......I absolutely adore and miss my Winnie (and Cleo) dearly. Currently far, far away from her (them) and counting the days when we shall be together again.
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Friday, 29 August 2008
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Laundry List
I am glad I made this trip home, albeit a slightly short one. I managed to get quite a few things sorted out:
- Sorted maid issues at agency for when I am back, need mumsy to train her on household chores etc
- Had a pleasant and thorough check up with Dr. G; all questions/worries put to rest plus he is such a lovely gentle man
- Renewed my driver's licence
- Got my maxis line sorted for when I am back for ML
- Mani/pedi, hair cut, eyebrows + leg wax. Such bliss being well-groomed (at a cheaper price too)
- Find out what baby stuff I can get in KL without having to lug everything back from London
- Some banking transactions
- Dinner with old buddies
After watching The Secret enroute flight home, I am now visualising hard:
- Quick and easy labour (can't help being repetitive, my pain threshold is unbelievably low)
- Healthy happy bubba
- Good efficient problem-free maid
- A new *ahem* watch for myself
Hope I am persistent and strong enough to make all the above happen.
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Yummsteroo
Had some ubi kayu + kelapa + gula, a very un-posh traditional dessert, but o so delish.
Yes I am home sweet home.
Yes I am home sweet home.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Emotion-High
What a week! Not sure if it is purely due to pregnancy or the extra activities that happened throughout.
I think it all began last Sunday; entertaining during one part of the day and sorting cat matters in the second half of the day. That was physically and mentally exhausting. Mentally, because some people are plain toxic toxic toxic.
Wednesday was dinner, prior to AA's departure, at this lovely place in central London. The food was exceptional, company was tres fun, service excellent. Abit on the pricey side but they threw in a free dessert on top of each of our own yummy desserts and even served up some vanilla ice cream for me when I casually mentioned that none of their dessert had that in it. Now you know what I mean by excellent service. Also, one of the many the perks of having a bump, how I love the attentiveness of the waiter(s) waiting on me (us).
The other nice resto was at J's birthday a week ago, food was sublime and service was great too. Anyone planning a special meal should try these restos - Asia De Cub@ (Covent Gdn) and Sk3tch Gallery (Conduit St off Regent St), if you haven't already that is.
Alright. Back to my hectic week.
Work was awful, being tired meant I had so much difficulty concentrating on the tasks at hand. Having only a few weeks left before I leave for maternity and loads to do made it 1000 times worse.
Oh but I do have a confession, I was distracted with this new online group that I recently joined. It's a mother's group with lovely mommies from around the world sharing their experiences and so I have been catching up on threads, forums and messages on the board. It is very informative and certainly makes up for dullness I face at work. How naughty am I, if only I did my work as diligently as I read the forums.
With new online group, blogging and FB have taken a back spot. I actually had some problems with sites on blogspot, could not access it at all, not even my own blog, up until tonight. Wonder if I was the only one experiencing this. It didn't help that the office restricts access to these sites too so I was blog-less for a couple of days.
Another issue that truly got me upset was about our trip home. IK has work in KL and I am merely tagging along. We had my tix sorted, upgraded and booked, my holidays approved, when suddenly his office decided to switch meeting dates just a week before the flight. Bah. Oh how that threw us off-course. I had to adjust so many appointments which were not easy to change - one being my appointment with Dr G in KL, my next appointment with the midwife here, find another date with upgradeable options, my holidays had to be re-approved, my birthday (it shall now be celebrated here boo hoo). Thankfully it has all been sorted after much tears (on my part) and anxiety + hardwork (on IK's). Mental torture I tell you.
A whole mixed bag of emotions I was going through - happy, sad, angry, excited, upset, but mostly T.I.R.E.D.
I am 28 weeks today, that is 7 months along into my journey. It has been so far so good, alhamdullilah, last week's roller coaster ride notwithstanding.
Can you believe we have gone through > 1H 08, and it is already August 2008?
TGIF, happy sunshiny weekend peeps.
