Pick & Bites Corner

Hoorrey!!! Xuan Maintained her Position

2009-11-18T10:05:00.003+08:00

Yesterday was my daughter's Report Card day. Due to her August Exam result was not excellent, I expect she will not maintain her position.
When I take a look at the Repord Card..............wow ! she managed! She is no.5 position in her class and no. 28 in whole standard one. Not too bad.I am vert happy for her.
When the daddy came back, after announced her result, she asked for a present! Daddy asked her to think what she wants to see whether it is a reasonable present. Let's wait what see wants.

Hong Leong Perfect Lady Plan

2009-11-17T10:41:00.006+08:00

This is the plan that I bought & used it when I delivered my two kids. The plan is good. It really help me to save $$MONEY$$. Now that I decided to become the part time agent as I am able to speak for the product. Some friends that believe me were benefited when they deliver baby. Sad thing is they are small group of them think it is too good to be true!!!

Estee Lauder "The Ultimate Party Makeover Workshop"

2009-11-17T10:21:00.004+08:00

Last Sunday, hubby registered me for the above workshop. In this short workshop (only 2 1/2 hrs), they have engaged Ms Wendy Lee as our facilitator. She is sharing with us on How To Break The Ice in Party, Body Gesture, The Art Of Mingling and How To Dress-up for The Party. Thsi will folloed by the makeover for the party. Due to time constraints, they focus only on EYES Make-up (A Party Look Eyes). In fect, it is a very daring eyes make-up. Last but not least, there was a fashion shoe by WAREHOUSE.Overall, the workshop was GREAT!!
We had purchased some cosmetics for myself.Feeling great. It has been so long that I have not buying BRANDED cosmatics.

Learning to become a full time mother

2009-11-16T21:49:00.006+08:00

I quited my job in February 2009, after CNY. As all this while do not do a lot of hoise work, it really a test for me. Nevetheless, I willing to try out :Life As A Full Time Mother" because I do want to give the best to my two lovely kids and my hubby.
Initially it is a bit hard as all things are not in order. Now.. after 9 months, things seem getting smooth and I can see my two kids progression. Xuan has done well in her 1/2 year exam. She is number 4 in her class and no.25 inthe whole std one (total 400++ students). As she is one year younger than all her friends (she is now 6), her class teacher commented that she is consider very good.
Just now before going to bed, she told me that she is a bit worry as this time her total marks have dropped a bit. She wonder she still able to remain top 5 in her class. Tomorrow teacher is going to give her Report Book, then she would be able to know her position. We spend some time talking and finally she fall to sleep.. Sometimes I do wonder whether we have put her to school too early... Well what ever it is, I still believe she will be doing well.
As for Howie, he is a brave and steady boy. He represent his class for the speech and also act as leader in his class year end dancing performance. His simple speech is "Good Morning parents and teachers. My name is Howie from Tulip Class. Now we are going to perform a dance from the movie "Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kids. Thank you." He look at the audience and speak aloud. I am very proud of him.
With all these, I am glad that I have made the right decision to let go my "Marketing Manager" position for my two kids.

Excursion Programme

2008-08-02T11:13:00.017+08:00

Time is flying... I have involved in Kindergarten for a month. Last month was very challenging. From corporate change to kindergarten. Everyday wake up at 6.30am and starting leaving my house latest at 7.10am.

Even though long working hours, I do enjoy my working environment. All children are lovely.

Last week, the school had Excursion Programme to Taman Pertanian (Bukit Cahaya). Total 119 students participated. Their ages ranging from 3-6 years old.

We departed from school sharp at 9am. See how happy the children in the Bus.

The Toddler Class children are enjoying Mini Zoo at Bukit Cahaya. They are watching Parrot, Donkey, Horses, Monkeys....

Watching Parrot...

Wow...Teacher Teacher.. Got Deers !!

Tortoises....

Horses & Donkey.....

Cute Little Rabbit ...

Next... they went to Paddy Field to learn about Paddy.

About 12pm. Everyone of us are exhaused. Time to proceed to MacDonald for Lunch!!!! Yummy Yummy.....

Reached school around 1.40pm..

