Penang Trip

August 10th, 2009

Today is Monday! I am reminding myself that it is a beginning of another week that I have to put in more than 60 working hours like any other weeks for the project that I am working now. The project has pretty crazy datelines and it has an integration which would be the first project of its kind we delivered.

Even though my body is extremely tired (for having to put in more than 60 hours in previous weeks and being shouted at mercilessly for doing a lousy things at times - this is my first time working on Stylesheet) but I am feeling great coz I managed to skip for a short get-away to Penang, my home sweet home. I guessed I really need that short break to rejuvenate my mind and heal my soul :P. Or probably just to treat myself to another enjoyable gastronomical adventure ;). But for whatever reason it might be… I am feeling great!!

We reached Penang early Saturday morning, at about 4am. Since our apartment has only 1 bed, we gave it up to the kids, which at that point having problem sleeping since they had slept throughout the whole journey. But then, they managed to sleep for another hour or so before Mr Sun made his introduction.

By the time the kids woke up, hubby and I were still fast asleep and only woke up when ‘baby’ walked into the room with “kesian, kesian, bilik abah ngan mama, tak ada kipas”. Hahahaha… it’s one of those moments when baby got wiser with her words. As always, we were amazed that she is wiser beyond her years.. and funny too.

After all of us got dressed, Mak Nah (that’s my MIL) informed us that fried meehoon was waiting for us. Like ‘orang mengantuk disorongkan bantal’, we quickly left the apartment and went straight to her place (at this time my tummy had played several round of keroncong songs). Afterwards, hubby and I went to hair salon because I can’t tolerate my itchy scalp any longer. Even though Scalp Treatment was a tad expensive, it was really worth it. My head feeling so light and all those itchiness disappeared.

Before lunch, I called Times bookstore to reserve a Jodi Picoult’s novel – My Sister’s Keeper which already in my radar for several weeks ;).

Opps.. forgot to mentioned that hubby got me a new phone (I-mobile 202) to replace my dinosaur-age Nokia (which I used a piece of paper to hold the switch in place ;)). It can do all those fancy function but at cost below RM200!!!! Waa wee.... It is great value for the money because I am not the one who is willing to spend a lot for a mobile phone! Thanks sayang. Love it so much :).




More photos available here: Penang August 2009

Reading

I have always like reading. I first started reading novels when I was busy preparing for SPM. Back then, my reading were limited that what my friend, Azniwatie rented from a bookstore in Tanjung Malim. Well, as you might expected, reading for teenage girl, my reading were mainly romance novels like Mills & Boon series, and those classic romances from Jude Deveraux etc.

However, during my undergraduate degree, I started reading those famous conspiracy novels from Sidney Sheldon and the likes of him which normally evolved around determined and strong will women.

Soon after I settled down, and having small babies and kids, reading became a luxury hobby. With most of my time need to be divided between house chores, work and looking after little ones, and reading is no longer possible.

Now, my youngest one is 5, and I think it will be a good time to start reading once again. The kids can take better care of themselves now, which leave some room for me to have a hobby ;). So, I re-started reading 3 months ago.

Unlike reading materials during my teenage years, this time I look for serious conspiracy and thrillers novels. Romance novels won’t make the cut probably because I already know that those things they will talked about are like walking in the clouds and does not happen in real world! Another strong reason probably due to the stereotype of the plot. Usually romance novels tend to evolve around boy meets girl, boy like girl,girl realize she feels the same way, they encountered some difficulties (something like ‘cinta terhalang’, which you normally have in Hindi movies), then they leave happily ever after.

Since 3 months ago, I managed to read the following:


Scarpentta – Patricia Cornwell
This is my first novel I read from Scarpetta series. Even though I like CSI a lot, but I don’t really like this one. I got lost in the first few chapters (probably I might be able to understand them better if I have read the other Scarpetta novels better prior to this – but I am quite skeptical). And I noticed that the content is a bit dry for me.


When Will There Be Good News? – Kate Atkinson
The story line is better than the first one. It is still within the same genre as the first one. However, I found the sentences are lyrical and funny. I tremendously enjoy the reading due to those sentences. And this book amazed me on the word choice and the creativity of the author to make beautiful and funny sentences; detailing events until you can almost picture yourself in the scene and see everything happening in front of your very eyes ;)


My Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult
This is simply the best!!!! This is a tear-jerking novel. My heart goes all out to Anna, who is one of the main characters in the novel. This novel is now a major motion picture, but I haven’t seen it make its debut yet in Malaysia (I might be wrong since I am not an avid movie goer).

It also makes me wonder whether I have played favorite in treating my children. Coz the last thing I want is to have any of my children feeling left out like how Anna have felt. I don’t think I have right words to describe how good this book is except that “Next Monday, I will be going out to find another Jodi’s novel – 19 minutes. “. I am sure I will be looking for another one of her novels after that too.

MC

14th August 2009

I am on my second day of MC. When baby is down with fever, usually it will go up to 39~40C. Knowing her history of fit (febrile convulsion), it would be better if I stay home looking after her. I know that tones of work are waiting for me at the office, but I just have to be with her. There is no point for me to go to office, when all I can think of is her.

She is doing better now bcoz she seems to find it difficult to stop talking and speak her mind off ;). Furthermore she also managed to go to the net and watch Upin & Ipin, and Pingu on youtube, which she bookmarked on Mozilla. As I am writing this entry, we are fighting over on who gets to use the PC ;).

It always surprised me of what a 5 year old is capable of these days. She managed to turn on PC, go to streamyx and browse Internet without any assistance. How quickly time flies!!! It seems like it was just yesterday when I gave birth to her.

My schedule for today is quite packed.Afterwards, I need to complete those piles of laundry, which has been there for a few days since hubby and I were too busy looking after our sick children. Look likes a few more cycles to go.

And soon, I need to run to a nearby haberdashery to get materials for Neo's pillow project. Then, to bakery supplies for muffins and chocolate chips cookies for today’s tea…. Hmm…

I also need to ensure that the house is immaculate since my parents will be here during the weekends!!!!