Back to study again

Friends go back to study one by one, either taking up a short course or degree or master course. I want to study too and I am going back to study again.

I am serious. I have registered myself at Chung Hwa Correspondence School. I enrolled myself into 2 courses in 2 different programs:
1. Chinese Instruction Program - Chinese Literature
2. Home Economics Program - Child Development and Guidance

Yes, the courses start in 2009!

Each course has 10 lessons. The school will send the material to me. Once I have finished the homework/test paper, I just need to send it back to the school for marking. Upon completion of the 10 lessons, I will be able to get the certificate.

Sounds very easy, right?

I am not too sure about the course itself but submitting my homework/test paper in traditional chinese character is definitely a challenge to me. I can read traditional chinese character but not writing them. Just try writing a few by copying stroke by stroke, but they look weird to me. No, I am not allow to do my homework using computer for the chinese literature course.

Anyway, it is free. There are many other insteresting courses such as home cooking, fashion design and etc. If you were interested, quick visit Chung Hwa Correspondence School and register yourself. The registration period is starting from August 15 till December 15. If you miss it, you might need to wait for another year.

Come! Let's study together! ;p

Healthy breakfast

I do not like heavy breakfast. I prefer simple and light breakfast. I admit that I am lazy to think of what to have for breakfast, and even lazier want to wake up early just to prepare breakfast. Ok, let's do not go too deep into this, later someone will complain that I have never make him breakfast. Haha!

My recent favourite breakfast is Nestum oats! I have been consuming oats for more than a week now. 5 reasons why I love it:
1. Oat helps to keep cholesterol at bay -- quote from Nestle website.
2. Light breakfast to help me at least to maintain my weight (hoping to lose some if possible).
3. Easy to prepare
4. It is yummy!
5. Save money!


But, is it still consider as healthy breakfast if I add it into my Nescafe? 'x'!

When baby Cola is 2-months-old

Physical:
Weight: 5.9kg

Sleep:
Wake up around 7am, as if he has to go to work like us. He will take a nap in the morning around 9am to 11am. He still sleeps in the afternoon from 1pm - 5pm most of the time. At night, he needs to be put in bed at around 9pm. He wakes up at 2am and 5am for milk.

Feeding
Drink 3.5oz every 2 hours.

Interesting Facts:

• He had his first jab (to be exact, it is the second injection. The first injection should be after he is born). He cried a little bit. After that he slept like usual, but he started crying non stop after he woke up. He had fever. We had a hard time to give him medicine. He spat out the medicine. As a first time parents, both ccw and I got so helpless even though we have done research on the side effect of the injection and prepared for it. But once the baby cried, everything became "kelam-kabut" especially when the parents-in-law also tried to comfort the baby.
• I love to greet him in the morning, he always greets me back with a big and sweet smile!
• If we were talking to each other and he is put in the middle, he will join in the conversation by making a lot of sound. He also talks louder and louder as if wanted to draw your attention.
• He discovers his hands. He will move his hands in slow motion and exam them. So cute! But he also learns to bring his hands near to his mouth and taste them! When he did that, I will try to pull his hands away, telling him that it is dirty and I do not like it.
• He is gaining more strength in neck and shoulders. He loves to hold his head up and look around.
  
• He fell sick. He had blocked nose and cough.
• We let him shopping with us.

Remarks:
We had hard time to feed him the medicine.

Happy Birthday!

Mommy said today is uncle CPH's birthday.

Daddy said it is going to be a very special birthday to him to eat with Ali Babas and camel.

Baby Cola does not know what is Ali Baba, but he knows camel, he just got a camel coin box from Auntie Winnie recently.

Baby Cola wishes uncle cph a very happy birthday!

My first health screening

CCW has been talking about health screening quite sometimes ago, finally the 5 of us (CPH, Winnie, Ben, CCW and I) accompanied each other to go into the lab together.

We took up the package advertised in the newspaper: Pathlab 18KS Health Screen (41 tests) + Helicobacter pylori + C-reactive Protein at RM120! I am not sure what is the original price for the package but since it comprises tests on haematology, renal function, diabetes screening, thyroid profile, liver function, lipid profile, tumour marker, infectious diseases, serology and urinalysis, it should be quite complete for us, the first-timer to have a general health check.

