myself that I can articulate some quality in answering the questions, slow, clear and reflective answers. I am pleased.

So, what is the result? I don't know yet!! However, I thank God for this experience, at least it assures me that I am of value in some ways ( better or equal with the British/ European candidates as this is international position hahaha)It confirms God's plan in letting me to do the degree which I have doubted for so many years - I never see myself an (square and dull) accountant.

I trust His plan and His guiding hands.

Yes Shopping Fever

2006-10-23T21:16:00.000+13:00

Yes, I have 2 days my own time in London, and I planned to visit some museums and shop and shop!

Last visit dear has dreaded her legs to visit the British gallery
until I show her the "Sun Flower" and others masterpieces, I guess she will appreciate them and admire them with me in future. This time I stay near Tate gallery and I told my self I must go this time.

However, with mission in mind to shop, I guess the shopping urge is stronger then the artistic nature in me :-)

I have 2 missions with me: Dear maternity dress and baby clothes!!

You see, H&M is our favorite and it has very reasonable maternity clothes as cheap as £3. Dear has been envy with the British women that they have such variety choices here, so I guess I must get one or two for her.. Well, I search from Kensington, Oxford street to Marble Arch and yes I got some!!! People gave me some kind of looks when a "teenager" buying and asking for maternity clothes :-)

This is the difficult part for me, I am struggling to decide whether I should buy a baby girl or boy's one!!! Well, I guess I will go by faith
:-)

Dream Church????

2006-10-23T08:39:00.000+13:00

When I reach there - Dominion Theatre, the entrance was packed with people, lining up to get in. I was 15 minutes late and there I have to be waited to be called for the entry to the service. They do not want people to stand along the side way due to fire security problem. I felt a bit rejection here, how can a church rejects people coming in ???

Then I see around, people were patiently waiting for their turns though the service had already started. The members of the church with their "uniforms" - black and stylish coat going around chatting with people, serving coffee and tea and ensuring us it won't be too long to be seated.

Ya... I had to wait for an hour - REALLY - to have a chance to go in.. Yes the service appear very grand. A big stage in front with about thousand seats down the stage. Cinema size (not the mini one) screen projecting the speaker and concert quality sound.

The speaker is speaking about Jesus who took our sin and our place so that this grace is given to us to be righteous in God's sight. Browsing around the people, wow, mostly young people, they brought their bibles and note pad to take notes. Yes!! Most of them took notes during the sermon, and yes most of them bring their bible which I am really ashamed of myself or ourselves sometime.

I missed the worship slot, BUT aleast they sang 3 songs at the end - if you are the hillsong fans, you may identify those faces on the album above here in live.

I started to doubt that people were saying that the church in Europe is dying, but not this one....

Of Course, I told myself after the church service, I am too quick to make any comments in just a visit BUT the Lord is working here and YES next time I wish to visit the origin Hillsong Church in Australia.

Surprise Gifts

2006-10-09T01:58:00.000+13:00

God has been a God of Surprises this year to me especially on my big day!!!

First, he has surprised me with this offer:

Then, he "prompted" dear to consider this for me :-P

Then, a friend of ours gave us this for my 6 pecks mission :-)

But this is the greatest of all.....

I thank God for all these, given me friends too to share this today...
Well, a year wiser but still young at my heart...

Dear's New Passion

2006-09-20T03:07:00.000+13:00

Wonder since when dear has such passion in gar~~~den~~ning ~~~

However, there is this nasty cat from neighbour keep bothering her gar~~ den~~.

Announcement

2006-07-29T23:53:00.000+13:00

Announcement !!!!

I have another "brother" added to the family.... after dear has a super short hairstyle :-P

Game Night

2006-07-12T23:36:00.000+13:00

That night...

I awaken by some sound from the TV in our bedroom.... I was shocked and thought that some "omen" scenes coming to live in my bedroom.

Then I realised dear was watching the final game of the World Cup

Dear: Eh.. 1:1 already!!!
Me: Ya ya go to sleeplah
Dear: who will win, let's bet
Me: Bet what??? Ummmm... one week on duty ok
Dear: you crazy!!!!

Now I recalled why she asked me to sleep early earlier on. Now I see she wanted to watch the game...

