Near my place is a national secondary school, "national" here means 100% fully owned, run and sponsored by the government. In Penang, national school also means school for students who do not fair well in government major examinations.
Every morning on my way to work, I will need to pass by the school, yesterday was one of the usual routine, I slowed down my car at the traffic light junction and saw that the school assembly had just over, some students were seen being held back for inspection/investigation by the prefects and disciplinary teacher (I guessed). As I observed this I wonder if this group of students will end up being "Mat rempits" (a famous term used in Malaysia for illegal motor racers/so call society problem makers) who eventually will be held for inspection/investigation by the police when they grew up (sorry for being so critical/judgemental).
As a parent, my heart sank looking at the students, they may not be my children but they are somebody's else children. I believe it is every parents' wish to see their off spring educated, well behave and be able to make a decent living when they grew up. I'm not denying that many who do not fair well in studies can still succeed later on in their career/life, but the fact is majority of these students will eventually drop out of school, roaming in the streets, exploring and fending for themselves and this is a target group for many vice operators.
I heard from many child specialists/teachers that a child's mind and character is more or less nurtured and formed by the age of 8, meaning if you fail to impart positive influences and what is right or wrong to a child by then, it's very hard for you to teach him later on. I'm not sure how true is this but this is certainly scary for parents. I believe a strong nation begins with strong family units, Malaysia is certainly lagged behind in many ways after 50 years of independence compared to our neigboring country. It's really high time our government wake up, realize and do some thing rather than spending time doing what they are doing now..(you will know what I'm talking about if you have been following up on Malaysia front pages).
Do you know some one who has gone astray?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
More cooking
Since the huge hike of goods' price, I’m more cost conscious nowadays. I tend to cook more often over the weekends, typically we went out for a good meal once a week and each meal would cost us about RM40-RM60 depending where we go and what we eat. In addition MIL has borrowed a lot of cook books, she even made some copies so I’ve been trying new recipes and also improvised some of my own…. Would like to share some recipes for those who want to pamper their family right at the comfort of your home... I think most of us dread about the cleaning part not so much the cooking part right? As for me I normally do the preparation and cooking, MIL will take the back stage and do the cleaning job for me…
Wai Wai’s Chicken Teriyaki.
1)2 drumsticks with the thigh portion, de-boned
Marinate:
1)1 ½ teaspoon of sugar
2)1 tablespoon of soya sauce
3)1 tablespoon of “shau shing” wine
Sauce:
1)1 ½ teaspoon of sugar
2)1 tablespoon of soya sauce
3)1 tablespoon of “shau shing” wine
4)1 teaspoon of corn flour
5)3 tablespoon of water
Garnishing:
Slices of cucumbers/tomatoes
Marinate the chicken for ½ hour, heat 3 tablespoon of oil, spread the chicken with a thin layer of corn flour and grilled under low fire until both side is cooked. Pour out excess oil and pour in the sauce, cook until sauce thicken, shut the fire, remove from wok, garnish with slices of cucumbers/tomatoes.
Chicken Chestnut with Jellyfish Soup
1) ½ chicken, de-skin
2) 4 slices of ginger
3) 7-8 chestnuts (de-skin)
4) 4 bowls of water
5) Jelly fish (a handful), soaked for 6 hours to remove the salty taste
Bring items 1 – 4 to boil, remove and transfer into a slow cooker, let it simmer for 4 – 6 hours, pour in jelly fish and add salt to taste. Serve hot.
Wai Wai’s Chicken Teriyaki.
1)2 drumsticks with the thigh portion, de-boned
Marinate:
1)1 ½ teaspoon of sugar
2)1 tablespoon of soya sauce
3)1 tablespoon of “shau shing” wine
Sauce:
1)1 ½ teaspoon of sugar
2)1 tablespoon of soya sauce
3)1 tablespoon of “shau shing” wine
4)1 teaspoon of corn flour
5)3 tablespoon of water
Garnishing:
Slices of cucumbers/tomatoes
Marinate the chicken for ½ hour, heat 3 tablespoon of oil, spread the chicken with a thin layer of corn flour and grilled under low fire until both side is cooked. Pour out excess oil and pour in the sauce, cook until sauce thicken, shut the fire, remove from wok, garnish with slices of cucumbers/tomatoes.
