Cluttered.  

Posted by: Ms. W in

I didn't sit at my desk for almost a week. It was so cluttered (with everything)! I don't know whether it's because I have too many irons in the fire or I am just disorganised. I can be so disorganised sometimes but sometimes I also can be obsessive-compulsive. Such imbalance roles! For the past few days I've been doing my work elsewhere - wherever I can squeeze in including colleagues' desks haha. It took me almost an hour to de-clutter the desk just this afternoon. Guess I have lots of catching up to do eh.


Strewn books and papers everywhere. Visible - my box of raisins for healthy snacking ;)



A closer look.

PS: I was also busy with creating a new blog. Come and visit!

Review: Safety Plus feeding bottle  

Posted by: Ms. W in

I’ve been planning to write this review for quite some time now. Please know that this review is just an honest opinion of mine. I'm not a pro.

We know how harmless BPA can be if we “consume” it on a daily basis and issues on materials containing BPA in feeding bottles have been raised in these past two years. After some research on the net I’ve decided to change from Avent to Safety Plus.

Why did I want to abandon Avent? Avent products contain BPA. It has come up with BPA-free products but they are only marketed overseas. Malaysia is one of the countries that they treat as a dumping ground for those non-BPA-free baby products. However, Avent BPA-free products are available at most local online baby stores but at very expensive prices.

Safety Plus is a brand by a local company – Brand Melody Sdn. Bhd. For this particular brand R&D is done in Australia (by a partner company) and manufacturing is done in Taiwan. The feeding bottles from Safety Plus are similar to a US product, thinkbaby, one of the top choices in US for plastic baby products.

I chose to use Safety Plus because I fell in love with the design. I think the design looks elegant and neat. And the brand is easily available in KK. There is an exclusive reseller here that has all its range.





The first thing that I notice about the bottle is the silicone teat. As you can see below the teat is different from any other teats in the market. It has a valve that’s hanging down from the teat. The teat is the cross cut type and has an anti-collapse feature… which I’m sorry to say doesn’t work.





I’ve never experience any teat-collapsing when I was using Avent. The teat kept collapsing while Kakak and Adik were nursing from the bottles. However, the problem has been solved because the company has come up with a new range of teats.

And then at first I was so in love with the cross cut feature of the teat. Even if the bottle is lying horizontally the milk will not drip out. But the feature wears off rather easily. I don’t know whether it’s because the teat is “naturally soft” but the teats get torn at its opening easily. I have to change the teats every month and it cost RM16.90 a pair.

I have no other problem with using Safety Plus but I really hope they once again improve their teats.

The feeding bottles are easy to take care of. I wash it with a non-anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid. Please take note that a BPA-free product cannot be washed with an anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid – it damages the material.

The feeding bottles from Safety Plus can be used up to a year and a half if you use two alternating bottles. Please avoid scratching the inside of the bottles to ensure that the bottles are always safe for use.

I don’t recommend this brand to feed infants. I think it is more suitable for toddlers.


Will I use this brand for long? The answer is no. I hate to change teats too often and I would like to opt for a cheaper product. For now I’m thinking of MAM.



Note: We had started using Safety Plus in May 2009. We bought two 300ml / 10oz twin packs. The twin pack costs RM77.90 per pack.

Arghhh!  

Posted by: Ms. W in ,

I was really angry at one of my students today. The incident happened first thing in the morning. While I was making rounds checking whether they have finished their homework or not, I noticed one of the boys wearing a chain around his neck with an animal tooth hanging onto it. I immediately asked him to take it off. He hesitated of course but then he seemed somewhat glad giving it up to me. Just a few minutes later, his classmates told me that it was a pig's tooth. How dare he! He is non-Muslim but I knew that he knew that pigs are haram to us Muslim. I threw the chain at his face and directed him to the principal's office immediately. I also gave him three good canings and asked him why he gave it to me knowing that it's a pig's tooth. He simply answered I was the one who asked for it. I told him that he could at least be courteous by telling me it's pig tooth so I could take it away by holding it between papers or other things! I really felt like killing this kid. I think what he did was so kurang ajar. He thinks he's a gangster of some kind. He never finishes his homework, he's a "sleeper" in class, and he talks a lot too. He's from the weakest class of the second formers. Some of the students from this class can't even read. Most of them are "hyperactive" - they can never sit still and never quiet. And they like to sleep in class. I've read that it takes all sort to make a world. I hate this sort.