I think it all began last Sunday; entertaining during one part of the day and sorting cat matters in the second half of the day. That was physically and mentally exhausting. Mentally, because some people are plain toxic toxic toxic.
Wednesday was dinner, prior to AA's departure, at this lovely place in central London. The food was exceptional, company was tres fun, service excellent. Abit on the pricey side but they threw in a free dessert on top of each of our own yummy desserts and even served up some vanilla ice cream for me when I casually mentioned that none of their dessert had that in it. Now you know what I mean by excellent service. Also, one of the many the perks of having a bump, how I love the attentiveness of the waiter(s) waiting on me (us).
The other nice resto was at J's birthday a week ago, food was sublime and service was great too. Anyone planning a special meal should try these restos - Asia De Cub@ (Covent Gdn) and Sk3tch Gallery (Conduit St off Regent St), if you haven't already that is.
Alright. Back to my hectic week.
Work was awful, being tired meant I had so much difficulty concentrating on the tasks at hand. Having only a few weeks left before I leave for maternity and loads to do made it 1000 times worse.
Oh but I do have a confession, I was distracted with this new online group that I recently joined. It's a mother's group with lovely mommies from around the world sharing their experiences and so I have been catching up on threads, forums and messages on the board. It is very informative and certainly makes up for dullness I face at work. How naughty am I, if only I did my work as diligently as I read the forums.
With new online group, blogging and FB have taken a back spot. I actually had some problems with sites on blogspot, could not access it at all, not even my own blog, up until tonight. Wonder if I was the only one experiencing this. It didn't help that the office restricts access to these sites too so I was blog-less for a couple of days.
Another issue that truly got me upset was about our trip home. IK has work in KL and I am merely tagging along. We had my tix sorted, upgraded and booked, my holidays approved, when suddenly his office decided to switch meeting dates just a week before the flight. Bah. Oh how that threw us off-course. I had to adjust so many appointments which were not easy to change - one being my appointment with Dr G in KL, my next appointment with the midwife here, find another date with upgradeable options, my holidays had to be re-approved, my birthday (it shall now be celebrated here boo hoo). Thankfully it has all been sorted after much tears (on my part) and anxiety + hardwork (on IK's). Mental torture I tell you.
A whole mixed bag of emotions I was going through - happy, sad, angry, excited, upset, but mostly T.I.R.E.D.
I am 28 weeks today, that is 7 months along into my journey. It has been so far so good, alhamdullilah, last week's roller coaster ride notwithstanding.
Can you believe we have gone through > 1H 08, and it is already August 2008?
TGIF, happy sunshiny weekend peeps.
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Monday, 14 January 2008
One of Those Days
At home:
* Dad arrived safely today although he is a little under the weather.
* Winnie is slowly recovering from the unfortunate mishap from two days ago; Mumsy is truly a gem being nurse-in-waiting i.e. making sure Ninnie is as comfortable as can be. Times like these make me wish I could be home (in a jiffy).
* A friend is relocating to Dubai in Q2 08. It is shocking how everyone is leaving the motherland for greener pastures; brain drain crisis in Malaysia indeedy.
At the Wharf:
* I am feeling a little harassed at work, but what’s new eh.
* I am also a worried about the 'little discovery' at Bayswater over the weekend and how we can’t improve the current condition.
* I certainly cannot understand the concept of travelling light try as I might.
* Unconfirmed 'speculations'.
In early Q4 07 last year I booked a holiday to the city I have been dying to go for the longest time since watching ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and Carrie Bradshaw & Co. However, due to all the worrying and unresolved issues mentioned above, I am feeling anxious, troubled and ill at ease.
And am subsequently dreading the holiday and the travelling preparation that comes with it.
Blurgh.
Let's hope for a better tomorrow.
Sunday, 23 December 2007
I Am Home
And extremely jet lagged.
We arrived Saturday morning to be greeted by ketupat, kuah kacang, beef and chicken rendang for brunch at home. Post Hari Raya Haji celebrations you could say. Yummy.