After registration, I volunteered to become the first one to do the blood extraction.

Me: Please be gentle!


There, she extracted 3 tubes of my precious blood. Luckily, she only pokes me once whereas ccw got it twice! ;p


Now, the results from the tests show that I am not as healthy as I thought. ;p

My LDL Cholesterol falls out of the healthy range and exceeds by 0.1. With that, I believe that I will not be seeing any prawns and crabs on the dining table for the next few months until my mama has gradually forgotten about it.

Hopefully, I got better results next round, which could be years later from now.

Longing for a Flat Belly?

Heard about the Flat Belly Diet before? It was created for those who want to get rid of the belly fat. To me, losing weight is considered a tough job, and eliminating belly fat sounds like an impossible task. If you were as hopeless as I am, you can try the Flat Belly Diet which offers a science-based solution that combines a cutting-edge nutrition plan with expert tips and advice. Through research, they discovered that by eating healthy fats (Monounsaturated Fatty Acids or MUFAs) which can be found in almond, peanut butter, olive oil, avocado and even dark chocolate, will target on the belly fat, which is the most dangerous fat due to its hight correlation with heart disease. MUFAs bring a lot of benefits t oour body such as reduce inflammation, boost good HDL cholesterol, relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure.



In case you are interested to try out the Flat Belly Diet, there is free book give-away program runs from now until January 15. To participate in the program, all you need to do is blog about your diet experience twice a week and engage in online activities such as lives, and on Facebook and YouTube during the duration of the program. Eligible participants will also receive a free 1-year membership to the Flat Belly Diet website, exclusive membership to the Success Story Club, the chance to blog about Flat Belly Diet on its website and first look at exclusive Flat Belly Diet videos.

New colouring set for face

Few weeks ago, I got to know about Everyday Minerals from pink cotton.

At first, I am not showing much interest as I seldom buy anything online except for the everyone can fly air tickets.

Then, without much reason, I visited EDM website and found out what is included in the free sample kit (3 types of foundation, 1 blush and 1 concealer). It suits me perfectly because
1. I am very interested to try out the foundation, I wonder how is the texture.
2. I wish to try out different colour blushes, I only have pink-red blushes all this while.
3. I want to try out the concealer too as I need a lot of them to cover up the dark spots caused by pimples.
It is not 100% free though, I still have to pay US$4.55 for the shipping.

Few days later, I visited the website again and found out that they are giving 12% discount (check for discount under Community - Special). I ordered a baby kabuki(US$6) and eye kabuki(US$7) together with another set of free sample kit. The items price after 12% discount is US$11.44, shipping fee is US$5.30 and the total is US$16.74.


Then, I waited for them to arrive day after day. 3 weeks later, the first order arrived and followed by the second order a week later.


I have received 10 small jars and 2 kabuki brushes.


Let's see what have I chosen:
1. Matte Foundation: Fawn, Sunkissed Fair
2. Semi-matte Foundation: Fawn, Light Neutral
3. Original Glo Foundation: Light Olive, Fairly Light
4. Concealer: Abbott's Perk Me Up, Intensive Light
5. Blush: Natural, Peach Tree
6. Brush: Baby Kabuki, Eye Shadow Kabuki

I have yet to try out all of them. Maybe I shall do a review on them in another post? Hmm...See how!

Choosing his Stroller

Remember how aunties and uncles cracked their heads together in order to get a stroller for baby Cola few months back but end up giving us the "ang pao" and told us to choose it by ourselves?

I remember I told auntie Winnie to simply choose one as we have no idea which one to choose too, there are too many brands and types available in the market. Luckily, she did not do as I said!

So, we keep the money until last Monday!

We need a stroller, so that we can bring baby along when we go out at night. It is more comfortable for both the baby and us if he can lie down inside the stroller instead of carrying him for long hours. Basically, we do not have much requirement except for a simple and good looking stroller. Old Parkson, we went. From the 10 different strollers, we chose a navy colour stroller from My Dear brand with reversible handle which costs RM279.90. It is considered the most expensive one from the brand but cheapest compare to other brands. But we must not look at the brand when purchasing something, right? Then, we paid at the counter and carried it all the way to our car happily.