PS: I had to "samak" my hands after that. Samak is a ritual cleansing done by Muslim whenever he or she (accidentally) touch animals (or animal parts in my case) haram to Islam such as pigs and dogs.

I can hardly wait for next season!  

Posted by: Ms. W in

Ugly Betty's third season ended last night. What I love about it was:


I love that while giving his speech Daniel saw Molly all dressed-up in that red dress, when it was actually Molly's soul saying goodbye to him. It reminds me of stories I've read in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

I love the quick scene of Amanda consolling Marc at the end of the episode. I really love their friendship.

It broke my heart to see Daniel losing Molly and being comforted by Betty. I love how they were always there for one another and how their relationship was beyond boss-personal assistant.

Claire's cliffhanger is one of things that I can't wait for. I wonder who is the son that she had with Hartley (or maybe somebody else for that matter).

And Matt. He broke up with Betty. But next season he will be Betty's boss thanks to his father, Hartley, the new owner of Meade Publications. His demeanor has changed and I think he'll be cruel-Matt.

And I definitely love the Cinde Lauper song (Time After Time) for the ending montage. Especially with the scene where Betty hugging Daniel tight.

If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you
I'll be waiting
Time after time





Promo pic from the second season.

An update  

Posted by: Ms. W in , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sorry for this long break. The Internet was down for a few days last week; and the weekend before that was spent in KK. This post is really long so I’ve divided in into six parts. If you can’t finish reading in one go, please come back another day =)
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Part 1 – Our first furniture

I was so looking forward to our two-night trip to KK the previous weekend (11 – 13 July) but Mr. A ruined it to some degree when he forgot to bring the camera! I was so geram but we were already 30 minutes on the road when we realized it so we didn’t turn back. The trip to KK from our home would take a minimum of 2 hours.

It was a shopping trip… plus we need to do some banking on the 13th. As soon as we arrived in KK (and after we ate lunch), we went shopping in Parkson Grand in Wawasan Plaza. And we were done clothes-shopping! Suprisingly I can get all that I wanted in one place (and mind you that Parkson Grand was only a one-floor shopping haven).

One of the things on our shopping list was teak furniture. We wanted to buy our first set of dining table and some other things. We went window shopping for them mostly at Seri Jati (both in Penampang and Sadong Jaya) and Jamilah Furniture (both in Wisma MUIS and Putatan). We wanted modern wooden furniture. Like I’ve said in one of my previous posts, the decoration concept I’m going for is resort concept.

We were so happy to find exactly what we wanted. We bought two pieces of furniture – a dining table set and a sideboard. Both in dark natural colour. The dining table is huge for a six-seated. It actually fits eight. We are planning to purchase another pair of dining chairs when we get back in Selangor. And I am so in love with our sideboard. For now it acts as what it is but in our new home it will become our TV cabinet.


Our first very own dining table!

Isn't it gorgeous?

My mum hearing that we were shopping for teak furniture quickly placed her orders! One of them was a daybed. I wanted one for myself and I found only one (in the exact design I desired). But of course we didn’t have the budget for it so we bought it for my mum. I didn’t mind at all. Besides, we are the ones who got to use it first haha.

My laundry-folding station for now.
____________________________________________________________________
Part 2 – Hotel review: Grand Borneo Hotel

We spent the two nights in KK at Grand Borneo Hotel (a four-star hotel). A hotel adjacent to 1Borneo – a hypermall. I booked a standard room for us. The room was really really small. I knew about the size but I didn’t know it could be that small! There were only mere spaces around the bed. It became much smaller for us because Kakak and Adik conquered the bed most of the time.

The room would be more suitable for honeymooners. But if you have room service you definitely will eat on the bed. There was a working desk but not enough space to sit two. The bathroom is A-okay to us except for the full length window facing the bed. The problem was the blind was situated outside so Kakak and Adik were always peeking inside. Haih. There was no bathtub but the power shower was great.

