Somewhere over the rainbow…

Happy Chinese New Year

Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone!

It’s the first day of Chinese New Year, and I’m really tired. Partly because all of us stayed up late to “chep choi san”, and prayed for a prosperous new year ahead. Then, Justin’s not sleeping well, probably due to the fire works and lion dances in the middle of the night!!!!

Of coz, I’ve been attending to my friend’s calls who’s really clueless on what to do when her baby cries, poos, pees, etc. Gosh, both her hubby and she are really panic and they also gave up breastfeeding and taking care of the baby. They thought of looking for a babysitter, just after taking home the baby for less than 12 hours. I assured them that it’s a phrase of knowing your baby and your ability in becoming a new parent. I hope they’re coping well, and had promised to visit them whenever possible.

So, this year I’ll only be back to Penang for 2 days, and have to rush back to Ipoh as my friend had “begged” me to stick around. Ok lah, I don’t want her to feel helpless also, better changed my plan of staying in Penang for the whole week. Besides that, her MIL and mother also have no idea how to take care of baby, they’ve never taken care of their own kids. Hopefully my “ke poh” helps.

Cheap Pedicure and Manicure

I like pedicure and manicure, and would definitely be happier if I can do them on monthly basis. But with a demanding toddler at home, I can’t hardly find the time to sneak out for 2 – 3 hours.

I told myself that I NEED ONE this CNY, so my friend went to survey on which nail salons which will not increase the price this week, and she had finally found one. Being 2 stingy “si lai”, we booked for it and went this morning.

Oh boy, once I got in there and saw the sample nails, I regretted. They are very ” cing cai” drawn, and some are quite ugly, ex: kitty cat which looks like snowman???, flowers will uneven petals, dunno-what-kind of graphic, etc. But there’s no turning back, really malu to leave like that, so have to stick to the appointment.

This lady worked alone, so we had to take turns. She asked us to browse the magazines to choose the desired designs, but whenever we chose a nice design, she’d replied that she didn’t do 3D graphic, that design can’t be done, this took too much time, bla bla bla. Then, she started promoting the way she did the pedicure, which is a better way. Too bad, I can’t tell lah because not doing it regularly.

She kept asking us to sign 5x + 1 free session package. I smiled and said I’d consider, just being polite. In the end, my toenails’ design is not exactly what I think it would be, not even similar to the design I chose from the magazine. My French manicure also looks “cing cai” and with lots of air bubbles on the top coat. My friend is also complaining to me, but behind the lady’s back lah…

Sigh, “phen yeh moi hou yeh”, it’s RM20 cheaper than the usual price and most salons have already increase 30% extra. We did save a lot, so we can’t complain much. However, I don’t think I’ll go there again.

Scandal or Money Luck?

I’ve just received an email like this:

Mr. Shane Santi
Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
99 Queen Street, Melbourne
VIC 3000, Australia.

Our Ref: CBA/001/212/006

This is a proposal in context but actually an appeal soliciting for your unreserved assistance in consummating an urgent transaction requiring maximum confidence. Though this approach appears desperate, I can assure you that whatever questions you would need to ask or any other thing you will need to know regarding this proposal will be adequately answered to give you a clearer understanding of it, so as to arrive at a successful conclusion.

My name is Mr. Shane Santi, Head of Securities, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Melbourne. On February 17, 2002, a foreign consultant/contractor with the Asea Brown and Boveri Ltd, Mr. Ravi Uppal, made a numbered time (fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$11,000,000.00, (Eleven Million United States Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, I sent a reminder and finally we
discovered from his contract employers, Asea Brown and Boveri (the energy giant), that Mr. Uppal died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Uppal did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in our Bank.

Due to the funds being temporarily unclaimable, the funds have being moved out of our bank (as sundry funds) to an offshore Deposit Company in the Europe. From past experiences, I know that no one will ever come forward to claim the deceased funds. According to Australian Law, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the funds will be “unclaimable” and revert to the ownership of the Australian Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.
In order to avert this negative development, I in conjunction with a colleague (the Chief Operating Officer in the bank) now seek your permission to allow my attorney do a CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP/REASSIGNMENT OF CREDIT of stated funds from the “deceased” to your name, so that the funds (US$11million) would be released to you as the new owner (on behalf of me and my colleague).

We are writing you because, as public servants, we cannot operate a foreign account or have an account that is more than AUS$160,000:00. Consequently, you will be presented as the owner of the funds in the Deposit Company so you can be able to claim them, after all necessary paperwork has being effected.