Chicken Chestnut with Jellyfish Soup
1) ½ chicken, de-skin
2) 4 slices of ginger
3) 7-8 chestnuts (de-skin)
4) 4 bowls of water
5) Jelly fish (a handful), soaked for 6 hours to remove the salty taste
Bring items 1 – 4 to boil, remove and transfer into a slow cooker, let it simmer for 4 – 6 hours, pour in jelly fish and add salt to taste. Serve hot.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Linky Love
Kena tag by Ling...
This is another of those Linky Love game where you only have to tagged 10 person in one post but still there is no actual limit (you can tag more if you want!). Once tagged, you have to copy paste the link in this post, and make them grow!
BennyLiew
RamblinMoo
Mum & Kids In Wonderland
Everyday health and beauty
BabiesLZ
All About Baby Nicholas
Growing Up Together
Thirty something
I wanna tag Mamajo...
This is another of those Linky Love game where you only have to tagged 10 person in one post but still there is no actual limit (you can tag more if you want!). Once tagged, you have to copy paste the link in this post, and make them grow!
BennyLiew
RamblinMoo
Mum & Kids In Wonderland
Everyday health and beauty
BabiesLZ
All About Baby Nicholas
Growing Up Together
Thirty something
I wanna tag Mamajo...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Just both of us
The other night, hubby suggested that we went for an escapee night out, just the two of us, catching up with one another, find a place and just talk. So we went to this new place called "Blue Sky", we strolled down the lanes, it was windy, found a quiet corner to sit down and just chat... it was a nice night out, thanks hubby for planning a random getaway night....
Budding artist
Hubby forwarded this to me the other day…
Later I found out that the art teacher has submitted the entry on her behalf
Wow my daughter entering an art competition…. Makes me feel that every $$ spent on her art class so far pays off, my hubby teased me that I’m so easy to be pleased… little things like that sent me to cloud nine….
Well I realized that my girls do have some artistic talent in them….. the other day I found this picture lying on the sofa:
I questioned the originator and it turned out to be a piece of artwork from Emily…. Hmm… you think I should start paying more attention in helping them harness and cultivate this talent? Who knows the girls may end up being the next Leonardo Da Vinci who not just a gifted artist but a sculptor, scientist, inventor, architect, musician and a mathematician (smack my head)……
Later I found out that the art teacher has submitted the entry on her behalf
Wow my daughter entering an art competition…. Makes me feel that every $$ spent on her art class so far pays off, my hubby teased me that I’m so easy to be pleased… little things like that sent me to cloud nine….
Well I realized that my girls do have some artistic talent in them….. the other day I found this picture lying on the sofa:
I questioned the originator and it turned out to be a piece of artwork from Emily…. Hmm… you think I should start paying more attention in helping them harness and cultivate this talent? Who knows the girls may end up being the next Leonardo Da Vinci who not just a gifted artist but a sculptor, scientist, inventor, architect, musician and a mathematician (smack my head)……
Monday, July 21, 2008
Petai Craze
Last Saturday, suddenly I got this craze for "buah petai", the stinky beans. My mom used to cook this wonderful petai dish where it is cooked with sambal (a paste which comprised of grind chilies,dry shrimps, belacan, shallots, garlics, lime juice)and prawns cum thin slices of pork meat. It has been ages since I tasted this mouth savouring dish, it's not something mom cooked frequently due to the tedious preparation, mom used to grind those ingredients with a mortar (lesung in Bahasa)single handedly.