The room has all the usual amenities – flat-screen TV, kettle, small fridge and a safe. You could borrow a set of iron and ironing board and keep it in your room as long as you stay. And the towels are so nice and fluffy.

We upgraded to a superior the next night. I couldn’t bear the smallness of the room anymore. Superior was roomier in fact. The bathroom had a bathtub (but not a separate shower) and no more window facing the bed hehe. What luxury comparing with kids always peeking in while I were busy soaping. The same amenities applied.

I really like the breakfast buffet at the Soul Out Coffee House as the foods were delicious. The ambience was really nice. Most furniture were white and there were huge windows looking out to green mountains. There were the usual egg/omelet station, noodle station, bread and pastries, fresh and canned fruits, cereals, etc. The funny thing was I love the most basic food – their fried rice. By the way, this is the first hotel restaurant that I saw with a Jakim halal sticker.

The staff were nice and well-trained. The swimming pool is situated indoor. We didn’t have time to swim but we managed to visit it. The size was okay, it was not really big nor it was small. The hotel parking space (situated outdoor in front of the hotel) was very limited. However, the jockey service was really cheap – only RM5 for the whole day!

Unfortunately we didn’t have the camera so I have no picture to include here. Please visit their website for more information and of course to see pictures of the hotel.
____________________________________________________________________
Part 3 – Camping

And last weekend, my school had organised a camp – Perkhemahan Integrasi Unit-unit Beruniform. We camped for two nights at a nearby Pusat Kegiatan Kokurikulum. I was one of the AJK Keselamatan committee members. I was there most of the time even though I didn’t sleep at the camp site. I just had my period. I know I’m the lemah semangat type so it’s better to be safe than to be sorry right?

We did nothing much. Just the usual school camping routine – setting up camp site, LDK, exercising in the morning, marching, cooking, Kembara activity, Malam Kebudayaan, etc. I’m with the Puteri Islam. My kids won the cooking competition.


Kakak visiting.

My kids.



The kids being "bullied" by their PJK teacher.


The most fun people in my life right now - Kak As and Amir.

And of course there were ghostly sightings.
____________________________________________________________________
Part 4 – Hormonal imbalance

I just had my period. Only after the 50th day after my heavy bleeding episode. At first, I thought I was pregnant. I tested twice and both were negative but I still didn’t have my period. I went to a clinic and was told that most probably my hormones are still not stable so I just have to wait for it.

Waiting for it was hell. I really feel that my hormonal imbalance has caused me to gain weight (yet always)! The urge to eat was so bad. Plus Mr. A didn’t let me exercise thinking that I was really pregnant. Now, I have to really work hard to lose kilos again.

I nearly reach my peak and that can’t happen. I already feel uncomfortable with my clothes which is a horrible sign! If only I had speedy metabolism =(

Am i fat or am i fat?
____________________________________________________________________
Part 5 – My lingerie from US

… was a let-down. It was a size too big (or two sizes too big). I followed the size chart exactly but I guess it was just my luck. So now I have to find somebody bigger than me to sell it off. Yea good luck Ms. W!

Nevertheless, I am satisfied with the service provided by my friend from Beauty Corner. I am currently waiting for another order of mine to arrive (not lingerie). I’ll show it off here once it arrives okay.
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Part 6 – Kakak’s first drawings.

Last week while I was busy folding laundry and Kakak was busy doodling, I heard she says the words ate (eyes), idung (nose), uyut (lips), ambut (hair), angan (hands) and angki (legs) again and again but I didn’t check what she was doing. Later I found four pieces of paper with her doodling and boy I was so proud of them!


She did this all by herself. We have not yet teach her to draw caricature.

Kakak looking proud.

Kakak may be a late talker but I really believe in her kinetic skills. I really hope she inherits my father’s talent in art. I didn’t.
____________________________________________________________________
I have busy weeks ahead of me. Lots and lots of books to mark, paperwork and reports to submit and weight to lose. Yes, my weight bugs me. Tell me yours don’t.