Company Teambuilding

2008-06-17T17:12:00.002+08:00

Ya hoo!! Finally received email on Teambuilding Pictures.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/kavenkan/AwanaTeambuildingFirstAndSecondDay

We attended Teambuilding organised by National Marketing & Admission. The purpose of the teambuilding is to create cohensive environment in our company and have bonding among all departments.
It is a 2 1/2 days training in Awana Genting. On the 1st day, everyone is keeping to themselves or only stay close with their team. Somehow the games were being structured that all team members must work together to go through obstacle. And at certain level, within own team members togetherness was not enough. It needs other team members help. Initially some of the team member still refuse to help by saying "No Way!! We are not helping".. .. but it come to realised that the task will never be able to complete without helping each other (different team).

All teams must help each other to create win-win situation.. Since then, all realised that in order to win, we all must be "AS ONE". This teambuilding was very GREAT.

We end the sessions with Fun, Sense of Bonding and Knowing Each Other from other campuses.

Ah Boy's New Kindergarten

2008-06-06T09:42:00.006+08:00

Lately, I discovered that Ah Boy is growing up and many times he feels restless at home. Then he started to disturb his sister, like to play 'fighting-fighting' with people, self-centered ..... I think it is time to send him to Kiddy. To develop his social skill, interactive skill and other developments such as physical, intellectual, social, emotional, aesthetic and creativity. One kiddy that I have shortlisted is Eduland Puchong. Not far away from my home.
Hope Ah boy will like it.

Baby You Zhe

2008-05-29T11:00:00.003+08:00

Hei! let me introduce you this handsome baby. He is my brother's son. Going to be 1 year old.

My Girl's Art

2008-05-29T10:31:00.005+08:00

Today, I am going to blog my girl's art.

Early this month, we went back to home town and celebrate mother's Day. My girl feel a bit restless as we did not bring her cartoon or reading books back. She was looking and searching for toys to play. She finally found a blackboard and color chalks, which I bought her last year and we left it in Grandma's house.

So happy, she start drawing. Look at her drawings..

She drawn KLCC !! and see carefully, the bridge between the two towels also there!

Next drawing.... A beautiful garden, with flowers and butterflies. In the middle, I though it is a pond, but she told me that it is a Swimming Pool.

Friend Finally Pregnant

2008-05-28T11:52:00.004+08:00

A good friend of mine called on Monday. Could not entertained her because very busy. Have promised to return call the next day (Tuesday).
The next day afternoon, when I got her, she sound very happy. Throughout our conversation, I got the hint that she is pregnant !! Wonderful news.... She keep telling me not to say it out. You know.. chinese are very "Pantang" telling the news at 1st 3 months. I must respect Violet decision so I told her "ok ok got the message". She has been trying so hard to have baby. Believe she will get a healthy & beautiful baby (cause the Hubby is "Leng Chai"). Happy for her.

China - Sichuan Earthquake

2008-05-23T13:58:00.004+08:00

Lately, busy & stress. Not only WORK.. but to manage a group of INTELLIGENT SPECIES here. Joining this company really an eye opener for me. Never never thought that the environment in this industry is that HIPOCRIC & Unfriendly. I must hold their wringkle hands all the way, smile despite being scolded for nothing (despite they say Sorry later on, but the point is you cannot slap the person first then say sorry!!), cleaning their shittt, spoon feed ....
Old timers here are another challege. They always think that they know everything in this company, they are the best, new comers & bosses are useless... Facing huge resistent in Changing Environment. Well, I know, things can't be changed in short time but need stamina .....
I am not a politic person and I don't like it. I have passion & believe in Karma. I also believe in respect is gain. I just don't feel all these values... Life is short. Why fighting endlessly? Save the energy to help someone deserve our help.
I felt very sad for recent China-Sichuan Earthquake. Sometimes, I just refuse to read about this XXX. Heart cannot take it "REAL Kesian". Can you imagine the magnitude of grieving the victims are going thru at this time? Many of those victims, be it alive or dead, are the only Child in a family as the result of the Chinese Govt's One Child policy.
Been watching the bbc, phoenix, cnn etc lately very often ... it's worse than what I thought the circumstances of china earthquake. We shall be thankful that we live in a country that almost free from earthquake etc... and my family members are with me, healthy and safe!
Let's us Praise the Lord for protection and may He minimize the hurt of Sichuan people.

Learning How to Take Picture

2008-05-12T00:44:00.005+08:00

My boy, 3 years old now, start learning to take photo using my handphone. For 2 days, he keep snap snap here, snap snap there... aiyo.. look at his 1st master piece ...blur blur.. don't know what he is taking ....