I then slept through from 11ish am till about 5pm. Despite this being a holiday I cannot help but feel 'what a waste of precious cat/family time' to spend six hours on sleep.
Although to be fair, I was already very tired before we came home - hectic work schedule, been sleep-deprived (early mornings and late nights to pack and clear home before hols), I have also been down with the flu bug and a sore throat since Wednesday.
I have been diligently taking my course of antibiotics in the hopes of clearing the throat very very soon; after all what is a holiday back home minus the delish spicy and oily local grub!
Today I had nasi lemak (kurang sambal to ease the spicy-ness) and lepat ubi kayu for breakfast but I had to forego the roti canai and karipap.
For lunch, steamboat. Again, minus the usual red hot sauce that I would normally dunk everything in copious amounts. Bummer.
Everything in moderation. Bah.
Last night I went to bed at half past ten and woke up at 3am looking for my other bed partner, Winnie, who I am guessing went out through the window to have a pee (or a poo, who knows?). She was back in half an hour later but then I had problems falling back asleep until maybe 5 or 6am and only managed to force myself out of bed at 9am. I am now surfing the net to avoid nodding off too early as I want to regularise my body clock to Malaysia time - need to be up early tomorrow; lots to do (and eat).
Looking forward to tomorrow; I am on a pursuit – all food related obviously!
Note to self: Day 2, 8 more to go.
We arrived Saturday morning to be greeted by ketupat, kuah kacang, beef and chicken rendang for brunch at home. Post Hari Raya Haji celebrations you could say. Yummy.
I then slept through from 11ish am till about 5pm. Despite this being a holiday I cannot help but feel 'what a waste of precious cat/family time' to spend six hours on sleep.
Although to be fair, I was already very tired before we came home - hectic work schedule, been sleep-deprived (early mornings and late nights to pack and clear home before hols), I have also been down with the flu bug and a sore throat since Wednesday.
I have been diligently taking my course of antibiotics in the hopes of clearing the throat very very soon; after all what is a holiday back home minus the delish spicy and oily local grub!
Today I had nasi lemak (kurang sambal to ease the spicy-ness) and lepat ubi kayu for breakfast but I had to forego the roti canai and karipap.
For lunch, steamboat. Again, minus the usual red hot sauce that I would normally dunk everything in copious amounts. Bummer.
Everything in moderation. Bah.
Last night I went to bed at half past ten and woke up at 3am looking for my other bed partner, Winnie, who I am guessing went out through the window to have a pee (or a poo, who knows?). She was back in half an hour later but then I had problems falling back asleep until maybe 5 or 6am and only managed to force myself out of bed at 9am. I am now surfing the net to avoid nodding off too early as I want to regularise my body clock to Malaysia time - need to be up early tomorrow; lots to do (and eat).
Looking forward to tomorrow; I am on a pursuit – all food related obviously!
Note to self: Day 2, 8 more to go.
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Tomorrow we depart for Kuala Lumpur.
I'm ever so thankful to be able to flee the cold weather, albeit momentarily. The ten days will be fleeting but I shall cherish every minute of my time at home.
Farewell London, see you in 2008!
I'm ever so thankful to be able to flee the cold weather, albeit momentarily. The ten days will be fleeting but I shall cherish every minute of my time at home.
Farewell London, see you in 2008!
Friday, 23 November 2007
I Miss My Furballs
Mumsy is great; she keeps me posted every few days on these two little girls she (secretly) dotes on. Getting calls from home is always a treat for me. Mumsy will update me on their antics and I never tire or ever get enough of their anecdotes. Wish I had the capacity (more money and annual leave please!) to be home more often to experience the joy myself.
It is such a pity that they can't talk nor can I cat speak, otherwise I can tell them both how much I miss them.
For now, I’ll settle with Mumsy being the best source of 'cat chronicles' and the closest thing I have in terms of communicating (indirectly) with Winnie and Cleo.
And yeah, I miss Mumsy too.
*sniffs*
It is such a pity that they can't talk nor can I cat speak, otherwise I can tell them both how much I miss them.
For now, I’ll settle with Mumsy being the best source of 'cat chronicles' and the closest thing I have in terms of communicating (indirectly) with Winnie and Cleo.
And yeah, I miss Mumsy too.
*sniffs*
Thursday, 5 July 2007
A Tragic End to the Perfect Holiday
So the Holiday is well and truly over.
It's been doom and gloom the minute the holiday ended last Sunday. First, the flight departed KLIA an hour late. It was a full flight - no hope of hogging two seats each. Landed in Heathrow late and it took 2 hours to clear immigration (there must have been like about 5000 people in the queue, I kid you not). Then a bomb scare was reported as we collected our baggage and headed to the arrival hall, toward chaos everywhere. Finally, we had to hop on a train to Terminal 4 with heavy suitcases in tow to catch the taxi we booked (he could not linger around Terminal 3 because of the chaos and it did not help that we were about 3 hours delayed).
What an ordeal.
Then for the past four days there's the missing home bout that I have to cope with, jet-lag battle, and to top it off, going back to work with month-end deadlines looming. SIGH. Been trying to get into the swing of things, but progress is extremely s l o w.
Here's what I'm missing:
1. Two weeks of nasi lemak/cucur/kuih/roti canai/teh tarik/steamboat overdose. Ho hum, I’ve put on weight instead of lose some.
2. Two weeks of cat-company. Those two bags of fur are such joy to have around.
3. Two weeks of meals prepared for me, instead of by me. Loved it.
4. Two weeks of Channel E! I'm now celebrity-savvy.
And what I'm not:
1. Rude infuriating Malaysians who do not understand the concept of/believe in queuing. I have absolutely zero tolerance for this.
2. Bad bad service, how I loathe this and how I never fail to attract them.
3. Public toilets. Euww.
4. Heartbreaking sights of stray cats and dogs roaming the streets. Unlike in the UK, where you have the Cats Protection, Battersea and RSPCA that you can always rely on; they really care for their animals. I know it's a long shot but I hope Malaysia will/can come up to the same level instead of merely claiming to be a 'caring' society.
We had the 'opportunity' to re-live our pre-London lifestyle for a week by rescuing a stray kitten abandoned right outside mum's gate. To-date mum still has not been able to find a home for him. I pray someone will take him soon, he is real easy to care for and is a cute little fellow who's very very playful, what's there not to like? *Fingers crossed*
There was also alot of damage done because everything is cheaper in Malaysia - MAC, Loccitane, Bobbi Brown, strangely even British brands like Topshop/DP/FCUK. Well, almost everything except Tefal, as mum pointed out.
I was home in time for the Mega Sale Carnival and I came back here to the beginning of summer sales. How disturbing is that. Note to self: Must not shop, bank balance needs time to recover from Malaysia trip.
Glad that it's Friday tomorrow; need to stop feeling miserable. The weekend could just be the remedy.
It's been doom and gloom the minute the holiday ended last Sunday. First, the flight departed KLIA an hour late. It was a full flight - no hope of hogging two seats each. Landed in Heathrow late and it took 2 hours to clear immigration (there must have been like about 5000 people in the queue, I kid you not). Then a bomb scare was reported as we collected our baggage and headed to the arrival hall, toward chaos everywhere. Finally, we had to hop on a train to Terminal 4 with heavy suitcases in tow to catch the taxi we booked (he could not linger around Terminal 3 because of the chaos and it did not help that we were about 3 hours delayed).
What an ordeal.
Then for the past four days there's the missing home bout that I have to cope with, jet-lag battle, and to top it off, going back to work with month-end deadlines looming. SIGH. Been trying to get into the swing of things, but progress is extremely s l o w.
Here's what I'm missing:
1. Two weeks of nasi lemak/cucur/kuih/roti canai/teh tarik/steamboat overdose. Ho hum, I’ve put on weight instead of lose some.
2. Two weeks of cat-company. Those two bags of fur are such joy to have around.
3. Two weeks of meals prepared for me, instead of by me. Loved it.
4. Two weeks of Channel E! I'm now celebrity-savvy.
And what I'm not:
1. Rude infuriating Malaysians who do not understand the concept of/believe in queuing. I have absolutely zero tolerance for this.
2. Bad bad service, how I loathe this and how I never fail to attract them.
3. Public toilets. Euww.
4. Heartbreaking sights of stray cats and dogs roaming the streets. Unlike in the UK, where you have the Cats Protection, Battersea and RSPCA that you can always rely on; they really care for their animals. I know it's a long shot but I hope Malaysia will/can come up to the same level instead of merely claiming to be a 'caring' society.
We had the 'opportunity' to re-live our pre-London lifestyle for a week by rescuing a stray kitten abandoned right outside mum's gate. To-date mum still has not been able to find a home for him. I pray someone will take him soon, he is real easy to care for and is a cute little fellow who's very very playful, what's there not to like? *Fingers crossed*
There was also alot of damage done because everything is cheaper in Malaysia - MAC, Loccitane, Bobbi Brown, strangely even British brands like Topshop/DP/FCUK. Well, almost everything except Tefal, as mum pointed out.
I was home in time for the Mega Sale Carnival and I came back here to the beginning of summer sales. How disturbing is that. Note to self: Must not shop, bank balance needs time to recover from Malaysia trip.
Glad that it's Friday tomorrow; need to stop feeling miserable. The weekend could just be the remedy.
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Life is Good
Been home since 16th and enjoying every minute of it.
I have had all the time for the kitties. All the time with parents too.
Have not achieved much (that was the objective really). Lazy mornings. Slothful days. Lots of snooze. Lots of food. Lots of telly. Lots of lazing about. Lots of playing papparazi to Cleo + Winnie (whipping out camera and snapping away at them much to their annoyance).
Home sweet home indeedy.
It’s been good.
I have had all the time for the kitties. All the time with parents too.
Have not achieved much (that was the objective really). Lazy mornings. Slothful days. Lots of snooze. Lots of food. Lots of telly. Lots of lazing about. Lots of playing papparazi to Cleo + Winnie (whipping out camera and snapping away at them much to their annoyance).
Home sweet home indeedy.
It’s been good.
Saturday, 26 May 2007
Countdown
Booked our tix. Waiting in great anticipation. 20 days to go.
One week of cat-company. One week of relaxing evening chats at the patio + garden area. One week of home cooked meals, as well as the occassional roti canai and teh tarik breakfasts, steamboat lunches and satay dinners.
One week of cat-company. One week of relaxing evening chats at the patio + garden area. One week of home cooked meals, as well as the occassional roti canai and teh tarik breakfasts, steamboat lunches and satay dinners.
One week of pure bliss. Yahoo.
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Lousy Day
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Felt miserable all day. Rotten rotten mood. Wanted to bite someone's head off.
Could not get myself out of bed this morning until about half seven which is unreasonable considering I went to bed at 11pm. Loathed work. I even gave my fav salsa classes a miss (shock horror).
Tried to pinpoint the reason;
Is it that time of month? No.
Bad hair day? Au contraire.
Deadlines? None.
Terrorised by colleagues? Not today.
Don't know what's wrong. It's one of those 'there must be more to life than this' days. I don't have anything to look forward to despite the changes I've effected in my life - exercise regime/books/new interests. I feel like I am not moving forward. But but what more can I do to improve my life?
I'm just tired of my mundane routine really.
Eat, sleep, work, look forward to weekend, work, sleep, eat. Repeat.
Right now all I wish for is a break from the routine. Maybe a week long holiday at home being silly with Mumsy + Dadster, rubbing Winnie while she purrs in appreciation, trying to steal kisses from Cleo, chilling at the patio whilst having some satay. Bliss.
How I miss home.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight - Khalil Gibran, The Prophet (1923).
Let tomorrow be a better day. Amen.
Could not get myself out of bed this morning until about half seven which is unreasonable considering I went to bed at 11pm. Loathed work. I even gave my fav salsa classes a miss (shock horror).
Tried to pinpoint the reason;
Is it that time of month? No.
Bad hair day? Au contraire.
Deadlines? None.
Terrorised by colleagues? Not today.
Don't know what's wrong. It's one of those 'there must be more to life than this' days. I don't have anything to look forward to despite the changes I've effected in my life - exercise regime/books/new interests. I feel like I am not moving forward. But but what more can I do to improve my life?
I'm just tired of my mundane routine really.
Eat, sleep, work, look forward to weekend, work, sleep, eat. Repeat.
Right now all I wish for is a break from the routine. Maybe a week long holiday at home being silly with Mumsy + Dadster, rubbing Winnie while she purrs in appreciation, trying to steal kisses from Cleo, chilling at the patio whilst having some satay. Bliss.
How I miss home.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight - Khalil Gibran, The Prophet (1923).
Let tomorrow be a better day. Amen.
Monday, 19 February 2007
News from Home
Every Saturday morning, at about 9 am or thereabouts, I perform my weekly ritual of catching up with Mumsy + Dadster on their weekly activites. Basically the ongoings from Monday to Friday all compressed into an hour's worth of conversation (thank goodness for GoTalk + bless IK for footing the bill!).
Topics discussed are:
Core subjects - Cleo's antics, Winnie's good behaviour (she truly is well-behaved and good-natured), Mum's day-to-day minding of the cats, Mum's garden/plants/trees/grass, Mum's complaints about Dad's naggings, Dadster complaining about Mumsy's spending, siblings' updates (all have left the nest for greener pastures).
Optional subjects range from Mum's peer's gossips (so and so's dot's wedding), extended family's (i.e. parents in law) updates, water shortages, weather (too hot/no rainfall), cars, to recipes (since I am very much domestically-challenged).
Last weekend, conversation centred mainly around kitties, house reno and parents' impending trips:
- Winnie has started having 3 square meals - Breakfast, lunch and dinner! Winnie has decided she too needs lunch just like us humans. Soon she will demand a permanent spot at the dinner table!
- Cleo's confusion over new dining area - am I in the right house she wonders as she ponders near the familiar smells within the old section of the house. Too cute!
- House reno is finally complete; bigger dining area with a garden view and new doors fitted in. Mumsy's really pleased as it doesn't end here for her; this is infact, to my dad's horror, is the beginning of more dosh to spend - there's new garden lights to install, wooden blinds to filter the midday sun, landscaping works - haleconias/frangipanis to be planted at strategic areas to block out ghastly sight of neigbour's unkempt garden.
- Dad's trip to Bali next week to visit sibling number three.
- Mum's trip to Bali in March, to visit sibling number three as well.
- What Mumsy has to bring to London in April - lots and lots of ikan bilis, chili kering, milo please!
- Dadster complaining about mum's shopping for the London trip - new shoes and new suitcase (and these are only what I was told, mind you). Subsequent shopping in London! IK should be duly informed that this shopping 'trait' is hereditary after all.
As for me, I'm just truly happy to know that Winnie is well + healthy and am excited over the prospect of having Mumsy around for 3 weeks *cheers, whistles, claps*
I've planned some activities to keep Mum entertained. The obvious shopping trips to Bicester + factory outlets, Mamma Mia musical (booked for the 11th April), hopefully I'll be able to slot in a short trip to Venice, and nearby drives (courtesy of Toby) around south coast/midlands/south west areas of engerland, we'll see how things go.
All Mum probably wants to do is eat drink sleep and breathe Oxford Street!
I've planned some activities to keep Mum entertained. The obvious shopping trips to Bicester + factory outlets, Mamma Mia musical (booked for the 11th April), hopefully I'll be able to slot in a short trip to Venice, and nearby drives (courtesy of Toby) around south coast/midlands/south west areas of engerland, we'll see how things go.
All Mum probably wants to do is eat drink sleep and breathe Oxford Street!
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