Wondering whether she is watching the game or those hunks - Mind you, France and Italy - We met so many handsome guys there especially the Italians (even so for the priests there):-)

Wonder whether she will be that awake if she is called for "duty" :-P

Movies

2006-07-08T21:55:00.000+13:00

Omen - I watched the trilogy with my parents when I was a little boy, vividly remember the small kid with 666 mark and his black dog and crow. The new Omen seems to get my interest to watch it. Dear has declined as she is such a "girly" with horror show.. well I am just such a man ... that needs someone to watch with (haha). It seems that it is not on the cinema anymore, I guess I will just get the DVD and force my dear to watch with me ... hehehe

Superman - Again, I watched this with parents - yea, I remember Friday night used to be family movie night - when I was little. Now "Superman Return" is on but it does not really get my interest compared to Omen. I just think that it is just another show that show how eagerly the Americans need a superhero nowadays. Ever wonder why the baby superman will land on America not China? Why superman has been saving majority of Americans but not others...:-P Or you would prefer to ask : Why superman wear his undie outside? :-)

Surprise!

2006-06-24T12:35:00.000+13:00

I got "surprises" last two days..:-P
Wonder whether it is God's timing :-)

6 pecks here I come

2006-06-17T19:56:00.000+13:00

Dear and I are very concerned our weight lately. We been to this CF at mid valley to check out the package. Why CF and not FF, because I am drawn to the swimming pool more. :-)

Their so call specialist conducted a fitness check on us, and we fond out we carried a bit fat and the heart is a bit weak. They gave us a good deal but dear was thinking we have alternatives.

So we end up walking up and down a small hill path near out home - a popular place for residents there, peak in the morning and evening.

Dear was so into it and walked with me a few days, now she left me alone. She prefers the bed.

I have been consistent for a bout a week, I shall see how long I can persist on.

6 pecks on my abs, my might God I pray :-P oklah discount a bit,4, please :-)

Dino1 Class Teacher

2006-06-17T19:15:00.000+13:00

She is a middle age lady, not married I suspect. Wear spec and has a mushroom hair style. She has her style of dressing up, particularly her sandal with thick stockings.

We have 3 interesting conversations with her

First one when we told her we want to take dino1 out from the afternoon tuition class
Teacher: Why, it is good for the student (ya, I know)
He will learn more (More??? to what extend? the syllabus is not that wide for primary 1)
He will get used to it, you need to train him up eventhough he told you he is tired (eh.. life is not just tuition, homework and school!!!)
He sure will not catch up with the rest, we will carry some lessons to the tuition time (Hello! I thought tuition is something extra, but you have to teach him all in the normal class contact hours)
I am very firm with my student, I build the strong foundation for them, many parents came and thanked me for that. (ya, so THANK YOU)

Dino1 said he wanted to try the afternoon class for a month, so we paid all the fees and the study materials in order to see whether he likes it. So few weeks later, we found he had so much homework from the tuition class in addition to his normal class, and he seems to catch up finishing his homework most of the day. Dear and I think that it is not really big deal to have tuition for this primary 1, and more so we wanted him to have more of his time after school - time to read his story books, play with lego and dino2, and also sometime with us rather than all about studies and homework. So we told him we will take him out of the tuition system at this time. He declined and said he wanted to go because all of his classmates are there. (so, I don't have to follow other parents right?) we told him he can join back when he is at primary 3 or 4.

Since then, the class teacher looks at us as if we are not human being on earth.

Conversation 2 was a confrontation. We fond out some marks on dino1 cheeks like he was pinched. We asked dino1 and knew it was the act of this class teacher. So knowing dino can be strong will and has his own way, we asked dino1 to behave but be quick to tell us if this happen again. so there was a second time, we tried to understand the teacher's stand before any confrontation.

The third time happened and dear and I decided to talk with her.

We: We noticed some marks on dino1's cheeks, any idea who did it
teacher: oh.... uh....It's me
We: Why? What has he done?
teacher: Oh, he was so talkative in the class, he laughed loudly and made so many mistakes in his homework.
We: we hope you will communicate with us before you take any action.
teacher: ya yes, I apologies, I was very hot temper as well, sometimes it just get out of way...
We: ..... (so, control yourself)

I just told her I wouldn't want her to have any physical discipline with dino1, eventhogh some of the parents gave permission to her to do so. we are not them, you see.

Conversation 3 just happened recently when I received dino1's report card. Knowing the position is out of question..
Me: so how does he behave in the class?
teacher: he ya, still very talkative and not paying attention..
Me: Any positive behaviour you see in him (I want to get some positive points from her, you see)
teacher: uh....... oklah....