His skill has been improved tremendously the next day. Here goes the second day's pictures....

My Conclusion is Kids Learn Very Fast.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T17:23:00.009+08:00

This year's mother is very meaningful for me. No Big celebration but Warm At Heart.

Last Friday morning, a soft girl voice to her daddy, "daddy, I don't know what to give mummy as Mother's Day Present".

Daddy said " you help daddy to think la.. I will buy for you",

girl" don't know la.. daddy !!".

daddy " what mummy like?"

This goes on for awhile then silent. Oh.. Got it. They are planning for a surprise for ME! Well, I continue go to work & my girl go to kiddy as usual. And she actually request to got to kiddy earlier today.

At around 5pm, my girl called me from home... I thought she is going to complaint about her brother or something happened at home. To my surprised, once I pick up the phone, she wished me "Mummy, Happy Mother'd Day. I don't know what to buy for you but I have made a card for you". And this followed by the little brother wishing, Happy Mother's Day" Suddently all the stress at work is gone. That day, I went back early to spend more time with them.

As I walk in the house, both my children wished me again. Wow... all the pain during "Labour" is worth it. She handed me a mother's day made by herself ! Simple card, but for a 5 years old kid, it is very good. I told her that actual day for Mother's Day is on Sunday, and she responded that it is ok that she wish me earlier?? It is so thoughful and warm at heart.

This is the Mother's Day Card Front Page

2nd & 3rd page (inside)

This morning, early in the morning, once she open up her eyes, she wishing me "Happy Mother's Day" again. wow... very happy. To me this is the best present I ever received.

To all the Mothers out there, Wishing You Happy Mother's Day!

Blood Donation @ SRJK(C) Ladang Harcoft

2008-04-26T23:07:00.008+08:00

So long Ong daddy unable to donate blood. He has been very concern over this matter. He start to watch his diet. Last Sunday, he saw Poster hanging near our house stated Blood Donation @ SRJK (C) Ladang Harcoft. Getting excited and decide to go to the venue. We though not many people so two kids also followed. To our surprised, many people waiting there.... From the moment we registered till finished, it takes us almost 1 1/2 hours.

My Girl Project in Kiddy

2008-04-26T22:20:00.008+08:00

Pre-school now is different from our day. My daughter study in CEC final year. Currently she is only 5 years old, but we have put her under 6 years old class. It is not because we are Kiasu but because she was born in 8 January, we wish to send her for primary school a year earlier because we are very confident that she able to cope. So we started sent her to Kindy when she is 3 1/2 years. At that time she already join the 4 year old class.

Have check with kindy teachers and pleased to hear that my girl is able to catch up with all the lessons. In July this year, we have to send in application form to Ministry of Education in Shah Alam to appeal for early schooling. That, she has to sit for exam (oral & written) in October. Not easy...

We have been guiding her in her kindy homework. The syllabus now are very very difficult. The teachers start teaching them Life Cycle, Simpulan Bahasa, forming sentenses and the Mandarin charactors are far beyond our time (I remember, some of the mandarin words she learned in kiddy was the words that I learned in primary 3). A primary principal says that he expect a primary one students able to disipline and concentrate in class besides knowing the above syllabus. No wonder my friends say kids nowsady are as pressure as us...

Today, I am guiding her on Mandarin Project named "My growing up Album". (they actually have PROJECT !!!) I am going to pen this project down here so that she would be able to see her first project in Kiddy when she grow up.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

2008-04-13T21:02:00.006+08:00

Today, my little girl says "daddy, today we have chicken rice for lunch, ok?", knowing that I do not encourage small kids to have chicken rice very often (because i feel chicken rice outside contain a lot of ajinomoto which can be very thirsty after eating). Ong daddy decided to cook chicken rice for his girl. Start getting ready all the things needed and also searching the recipe from his collection, at around 11.30am, he start preparing & cooking. At around 12.30pm, wow... start to smell the aroma.... It is really late now and if he continue to steam chicken... very hungry... "beh ta han leow!!". So we decided to buy the roast chicken.

I would say that the rice taste good and my two fussy kids ate a lot. Ong daddy was very happy seeing his two kids enjoying his food.