For us to commence, I will like you to provide the following information immediately;
1. Full names
2. City
3. Country

Once I receive these information, I will prepare the necessary documents which will put you in place as the new owner of the funds. The money will then be released to your custody by the Deposit Company, for us to share in the ratio of 70% for us and 30% for you.

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the solicitor and this will guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.

If you are interested, reply via my email address ssanti@inMail24.com. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details, and further explanation that will help you understand the transaction.

No doubt this proposal will make you apprehensive, we imploy you to observe utmost confidentiality and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because we shall require your assistance to invest our share in your country (Real estate and any other ideas you may have), this is why your urgent action and response is of great essence which will enable us conclude this transaction in a timely and professional manner.

I await your swift response hoping you accept my proposal, as time is of equal essence in this project as well as is confidentiality.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Respectfully yours,
Mr. Shane Santi.

Of coz, I can treat it as my early angpao, or money falling off the sky on me, or my lucky day, or money luck finally comes to me…..
Too bad, I’m one kiasi mommy who’s very afraid of scandal.

Busy Busy with CNY Preparation

Didn’t log on for days as I was very busy preparing for this coming Chinese New Year. So far, I’ve done:

1. Shopping for Justin’s, hubby’s and my clothes.
Justin has 4 pairs of new clothes. I was really tempted to buy more but have to watch out my budget. Anyway, babies grow up pretty fast, and I’ve been buying some once in a while when the old ones don’t fit. Sadly, I myself have the least new clothes, only 2 new maternity blouse. I’m gonna due in 3 more months, and I really don’t feel like spending much on clothes now. There’re still somethings I’d like to get for my new baby, so better spend less on clothings. Hubby’s been very busy lately, so I bought his new shirts, trousers and shoes. If they don’t fit, I’ll exchange them the next day. It’s really easy shopping for him, he’s not particular about brand names or fashion, very kolot one.

2. Buying biscuits, cookies and others as presents
Well, I have lots of “bai nian” to do and it has been a norm for us to bring some buah tangan to the relatives and friends. This year, I didn’t buy “lai lam” / hampers as most people who received them said they don’t eat most of the things inside. So, it’s even easier for me as I don’t have to carry those heavy loads! Until today, just left some pamelo, “nian kao” and mandarin oranges to be added to the list only. That can be done within a week.

3. Busy with hubby’s new office
Hubby’s going to move his office from KL to Ipoh before CNY. His old landlord would like to sell off the premise, and hubby has been thinking about continuing in KL or shifting back to Ipoh. He has finally made up his mind last Saturday and rented a factory lot in Ipoh, which means he’ll be travelling less and spending more time with us. I’m really happy to hear this news as we’ve been “living in different places” for a few years, and I am really glad that he can spend more time with Justin and our new baby now. Even if he still needs to travel, but that will be getting lesser. Hooray!
But there’re lots of things to be done this week as it’s only another week before CNY. Hopefully, we can manage to move all the things and set up the office by then.

4. Spring cleaning
My maid has to help out at BIL’s factory these days as they’re busy with the cookies making which has an increase in loading for CNY. So, I’ve been busy cleaning up the house while watching Justin as the same time. It’s really tiring, and I already can’t imagine myself being a SAHM without a maid! I think there’re too many things kept by my MIL who refused to throw things away, and dust has been piling up in the store rooms. There’re 4 store rooms in total, and I really don’t understand why we need those rooms to keep so many things! But I know MIL is a lady who likes to keep memorable stuffs, and she doesn’t spend much. If she feels that those things can be used later, she won’t throw them away! Mind you, we still have my hubby’s sleeping cot and carrying sling well kept at home! What I can do now is “see it, clean it, and don’t throw it away!”

5. CNY decoration
This is the easiet of all. All we did was buying those fancy decorating stuffs, and paste them on the wall. So, this took less than a day to be completed.

Now, I just need to change some small notes for angpao. Then, I’ll be counting down the days to CNY! Really excited about it liao…

Why Not Working?

Lately, my current position of stay-at-home-mom has become one of the main topics of discussion.

Situation 1
SIL: Don’t you want to go back to work after delivery?

Shoppingmum: I’m going to centre almost everyday what…

SIL: I don’t mean just going back to centre, you know lah, you employed so many teachers and not teaching yourself, you won’t be earning that much this year. Last time when you work as engineer, you can earn a few thousands a month. Why not continue?

