Monday, June 29, 2009

Tiles, Kitchen, Folding door and Sofa


House renovation moving tad fast and we are exhausted every weekend just to get everything in place. Since weekdays is fully occupied that doesn’t leave us much empty space in between. Not to mention ‘hubby situation’ the one that I blog earlier. All is taking our energy.

I want to share some of the house reno thingys that we manage to clear last weekend. Our fence is up and is almost done. One issue that we have last week is on the wiring part. Most of the housing project really sucks. They give limited electrical points and in my case, they are just 2 fan points available!! What the… So we have been introduced to this one wireman. Doing all the estimation and all, it cost us freaking 3500 to add a few more socket, air conditioner and water heater points. As we are new to this of course we are getting another wireman to get a second opinion. The second person is more experience and we trust the most. He has done a good job to my parent’s house and my neighbour’s house as well. The only things is he is so busy that if he were to take up this job…my house will not be ready even before raya. Well the estimate is about there but according to him he will pull the wire straight from the main box especially for the air conditioner and water heater. So we get back to the first wireman and ask him if he could do that? It end up he getting mad at hubby for not trusting him and yada yada. Hey…we have every right to get second opinion and do what ever we want to do. It’s our money!!! Anyway to cut it short, hubby manages to settle it his way and the wiring part should be fine now.

Next we went for tiles hunting. This wasn’t an easy job as well. Thinking about the design and what tiles to suit it is really a headache. We spend around 2 hours looking at each tiles available and how it’s gonna suits our house. Not being artistic both of us, this is one of the most difficult task for the house renovation. Some tips to get a good brand tiles with cheap price are look for the old stock. The only downside is if u needs more tiles with the same design you might not get it. This is because an old stock means they will not produce the tiles anymore at all. So you need to be very sure how many tiles you need and maybe spare some extras in case anything happen.

Hubby has this dream of having a folding door instead of sliding for our pagola/gazebo area. So we surf around and the price is a bit tad much for us. We decided later that day just to grab of the deal and wallah now we are going to have a nice folding door for our house…. But you know, the hole has become bigger.

Not enough with that, we continue our search for kitchen cabinet. This time round we went to the factory itself and they have quoted us a reasonable price for my dream kitchen set. I am drooling over it and hubby has given a green light for it! Thanks dear! Now my kitchen has ample space for everything that I from my NZ days. I am a kitchen freak btw… During my days in NZ, I went to Briscoes and Farmers just to get my dosage of satisfaction looking and drooling over the dining sets, cutlery, baking stuff, cooking stuff and the list goes on. Each time I will get away with some little stuff for my kitchen. At the end of my days in NZ, I actually collected a dozen of stainless steel cutleries. I think 6 pots different sizes from Baccarat (it’s stainless steel). Not too mention the dining wear, tabletops and a lot more. Of course hubby is rolling his eyes round when he saw how many boxes of kitchenware I collected there. So now…I really need to get a good storage for my collections ;).

Once we have satisfied with all that, we decided to retire. But somehow I get very itchy to go to Fella Design Warehouse sale. Basically what ever outside the building (means under the tent) are old stocks…really old! If you don’t mind you can go ahead…. they are some still good but you must really look at it. The one inside the building is pretty new…and more or less the same with other showroom. Just that the showroom in Bukit Subang is sooooo big, you can get a lot more of selections. I finally found the sofa set that matches our house concept. It’s not too flowery, actually no flower at all but more on geometric design. Initially I’m a bit reluctant to buy a showroom sofa. However this one looks new and according to the sales person that assists us. Most of the time the sofa is taken in the first 2-3 months. Then they replenish with the new sofa. The one that is really old can be seen and usually the sell it outside the building which is under the tent. So I am convinced…being cheeky me…I ask for further reduction. And I actually manage to get 200 further reductions from the original markdown. So peeps…you can always ask and negotiate for more reductions in any sales in Malaysia. Go on and try your luck. Cos previously I did ask them so many time if it can be reduce more. Usually the answer is no. Moving on the sales person is kind enough to see if I can get a new sets of sofa instead the display one. We will see then if I have luck on that.

That’s the update of my house renovation. No picture … as we don’t have time to take any pictures…I prob will ask hubby to blog on the details so that you can get a good deal as us. But that depending on his time ;)

Later gonna update on 'hubby situation' that has become more complicated! But that’s later.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Insaf


OK makcik insaf. Must concentrate on what important first now. Forget about travel or to shop sakan...Sila insaf!