I nearly wanted to slap her few slaps.. Nowadays, teachers are so focusing on students' negative areas....

Perhaps, I am too "protective" to my children, I guess :-P Hard time for teachers of theirs in time to come.

Way to go!! Dino1.

2006-06-17T13:08:00.000+13:00

Yesterday I went to Dino1's school to get his report card. We already knew his results for the subjects he sat few weeks ago, just that we still haven't got to know his position in class and overall position in the school.

So I joyfully went to meet his class teacher (whom I will blog about her more later) and received his report card and comments about dino1 from her.

My jaws dropped and I rubbed my eyes few times to make sure what i see was what i saw.

Me: ehhh.. why ya, teacher ????
teacher: No surprise for that to happen in this first class, you can't afford to have such low marks

HUH!!! LOW MARK !!! The average mark over the papers is 94. That means dino1 got every paper for about 94 marks which we were aware.

LOW MARK !! WHAT DO YOU MEAN????

teacher: you must have at least 98 marks or near 100% in order to be in first class. and YOU NEED TO COACH YOUR SON or HE WILL DROP TO SECOND CLASS. (she raised her voice a bit to make sure I got what she said while I still stared at the position he got in the class.

He got the 7th position...... FROM THE BOTTOM, meaning he got position 37 out of 44 in the class.

I just can't believe that kind of competition dino1 is in now. I look at the the class and started to see student 1 stood uo explaining: MC2 formulae is due to....., student 2: well the dark hole in the space is formed from ..... student3: To derive this math problem you must....

I wanted to run out of the class, have I sent dino1 to the hell!!!!! :-P

BUT at the end, though we stress to him that he needs to improve and do better (typical "kia su" parents) and be more like his daddy, we are still proud of him.

Stag Night

2006-05-27T00:40:00.000+13:00

JT and I organised a stag night for PO last night. And we have initial number of 15+ down to only just 5 of us. I guess it must be the reason that I objected to have a stripper for PO and later they suggested me to be the stripper and that scared off most of them.. hahaha :-)

We had a nice chat over the wine table - we started with PO future bro-in-law questions posed to him. I found it amusing to come from him and wonder why he asked those questions, see below:

1) How many girlfriends you've have before my sis?
2) If yes, have you kiss any of them before?
3) Have you kiss my sis before?
4) What is the most irritating thing about my sis?
5) How many kids do you want to have?

Can you imagine your future bro-in-law ask you those questions before you get married with his sis? I will surely wondering what he is up to if these were to be posed to me.

PO answered very frankly and every answers he gave brought me and JT to identify some of the phases in his life. I can't believe I have known him from teenage and now seeing him get married and then has children etc. I guess he is still little boy to me.

Being the only "experienced" man in the group, he of course asked me some "important" questions and I think I gave a very good answer to that :-P

One last important question he pose, what is the key factor for me to maintain a long lasting marriage. I said: communication. :-) Dear must be making faces behind me if she were there :-P

My long waited pal, finally!!!

2006-05-17T12:47:00.000+13:00

It never justify for me to own a MacBook Pro, I've been waiting for new breed for iBook. Here it finally arrived and I particularly like the mysterious glossy black.. one of my favorite color that somehow represent me as well - cool ~~~ :-)

Now must do some homework to learn some skills to "negotiate" with dear :-P Any advice out there???

I Fail !!!!!

2006-05-14T01:56:00.000+13:00

Dear all, I FAILED.... sob! sob!

Anxious Dear

2006-05-08T04:40:00.000+13:00

Dear: Dear, it has been late for almost 2 weeks....
Me: So????
Dear: Aren't you worried??????
Me: So????
Dear: Youlah..... if it is true , how??????
Me: :-)
Dear: I'd better test it out....
Me: :-) still smiling.....

Blond-hair wife

2006-05-01T20:20:00.001+13:00

We had a interesting conversation with dino1

Dino1: Mum, dad, I know what kind of wife I want.
We: Huh!!! ??????
Dino1: Can my wife has golden hair? (He does not know the word blond)
We:Eeerrr.. like whose hair?
Dino1: Like princess K
We: Haha, of course we won't mind...