So on Sunday morning, right after our church service, hubby and I went for a quick lunch, I shared with him the petai craze and off we went to the nearby supermarket to get our "sambal buah petai" ingredients, luck was at our side, I managed to get all the ingredients - petai, onions, ready made sambal paste and shrimps. Unfortunately my kids don't share the same craze, I don't expect them to, anyhow it really stinks... ha ha
I cooked them for dinner and voila.... so super delicious... 80% tasted like my mom's, so fulfilled and contended....... I was so eager to try on it that I forgot to take a picture of it, anyway, it looked something like this - (picture courtesy of wikipedia).... do you like "petai"?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
3 Paintbrush of parenting
I managed to steal some time and did some reading last week, I'm reading a parenting book by Dr.William Slonecker, halfway through I find the book quite interesting with a lot of practical insights in parenting, most importantly, it's based on biblical principles in which hubby and I agreed there could be no other better way than our God's way when it comes to bringing up and nurturing our precious gems.
The writer shared 3 must have paint brushes of parenting which are love, authority and trust, what I like about the book is there are no heavy stuff, more on principles and a lot of life experiences from the writer who serve as a pediatrician cum family counsellor for more than 40 years. It's not written for American parents, in fact I could relate the principles and his examples in our Asian family context. Therefore I strongly recommend this book to parents who are open to parenting principles based on a biblical point of view.
Happy reading, God knows how a daunting task it is being parents. :D
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Kids' Sports Day
Last Sat was the kids' kindy sports day and it's quite a grand family affair with both our girls taking part in 5 team games. In the wee hours of Sat morning, I ushered and rushed everyone from their lumber sleep, it was a big day for Michelle as she's the flag bearer for the team. She has been seriously practicing for the past weeks. It's funny how such little thing excite and make us parents so proud of our children.
We had a good time, cheering for the kids and other children. The children are so simple minded and sporting. I can really see them going all out, giving their best effort in each obstacle. Well the result? Emily's team turned out to be 1st runner up and Michelle's team, 2nd runner up, not bad for a family with no history of sport genes in us except for hubby. The kids are so thrilled to receive the trophies as their teams were among the weakest during their weekly practices. It all showed that determination and good team work pays off.
Actually the day before, I prepared them to face failure (just in case), I stressed the importance of playing hard and simply enjoy the games, winning is not important. I'm not sure if this is right..... parents in dilema...
I hope my girls learned the important lesson of giving their best in the things that they do. We are so proud of them!
A family portrait for sweet keepsake...
We had a good time, cheering for the kids and other children. The children are so simple minded and sporting. I can really see them going all out, giving their best effort in each obstacle. Well the result? Emily's team turned out to be 1st runner up and Michelle's team, 2nd runner up, not bad for a family with no history of sport genes in us except for hubby. The kids are so thrilled to receive the trophies as their teams were among the weakest during their weekly practices. It all showed that determination and good team work pays off.
Actually the day before, I prepared them to face failure (just in case), I stressed the importance of playing hard and simply enjoy the games, winning is not important. I'm not sure if this is right..... parents in dilema...
I hope my girls learned the important lesson of giving their best in the things that they do. We are so proud of them!
A family portrait for sweet keepsake...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Travelthon...
The past week has been spent travelling by air and land... really tiring.
Last Tues - Friday, Penang - Manila, Manila - Penang
Sat, Penang - Sitiawan
Sun, Sitiawan - Kampar
Mon, Kampar - Sitiawan, Sitiawan - Kampar, Kampar - Penang, why the repeated journey, you may asked, well all because of me forgetting my handbag with everything in it... "tai tau ha"
We end up reaching Penang at 8pm, cleared our stuff, took dinner at 10pm and knocked out by 10.30pm.
During the recent trip, I found out that my company President knew the existence of my blog and has been reading it......how? Because I've been using the hotel free internet access in the executive room, did not clear the history and when he accessed later, saw my blog title and clicked onto it... gosh...luckily I did not write something bad about him...anyway nothing bad to write about also.... so I'm safe and still employed.. :)
Last Tues - Friday, Penang - Manila, Manila - Penang
Sat, Penang - Sitiawan
Sun, Sitiawan - Kampar
Mon, Kampar - Sitiawan, Sitiawan - Kampar, Kampar - Penang, why the repeated journey, you may asked, well all because of me forgetting my handbag with everything in it... "tai tau ha"
We end up reaching Penang at 8pm, cleared our stuff, took dinner at 10pm and knocked out by 10.30pm.