Actually it is not difficult to cook chicken rice. The recipe for Chicken Rice is quite simple. Just follow the following steps, everyone able to cook a good chicken rice.

Ingredients:
3 cups Thai fragrant long grain rice
100 gm chicken skin with fat
2 tablespoon water
2 tablespoon cooking oil (or butter)
2 tablespoon sesame oil
4 cm ginger (sliced and lightly smashed)
2 cloves garlic (lightly smashed or chopped)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoon salt or to taste
3½ cups chicken stock (from the boiled chicken)
2 pandan or screwpine leaves (lightly smashed and knotted)

Method:
To prepare the rice, wash it in several changes of water until the water runs clean and clear. Heat wok and add chicken fat and 2 tablespoons water. Bring to a low simmering boil until oil is released from the fat. Add ginger, garlic and fry well. Remove and discard the chicken skin with fat only, then add in rice and salt to mix. Stir fry briskly for 1–2 minutes.

Transfer all the ingredients into an electric rice pot. Add chicken stock, cooking oil (or butter) and sesame oil. Add pepper and stir to mix well. Add knotted pandan and cook until rice turns dry and fluffy. Remove pandan leave and stir through just before serving.

Price Increase ..Price Increase

2008-04-10T14:22:00.004+08:00

OMG ... Price for Flour increase again?? Still remember the Flour Price increased in February (before Chinese New Year), and NOW it increase again. This has resulted "mee" price increased by 20 - 70 sen a kg. Really bad news for noodle lovers. For all you know all "mee" are affected (wantan mee, yellow mee, yee mee, wantan skin, koay teow, laksa noodle, etc...). How to survive with one income maannn.... We shall see how much the hawker will increase a bowl of noodle.

Recycling Campaign

2008-04-09T16:28:00.004+08:00

Last week was our college recycling week. This project is head by one of our Pre University Program. It is important to nurture and make our young generation aware of the importance of Taking Care of Our Environment. Pictures below are student's creativity / work:

Excerpts from Out in the Pacific, Plastic is getting Drastic (Algalita.org) and Trashed (Natural History v.112, n.9, Nov03)
• Plastics, like diamonds, are forever!
• In the week it took to cross the subtropical high, no matter what time of day I looked, plastic debris was floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, fragments.
• It’s not a patch, it’s the size of a continent and it’s filling up with floating plastic waste
• For every 100 sq metres of sea surface there is about 1 pound of plastic debris, or roughly 3 million tons in the thousand-mile course through the gyre.
• 6 pounds of plastic for each pound of plankton

So what can we do?
• Use less plastic
• Say no to plastic bags
• Use your own (reusable) water bottles
• Put your rubbish in the bin
• Reuse, reduce, recycle
• Volunteer for beach/ river cleaning etc activities organised by NGOs
• Join or support an NGO that does work on the ground
• Find out more and tell everyone you know

More Interesting Facts to think about…
• The majority of marine debris comes from people's mishandling of waste materials while on land.
• Debris can be blown into the water or carried by creeks, rivers, storm drains and sewers into the ocean.
• A glass bottle takes one million years to break down in the environment.
• An aluminum can takes 80 to 200 years to break down in the environment.
• 4 to 5 trillion plastic bags—including large trash bags, thick shopping bags, and thin grocery bags—were produced globally in 2002
• A plastic bag takes 10 to 20 years to degrade in the environment.
• A cigarette filter takes one to five years to break down in the environment.
• A newspaper takes six weeks to degrade in the environment.

New Dishes

2008-04-08T11:58:00.006+08:00

Dilemma... It is good to have maid at home. They help to clean & managed all the household and ironing. But At times, maid may let you have "high Blood". I was on leave on 1 April and my maid complainted to me that she really out of idea what to cook for my kids. For all you know, she always cook the same dishes for my kids, eg.. hard boil egg, fried egg, steam fish, steam meat, stew chicken & potatos, ... and she love to fried Nuggets & sausage for them. I have actually banded her from preparing sausage and nuggets. Now she panic. Don't know what to prepare for my kids.

I have tought her sweet & sour chicken before and the cooking stil not up to my standard. Today, I am teaching her another 2 dishes. That is "Marmite Chicken" and "Sweet & Sour Cauliflower". I demo for her. Hopefully she is able to pick up fast because it is very simple and with demo on sweet & sour sos again, she will improve her cooking.