Wonder how he gets the idea. We know we have been reading a lot of stories with Kings and Queens characters, like the Lucy & Susan in Narnia. Lately he is enjoying the King Arthur story book that supposingly for my leisure read. And he got to know Arthur's wife -Guenevere . Dear must has described her as a pretty blond hair queen (What a stereotype) and that dino1 now thinks all pretty girls are blond.

We won't mind at all if he would want to marry a westerner - in fact, I start motivating him to be top so that he could study in my university one day and armed with another "noble" mission . hehe :-P

Oh yes, princess K, do you notice you are wearing a crown and blond in that little box :-)

Mr. Apple Hunk- Soon- to- be Washing car

2006-05-01T18:26:00.000+13:00

I woke up and determine to wash the car. Mr Green Apple (A friend who begins to indulge in Apple cult) teased me and told my dear it won't get me long enough to keep the car clean - Neh!! I am up to it and with the ONE objective in mind - to be soon look like the hunk you see in the picture.

http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc says that with my weigh by washing car will burn about 135 calories.

Dear gently reminds me her car is right there waiting for me...

Toothbrush Story

2006-04-01T19:30:00.000+13:00

Good mama, dear has promised dino1 to buy a braun toothbrush for him in this UK/HK trips. We were browsing high and low in London, then Sheffield. Finally after comparing the prices in the Argos catalogue shop, Superdrug and Booths. We spotted one in the Booths, Meadowhall, Sheffield.

Why, the price for this is only £5.90 - very cheap - (we almost ended up not buying one for him at all because the price we saw is too expensive for a toothbrush to us :-P), so we happily brought thetoothbrushh to the cash till.. Ting Ting!! The price scanned was £15.99. What !!! We took it back and walked back to the display rak and check the description and price tag.

The description matched and the price tag indicated is £5.90. For me, I just told dear to forget it because the scanning system should be right. Having worked in the retail industry , and a mum wanted to please a pampered child :-P - she insisted to check with the shop assistant and ask them to honour the price they display...

Oh dear, not in a foreign land though Sheffield is like a second home to us :-P. So I called up the shop assistant, show them the price and description tag with the item. They "happily" said they will check for us. After about 30 minutes, finally they came back and appologised for the waiting, and admitted that they were wrong and it was their mistake and they would sell the item with the price they put up. The grin appeared on my dear's face immediately.....

Will this happen in Malaysia?????

Greedy dear said: "Aya!! We should ask whether we can buy two at that price and dino 2 has one too!!!" - oh what a "dear" dear!!!

We were wondering why dino1 would request such an item, we thought it is under the charm of Miss K :-P Hehe!!

2006-04-01T19:05:00.000+13:00

We had a good time with our friends in HK. Both couples have stayed in HK for more than 2 years.

Couple A, the wife married with a Hkee, so she has been "imported" to HK and stayed there about 5 years plus. We met in Exchange square - a financial district in HK - and hop into a high class restaurant. Oh Oh, dear and I just came back from Macau and we were not well-dressed at all, so we met the husband there first, and quietly asked him whether we should change the venue and go somewhere more common like Starbucks. The husband called but she insisted to stay, so we were uneasy at first, where the waiter "professionally' served us, the few set of folks and spoons that lay before us that we have no clue how to start with...

Luckily the conversation and fellowship took the uneasiness away and we spent hours and hours catching up news with one another. Friend of us has been "converted" into a typical HKee, when she speaks there is HK slang in her :-P

We finished our dinner and enjoyed the musicians singing for us at the end.....Food was unique but we did not order Peking Duck (Though dear was dying to try it after conversation with Mr. Zen), we respected the host's choice anyway (Of course, bills went to them, not me :-P)

Couple B, who both work as in house legal advisors in one of the US company in HK brought us to this Mongolia Steamboat House to eat their specialty - lamb meat. The picture you see is the steamboat to cook the veg and meat. Awesome and delicious. We talked and fellowshiped. They seemed to plan to stay in HK for good as the conversation hover around how our country has failed in many aspects to them. They still care for their home land, I guess.

We were really happy to meet them, we'd like to meet friends and talk about heaven and earth rather doing something aimlessly, we both happy that friendship among us is still there though we are seas part away, it kills our time in HK, we rather chat with them than window shopping..

Perhaps, they may be the reason we will revisit HK...