Note to myself :)

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Jiwa gatal


Ok jiwa I sangat gatal today. Was thinking to plan for another travel. I just came back from one travel that I have not finish blog abt it yet. I have to plan for office travel in August ( you dont want to know where ) and I still need to decide with hubby to join or not to join his family trip in Bali on Sept. And in my head is planning for another travel plan. Maybe I should change my career and join the travel agencies...What you think ?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hubby and the situation


Husband and I like to think that anything happened they are reasons for its. Any extras that we have, they are portion that we need to share. The rezeki maybe not 100% for us but maybe meant to be passed to someone else from us. Like when we first hire our maid. That time we don’t have much capital yet, but due to the needs to have one. We have to arrange our budget for that. I like to think that maybe… the portion that we get is meant to be channel to other people. Maybe….

It didn’t stop there. It does happen to our day-to-day life. As we climb our career ladder, they are more situations that need us to channel some of the portion of our financial to help people, to ease some burden of someone, to give work/job to someone. I don’t have anything against it except that sometimes I do complaint. Like……I just feels like buying 10 new handbags (ok 10 handbag is sooo exaggerating ;) ) …but ya…you know when you don’t give you might can get more material. But then husband always counter me back by saying, how would you know that I can even get one handbag if I don’t start to give or share…errrrr hehe (insaf sekejap).

So the cycle start again last week when we heard about some news that may or may not impact certain aspect of our financial statement. Well no details I can give here but enough said it would stop me from doing many unnecessary purchases once again. (exaggerate again…I must can do at least one hehe). World shouldn’t just revolve around ME right so I must be rational.

I do have some doubt in the beginning. We didn’t have any decisions yet on it but of course thinking of it again and again it’s due to a good course. Hubby is doing his search high and low to see what is the impact to ensure they are no losses or grieve if we commits. One think about husband that I adore him so much is, he might seem ignorance or no emotions. But he thinks wisely before making any move or statement. That is the reasons why he manage to make his way up and I am still here in term of career wise. Funny things people will not see this at first because we are young…difficult to get our message get across, but client or workmate who works with him for certain amount of time will secretly tell me that they also adore his way of thinking and how he manage his emotion during critical time. I think that’s the reasons why he manage to ‘catch’ me as well ;).

Let’s see how this thing goes about. Life is not simple that for sure. I do believe good deeds will be paid off, if it’s not here then maybe after life. But my father do advice us that they are not many people might have a good soul like us ( jgn muntah k) so that we be extra careful. We put that into consideration. Hope you guys will pray the best for us!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Post Anniversary


This round of anniversary make me grinned the whole evening getting my ultimate something that I have been eyeing and drooling for quite some time. It may not be something for you but it does for me. It’s my first Tiffany.



So you must be wondering what I bought for hubby after the all clue that I given earlier. Jeng jeng jeng….

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Err...nothing yet ! :p

Well the surprise suppose to be a Lazy Boy chair. I know he wanted it for the house after the renovation. But it’s never in the priority list as we give way for the others. Thinking that it might be something that will make him happy and relax after work …. So was thinking to give it to him as one of the first thing in the house when we move in. We have scout for some during the weekend but can’t decide on one yet. Hubby told me to wait till I finalize the sofa so that he can get to choose matching colour. Hence we wait. Maybe end of this week will secure one for him..something like this ...



Hubby is complaining about the clue I’m giving him. Especially the part on the kids get excited. So when we scout around the lazy boy or any normal recliner, through enough the kids were amaze with the chair. They are the one who are excited to climb up the chair and at one point Fawwaz is trying to figure out how to get the chair working. It’s so cute!

At night since I’ve gotten mine, he’s mind were racing to get something else for him as well. I told him that alternative option is to get him a sunglass… But what he has in mind is a freaking new hand phone!!! Hmph!!! So not approved, as his current hand phone is less than a year old still. So weekend is full with searching for house furniture and his lazy boy but nothing I get specifically for him yet. We manage to secure our selves a coffee table and one more item is still not confirm yet. I am almost certain on my kitchen cabinet arrangement and also the sofa. At least that’s done.