Guess what?! It cant fix into the car booth! It is too big for my small car booth. Amy told me about it before, how can I be so careless and did not take that into my requirement list.

CCW tried to put it in many angles, but still fail.

NOPE! I will definitely NOT going to bring it home! Knowing myself well, it will only make me cursing each time using it. So why should I still bring it back by putting it at the back seat?

CCW carried it back to the section, we expressed to them that we wanted to return it and they allowed us to exchange to other stuff but not refundable.

With the lesson learned, we have a clearer requirements list as below:

1. Stable
2. Durable (the look must give me confident!)
3. Comfortable (the material used)
4. Easy to fold and unfold
5. Light! - We are going to bring baby Cola to travel together with us next year, so the stroller must be LIGHT!
6. Size - fit in our car booth
7. Preferable to be used for an infant and a toddler (at least up to 2-years-old)
8. Affordable (within the budget RM1K)
9. Good looking (optional)
10. Combi brand (something similar to newphew Bulat's stroller, which has all the requirements mentioned above.)

On last beautiful Sunday morning, we brought baby Cola along to shop for his stroller. We planned to visit Mummycare, new Parkson and Poppies.

At Mummycare, I glanced through all the brands: MacLaren, Graco, My Dear, Capella but there is no Combi. Do not give up yet! CCW tried to lift up a few and to his horror, they are so HEAVY. I approached the salesgirl to seek for her help by telling her the stroller that we are looking for. At first, she introduced MacLaren stroller to us. But the size seems like not be able to fit in the car booth. Before we turned and left, the salesgirl carried the Capella stroller and claimed that it is the lightest one in the shop. CCW took it over and told me that it is LIGHT. We are DELIGHTED. Then, the salesgirl demonstrate how to use it.

Capella S217 Compact

Checking it on the requirement list:

1. Stable - Looks ok. The wheels are considered not too small.
2. Durable - Should be no problem to last for 2 years.
3. Comfortable - I put baby Cola inside, he seems to be quite happy with it. According to the catalog, the coolmash fabric used can absorbs sweat and make it dry very fast so provide very comfortable environment.
4. Easy to fold and unfold - It is a double folding, we tried and it is easy.
5. Light - 5.2kgs, I am very happy on this.
6. Size - 25x46x94cm when closed, I am very happy x 2 on this.
7. Preferable to be used for an infant and a toddler - it is for 0M+ up to 18kg
8. Affordable - RM499 nett (So meaning to say that it is fully sponsored by aunties and uncles)
9. Good looking - What do you say?! I think it is not bad, though we agree it will be even nicer if it is navy colour.
10. Combi brand - it is Capella, a Korea brand, but brand does not matter.

Add on:
1. It has an adjustable footrest.

All in all, I cant find any reason not to purchase this one. So, instead of continue to look for it in new Parkson or Poppies, we paid for it. Finally, we can show the stroller to our friends to proof that we do not "eat" baby Cola's red packet. HAHA!

The worst place that I've ever been

If you were to ask me where is the worst place that I have ever been, my answer would be no other places but the Dragon Hostel in Hong Kong. The most unpleasant accommodation that I have ever came across. Why do I say so? We booked the room for 4 adults for 3 consequent nights in advance. When we reached there, they led us to the room. Inside the small room, there are 2 double decker beds. Guess what? There is the warning sign on the upper deck:"Please do not take the upper deck if you are over 60kg". The staff worked at the reception should know that none of us is below 60kg by just looking at our size, but she still gave us such a room. So, I told the staff to kindly rearrange room or rooms that can fit us, but she told me the hostel was fully booked instead. I felt cheated! They never mention anything on the weight when we boo ked the room. They received our money but did not provide us with the room that we booked. So, whoever is reading this, please remember not to book that hostel.

If you love to travel, doing research before you travel is very important. Peter Greenberg, the travel host for the Today Show, has a must-read book coming out next month called "Don't Go There".

