In relation to the previous post, my body has chosen to overrule my head and breed like a rabbit instead.
Baby number 4 has commenced its pre-natal journey.
I hope it's another girl.
Nuaim says he wants a baby brother. When I tell him he already has a brother, he answered that Nu'man is no longer a baby so he doesn't count.
Nu'man also wants a boy. "Sebab Nu'man boy."
Aiesyah, when asked whether she wants an adik, shakes her head and answers in her trademark bimboesque manner, "Tak nak".
Monday, 28 September 2009
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
To study or not to study
It's that time of year again. The call for postgraduate study scholarship nominations is out.
The last 90 minutes have been spent searching for suitable engineering & engineering management postgraduate programs in the UK. While I found a few that would have been attractive to me 5 years ago, I wonder if I still have the tenacity and the attention to detail to do something purely technical for 3 full years. Not to mention that it has to be 'aligned to the Company's Technology Agenda', in which my current work does not feature prominently at all.
I'm not sure whether it is something I really still want to do, or just a feeling that it's something I should've done before that features so prominently on my 'to do' list, like ganti puasa. Or it's something that I need to do because it's expected of me and I just can't bear the idea of people going "You should have" for the rest of my life.
Why can't I just be satisfied with staying at home to breed like a rabbit?
The last 90 minutes have been spent searching for suitable engineering & engineering management postgraduate programs in the UK. While I found a few that would have been attractive to me 5 years ago, I wonder if I still have the tenacity and the attention to detail to do something purely technical for 3 full years. Not to mention that it has to be 'aligned to the Company's Technology Agenda', in which my current work does not feature prominently at all.
I'm not sure whether it is something I really still want to do, or just a feeling that it's something I should've done before that features so prominently on my 'to do' list, like ganti puasa. Or it's something that I need to do because it's expected of me and I just can't bear the idea of people going "You should have" for the rest of my life.
Why can't I just be satisfied with staying at home to breed like a rabbit?
Monday, 31 August 2009
Back to Work
It's been a long time away from the KL office. I had to leave the plant for a family holiday before they completed the Turnaround. After 10 activity-filled days in Oz, I think I need a turnaround myself.
The new office layout takes some getting used to. Where before I had a lovely view of Dataran Merdeka and could see across my corner of the floor, now my old space is occupied by a meeting room, and I have 6-foot high partitions blocking me from everyone else except the secretary and maybe my Technical Coach. I was sitting there for a whole hour before I realised my immediate neighbour was AKL. Feels almost claustrophobic...
The new office layout takes some getting used to. Where before I had a lovely view of Dataran Merdeka and could see across my corner of the floor, now my old space is occupied by a meeting room, and I have 6-foot high partitions blocking me from everyone else except the secretary and maybe my Technical Coach. I was sitting there for a whole hour before I realised my immediate neighbour was AKL. Feels almost claustrophobic...
Monday, 20 July 2009
Yellow & Red chapter 1
He was shy. She knew he liked her, but he hardly ever said a word.
The actions spoke volumes though.
The actions spoke volumes though.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Water Babies
Today has been a fun day for the kids. We arrived at Queensbay Mall in Penang in time for lunch, then after a couple of hours shopping for their winter clothing, Mama and Bapak decided to drop by at the Carnivall Water Theme Park in Sungai Petani. We didn't have our swimming costumes, so the little ones had to make do with their undies.
Aiesyah braving the water with her Tok Wan.
A rare photo of my eldest. Nuaim enjoyed it immensely.
My little princess making splashes of her own.
Aiesyah braving the water with her Tok Wan.
A rare photo of my eldest. Nuaim enjoyed it immensely.
My little princess making splashes of her own.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Off Day
Hari ini saya tidak bekerja. Hari ini saya luangkan masa untuk keluarga dan anak2. Esok, lusa, tulat dan seterusnya lain cerita.
Lepas 13 haribulan boleh ambil cuti ganti ya, Bos?
Lepas 13 haribulan boleh ambil cuti ganti ya, Bos?
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Shaking things up a little
It's happening again.