Anniversary dinner or lunch, they are nothing special. We want to have a pre anniversary dinner on Friday night but mom’s has cook something super duper nice that we can’t resist. So we just end up having a late night coffee at The Loaf. Saturday lunch plan is not materialize either as again moms cook a super nice lunch that we cancel the lunch plan as well!! Owh dear…that is why we are so need to move to our new house.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Pre-Anniversary and Father's Day


I am enjoying the way hubby tak senang duduk now. Keep on thinking what is the surprise gift and what is the thing that he really wants but it’s not necessary…well the list can go on cos everyone have their own wish list that is not necessary. But the clue that I’m giving him really makes him scratch his head…

The clue was it half the price of the watch that he bought for me last year. Then the kids can’t use it but they will be thrilled by it. When they try to figure out how to use it hubby will definitely scream lah…and I add in this…. well most of the man outside there also wants it. But since it’s not necessary they won’t buy it usually. Except that if they have that little extra. This time round …I’m going to sacrifice a bit and let him get this little indulgence ;)

Well I’m not going to spill it either here today. Wait for our search for the right model (erkk do I spill more clue here dear) that can fit him nicely tomorrow. Then I might post the picture here later. As of now…I am pretty excited to see hubby’s face wanting to know what are the gift will be…. That will be your anniversary gift for being a wonderful husband (minus that little sometimes of irritating me…who doesn’t rite ;)) and happy father’s day gift for being the best and yuckiest father ever. (Aariz always thought he is yucky because papa skin not as smooth as mama hehe).

Happy Anniversary Dear and Happy Father’s Day!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Kids and our coming anniversarry


Right after my trip from HK, I have to settle all my slides for transition session that schedule for a week. So you see, I don’t have much time to blog in detail for the rest of my day in HK. I intend to blog in details so that you know how much the cost of things if you plan to go there and how easy to travel with small kids. So peeps, i guess that need to wait.

Today I just want to update about my 2 cheeky monkeys, particularly Aariz.
He has become cheeky and smarter from day to day..and not listening to instruction as well. This is the part, which is a bit hard to explain. Maybe its just boys…cos hurm hubby is also poor on listening …hehe.

Back to Aariz…geeesh he has a poor listening skill. Sometimes I have to repeat over and over just to get his attention. One day I am complaining to him…telling him about how poor his listening skill. Then he told me this to me…

Aariz : Ma, I can’t listen properly because my left ears should be on the right and my right ears should be on the left…How to swap my ear ma? Hurm….

Next is on his watching TV habits. He is very fond with channel 613 and will try to get his way to watch the TV endlessly. I on the other hand, conservative mother will not allow him to watch TV more than 2 hours…If he gets more is either I’m not around or is because it’s weekend. Anyway usually I will threaten him either to throw the Astro card or to crash the TV. But it doesn’t work. Last night while he watching his Word World, I pull out the Astro card. He went down to my room soon after that and start doing his homework. The he told his papa this when I just next to him.

Aariz : Pa…can you please throw the Astro card and crash the TV now. I don’t like la the TV…Hmmmppffhh well now he learn to be sarcastic!

That didn’t just stop there. They are lot more that he learns from our sarcasm our reverse psychology to actually do that back to us. Sometime I am not sure if I should laugh or I should be more careful with the kids… But again overall they are fine growing kids.

As for Fawwaz…he pick up words and sentence very well now. He starts to talk properly. Ask a lot of question and can respond to instruction very well. Except that when his ‘angin datang’. His favourite words now is Why What, Where? Why is that why is this? What are you doing…where is papa where is mama. I remember Aariz this age use a lot of kenape…kenape…and kenape….but Fawwaz is more on whyyyyy…Aiyoh…reasoning with them is pretty tough now days. But I have to give them good reasons or answer. If not it will not help their mind I guess.

This weekend is our 6th anniversary. The kids of course have lightened up our relationship. With out them we probably not where we are now. I am so glad that I am a mother of two young, healthy, energetic and smart boys! Of course I am glad as well to be a perfect wife for my husband ;).

Not sure yet what to do this weekend…it’s a double celebration as Father’s day fall on the same date. I have already something in my mind for hubby. So hubby…. is there anything for me ;)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Hong Kong Day 1 & 2


Day 1

Depart 1845

Arrive 2230

Checked in Marriot SkyCity

I and hubby take a day off today despite that our flight is quite late. We spend the day doing activities that is impending our action like, facial for me :D and hubby to get approval from MPK for our house renovation. He’s not that lucky though as he still has some missing item for the application and approval.