HK2

2006-04-01T18:41:00.000+13:00

The star ferry that brings us from Tsim Sha Tsui to HK Island

Bruce Lee - Avenue of Star

HK3

2006-04-01T18:28:00.000+13:00

No No It is not the Apple MAC Store, it is "Apple Jeans" store :-P

Trams that run through HK Island ... You can host your wedding with it if you want to...

"Traditional" Baker we saw in Macau

Mah Jong Center in HK!!! Very tempted to go in and see whether it is like what we used to see in the HK movie

HK4

2006-04-01T18:20:00.000+13:00

Neon Lights and sign boards - trade mark of HK

One of the noodle restaurant we dined in - RM15 per bowl !!!!

HK Dim Sum - Heaven but we need to wait for an hour for our dishes ~~

HK

2006-03-30T22:20:00.000+13:00

Yes, it was misty and foggy when we were in HK. Mr Zen said it is (photo above) a "must see" scene in HK, I guess God has no favor on us then :-P

We don't really like HK generally, felt a bit a waste of time... window shopping aimlessly BUT

We miss the food - HK "dim sum", porridge, "yuen young" tea and yes, peking duck...
We miss the fellowship - managed to meet two couples for a good time and "very very expensive" dinner, we "met" Mr Zen and had a good chat :-)
We like the weather - just like in Genting
We like the tram - which let you see the HK Central all the way through

I think those are what we like about HK, don't think so we will go there again, unless dino1 and 2 wanted a Disneyland trip :-P

Home

2006-03-30T22:13:00.000+13:00

Dear and I had been away from home to UK and HK. Finally we are back - our home - to catch our dearly missed dino1 and dino2.

We managed to unpack everything and dear had (as usual) given the order to clean the house the very first day...

Felt a bit rush for me this time, I missed the time we can "slowly and enjoying" our walk in the park, sitting down at the bench near the river or aimlessly wandering in the european cities. What a short break I must say

~ sigh~

Things I need to do before writing a letter

2006-03-07T12:37:00.000+12:00

Yes, I am a bit settled now as you can see I have some time to blog.

Handover matters are settled - in fact a bit worried as my colleague will deal with this "gwai lo" on behalf of me. She can't get his British Yorkshire slang in general. I could imagine a chicken talking to a duck now :-)

Tidying all my discussion with my professor, will meet him just for one day due to bad timing arrangement - so better thresh out everything for this visit.

Settling arrangement for dino1 - school and music lessons - Big Boy JT will entertain him for two weekends, so dino1 is looking forward to it.

Started to miss dino2, he is more vocal and communicative lately - worried my mum will jeopardise dino's potty training qualification :-P

2 major meetings to go, one workshop to attend - still busy I am - I guess

Packing packing - what to blame, I am not a "professional packer" like Mr Zen.

A very important letter to write - to encourage? to sharpen? to kill? to be diplomatic? It is really hard ....

Hey, Little Boy

2006-03-07T12:32:00.000+12:00

I just miss this guy lately, it seem to me I have not been in touch with him for so long... Must get a chance to see him before I fly off ...

Aunty Apple

2006-03-07T01:22:00.000+12:00

It has been crasy week for me.. things were up to my neck and I can hardly put a smile on my face.

Worse still the Government announced that the petro price rises by 30 cents... oh dear, I told my dear that we need to tie our tummy real tight for all this inflation in neccessety spending.

One good news is that dino2 FINALLY graduated from the award of degree in potty training recently. He now will inform us beforehand when he needs to do his minor and major downloading tasks :-). Annoying is that he insists to go to the toilet even though we are in the middle of shopping, taking meals in restaurant etc.

Good timing is that I have done a quick calculation on the cost saving in purchasing the disposable diapers. One piece is about 40 cents, so it off set a bit lah... hahaha

Typical figure-minded man I am. I am more and more like a aunty :-P

Yes Sir, Mr Apple

2006-02-12T19:58:00.000+12:00

Another matter I need to evaluate and reflect during this "consultation" week I had..

As I was preparing all the documents and papers, and the programme involves other divisions and other staff that are not under mine, so I guess I have been using a lot of "commanding" words in the process such like : Get this filled up by tomorrow, photostat this, please,; go and dig out the file from X and X...etc

Though the "please" word is there but the tone does not reflect that...

So this colleague of mine came in to see me on certain matter by addressing me "Mr. Apple.. can I ask you ...." very promptly I asked him why he called me Mr Apple, becuase I used to call him just name without title to show that we are same position and most important a fellow friend and colleague ..