Shoppingmum: Huh? But I worked long hours last time leh, can only get home the earliest by 7pm, sometimes work until 9pm. How about my kids?

SIL: “Lei sho ke” (you stupid), Mama can help taking care of them mah… Studied so much with a degree but don’t wanna work, siao ah?

Situation 2
My mum: You really don’t want to work already ya? Stop for so many years liao…

Shoppingmum: DH said no need to work, just take care of the kids.

Mum: You won’t have much money to save leh…And 2 persons working will also gain more money, life is better then.

Shoppingmum: I know, but I don’t want to leave my kids at home doing nothing but watching TV only. I know MIL can’t cope with so many kids.

Mum: Sigh, if I know you’re not working after having kids, better don’t send you to uni lah…

Shoppingmum: ……:)

Teh Pao

Wow, Justin has been as clingy as ever. He can’t seems to be contented whenever I leave his “sight”. When he’s playing, he’ll sit near to me and touch me once in a while to ensure that I’m still around. If he crawls further, he’ll turn his head to see if I’m still there. Even if mommy’s going to the toilet will also make him cry. Really “teh pao” lately.

We went to Jusco today to get some stuffs. Since we didn’t bring along his stroller, hubby has to carry him around while I get the stuffs. He’s very relunctant at first, and refused to be carried by hubby. After some persuasion, hubby managed to divert his attention and I could do the shopping. But when he saw me again, he’s crying loudly and leaned his body towards me, even if both of my hands were holding the shopping bags. Luckily hubby managed to hold still of him, if not he’ll just fall.

One of the promoters at the counters told me that he’s “chang fa”, which means jealous because I’m expecting another one. She suggested that I should let Justin bathe in water with seven different flowers, and he’ll get less clingy. I heard of this before, but never thought of trying it out as I think Justin’s only going thru separation anxiety stage.

But when I told MIL about this, she was very serious about it, and wanted to look for those flowers for Justin. Mmmm…should I just let Justin bathe in this water? Does it really help? I wonder…

First Masterpiece

Justin woke up early from his afternoon nap. Since there’s nothing much to do, I thought of engaging him in some messy art: Playing with Water Colour!

Here he is making his first masterpiece with hands, foot, and fingers.

So, here’s the end product:

Well, this picture doesn’t resemble anything. So, I just treat it as Justin’s first modern art.

Not Walking Yet?

Poor Justin, he’s been labelled a lazy baby even since his birthday. Most babies around him walk before their first birthday, and Justin is still cruising around. He has been trying to stand without support for a few second, before sitting back on the floor again. BTW, he prefers crawling around, and even up the staircase to get around.

I’ve been trying to tell the others that some babies are slow in walking, but funny leh, besides my hubby and I who only walked after 14 months old, most people in hubby’s family are early walkers. They even blamed me on not letting Justin sit on the walker when he’s younger, that’s why he’s slow at walking.

So, whenever I hear someone comments that Justin is too lazy to learn how to walk, I’ll tell them straight away that he’s enjoying being carried around, and he’s smart at doing that. Sound hilarious huh? Well, I don’t care lah, at least they can stopped commenting further and comparing Justin with their babies.

Being born at the end of the year really put Justin in a lot of competitions. Luckily hubby and I are not kiasu (yet?). If have to compare everything, die lah, Justin will be the one of the last to reach the milestones.

But at least he’s working on talking simple words, even if only me who knows what he’s trying to say.

Pregnancy Complication

I was crying last night when hubby and Justin were sleeping. Then I got nose block and had to blow my nose and woke hubby up. He asked what’s bothering me, but I was too upset to talk about it, just ask him to go back to sleep.

During my last check up, my ob gynae told me that my placenta is located at the lower front of my uterus, which means I have low lying placenta this time. I have been spotting and bleeding during the first trimester, and was on hormonal pills and jabs to secure this pregnancy. I have tried to be positive, and read up some material in preparing myself for the worst scenario, if the placenta doesn’t move up after 28 weeks.

Last night, I was reading about caesarean, as most mothers with low lying placenta will be advised not to deliver naturally. I got really worried and mad about myself for not taking care of myself and my baby. Even though I was told be bed rest for weeks, I didn’t do it as I was occupied with a kindergarten. Now, I have more time to stay at home and only work 3 hours a day, I’m busy taking care of Justin. Just dunno how to take good care of myself and feel so guilty about the baby I’m carrying inside.

That really made me cry, but I feel so much better now. That’s nothing much I can do about my placenta, besides getting myself equiped and ready if my condition doesn’t get better.