Marmite Chicken

Sweet & Sour Cauliflower

Recipes will come later..

2007 Xmas at TUC

2008-04-06T01:04:00.006+08:00

My 1st month with Taylors and 1st x'mas party at Taylors. Organised by Admin Office. It is a simple yet Fun christmas. Everyone is veryy sporting in participating in the group activities. Team Work !! I did not take enough photos for this event but have some that are real good...SNOWMAN made by FLOUR.

Taylors staff creative ??? hey..hey...we have Fat Snowman, Big hand Snowman, etc...WONDERFUL. As for the Food, ohh!! I Love the Grill Lamb (unfortunately I did not take any photo... remember, I almost give up my Blogging !!).

SueSue, if you are reading this, Thanks for "kicking" me to continue Blogging.

Kids Back To KAMPUNG

2008-04-05T23:52:00.012+08:00

Recall on my visit to Kampung.. really KAMPUNG!! My two kids grew up in urban. They have no idea how fisherman fishing, how is kampung wet market, etc...

This kampung is a fishing village somewhere in Bagan Jermal, Butterworth during last school semester break (end Nov 07).

Many people waiting for the fishing boats to arrive. These fishing boats will not come at one time, but will come back one by one. Kampung people are more relaxing. Look at them. They can sit there waiting for hours, chatting with friends, waiting for the right boats (sampan) to come.

Haa.. look at my two little cuties... really test their patience...not joke... we waited for 2 hours there lei.... I also almost out of patience. We wanted to wait for sampan who have catches on "White Pomfret, but just could not get the fish. Aiyo... we finally purchased "Kembong" fish.

Other Malay Kampung stalls.

Hi..I am blogging again....

2008-04-05T23:32:00.004+08:00

Have not been updating my blog for so long...MONTHS....
Many things happened... mom & dad went back Hometown (used to be staying with me and taking care of my two kids), went to Shenzhen, Macau & Hong Kong for Holiday, became housewife & good mother taking care of kids (wow... 24 hours job lei...), decided to work again (good offer), busy taking care of family and catch up in my work (education industry is new for me)..... Tought of giving out blogging....until I met up with SueSue at SmartKids Exhibition last month...
I still remember what she asked me: wei! not blogging ah? then y create blog uh??
This statement really "Bang".. me...:~
Well.........today, i decided to blog consistently... One day when my kids grow up they would be able to see things that happened when they are young and it will be a memorable moments for me.

Why British think 80% of M'sians coming to UK to study law?

2007-11-23T15:58:00.000+08:00

Received an email from a good friend of mine on this jokes.... thought would like to share with all of you.

UK Immigration Officer: Purpose of visit?
Visitor: I'm here to study law, sir.
Officer: You know, you must have a lot of lawyers in Malaysia .
Visitor: Why do you say that?
Officer: Well, i've been here for a good twenty years, and I'd say 80% of Malaysians I see here say they're here to read law.
Visitor: Oh, really? That's really something i never knew. Hard to believe in fact.
Officer: Just you watch, then. You just stand here until the next Malaysian comes along, and I'll bet he's here to read law.*
Visitor waits for 5 mins, Ah Chong from Malaysia comes to immigration counter*
Officer: Mr. Ah Chong, purpose of visit?
Ah Chong: Study lorr...

Matrimonial Anniversary

2007-11-07T21:23:00.001+08:00

Today is me & hubby's matrimonial anniversary. We picked : 7-11 - 7 Nov, so that it is easier to remember. Both o us did not mentioned anything to each other this morning.

It came to my surprise when I received a bouquet of flower in this evening. It is a 12 roses !! :> I am very surprise yet deep in my heart, I felt very happy.

Since hubby has to work late today, we decided to celebrate it tomorrow - Deepavali.

Basic Butter Cookies

2007-11-07T20:51:00.000+08:00

Ingredients:

100g Salted Butter

100g sugar

1 egg yolk

20g corn flour )

180g cake flour ) Add in together

Method:
Add sugar to butter and beat the mixture until fluffy. Add in egg york. Add the sifted flour mixture in few portions to the mixture. Stir with spatula to orm a dough. Place the dough on a slightly floured table and flatten with rolling pin. Cut out the desire shape with cookies cutters.
Preheat oven.
Baked at 150c or 20-25 mins or until golden brown in color.
Let it cool before keep in container.