He smiled and also can't explain why.

Later, as I evaluate, I think I carried myself to much as a "leader/commander" when come to serious work and meeting certain standard I expect. so I guess, I need to tone down a bit or else I am the least popular person in the school. :-P

Nightmare with Consultant

2006-02-12T19:28:00.000+12:00

Well, Last week I was stuck with this British consultant ( An old but wise man) sent from the Education Director of UK, to "look at" the course programme that I oversee.

Of course, we need to prepare all the documents and QAA for him to view and discuss with him. I was literally in due stress for the week before he came, where my division head and i had so much thing to check and prepare for him, JUST for 2 miserable days with him.

I wonder whether I am a bit sensitive or it is true that a consultant who used to carry himself in such way that , to me, so stuck-up and nose + head + whatever held up against you, or it is a natural thing that a consultant would behave (Are you one of them, Mr Zen? :-P)

I am not that easily "wounded" anyway, in fact I told my division head that I look forward to seeing him to give us constructive suggestion to improve, just that I am not that kind of person to be "too lowly" in front of people from those "advanced & developed" countries like UK.

I am physical and mentally tired with all the meetings and dinners. Afterall, the consultant and I did have a good chat during the dinner and we welcome him to come again, sincerely.

His visit has taught me that how important critical and reflective thinking we should have in order to improve ourselves. I guess I agree totally with this, in all aspect of our lives - spiritually, emotionally and in mortality.

This stress will continue as I am seeing another one next week..... sob sob!! I am looking forwards to March :-)

One E Xhuen

2006-02-05T20:37:00.000+12:00

We were in Jusco and this "professional" old caligraphy-writer were inviting the people to try writing for new year traditional chinese poem. So he asked everyone to write the first character and he would continue with the first character written down . Many were too "conventional" that they wrote many common chinese good words, so I thought I should be a bit different. I wrote dino2's name as the first letter on the red papes. That took him about 10 minutes to think of a nice 'poem" for the second character, and I probed him a bit and gave him some idea :-)

The other one is dino1's writing, a simple " E" which means one - the caligrapher praised him that the word was written with great strength, and therefore gave him the following nice word...

What do they mean???

The one for dino1: Being famous with ONE deed
The one for dino2: Light of the world with grace
Shinning over the household with glory

Haha, I guess they should mean that .... don't play play :-P

Celebrate!!! Dear, Celebrate!!

2006-02-04T03:08:00.000+12:00

She baked the cookies...

Bought a new year plant ....
Decorate the house....

But she has this to finish....

Come on, celebrate this CNY dear !!!! :-P

Mr Panda Make-over - SOON!!!

2006-01-09T12:27:00.000+12:00

Dear has only this week to finish her part-time job.. I was so so happy and long for that time to come... because I can pass the "super crasy morning rise - rush here and there driver" task to her now :-P

Don't you see lately I am just like a panda - it's time for me to recover my "handsomeness" hehehe

Mr Apple: Never Give Up!! Never!!!

2006-01-01T21:08:00.000+12:00

Dear: What are you getting for me this anniversary???
Me: I know iPod Video!!!
Dear: silent ....

Sure it will get into bin if this is given to her !!! :-P

7 year itch

2006-01-01T20:57:00.000+12:00

Oh dear !!! Today, dear and I are now in the 7th year of marriage. No wonder I felt itchy everywhere... :0P

Dino's Joy

2005-12-26T20:17:00.000+12:00

Wonder how dino2 became Bob the Builder fan!!! He basically just crazy about the cartoon characters and singing "Bob the builder, can you fix it? Yes We can!!" almost everyday.

He got this gift from godma, wrapped with Bob the builder wrapper. He already got exicited when he saw it in the car.. so dear has a brillant idea - see what she turned those mega bloks!!! They simply became Bob the builder Mega Bloks.

Dino2 is so happy... Thanks to dear and godma :-)

Merry Christmas !!!

2005-12-25T20:17:00.000+12:00

This year I felt a bit odd for the season, BUT as long as the KING is pleased.

Meery Christmas to all my friends, peace on earth as Jesus comes to us.

Cheese and smile

2005-12-24T19:02:00.000+12:00

Do you like cheese? Dino 1 does but not Dino2. Dino1 picks up cheese-liking when we were in UK. Basically, he actually just like the variety of cartoon characters in the packaging, and asking us to buy for him - like the one you see in the picture - Wenleysdale Cheese with Wallace and Gromit - from North Yorkshire.

I never noticed these cartoon chracters (W & G) was a big thing when I was there watching the BBC cartoon with him last time.. until Chicken Run.. then a production of Jesus story during christmas.

Dear and dino1 have watched the show - Wallace and Gromit - Curse of the Were-Rabbit when I was practising for Chritmas worship gathering. Yes, WITHOUT me !!!!!

Now, anyone care to join me for the show?????

Our first Christmas Tree Ho Ho Ho

2005-12-12T13:24:00.000+12:00

A Bare and naked one

Let there be light

with Joy....

Hope...
... and Love

Peace on earth for our King is born

Bed Time Story

2005-12-11T03:39:00.000+12:00

After finding out one of our friends has been married for 13 years....
Scene: Dear was leaning close to me when I was lying on bed nearly going to fall asleep....

Dear: Hey, dear (very tenderly and softly) do you know what is the next BIG day for us...
Me: Uhhh ?????
Dear: How many years we have been married????
Me: Oohh... I remember now! 7 years, so???
Dear: Shall we.... shall we celebrate??
Me: eehhh... we are not in tenth yearlah.....
Dear: ..... (silent, angry perhaps!!)
Me: Oh, by the way, what are you going to get for me hey!!! I want iPod video!!!
Dear: GO TO SLEEP!!!!!!

Light off!

Santa

2005-12-10T03:28:00.000+12:00

I remembered sharing this to my friends on the incident where I was ill after two days intensively writing my paper. I literally locked myself in the room, dear was blocking dino2 to come and "kacau" me, and I was just sitting in front of my mac and write and write.. for two days I finish my sort of second last chapter at this stage. But, the next morning, my head was spinning inside, and I vomited again and again. Doctor said it was due to the infection in the ear that caused imbalance in me. So, I laid on bed for about 2 days...

Inside me, I am wanting to finish my paper like hell.. too long and too much work and burden on me for this commitment. But, my prof. just takes his own time and I guess he just like my company for another 6 years perhaps :-)

Few months ago, prof and I was in ill term, I was shouting at him: "Hey, you are not helpful" He snaped back: "That's your job!" Later, we found both was wrong because both assumed the wrong thing. we both thought that tone of us has my first draft paper, but in fact it was missing. He was devil to me that time :-P

Today, I received his email after sending all my revised papers. He said: "Ummm, I think you have written good enough, you need not to read any more for your literature review... a few more adjustments and revision will do good!!!" Ho Ho Ho This is what exactly I wanted to hear.... part of the heavy stones just shed off from me. He is my santa now :-P

I guess this is the first fantastic chritmas gift I got for this year.. God is gracious and faithful. I really felt the joy as the hard work is paid off a little bit now. I know there is still long and bumpy road to go, at least He is travelling with me :-)

Ho Ho Ho

Poor Dinos....

2005-12-08T04:09:00.000+12:00

At the shopping mall, dear and I were searching gifts for dinos...

Dear: What shall we buy for the two dinos this year???
Me: Anything that is not too expensive and unnesseary.
Dear: Ok, how about checking some toys there...
Me: Do you want to clear the mess everytime they finish playing!!!!
Dear: How about some clothes then...
Me: Hey, there are plenty of new clothes they have not tried on yet !!!
Dear: Ok Ok how about some books for them?
Me: Oh no problem!!

So dear bought "Bob the Builder" for dino2 and perhaps Hans Anderson's collection for dino1 later.

Poor dinos, who have a dad that think only books will always fit for seasonal gifts :-P

Ho Ho Ho

2005-11-30T04:22:00.000+12:00

So many years of celebrating Christmas, dear and I have not bought in any christmas tree for this season. One thing we see it is no point at all when the kids do not really appreciate the lighting and the decos, second we feel it is just a day thing as compared to CNY and Raya which atleast they are celebrated for more than a day.

Well, let's try to be different this year as we are a bigger family now (dino2 is added :-P), so sought out the advent calendar and activity from the net, so that the month of Dec (Advent) will be more meaningful for Tews family.
Try out http://www.smmp.com/Advent/Advent.htm and http://apmethodist.org/advent-activity.htm

Wonder why this year, I am a a bit excited to have a christmas tree at home. Dear found something unique to be our "special" christmas tree, and yes, we will set up one that is definitely not conventional. :-P