A month ago I thought it was all over, but the curiosity reappeared in a different form. Maybe it's the setting and location. All the same, I don't know if I should welcome it.
I need a distraction. Like a nice sporty Peugeot 206 Coupe Cabriolet.
A month ago I thought it was all over, but the curiosity reappeared in a different form. Maybe it's the setting and location. All the same, I don't know if I should welcome it.
I need a distraction. Like a nice sporty Peugeot 206 Coupe Cabriolet.
Or an Audi TT Quattro .
For now I'll just have to settle with zooming up and down the 40km stretch of highway between Alor Setar and Gurun in a Chevrolet Optra 1.8 to release my angst, with Catatonia's 'Road Rage' blaring on full volume.
Apparently they've never had a female Instrument engineer here before. Maybe that's why the people I work with appear so quiet and timid, the young ones especially. My peer group don't really seem to care whether I'm there. Well, it's time for me and my dream sports car to change that.
For now I'll just have to settle with zooming up and down the 40km stretch of highway between Alor Setar and Gurun in a Chevrolet Optra 1.8 to release my angst, with Catatonia's 'Road Rage' blaring on full volume.
*****************
It's been three days in Gurun, not counting the one-day trip last week. I don't know if I'm making friends or enemies.
Last week, the project team took me out for a nice lunch. On Monday, it was the bosses' treat. Yesterday I might have bruised and battered a few egos with my 'technical governance' approach that I was left all alone to fend for myself. Of course, it could just be my out-of-whack overly sensitive nature and they had simply forgotten I was there.
Today I had lunch with some guys and a lady from the Electrical dept. One of them is a colleague's brother, who also happened to be one of my student trainees a few years' back. Another one was a really funny guy who unabashedly offered me a place in his heart on a shift basis. Cute approach, but no thanks.
Apparently they've never had a female Instrument engineer here before. Maybe that's why the people I work with appear so quiet and timid, the young ones especially. My peer group don't really seem to care whether I'm there. Well, it's time for me and my dream sports car to change that.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Reds chapter 3
One month goes past. Two. Three.
There is a visit to his territory. No, she is not really part of the official entourage, just trailing along to provide some support to the main team. And the event they were participating in did not involve him in any way.
But she catches a glimpse of him walking by, and her heart skips a beat. She looks away.
Time passes. An hour or two.
This time he meets her by chance. He smiles. It lights up his face. She had never seen him smile that way before
She takes the smile, folds it away into a corner of her memories. To be opened and gazed upon for months to come without ever seeing him again.
There is a visit to his territory. No, she is not really part of the official entourage, just trailing along to provide some support to the main team. And the event they were participating in did not involve him in any way.
But she catches a glimpse of him walking by, and her heart skips a beat. She looks away.
Time passes. An hour or two.
This time he meets her by chance. He smiles. It lights up his face. She had never seen him smile that way before
She takes the smile, folds it away into a corner of her memories. To be opened and gazed upon for months to come without ever seeing him again.
Reds
They just could not stand each other.
It was a test of wills, a clash of egos. On home turf they were both leaders, respected by their peers, rightfully placed on a pedestal by their followers. But now, in strange territory, they had to fight for the right to be heard.
The last exercise truly angered her. Earlier in the day they had both been selected to be in the same group of ten, which he had allowed one of his younger men to lead. However, out of natural respect - or perhaps fear of reprimand -the new chief kept refering back to his erstwhile captain, who gladly issued commands that he expected everone to follow. It had cost them a victory, when his instruction was in direct contrast to her proposal, and she had been correct. In fact his decision had put them in so much trouble that their team received a public telling-off, much to the delight of the others.
A classic battle of the sexes was set up. The whole camp could sense that these two were just never going to get along. They were cordial, even friendly with everyone else, but avoided having a conversation between themselves. She could hardly wait for the week to be over so she could avoid seeing him ever again.
It was a test of wills, a clash of egos. On home turf they were both leaders, respected by their peers, rightfully placed on a pedestal by their followers. But now, in strange territory, they had to fight for the right to be heard.