What a compliment =)  

Posted by: Ms. W in , ,

I don’t know whether I am a well-liked teacher or not. I am the kind of teacher whom makes sure there is an invisible gap between me and my students. I can be nice but I don’t want to be too nice. I don’t want my students to be clingy to me. I think kids love attention and I don’t like to give attention unnecessarily.

However, I do want students to think that I am a good teacher; a dedicated, dependable (to an extent), and caring teacher. I want them to be inspired by the things that I teach them; to be able to use English language as a tool to succeed and to have a high self esteem.

Other than teaching English, I also teach Pendidikan Moral to a class of first formers. I really enjoy teaching this set of students. Being budak kampung and still very young, they are eager to learn. They participate well in class even though sometimes they can be quiet mischievous! ( Today I caught one of the girls writing a love letter while I was teaching and she slammed the door on her way out).

Yesterday I was told by my Penolong Kanan Pentadbiran that starting next week I do not have to teach Pendidikan Moral anymore. So today I made the class worked hard. We covered two units (chapters) in two periods (which is a lot okay). I wanted to finish up the Bidang Pembelajaran 4 so the new teacher can simply start at Bidang Pembelajaran 5.

They wondered why I was in such a rush. Even though at first I didn’t want to tell them about them getting a new Pendidikan Moral teacher, I had to. Of course there were moaning and groaning and whining (don’t know whether they were being sincere or not). They told me they didn’t want a new teacher. When I asked them why, one of the girls answered (while giggling),

“Teacher lucu”

I couldn’t help feeling touched and proud *big smile*

The ultimate question.  

Posted by: Ms. W in ,


There is a baby boom among my friends this year… and since my kids are no longer babies, it kind of made me think. I do think about (and feel like) having another baby. However, I do feel anxious about it as well.

Actually, I already gave up the idea to have more children. I’ve given away all the baby clothes that once belong to Kakak and Adik. I am an unfabulous mum at most when I am being impatient. I always feel that (my) children deserve better. Children with their curiousity and not yet being able to understand the real world should have wonderfully patient mums.

I am happy, yes but sometimes I don’t think Mr. A and I are not good parents. We don’t know how to quietly argue. I don’t want my kids to grow up confuse and defensive. Once again I feel so unfabulous.

Being a parent is never easy I know but sometimes I wonder is it fair to bring an innocent child to a world that is so imperfect and flawed?

Besides, my greatest fear is breastfeeding. I don’t think much about giving birth. I mean once you’re done, you’re done right?! But breastfeeding is too much hard work for someone who has flat and / or inverted nipples like me. It hurts too much – physically and mentally.

Breastfeeding had caused my nipples to severely crack that one of them is scarred forever. (I wonder if I still can breastfeed with that breast). And when I don’t breastfeed I feel guilty and like a failure (furthermore when everybody else is doing it and unconsciously judging those who don't).

Still we have actually decided to ditch all methods of family planning. I can’t say that I am trying hard. What I can only say is whatever will be; will be.

Happy 3rd Birthday Kakak!  

Posted by: Ms. W in ,


Kakak's birthday was actually on the 2nd of July. We had a small party that evening which consist just the four of us (I did say it was small, didn't I?). We had chocolate cake and ate a normal Malay dinner after that. Anyway, thanks to a good friend of mine, I am able to come up with a photomosaic of Kakak. The base picture was taken on the special day. She looks so "grown up" now. How time flies *sigh*

Interested in creating a photomosaic? Click here.

PS: Click the picture in order to view it larger.

Going gaga over small chandeliers!  

Posted by: Ms. W in

We are currently doing some modification to our new home. With a small budget we are ever-so-anxious in imagining what we can do to beautify the house. One of things that I would love to see in our home is two small chandeliers hanging down from the living hall ceiling. I’d like it to be in either bronze or brownish in colour so it would match the resort concept I am thinking of in decorating the house. I’ve googled some image of some beautiful chandeliers in order to get some ideas.

I love this one.




This would be my second choice.



Maybe this(?) since we are on a small budget but I want to avoid black chandelier. Too gothic for me.



Isn't this one so sweet? Such an eye candy but I think this one is for English concept interior design.

Daisypath Lilypie Lilypie Third Birthday tickers