We took a taxi to KLIA and the kids are very excited. I have packed one big bag of food fear of not having halal food for the first few days. We are going straight to Disneyland and according to many they are no specific halal shop there. So I am well prepared with bread, nutella, tuna, hotdog bun, biscuits and many more. Of course hubby keeps a rolling eye on me each time I pack my food. But trust me…each time he and the kids are the one who will wallop almost everything!

The journey went well. Fawwaz has been very excited that he did not sleep the whole day but take his nap soon after the flight departs. Since Fawwaz is sleeping and Aariz is reasonably behaving well, we quite enjoy our quiet time during the flight.

We reach Hong Kong Airport around 10.30. After the immigration check, we took our luggage and straight to the hotel shuttle. Waited around 10 minutes and off we go to Marriot. Hubby gets to redeem one night stay from his work travel all this while. The hotel is very nice and modern. It’s a business hotel so you see a lot of people are either having conference there or on a business trip. So is just us with 2 kids running around the hotel area. We settle around 12 at night and eagerly wait for tomorrow.

Day 2

We wake up pretty early around 7.00. With all my prepared food (we even brought the kids meal from the flight) we took our early breakfast in the hotel room. At 9.00 everybody is ready to go. Good thing the hotel provides a free shuttle to Disneyland everyday at 9.30. But the not so good thing is, the shuttle don’t budge to send us to the Disney Hollywood Hotel first even they are not one else in the shuttle. So we have to take another shuttle from the Disneyland to the hotel to put our stuff. When we reach the hotel, which is quite nice…the kids already start jumping seeing Mickey pictures here and there. Hubby tries his luck to check in earlier. Well according to them our room is not ready yet but if we upgrade with another additional of RM90, we can check in now. So what the heck…just to save all the hassle we just pay and check in. We get the hotel internet rate at RM660 per night. Yeah it’s expensive we know, but the room actually can fit 4 adults. The other more important thing is we get to pay one ticket for 2 days, but you must purchase the ticket at the Disney/ Disney Hollywood hotel only. It’s not valid if you purchase at the Disneyland entrance. For us with small kids, this is the best option even some may have preferred to stay in the town with a cheaper hotel rate. One Disneyland ticket cost us HKD 350 for an adult and HKD 250 for child age 3-11. Fawwaz is free yaiy !!! The ex rate is 1:2, RM10:HKD5 more or less.


After we checked in, we had our brunch first in the hotel room and do whatever necessary. Around 11 we went down and take the shuttle to the Disneyland. I think I am more excited compared to the kids. Once we reach there, they check our bag first for any food. We do bring some food…..but not so many. Pack beneath of the children cloth so they let us go. But we do see one family that packed can drinks, instant noodles cup and they get stopped by the security. Well I do think their security is not as tight as our Sunway Lagoon but just don’t overdo it. Else you will just get stop like the one that I saw.

The Hong Kong Disneyland is divided into 4 sections. They have Adventureland, Main Street USA, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. We start with the Main Street USA. We went into the Animation Academy and Art of Animation to see some amazing stuff on they do and draw the animation. There’s plenty of souvenirs shops, restaurants at the Main Streets that we decided to walk to the next area, Adventureland.



We arrived just in time to catch a theater on a Lion King show. The show itself was superb with musical, dance, fire and lot more. I am entertained by the show!






Next we took a raft to Tarzan’s Treehouse.



This is where the Tarzan’s lives…..



We then take Jungle River Cruise, this is fun as well!!! Aariz cried cos he‘s caught by surprise with the volcano!...He hates volcano :D

We are pretty hungry by now but we want to at least to finish half of the attractions today. So we move on to the Fantasyland and went to watch Mickey 3-D adventure. The kids like it so much that we stayed in to watch it for the second time. This is a must do as the shows seems so real that the kids thought Donald Duck is even exist.

It’s time to take picture with Disney character…moi getting very excited …more than the kids I think :D





Hubby then rushes us for the Disney Water Parade. Everybody get ready with their umbrella and we are rock and steady waiting besides the road….and hubby is just lucky that his camera not washed away by the giant water spray….No wonder everybody is well prepared.







Right after the parade, we queue up for the Golden Mickey musical show. It’s narrated in Mandarin, but the musical is in English. They are Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Tarzan and Jane, The Hunchback of the Notre Dame and many more.








We are very tired by then…so around 430 we went back to the hotel for a quick rest and refreshment. The shuttle back to the hotel is very convenient as it’s every 15 minutes. So around 630 we are back in business….This time round we take a Fantasyland Train straight to the Fantasyland.


We try to finish the Fantasyland before catching the final highlight for today, the fireworks from the Sleeping Beauty Castle.



Finally….highlight of the day…




We went back to the hotel tired but pretty much satisfied with our day.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Everything that I Need


I need a break. I'm getting one soon. This Thursday to be precise. It's gonna be exciting as Fawwaz is not big enough to feel the excitement boarding on a plane. Unlike Aariz, he is spoilt brat. He's been travelling a lot with us ... and still wanting for more. Hehe just like his mom.

Travelling with the kids is theraupatic for me. I like going out with them. People sometimes are suprise how we manage to travel with them...long distance, short distance, or me alone managing those 2 kids. I don't know maybe is just that we prepared with enough food and drinks, some book and small toy to occupied them during the journey. And the most important thing, we are not fussy.

Let's see, when Aariz is 8 months both of us posted to Miri. We flyback at least one month once, or three weeks once. During the weekends that we are not flying back, we had some short trips. One of it is driving straight to Brunei and took a ferry to KK. We did that when Aariz is around 10 months olds. I remember that i fed him Gerber at the Ferry Terminal while waiting for our turn. We travel light, we don't travel in style but practicle and simple. The results, we had quite a wonderful years in Miri.

This is Aariz when he is just 1 year plus and we drag him around when we were in Miri.


Next when we were in NZ, the kiwi land. Fawwaz is just 8 months when we shift there. Same thing apply. We just bring what ever necessary. During our assignment there, we try to slot in travelling withink weekends or bridging holidays. We finish North Island within the first 6 months we are there. Then up we went to South Island and took straight 2 1/2 weeks trips to finish up the area. Aariz is 4 that time and Fawwaz is almost 2. It was fun and fun and fun!. I will blog in details later on about our trip in NZ so that who ever plan to go there can use our tips and tricks. Esp those who travel with their little one.


Papa is all gear up for the trip...
I dont remember what this called but it's very usefull. Fawwaz tuck in inside and we are free to walk around...
When they need little something to get them busy
Fawwaz is munching something and holding his small toy When they need some rest we let them stop ....

Mama is thinking where to put the stroller if we want to take the tram...
Tadaaaaaaaa

Happy faces when the kids are not cranky!!

Around Dec last year we went to tag along hubby to Dubai. I bring Aariz only as the flight ticket is killing me. Since hubby is working I spend one whole day tour Dubai with just Aariz. Two of us took a taxi to Dubai Mall. From there we took the Big Bus and tour around the city. We stop at few places...take a long walk and he is so cooperative that i feel lucky having him around.

Of course each travel we plan on logistic, food and ensure that we have enough tools.

Some tips that you can prob use if you are travelling with young kids.

1) Way before your travel date, you have plant into his mind what's going to happend. Tell him some story of the place that you are going and give some expectation like the weather, travel method, food etc.

2) Involve them during the packing. It's important that we bring the clothing that they are comfortable with to avoid screaming and fighting just to get them to wear the cloth that we bring. It will be frustrating especially when you are running out of cloth.

3) Pack some light snacks/drinks that is easy to grab during the travel time. In the bag pack if you going on flight, in the car, in wherever accessible. Kid's will be more cooperative when they are not hungry or thirsty.

4) Night before travel, ensure that they get enough sleep. During journey, if you are on a long trip, try to get them to sleep whenever they are in a vehichle. I find that is important for the young kids to get their usual nap even tho for a short while.

5) Stroller is important! if your baby is small you can opt for baby carrier.

6) Travelling in the car. Please use car seat! You have no idea how that will save a lot of hassle during the journey. That is how i survive my 2 1/2 weeks road travel in South Island.

7) Small toys/books to entertain them during the journey. I am old fashion parents that didnt allow for PSP, gameboy, small LCD or electronics to entertain my kids. But Aariz just turn 5 and he already learn to play PSP from his aunty. I might give a try for this trip to see if he's ok with it. The thing with electronic stuff is i don't want them to hung up on that and forget about the whole travelling point. Scenery, togetherness...being alive in the real world.

8) CDs/Cassette to entertain them in the car. Else you would be singing to them all the way long...That's what we do most of the time :D

They are more long list and put down here...but maybe i'll sumarize more next time. Will post you pretty picture from there later.