The last exercise truly angered her. Earlier in the day they had both been selected to be in the same group of ten, which he had allowed one of his younger men to lead. However, out of natural respect - or perhaps fear of reprimand -the new chief kept refering back to his erstwhile captain, who gladly issued commands that he expected everone to follow. It had cost them a victory, when his instruction was in direct contrast to her proposal, and she had been correct. In fact his decision had put them in so much trouble that their team received a public telling-off, much to the delight of the others.
A classic battle of the sexes was set up. The whole camp could sense that these two were just never going to get along. They were cordial, even friendly with everyone else, but avoided having a conversation between themselves. She could hardly wait for the week to be over so she could avoid seeing him ever again.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Colour my world
If I were still single and someone wanted to win my heart, he doesn't have to spend money buying me shoes or clothes or jewellery. Or designer handbags. All they need to get me is stationery. Instead of a bouquet of red roses that may wilt after a couple of days, send me a gift basket of products picked from a corner of the MPH Megastore.
Notebooks. Writing pads. Pens. I positively SWOON over a set of 48 colour pencils from Faber-Castell or crayons from Crayola. Heck, even post-it tabs. And a nifty case to carry them all in.
Leave me in the stationery section of a bookstore and I feel like I've died and gone to heaven.
Not that I'm a particularly talented artist or writer. But these are just some of the pens I am beginning to collect:
Saw a 'Best Buy' set of 6 comprising of brown, turquoise, light green, emerald green, magenta and purple. Justification for buying it: I can split them between me and my sisters. Unfortunately, my sister already bought a set. They're just as bad as me if not worse. Still untouched - the pens, I mean. The sisters too, come to think of it.
Started buying these Stabilo pens loose, adding them to my collection 1 or 2 at a time. Then found this set of 20. Again, most of the time it just sits pretty on my desk at the office.
Almost have the whole range. I redeemed RM40 discount vouchers from Parkson, but needed to spend them within a week. Bought 7 of these then and there, together with a small notebook and a pencil case. My excuse: I had to attend a so-called meeting afterwards and needed something to take notes with.
Notebooks. Writing pads. Pens. I positively SWOON over a set of 48 colour pencils from Faber-Castell or crayons from Crayola. Heck, even post-it tabs. And a nifty case to carry them all in.
Leave me in the stationery section of a bookstore and I feel like I've died and gone to heaven.
Not that I'm a particularly talented artist or writer. But these are just some of the pens I am beginning to collect:
Saw a 'Best Buy' set of 6 comprising of brown, turquoise, light green, emerald green, magenta and purple. Justification for buying it: I can split them between me and my sisters. Unfortunately, my sister already bought a set. They're just as bad as me if not worse. Still untouched - the pens, I mean. The sisters too, come to think of it.
Started buying these Stabilo pens loose, adding them to my collection 1 or 2 at a time. Then found this set of 20. Again, most of the time it just sits pretty on my desk at the office.
Almost have the whole range. I redeemed RM40 discount vouchers from Parkson, but needed to spend them within a week. Bought 7 of these then and there, together with a small notebook and a pencil case. My excuse: I had to attend a so-called meeting afterwards and needed something to take notes with.Sunday, 7 June 2009
Greek Odyssey Day 9: Athens-Dubai-KL
Our last day in Greece. Although we spent the night at the Airport Hotel, we decided to take an early bus into the City of Athens to visit the National Archaeological Museum, specifically to check out the golden horde excavated from the Mycenaean royal tombs. We arrived at the Museum just as it was opening. Luckily for us, the museum was free-entry since it was off-season.
Some early arrivals who got there before us.
These golden masks were found covering the faces of the royal male dead.
Golden plates covering royal male infants.
Pieces of gold jewellery for the women.
This is what they would have looked like on Mycanean lady.
Golden plates covering royal male infants.
Pieces of gold jewellery for the women.
This is what they would have looked like on Mycanean lady.
Other exhibits in the musuem included weapons:
A reconstructed racing chariot.
A private collection donated to the museum. Here is an earring, with a diagram of how it is to be worn.
Egyptian artifacts, including mummies.
The bright and airy display of the Museum. Muzium Negara tak nak upgrade macam ni ke?