It is a book that tells you where are the places that are not worth to go. On the other hand, if you would like to share with others the worst place that you have been to, you can submit a video or text to don't go there site to make it more informative for the travelers all over the world.

Car Wash + Lunch

My car is getting 3-years-old this December. It is the first time I bring it to a car wash! Cool?!

For the first year, it is definitely my baby, I washed it myself whenever I have time.

The second year, I still washed it but not as frequent. My dad and bro would help me to clean it sometimes when it is too dirty.

For the third year, I hardly clean it myself. My husband will clean it for me after I continuously complaining to him for a few weeks.

I guess for the coming years, I shall stop complaining and just send it to the car wash center directly.

Look, they are washing my car.


Car wash + vacuum + 2 free drinks (coffee or tea or lime juice) = RM15 + done in less than 30 minutes!

While they are busy cleaning my dirty car, I am enjoying lunch with ccw inside the air-conditioned cafe.

The food is served in a fast manner and tasted not bad but slightly overpriced, *bleks*! Sorry, no photos to show you. I got take photos of the food, but then they are in ccw's handphone.


By the way, it is at The Original Car Wash @ Rubber Road. You can download the menu from http://www.theoriginalcarwash.com.

Let's go to grandma's house!

The photo is taken on last last Saturday.


p/s: I love the car seat bought my colleagues.

p/p/s: I think I photoshop-ed away the mosquito bite on the right cheek of baby Cola. =)

Growth and development (1)

We have taken quite a lot of photos for baby Cola, I would also like to record something using words too along the way before I have forgotten and also before my little baby grows into a teenage.

0-month-old
Physical:
Weight: 2.768kg
Length: 49.5

Sleep:
Sleep most of the time. Only wake up to take bath in the morning (9:30am) and evening (5:30pm). Sometimes, he will stay awake for a while after bath. At night, sometimes he will make a fuss before going to sleep at around 10pm. We will have to carry him and make him sleep in such cases.

Feeding:
Drink 2-2.5oz milk every 2.5 hours. However, he spits out at least 0.5oz of the milk.

Interesting parts:
When he was only 2-days-old, when we played the music from the musical tortoise, he kept quiet and listened!
When he is hungry, he will cry to let you know.
When his diaper is wet, he will cry and let you know.
Sometimes when he farts, he will cry also.
He smiles in dreams.
He learns to make the sound "ang goo", we heard him once or twice.

Remarks:
A very good boy! He never cry for no reason.



1-month-old
Physical:
Weight: 4.5kg
Length: 57cm

Sleep:
Sleep very well in the afternoon and night time. His waking hours is from 9:30am - 11:30am and 7:00pm - 9:30pm. At night, I will carry him and make him sleep when I have time. Otherwise, I will give him pacifier and he will fall asleep.

Feeding:
Drink 3oz every 2-3 hours.

Interesting parts:
He greets us with smiles.
He can make sound "ang goo", "ay".
He will respond, both making sound as if talking and also smiling, to you when you talk to him.
He kicks a lot. His kicks getting stronger each day.
He pouts when I told him to wait while the daddy makes the milk.
He will look around when I put him inside his car seat.

Remarks:
Still a very good boy! He behaves as usual when I brought him to places such as restaurants and my mama's place.

Time Not Enough

Weekend is busier than weekdays. Anyone experience it before?

CCW and I were having 3 busy weekends, we had less time for baby and ourselves. We had only few hours sleep (3-4 hours and wake up in between to feed baby). We are not feeling too well. I was shivering in the middle of the night and having very bad headache on a night. CCW coughed badly and could not get back to sleep after feeding baby on some nights.

Due to that reasons, we have been spending our time wisely.

CCW thought of a way to make weekend becomes longer. Right after work on Friday, CCW suggested to pack 1901 hotdogs, the friendship food, as our dinner. When we walked inside tHeSpring, we were influent by the happy shoppers immediately and felt so relaxed. While waiting for the hotdogs, we spent time on window shopping. In less than an hour time, we walked to the carpark and swinging 1901 plastic bag in the air.

The expensive hotdogs does not taste as special as its price, but worth it, as we got rejuvenated while waiting for it. HAHA!

If you wished to have longer weekend, starts it right after your work on Friday!