During the recent trip, I found out that my company President knew the existence of my blog and has been reading it......how? Because I've been using the hotel free internet access in the executive room, did not clear the history and when he accessed later, saw my blog title and clicked onto it... gosh...luckily I did not write something bad about him...anyway nothing bad to write about also.... so I'm safe and still employed.. :)
Monday, July 7, 2008
Reading "pleasure"
I'm planning to read more and before me I've already lined up books hoping to deligently read them. Yesterday evening while Emily is still napping, I took out my book, found a nice spot, rested my feet on the foot stool and started reading.... while still at the same page, Michelle came running and started to barge into my comfort zone. I pleaded with her to let me read for half an hour and we could play badminton thereafter. She agreed and decided to take a book and sat beside me.
She started reading aloud, by then I was quite annoyed and could not concentrate..then she started to ask me every single word that she's not familiar with...... you guess... yeah I gave up, I end up listening to her reading and correcting her pronunciation..... by the time she finished with her reading, Emily woke up and it's time for the promised badminton session......
I actually envy mothers who find time to read.... I guessed I have to resort reading in the toilet while doing my daily business... but then again do you think they will leave me alone, No! They won't leave this mummy alone, Emily has the habit of coming into my room, knocked the bathroom's door and asked repeatedly what I was doing! Kids...
Ha ha I'm flying again tomorrow, will take the opportunity to read then, as for tonight I will stick like superglue to my girls!
She started reading aloud, by then I was quite annoyed and could not concentrate..then she started to ask me every single word that she's not familiar with...... you guess... yeah I gave up, I end up listening to her reading and correcting her pronunciation..... by the time she finished with her reading, Emily woke up and it's time for the promised badminton session......
I actually envy mothers who find time to read.... I guessed I have to resort reading in the toilet while doing my daily business... but then again do you think they will leave me alone, No! They won't leave this mummy alone, Emily has the habit of coming into my room, knocked the bathroom's door and asked repeatedly what I was doing! Kids...
Ha ha I'm flying again tomorrow, will take the opportunity to read then, as for tonight I will stick like superglue to my girls!
The best gift ever
I got this tag from Ling, hmm... what is the best gift ever? As a Christian the best gift I ever received is the gift of Salvation given by my Father, 20 years ago. It's so easy for us to link something tangible when we think about gifts but many a times we failed to realize that most of the best and richest gifts are right beside us and before our eyes. That is why sometimes God has to send "waves" into our lifes to wake us up....to me, the best gift is the gift of life....many of us wanted things to enjoy life but God give us life to enjoy things....May God teach us to be thankful for every good gifts for all good and perfect gifts comes from Him.
Friendly Rules:
1. Simply copy the inspirational and in the end write down the lesson you have learned out from this.
2. Put your own blog name and link. Pass or tag this to your friends to inspire them.
3. Start copy from "Begin Copy" until "End Copy" to your blog.
#begin copy
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom. And knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study.
His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somehow disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" And stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possesions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of his things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.
He begun to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and begun to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt. 7:11, "And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?"
As he reads those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL. How many times do we miss God's blessing because they are not packaged as we expected?
I trust you enjoyed this. Pass it on to others. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for... PLS. SEND THIS TO AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE SO AS TO LET THIS GREAT LESSON FLOW AROUND.
***END COPY***
I would like to extend this tag to whoever that is touched by this message...
Friendly Rules:
1. Simply copy the inspirational and in the end write down the lesson you have learned out from this.
2. Put your own blog name and link. Pass or tag this to your friends to inspire them.
3. Start copy from "Begin Copy" until "End Copy" to your blog.
#begin copy
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom. And knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study.
His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somehow disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" And stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possesions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of his things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.
He begun to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and begun to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt. 7:11, "And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?"
As he reads those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL. How many times do we miss God's blessing because they are not packaged as we expected?
I trust you enjoyed this. Pass it on to others. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for... PLS. SEND THIS TO AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE SO AS TO LET THIS GREAT LESSON FLOW AROUND.
***END COPY***
I would like to extend this tag to whoever that is touched by this message...
Friday, July 4, 2008
Fun play time
Sometimes my girls and I played "princesses", what we'll do is we will do our hairdo, wear accessories and parade in front of MIL and daddy. There are days we do hip hop, buns, rock n roll, china dolls.... Sometimes we tie daddy's hair too.
This is how Emily looks like in one of our session... :D
This is how Emily looks like in one of our session... :D
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I want to become "Jeh Jeh"
This is the statement made by Emily the other night..... While we were lying lazily and about to doze off, suddenly Emily got up, sat at one corner and demanded that she wanted to become a Jeh Jeh..
Emily: I want to become a Jeh Jeh
Me: Startled....
Emily: Faster deliver a baby so that I can become a Jeh Jeh!
Me: You can be Jeh Jeh to Sin Yee (our neighbor's daughter who is younger than her)
Emily: No, I want to become a true Jeh Jeh not Sin Yee's Jeh Jeh
Me: In our role plays games, you get to become Jeh Jeh also right?
Emily: I don't want fake one, I want real one...
Me: (Thinking hard how to answer her).. mummy and daddy plan just to have both of you only..unless God decided to bless us with another babylar, then you can become a Jeh Jeh lor..
Emily: I want you to give birth to a baby now!
Me: (Getting frustrated already) We can't choose to become a Jeh Jeh or Mei Mei, like mummy, mummy is the youngest also, so mummy can just become a mei mei, same goes with daddy.. daddy is the youngest, so become ti ti.
Emily: (Wanted to cry)... Jeh Jeh can become a jeh jeh, I can become mei mei only, Celeste (her classmate)can become Jeh Jeh...(giving me all examples of who and who is jeh jeh)...
Me: Okay... enough, go to sleep already, I know you can become a good jeh jeh.. you become jeh jeh to........... (list all her younger friends)..
Conversation forced to end...... LOL
How do you explain to a 4 year old that you don't plan to have another baby?? According to her teacher, Emily likes to take care of her younger friends and proof to be a good jeh jeh........hmm... actually felt quite vulnerable having to dissapoint her.
Emily: I want to become a Jeh Jeh
Me: Startled....
Emily: Faster deliver a baby so that I can become a Jeh Jeh!
Me: You can be Jeh Jeh to Sin Yee (our neighbor's daughter who is younger than her)
Emily: No, I want to become a true Jeh Jeh not Sin Yee's Jeh Jeh
Me: In our role plays games, you get to become Jeh Jeh also right?
Emily: I don't want fake one, I want real one...
Me: (Thinking hard how to answer her).. mummy and daddy plan just to have both of you only..unless God decided to bless us with another babylar, then you can become a Jeh Jeh lor..
Emily: I want you to give birth to a baby now!
Me: (Getting frustrated already) We can't choose to become a Jeh Jeh or Mei Mei, like mummy, mummy is the youngest also, so mummy can just become a mei mei, same goes with daddy.. daddy is the youngest, so become ti ti.
Emily: (Wanted to cry)... Jeh Jeh can become a jeh jeh, I can become mei mei only, Celeste (her classmate)can become Jeh Jeh...(giving me all examples of who and who is jeh jeh)...
Me: Okay... enough, go to sleep already, I know you can become a good jeh jeh.. you become jeh jeh to........... (list all her younger friends)..
Conversation forced to end...... LOL
How do you explain to a 4 year old that you don't plan to have another baby?? According to her teacher, Emily likes to take care of her younger friends and proof to be a good jeh jeh........hmm... actually felt quite vulnerable having to dissapoint her.
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