A courtyard near the Museum souvenir shop.
A reconstructed racing chariot.
A private collection donated to the museum. Here is an earring, with a diagram of how it is to be worn.
Egyptian artifacts, including mummies.
The bright and airy display of the Museum. Muzium Negara tak nak upgrade macam ni ke?
A courtyard near the Museum souvenir shop.
Near Monastiraki station, an old mosque was converted into a folk art museum.
Bright display of fruits outside Monastiraki train station.
The remains of Hadrian's Library, next to the Folk Art Museum.
An inscription from the Quran above the entrance to the mosque.
The colourfully decorated mimbar of the mosque.
Bright display of fruits outside Monastiraki train station.
The remains of Hadrian's Library, next to the Folk Art Museum.
An inscription from the Quran above the entrance to the mosque.
The colourfully decorated mimbar of the mosque.
We had time to walk the streets of Plaka to do some souvenir-shopping.
There was also a weekend flea market, where everything and anything under the sun was up for sale - including these.
A mini-train the colours of the Greek flag along the streets of Plaka.
Another old mosque, but this one is closed to the public.
Remnants of the Roman Agora.
A mini-train the colours of the Greek flag along the streets of Plaka.
Another old mosque, but this one is closed to the public.
Remnants of the Roman Agora.
Back at the airport to catch our afternoon flight to Dubai.
A very satisfied traveller.
There was no Emirates business lounge, but due to its affiliation with Swiss Air, we were granted entrance to the Swissport business traveller's lounge.
Goodbye, Greece.
Just one last reminder: Greek salad on the inflight menu.
I'm heading home I've done my time. Last call pre-takeoff.
Goodbye, Greece.
Just one last reminder: Greek salad on the inflight menu.
Greek Odyssey Day 8: Myrtos-Assos-Fiskardo-Athens
One last shot of Argostoli in the morning, from our hotel balcony.
Sorry ye, PETRONAS tak ada branch di Kefalonia. Bonuslink pun takde.
I can't remember the name of this beach, but there's a lot more where this came from.Myrtos beach.
Hubby testing the waters at Myrtos. At 15 deg C, it's not a good idea to go swimming.
Local mountaineering champions.
Geological evidences of seismic activity.
Another view of Myrtos beach. Yes, we had to drive down that twisting road on the left.
Picture perfect. Go ahead, copy it as your screensaver or desktop.
As proof that I was there and that I did not rip off the above photo from someone else's blog, here's one of me & Myrtos in the background.
En route to our next destination: Assos. There's a medieval fortress at the top of the hill that we wanted to visit, but the road was not open to cars and we did not feel like climbing up.
Right at the northernmost tip of the island is the fishing town of Fiskardo. We had hoped to stop there for lunch, but no shops were open. People were just busy painting to get the town picture-perfect in time for the tourist season starting in April (my trip was just at the end of March).
Just southwest of Fiskardo, we found a small lagoon, again with interesting stratified formations.
For lunch, we stopped at a small village somewhere north of Assos. On the menu was seafood fettucine, greek salad and tzatziki. All items were ordered as single portions to share between the two of us, but there were still leftovers.
A nice cuppa Greek coffee to wash it all down. Specially dedicated to you, Ubi!
The personnel at check-in must have been confused when they saw a travelling visa in Hubby's passport but none in mine. They did not realise that his visa was meant for Malaysian travellers to Sudan, not to Greece. Malaysians do not require a special visa to travel to Greece. The police questioned us, to the point of making themselves look silly but they refused to apologise.
Our flight in th evening at about 5 pm back to Athens. I thought this was the end of our Kefalonian adventure, but there was more to come...
The personnel at check-in must have been confused when they saw a travelling visa in Hubby's passport but none in mine. They did not realise that his visa was meant for Malaysian travellers to Sudan, not to Greece. Malaysians do not require a special visa to travel to Greece. The police questioned us, to the point of making themselves look silly but they refused to apologise. The same policemen were manning the departure hall, so to further exert their authority they asked for proof that Hubby's camera really was a camera. I thought I'd take a picture of them but they refused, so all we got was this:
